Commends CRS 26 years impact in Nigeria

Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu has said that the Tinubu-led administration has undertaken bold and courageous reforms  that are needed to get Nigeria in the right direction.

He noted that the administration is not unmindful that when bold reforms are implemented, whether at the family level, community or at higher levels, particularly the nation, they will have disproportionate effects on different part of the populace.

Speaking at the Catholic Relief Services (CRS) in Nigeria impact showcase in Abuja to mark the organisation’s 26 years of dedicated service across Nigeria, Bugudu sated that Nigeria is not where the administration wants it to be when compared to countries  like Brazil whom we share the same population bracket in terms of population,.

He said , “We are far away, small GDP, small government revenue, and consequently a lot of the areas of our national life, education, health, um humanitarian support and empowerment. This only tell for the fact that our incomes are far away from where that of our peers will be and therefore the disruption is ordered to take those hard choices that we feel will take us to where we ought to be without blame game and in doing so, we have introduced a number of programmes that we felt will compensate for those who are disproportionately affected especially our hardworking populace, those at the lower end of income strata, those who are in small and uh trade businesses, particularly in the agricultural sector”.

The minister however argued that while implementing these reforms, the government has introduced measures to cushion the effect of the reforms.

He regretted that the crisis in the middle east and war in Russia and Ukraine, have affected the prices of energy and fertilizer which are two major things that affect cost of living everywhere, including Nigeria.

He said, “The world is also changing, the world is also evolving. We have two major wars going on.

Russia Ukraine going of the war is still going on, and then you have the Middle East, and then you have tariff tariff wars going on, so this affected the prices of energy, the prices of fertilizer, two major things that will affect cost of living everywhere, including Nigeria.

That’s our farmers are affected. Those are those who rely on transport are affected. So, despite all the best of effort, we are still not where we want to be with reaching those who need most of the support “.

Bugudu stressed the need for partnership, between the government and organisations like CRS  to ensure that the country attains sustainable development.

He commended the CRS for the impact it has made in the lives of millions of Nigerians in the past 26 years.

In his remarks , Country Representative of Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD), Uko Ekott said that the Catholic Relief Services has continued to stand as a beacon of hope, resilience, and compassion in Nigeria’s humanitarian and development landscape over the past two and a half decades .

Ekott observed that reaching this 26-year milestone is a powerful testament to CRS unwavering commitment to serving vulnerable populations and supporting communities as they lead their own path to sustainable growth and self-reliance.

He noted that in an increasingly complex global and regional context, prioritizing local agency and mutual learning is essential to building lasting peace, dignity, and economic resilience.
Ekott emphasized that CRS’s work alongside government institutions, faith organizations, local partners, and faith communities exemplifies the transformative power of genuine collaboration rooted in our shared values and the Catholic social teachings.

Earlier, Country Representative, CRS Nigeria, Akim Kikonda said that the organisation carries out the commitment of the Catholic Bishops of the United States to support poor and vulnerable communities around the world adding that in Nigeria, our journey has been long and deeply rooted in partnership.

Kikonda noted that through collaboration with government institutions, the Catholic Church, other faith-based organizations, community groups, NGOs, and many other stakeholders, CRS has assisted communities in addressing some of the country’s most pressing development and humanitarian challenges.

He said, “Our history in Nigeria stretches back decades. Today, twenty-six years after re-establishing our presence, we stand here humbled by what collective action has achieved. Our work has transformed so many lives in various ways. They are mothers who now have greater access to quality healthcare and life-saving services for themselves and their children. They are farmers who have increased productivity and strengthened food security. They are communities affected by conflict, displacement, and disaster who have rebuilt their lives with dignity and hope.

Kikonda stated that the CRS works has focused on several strategic areas, including Health Systems Strengthening, Agriculture and Food Security, Livelihoods and Community Resilience, Humanitarian Response, Peacebuilding and Social Cohesion.” These programs are different in approach, but they are united by a common goal: helping communities not only overcome immediate challenges but also build stronger systems and greater resilience for the future”.

He observed that CRS has built a strong track record of evidence-based programming, and we believe there is tremendous value in sharing the lessons, innovations, and partnerships that have made impact possible.

On his part,, the Executive Director, Justice Development and Peace Caritas ( JDPC,) Revd. Fr Sebastian Sani described the event as a celebration of  legacy of compassion, partnership, innovation, transformative impact and 26 remarkable years of dedicated service to the people in Nigeria.

He commended the long-standing partnership between the JDPC and CRS through initiatives such as the youth entrepreneurship development and empowerment scheme,  ecological conversion, and other community-based interventions.

Sani noted that the CRS has constantly demonstrated that sustainable development is best achieved by empowering local institutions and placing communities at the center of development solutions.

He said” Together, we have witnessed young people acquire employable skills, vulnerable households improve their livelihood, and communities become more resilient. These successes affirm that meaningful partnership rooted in shared values can produce lasting change. As we face increasing humanitarian needs, climate-related challenges, youth unemployment, social inequalities, there is an even greater need to deepen collaboration among government, faith-based organizations, civil society, development partners, and the private sector”.

A representative of the Action Against Hunger, Peter Sherman Kodji observed that the event is not only a celebration of milestones, but a testament of the power of collaboration adding that for more than two decades, the Catholic Relief Services have worked hand-in-hand with communities, government institutions and development partners to deliver transformative impact across Nigeria.

He said, “We have seen CRS’s contribution that spans different and critical sectors. In health, they have strengthened and improved maternal and child health, and also help in combating infectious diseases. Also, CRS in nutrition have helped to reduce malnutrition and support vulnerable households. In agriculture, we have seen them empowered farmers, enhance food security, and help to build resilience. In emergency response, we have seen CRS provide lifesaving assistance in times of crises”.

” In peace building, they have fostered dialogue, reconciliation, and social cohesion. In livelihood and social protection, they have helped in creating opportunities and strengthening safety nets for the most vulnerable. These achievements are not the work of just one institution, but it is for partnership built on trust, accountability, and respect for communities that have been central, leading to innovating and sustainable change around after project cycles end”, he added.