RismadarVoice Reporters
October 1, 2026
Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction, Dr Bernard Doro, has called on Nigerians to strengthen solidarity and shared responsibility towards vulnerable people as the country marks its 66th Independence Anniversary.
Doro made the call in a statement issued in Abuja on Thursday by his Senior Technical Adviser on Information Systems and Data Analysis, Dr Abimbola Fasanu.
The minister said Independence Day should not only be an occasion to celebrate Nigeria’s sovereignty but also an opportunity for citizens to reflect on their collective responsibility to build an inclusive society where vulnerable people are protected and supported.
He said while government has a fundamental responsibility to protect vulnerable citizens and create opportunities for them to improve their lives, government alone cannot meet the country’s humanitarian and poverty-reduction challenges.
According to him, individuals, families, communities, civil society organisations, the private sector and development partners all have important roles to play.
“Across our communities, Nigerians have always demonstrated an extraordinary capacity to stand with one another in times of difficulty. As we celebrate 66 years of independence, we must strengthen that spirit of solidarity and continue to be our brother’s keeper,” Doro said.
The minister also called for greater emphasis on humanitarian values in schools, saying children should be taught empathy, service, responsibility and respect for human dignity from an early age.
He said the country’s values should be reflected in how Nigerians treat poor people, displaced persons, persons with disabilities, older people, children and families experiencing hardship.
Doro stressed that assistance to vulnerable Nigerians should go beyond addressing immediate needs to creating opportunities that allow individuals and households to rebuild their lives, strengthen their resilience and become self-reliant.
He said the approach was central to the Federal Government’s efforts to move humanitarian and social protection interventions from short-term palliatives to sustainable pathways linking immediate assistance with recovery, empowerment and economic participation.
“Our responsibility is not only to help people through today’s difficulties. We must also create pathways that enable them to face tomorrow with dignity, become more resilient and ultimately self-reliant,” he said.
Doro called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, communities, civil society organisations, businesses and development partners in addressing humanitarian challenges and reducing poverty across Nigeria.
He congratulated President Bola Tinubu and Nigerians at home and abroad on the Independence Anniversary and expressed confidence in the country’s ability to build a more inclusive and resilient society.
“At 66, let us renew not only our hope in Nigeria, but also our responsibility towards one another,” Doro said.
He added that nation-building ultimately centred on people and that the country’s strength would be reflected in how it protects vulnerable citizens, supports those in need and creates opportunities for Nigerians to live with dignity.
The minister wished Nigerians a happy Independence Anniversary and urged citizens to continue promoting compassion, solidarity and shared responsibility in nation-building.
