Abiodun Essiet, one of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Senior Special Assistants (SSA) on Community Development, has said that the only way to address the problems plaguing the nation and its residents is to strive to strengthen links between the government and its people.
Essiet made this statement in response to the announcement of her appointment as Omowunmi Abiodun Essiet, Senior Special Advisor on Community Engagement to President Bola Tinubu, made by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
She claimed that although Nigeria has a diverse population and a rich cultural heritage, it is plagued by a number of problems, some of which range from regional wars to socioeconomic inequality.
Essiet a gender activist and development expert who is dedicated to accomplishing the implementation of SDGs 4.5, 6, and 16, as well as identifying development gaps in society and solutions to close them in order to promote public service efficiency, is one of these new hires.
According to her:”My role as a SSA on community engagement is to create and maintain a two-way dialogue between the administration and communities across the North Central to ensure that voices are heard and that concerns can be translated into action by the leadership of this administration”.
“Appreciating President Bola Tinubu for deeming her worthy of the appointment, Essiet assured that her appointment and that of other SSA Community Development would result in impactful democratic administration by the President.
” My approach to community engagement will be through Asset Based Community Led Development (ABCD) and the Inclusion of all vulnerable groups in all actions. Identifying the assets a community has (structures, network, human capital, CDA, etc.) to drive the solution to their problem.”
Essiet, who is a passionate community development expert with evidence to her name, said she would leave no stone unturned in ensuring that the eight-point agenda of Mr President that aimed at turning around the economy and make life comfortable for all Nigerians a reality.
According to Essiet, the innovativeness of the President to have SSAs in Community engagement is a testimony to the fact that President Tinubu want all Nigerians in every core of the country to benefit from the present day government, not withstanding their region or location.
” President Tinubu is a leader of the masses. He want things to work out well especially those in the rural communities.
” My appointment and that of my other SSA Community Engagement would go a long way in ensuring that every Nigerian , no matter their location or tribe , enjoys the dividend of democracy.
” I will personally , within my own capacity, ensure that our people in the North Central Region of Nigeria feel the impact of President Tinubu’s eight-point agenda. That is the reason why I am appointed.
” People in the locals should also enjoy the dividend of democracy. We can not be saying Politics is local, when the locals are not enjoying their leaders. We are here to ensure the impact of this country is felt in every nook and crannies of the country,” she said.
She is an Open Government Leadership Fellow
of Mandela Washington Fellowship on Public leadership and Administration, Women Leadership Fellow- Coady Women’s leaders Research Network, Coady International Institute, Novascotia, Canada.
Added to her feather is a Fellowship Certificate Canvassity PAN African Youth Democracy Program, Certificate in Advocacy in Increasing Citizen voices and Agency of Coady International Institute, Reviewer on Reproductive Health for BMC International Journal, and a Diploma in Development Leadership- Coady International Institute, Canada.
Abiodun Essiet also holds a Certificate in Community development Leadership by women- Coady International Institute, Masters in Public health –( Health Promotion and Education )- College of Medicine, University of Ibadan. Oyo State , Nigeria
Project Management study, and a Bachelor of Nursing Science Degree ( BNSC) form the College of Medicine, Department of Nursing, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Osogbo , Osun State, Nigeria, and is a certified Registered Mid-wife (RM), Registered Nurse (RN), Registered Public Health Nurse (RPHN).
Abiodun Essiet’s wealth of knowledge and passion for leadership and community development is not limited to her certfications alone, she has performed in various leadership positions in different sphere, public and private sector of the economy.
She has distinguished herself and made her mark as Abuja Municipal Area Council, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja while functioning as Nigeria’s Consultant on development partners to the Council.
Similarly, while serving in the public service, she brought in lots of innovation to the area council in the areas of accountability and transparency by signing off the council to join the Open Government partnership which made AMAC to be the first local government in Nigeria to sign up to a Global accountability platform changing the status of Nigeria on the global stage.
She was also the desk officer for covenant of Mayor sub Sahara africa by leading a team of staff and development partner to develop 8 years sustainable energy access and climate action plan for the local council which again made AMAC to be the first Local government on Nigeria to have a climate action plan. On digital innovations, she lead the council to join world smart and sustainable cities WeGO Korea which led to the successful application for AMAC to host the Africa Regional Office for WeGO.
She has also demonstated her determination and committment towards community development by breaking the glass ceiling as the first Yoruba person to vie for the Vice chairmanship position of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) since the creation of Abuja , hence promoting women’s inclusion in the Nigerian political space.
