Utilize social cohesion data to enhance national policies for devt, expert tasks govt

By Msugh Ityokura

The Executive Director ,ED of Africa Polling Institute, API Prof. Bell Ihua has called on the Federal Government, FG to utilize social cohesion data to enhance national policies and programmes to address critical development issues across the country and promote national development.

He spoke Tuesday in Abuja at a capacity building workshop organized by the institute which is an independent, non profit opinion research think-tank.

The workshop tagged “The Use of Social Cohesion Data in Enhancing National Policies and Programmes and Promoting Effective Media Reportage” was supported by Ford Foundation and aimed to ensure that the Nigeria Social Cohesion data do not stay on the shelves

He said from the findings of the research carried out across the country by API, the indicators of lack of social cohesion which was the bane of development include issues of trust, social justice, gender inequality, security issues among others.

READ ALSO: Ensure release of abducted Judge, Bayelsa Gov directs security commanders

“So it’s for us to make use of this data we share with the government so that the government can begin to do what it needs to do.

“We want the social cohesion data to permeate the society, such that public institutions are integrating it in their policy and programme planning, and media practitioners are engaging in socially-cohesive news reportage.

“One of the first major finding API noted is the fact that citizens have very little trust for the government, governors and public institutions.

“The second big issue we found is now that citizens are united in a shared struggle. You know, we didn’t used to have this before, but the data shows that citizens are united in shared struggle.

“We want the government to be aware because by being aware, they can now use this data for their policy and planning,” Ihua said.

A member of the Board of Trustees of API, Soji Adeniyi said the goal of the training was to bring together people that are involved in managing social cohesion in the country.

“The goal is for us to begin to tackle the issue of social cohesion from an understanding of data perspective.

“It’s not enough for us as a country to think that perception is everything. Perception has its place and scientific data has its place.

“We’ve been gathering this data since 2019 and it has been changing year after year based on the perception of what is going on within the country.

“We felt it is time to start sharing this data so that those institutions that the government constitutionally has put together to address those challenges will rise up to the challenge.”

Also speaking at the workshop, Dr Steve Ogidan, CEO, Successory Nigeria Ltd, said the government in making use of social cohesion data must be intentional in integrating youths, women and the marginalised in the society.

He added that prioritising budgets based on performance would translate to social investments policies targeted interventions for enhanced cohesion.

Mrs Amina Zemo, a participant, said the workshop was enlightening, highlighting the need to have national cohesion within the country and the need to use the data available to address issues facing the country.

She added that the government had to build trust of the people saying with the use of accurate data, the government would be able to find out the actual needs of citizens and provide them accordingly.