A PLAN FOR ACTION

FOREWARD
When the Executive Director of the Nigeria Network of NGOs approached us to lead the conversation and consultations on the imperative of National Dialogues for Unity, Security and Development, we saw it as a national assignment and the opportunity for us to contribute our quota to as civil society leaders and elders to address the myriads of challenges facing our country around the focal themes of national security, national unity, youth and women development and civil society government partnership.

We are more than happy that citizens have shared their precious time, insight, wisdom, expertise with us. Participants are part of a pool of different stakeholder groups from traditional leadership, security and full spectrum of civil society. The come from opposition parties, ruling parry, politics, business, academia, communities, traditional rulers, state assemblies, nonprofits, associations and 6 states of the South-West with very diverse background and outreach. They are living proof that citizens are willing to engage if the mechanisms are there.

From their insights and experience, we have worked with the Nigeria Network of NGOs to develop this report and an agenda for action for Mr. President. For us as elder statewomen and men with a combination of over 70 years as civil society actors, the consultations and dialogues were an exciting experience. Travelling across the 6 South-West States by road provided us with another view of the region, its unique diversity, people, progress and challenges.