Information Minister extols ActionAid’s 25 years of impactful endeavours

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has praised ActionAid Nigeria for its 25 years of action, service, and transformative work across Nigeria.

Idris gave the commendation at the 25th Anniversary of ActionAid Nigeria in Abuja.
This was contained in a statement issued by Idris’s Special Assistant on Media, Malam Rabiu Ibrahim on Friday in Abuja.

“For a quarter of a century, ActionAid has taken development to the frontlines, empowering women and girls, strengthening education, improving healthcare, advocating for governance reforms, supporting communities during crises, and amplifying the voices of the most vulnerable.

“ActionAid must be praised for its innumerable responses to challenging humanitarian situations and grassroots empowerment work that have shaped policy and community development in profound and measurable ways in Nigeria.

“Today, we gather to honour this legacy and to look toward the next chapter,” Idris said.

The minister highlighted two symbolic milestones at the event; the launch of the AAN@25 Legacy Book and the unveiling of the ActionAid building prototype.

He described them as “a strong signal of organisational growth and long-term presence in Nigeria.”

According to Idris, this forward-looking investment reflects ActionAid’s commitment to deepening its contribution to our nation over the next 25 years and beyond.

He stressed that such milestones deserved collective applause of all Nigerians.

On the misconceptions about Nigeria abroad, Idris stressed that the country was not a violator of religious freedom and reaffirmed that such freedoms were clearly guaranteed in the constitution.

He acknowledged the extant security challenges in the country but emphasised that government efforts were yielding positive results.

Idris cautioned against narratives that mischaracterise Nigeria and strain its relations with its partners, particularly the United States.

He urged civil society groups to help correct these misrepresentations by applying evidence-based insights into the Nigerian situation that allow them to take a constructive and leading role in reshaping the false narratives.

The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment and responsibility to protecting all the citizens including children.

“Our children must be safe in their schools, safe in their communities, and safe in their homes.

“President Bola Tinubu recently declared a national emergency on security.

“The emergency measures include new recruitment into security agencies, support for state-level security outfits, and a push for legislative action towards establishing state police,” Idris said.

He described the declaration as a turning point in the fight against terrorism and banditry.

He called on CSOs to deepen their support for open governance, media freedom, digital literacy, and community development.

Idris affirmed that ActionAid’s contributions in these areas remained “complementary and invaluable” to national progress.