The Nigeria Women Economic Development (NigWED), an NGO, has called on stakeholders to co-create practical pathways to empower people, strengthen communities, and deepen international cooperation.
Dr Lugard Okonobo, the Director-General of NigWED, made the appeal on tuesday in Abuja at a stakeholders’ interactive meeting on leveraging “the Nigeria-Germany Transformation Hub (NGTH)” and social enterprise projects.
Okonobo said that stakeholders from government, civil society, the private sector, diaspora groups, and international partners have a collective responsibility to build a more inclusive, sustainable, and equitable future for all. He stressed that the event was not just for dialogue but for the co-creation of strategic initiatives that can drive tangible development.
“This Hub, operating as a dynamic social enterprise platform in Nigeria, stands as a beacon of what is possible when innovation, bilateral partnership, and community-centered development intersect.
“It presents us with a unique opportunity to build bridges not just between countries, but across sectors and social divides,” he said.
Okonobo said gender and social inclusion, an SDG goal, could not be achieved without the participation of women, youths, persons with disabilities and marginalised communities.
He said that Safe and Legal Migration Pathways should be a choice not a necessity borne out of desperation.
He further said that Nigeria and Germany had continued to show that true transformation was possible through cooperative diplomacy.
Also speaking, Alhaji Suleiman Aminu, Chairman NGTH, said the event offered a platform to build partnerships, share ideas and explore how social enterprises could drive innovation and promote sustainable development in Nigeria.
Aminu, who is the National Coordinator/ Founder of Tinubu Support Group, urged participants to engaged more fully and ensure that the relations translates into real impacts to people.
He further said that addressing sustainable, smart, and integrated agricultural development and nutrition were essential for combating hunger and building food sovereignty.
“Our efforts must empower rural communities and promote sustainable livelihoods for farmers and agriculture entrepreneurs. We celebrate and foster intercultural exchange through arts and sport.
“These are not mere extracurricular activities; they are powerful tools for building mutual understanding, healing divisions and promoting peace.
“Let us use them to bridge cultures, amplify diverse voices and promote social cohesion,” he said.
Mr Ambrose Okojie, President, NGTH said the event would renew shared resolve to work together across sectors, borders, and disciplines.
He urged participants to utilise the platform not just as a space for programmes, but as a launch pad to change the narratives in Nigeria’s EcoSystem.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the highlight of the meeting was signing of Momerandum of Understanding between NGTH and All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).
