By Anayo Akwitti
Senate President Godswill Akpabio has stressed the need for inclusion, trust and equal opportunity as foundations for a stronger democracy.
Akpabio made the call on Tuesday while addressing the 153rd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) in Arusha, Tanzania.
The Senate President, who also chairs Nigeria’s National Assembly, said inclusion, trust and opportunity are essential to a democracy that gives every citizen a voice and every community a place.
In an address titled “Inclusion, Trust and Opportunity,” Akpabio said democracy must go beyond elections, while development must be measured by its impact on citizens.
He said the true measure of progress is whether children can attend school, young people can find jobs and families can face the future with confidence.
“If progress is not seen in our people, our work is not finished,” he said.
Akpabio described trust as the “invisible currency” of democracy, saying governments must earn it through fairness, transparency and accountability.
He said the National Assembly carries out this responsibility through legislation, representation, appropriation and oversight.
According to him, Parliament serves as a bridge through which the concerns and aspirations of ordinary citizens reach government.
Akpabio also described Nigeria’s diversity as both a national strength and a democratic responsibility.
He said no citizen should feel like a stranger in the country and no community should be left on the margins of national development.
The Senate President said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, working with the 10th National Assembly, was pursuing reforms aimed at widening participation and expanding opportunities.
He cited regional development initiatives and tax reforms, which he said were designed to bring development closer to communities, ease burdens on low-income earners and small businesses, and strengthen enterprise.
Akpabio also highlighted the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), saying eligible students can access interest-free financing for higher education.
He said the intervention reflected the belief that poverty should not determine a young person’s future.
Akpabio urged parliamentarians at the IPU assembly to build institutions that listen, serve citizens and keep faith with the people.
He called for inclusion to be translated into participation, trust into partnership and opportunity into shared prosperity.
