Stakeholders have called for more grassroots development in Nigeria to address challenges affecting the economy, security, agriculture, and education.
The calls were made during the 2025 Mam Asholio Cultural Day and Thanksgiving by the Asholio people from Southern Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria.
The immediate past Director-General of the Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Victoria Akai, urged grassroots economic engagement to strengthen national development.
She spoke at the 2025 Mam Asholio event, organised by the Asholio Moro’a Development Association to mark their end-of-year cultural and thanksgiving celebration in Abuja.
Akai warned that Nigeria could not achieve meaningful growth by focusing only at the national level while neglecting local communities.
She said, “We are at a point where we must hit the grassroots to ensure that economic development actually gets there. We cannot sit at the National level and claim we are meeting global trends.”
Akai emphasised that women and young people should be central to economic inclusion, adding, “Without women and youth, there is no community. People should leave here convinced that they can contribute to national development without waiting for government employment.”
The former Director-General described the Asholio community as richly blessed with resources and capable of sustaining itself with the right knowledge and commitment. She also appealed to Kaduna State residents to embrace peace, tolerance, and inclusion.
He said; “Let us make Kaduna the most peaceful state in Nigeria. We can achieve it if we decide to live together and secure our state.”
The National President of the Moro’a Development Association, Jolly Joshua La’ah, said the gathering was meant to thank God for life despite the country’s difficulties.
He noted that insecurity in Southern Kaduna was partly driven by population pressure, climate change, and competition for land.
La’ah explained that the area, known for agriculture, had witnessed a surge of migrants from drought-hit regions, heightening pressure on resources and triggering clashes.
He said that the situation had improved under the current administration, which had demonstrated better understanding and balance in addressing grievances.
The Chief Host and Chairman of the Mam Asholio, Abuja Branch, Mr Kaboshio Dauda, said; “the association focused on empowering vulnerable members through knowledge and, where possible, financial support.”
He commended the government of Governor Senator Uba Sani for giving unprecedented attention to Southern Kaduna.
He said residents were beginning to feel recognised and included after decades of marginalisation.
“As far as I’m concerned, this is the best government we have experienced. Stability is gradually returning, and if sustained, the next few years will bring even more progress,” Dauda stated.
He insisted that Southern Kaduna possessed both the population, strength, and capable leaders to assume higher political positions if Nigeria’s politics operated strictly on fairness.
Dauda prayed for continued inclusion at both federal and state levels, saying the people now felt they were finally being carried along.
PIAK