The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, have said government alone cannot address Nigeria’s growing social, economic and humanitarian challenges.

They called for stronger collaboration with faith-based organisations, the private sector and civil society groups.

The leaders spoke in Abuja at the unveiling of a N2 billion Endowment Fund and Integrated Charity Initiative by the Knights of St. Mulumba (KSM) Nigeria, designed to provide sustainable funding for humanitarian interventions, healthcare, education, legal aid, support for widows and orphans, correctional services and emergency relief across the country.

They argued that worsening economic hardship, rising poverty, insecurity and increasing humanitarian needs have made it imperative for governments at all levels to partner with non-state actors to reach vulnerable populations.

Represented by the Chairman of the House Committee on Christian Pilgrimage Affairs, Hon. Festus Adefiranye, Abbas said faith-based organisations occupy a unique position in nation-building because they command public trust, promote moral values and reach communities where formal institutions often struggle to provide support.

“Government alone cannot solve every social challenge confronting our nation. Sustainable national development requires a genuine partnership among public institutions, faith-based organisations, the private sector and civil society,” he said.

According to the Speaker, the unveiling of the endowment fund was not merely a fundraising exercise but a demonstration of compassion, sacrifice and solidarity needed to build a prosperous society.

He commended the Knights of St. Mulumba for their contributions over the past seven decades in education, healthcare, youth development, justice and humanitarian services.

Abbas described the endowment fund as a model of sustainable philanthropy, noting that preserving capital while deploying investment returns for charitable activities would guarantee long-term impact.

On his part, Akume said Nigeria’s development challenges require innovative responses from all sectors of society.

Represented by his Special Assistant, Simon Tyungu, the SGF said lasting progress could only be achieved through strong partnerships involving government, faith-based organisations, civil society groups, the private sector and patriotic citizens.

“Government alone cannot address every developmental challenge. Lasting progress can only be achieved through strong partnerships involving faith-based organisations, the private sector, civil society and patriotic citizens committed to the common good,” he said.

Akume described the initiative as “the institutionalisation of compassion, the sustainability of charity and the deliberate investment in humanity,” adding that it complements government efforts to improve citizens’ welfare.

He urged philanthropists, corporate organisations and well-meaning Nigerians to support the fund, stressing that every contribution would help promote hope, dignity and social inclusion.

Also speaking, Ododo said the objectives of the endowment fund align with his administration’s priorities in security, humanitarian assistance, healthcare and education.

Represented by the Secretary to the Kogi State Government, Dr. Folashade Ayoade, the governor said every act of violence, terrorism or banditry leaves families devastated, making support for victims an essential component of governance.

“The core of this initiative and the core of my administration are united on the same principle. Security and humanitarian activities are the highest priority of my government because behind every kidnapping, every act of banditry and every terrorist attack, there is a family whose life has been shattered,” he said.

Ododo noted that the decision by KSM to prioritise support for victims of violence and terrorism reflects the true purpose of security and humanitarian service.

He highlighted several measures taken by his administration to improve security in Kogi State, including the absorption of 2,752 vigilantes into a structured security framework, the deployment of over 1,050 hunters across the state’s 21 local government areas, the establishment of a Quick Response Unit, procurement of 50 armoured patrol vehicles and deployment of combat drones.

According to him, these interventions have helped to reduce criminal activities and led to the rescue of kidnap victims as well as the neutralisation of notorious criminal kingpins operating across several states.

The governor also outlined social intervention programmes implemented by his administration, including a N7 billion investment in the rehabilitation of 88 primary healthcare centres, expansion of health insurance coverage, free education and examination registration, and empowerment programmes targeting widows, orphans and displaced persons.

Ododo called on faith-based organisations across the country to establish similar initiatives to support vulnerable Nigerians, insisting that governments alone cannot shoulder the burden.

Earlier, the Worthy Supreme Knight of KSM Nigeria, Sir Steve Adehi (SAN), said the organisation decided to establish the endowment fund in response to growing humanitarian needs and dwindling resources available through traditional member contributions.

He said while the Order has, since its establishment in 1953, funded charitable activities through dues and levies from members, worsening economic conditions and declining membership have made the model increasingly unsustainable.

“As our society advances and our economic situation deteriorates, the need for these interventions has increased. These interventions have mostly been funded through dues and levies from members.

“Our membership strength is dwindling owing to death, age and economic decline. In order to respond to these increasing demands, we have to look for alternative ways of funding our charitable works,” Adehi said.

He explained that the fund would be professionally managed, with the principal capital preserved indefinitely while only investment income would be used to finance charity programmes.

According to him, the Order has set an initial target of N2 billion, with plans to expand the fund through contributions from members, corporate organisations and development partners.