Abuja: The Africa Polling Institute (API) has called for stronger collaboration among policymakers, media practitioners, and citizens to promote social cohesion and address challenges undermining national development. The Executive Director of API, Prof. Bell Ihua, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the sidelines of a capacity-building workshop in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the workshop had the theme ‘Equipping Policy Executives and Media Practitioners as Champions of Social Cohesion.’ Ihua stressed the need for collective efforts to strengthen national unity and foster inclusive development. He said the programme was designed to strengthen the capacity of policymakers and media practitioners to understand and integrate social cohesion principles into governance and reporting. He emphasized that the institute’s Social Cohesion Survey had identified policymakers and the media as critical stakeholders in shaping public narratives and fostering national unity.
Ihua pointed out that many of Nigeria’s challenges, including insecurity and poverty, are symptoms of weak social cohesion. “The essence of social cohesion is the willingness of citizens to cooperate in order to survive and prosper as a nation,” he stated. Ihua advocated for a comprehensive approach to addressing national challenges, stressing that government, citizens, and institutions all have important roles to play in strengthening social cohesion.
Dr. Olusoji Adeniyi, a member of the board of the Africa Polling Institute, urged policymakers to embrace evidence-based decision-making. Adeniyi emphasized that data generated through social cohesion surveys should be humanized and translated into policies that directly address the needs of citizens. He also urged media practitioners to promote balanced reporting and avoid stereotypes that could deepen divisions within society.
The Managing Director of Scientia Innovation Hub, Dr. Helen Emore, highlighted the need for greater citizen participation in policymaking, noting that Nigerians often possess valuable insights into the challenges affecting their communities. Emore called for increased use of digital platforms and other channels to encourage meaningful interaction between government and the public.
A participant, Mrs. Rita Onyali, Director of Planning and Strategy at the Federal Character Commission, noted that the workshop had deepened participants’ understanding of policy implementation and social inclusion. Onyali emphasized the need for institutions to rebuild public trust by ensuring policies translated into tangible benefits for citizens.
Another participant, Mr. Andrew Oaikhena, Stakeholder Manager at BudgIT Foundation, identified poverty, poor education, and gender inequality as some of the major challenges affecting social inclusion across the country. Oaikhena expressed hope that the insights gained from the workshop would be applied in their work and communities moving forward.