BY CHARLES KUMOLU

The belief in some quarters is that the failure of government at all levels at providing the basic needs of Nigerians has engendered a wide gap between leadership and followership in Nigeria.

According to this viewpoint, so disconnected are Nigerians with the leadership class that they have become used to performing the primary functions of government as contained the 1999 Constitution. Readily cited as examples are issues that border on security, electricity, healthcare, education, among others, which have sadly become a burden to the governed in the face of ineptitude on the part of constituted authorities.

Against this backdrop, a non-governmental organisation,NGO, Project 774, has embarked on far-reaching programmes to address the failure and also to strengthen the rapport between the government and the masses.

Specifically, the organisation which has the 774 local government areas,LGAs, in the country as its target, primarily focuses on security, education, empowerment and health.

At the recent flag off its campaign in Bwari Area Council in Abuja, the group launched its “One Child One Book” programme amid fun and fanfare.

Speaking at the event, Public Relations Executive of the NGO, Gloria Oroke noted that the programme is evidently changing the learning process of rural kids, adding it would soon become the desired wind of change blowing across the country.

“Our One Child One Book programme for children is equipping pupils in rural communities with basic learning tools. In all the communities we have visited, we discovered that owning adequate exercise books for each subject is considered a luxury. We see a student using one exercise book for at least three subjects. So, when a student returns home to his parents with a back pack containing exercise books, text books and writing materials, their parents are encouraged and the students are also encouraged because their lives have been impacted,”she noted.

Oroke said the goal of the outreach is to “encourage and equip children to become adults that can contribute to the good of their society. The joy in the eyes of these children as they received the materials we gave to them and the testimonials from the students, parents and teachers, is proof that we have achieved our goal.”

Oroke further said: ‘’ The programmes are designed not only to improve lives but also to re-ignite, uphold and encourage true patriotism amongst Nigerians.Evidently, if patriotism is fostered, Nigerians will consider it a personal responsibility to protect Nigeria, thereby putting aside political, cultural or religious differences to fight any hitch that threatens the peace and development of the nation.’’

In addition, she said: ‘’Because the average Nigerian is skeptical and questions genuine intentions,Project 774 vision is to enhance the capacity of government to reach out and impact as well as foster true and lasting tolerance and integration amongst Nigerians as it carries out its mandate. Project 774 believes that leadership plus followership brews true development. And so, to experience the change one desires, one has to be part of that change because lasting change comes with strong partnerships. Nigerians should make a conscious effort to work with the government to effect the change they desire and support organisations like Project 774 which have chosen to work with their government to build a better Nigeria.’’

Also speaking, Bwari Local Government Chairman, Mr. Peter Yohanna, commended Project 774 for embarking on such a cause, saying that if well handled that it would go a long way to alleviate poverty, illiteracy and insecurity in the country. According to Yohanna: ‘’Leadership is a service and a thriving society is one where the government and the citizens work together. I thank Project 774 for choosing to work with government to ensure a better society.’’