Citizens engagement lifeblood of democracy, foundation for sustainable national development–LAPO

By Vinvcent Egunyanga, Abuja

Participants  at the just concluded annual Lift Above Poverty  Organisation  ( LAPO)  have  affirmed that citizens  engagements  is the lifeblood  of Democracy and the  foundation  of sustainable  national  development.

This was contained  in a communique  issued at the end of the 32nd annual  LAPO  Development  Forum  chaired by former Adviser to the President  on National Assembly  Affairs  Senator  Ita Solomon  Enang.

The Forum emphasized  that responsive governance  must be people  oriented  anchored on ethical , transparent and  inclusive  leadership  while calling on leaders  who listens to citizens,  uphold the rule of law  and priotise  the collective good above personal  and sectional  interest.

The  communique which was signed by  the Head of Corporate  Communications  of LAPO  Dr James  Wilson  Abhulimen  empasised that Civic Education and Responsible Public Engagement Participants underscored the urgent need for sustained civic education to empower citizens with the knowledge and confidence to engage government meaningfully.

The body noted that citizens must exercise their right to free expression responsibly—raising issues, demanding accountability, and contributing to governance without resorting to abuse or misinformation.

The Forum lamented the apathy of many educated and influential citizens toward political participation. It asserted that the failure of the elite to engage actively in politics contributes to poor leadership.

The forum, however, urged professionals, intellectuals, and civil society actors to take part in political processes, insisting that “when good people refuse to participate, they are governed by the less competent.”

 Participants applauded Lift Above Poverty Organisation (LAPO) for nearly four decades of impactful work in financial inclusion, agriculture, health, and social development.

“Between January 2024 and September 2025, LAPO Microfinance Bank disbursed ₦420 billion in loans to over 718,000 clients, while 301,944 individuals in the agricultural value chain received empowerment support totalling ₦61 billion.

Additionally, 320,560 persons benefited from LAPO’s free health screening and education programmes. The Forum recognised LAPO’s evolution from a civil society initiative to a continental development institution serving over five million clients across Nigeria and Sierra Leone.”

LAPO as a Model of Responsive and Compassionate Development the Forum celebrated LAPO’s integrated approach—linking finance, health, gender equity, and social justice—as a model of responsive, empathetic, and citizen-driven development.

It commended LAPO for sustaining the Annual Forum since 1994 as a credible platform for policy dialogue, advocacy, and inclusive development.

Bottom-Up Governance and Legal Accountability Participants urged that government’s developmental planning and project implementation must adopt a bottom-up approach, reflecting community needs and priorities.

They encouraged citizens to seek legal redress and use judicial mechanisms to challenge policies or actions that undermine good governance and public interest.