Late John Moru’s wife, Abiemwense Moru, and daughter, Kylie John-Moru, receiving his posthumous award.
By Obaje Daniel and Collins Yakubu-Hammer
Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Mr. Andrew Mamedu, says the organisation’s 25-year journey has been driven by a commitment to challenge injustice, empower marginalised groups and promote inclusive, community-led development efforts across the country.
Mamedu said this on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at ActionAid’s 25th anniversary celebration in Abuja, where partners, board members and community representatives gathered to reflect on the organisation’s national impact, achievements and growth since its establishment.
“We began with a clear conviction that poverty is not natural and that exclusion must be dismantled,” he said, emphasising that the organisation remained firmly focused on addressing systemic barriers affecting vulnerable people nationwide.
According to him, true development is more than charity; it happens when power shifts from the privileged to the marginalised.
Mamedu reaffirming ActionAid’s commitment to transformative, rights-based development grounded in fairness, dignity, justice and community participation.
“We have chosen to stand with women denied their rights, youth denied their voices and communities denied opportunities,” he said, noting ActionAid’s consistent advocacy aimed at expanding inclusion, representation and social protection for disadvantaged groups.
“Our work spans all 36 states, from supporting more than two million smallholder women farmers to networks like the Civil Society Action Coalition on Education for All, which now has more than a thousand members nationwide.
“We have also championed women’s land rights, promoted sustainable agriculture, strengthened governance accountability and empowered young people to engage meaningfully in democracy,” he said, highlighting ActionAid’s broad-based interventions supporting inclusive national development.
Also speaking, Rabi Isma, Chair of the ActionAid Nigeria Board, said the 25-year milestone was both a celebration and a moment of reflection for an organisation committed to justice, community empowerment and sustainable national progress.
“Five years is a remarkable milestone in the lifetime of any organisation, and for ActionAid Nigeria, this is a moment to celebrate and reflect on our growth from a modest country programme to a full-fledged affiliate.
“At every stage, we have remained steadfast in our mission, working with people living in poverty and exclusion so they can claim their rights and live in dignity,” Isma said, reaffirming ActionAid’s development-focused mandate.
“Through partnerships, accountability and solidarity, ActionAid Nigeria has built a reputation of principled advocacy, people-centred development and feminist leadership,” she said.
Isma emphasised the organisation’s consistent approach to promoting equity and addressing structural inequalities.
“These are real stories of transformation that give meaning to our work and inspire us to continue,” she said, stressing the importance of sustained collaboration, community resilience and strategic interventions supporting long-term social impact.
In his remarks, former presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi congratulated ActionAid Nigeria on its 25th anniversary, stating he was delighted to celebrate the organisation’s 25 years of action, impact, service and unwavering national advocacy.
“Mine is a very simple message, to say big congratulations to this family, ActionAid, who are celebrating 25 years of action, impact, service and advocacy in our country.
“This anniversary is a celebration of purpose and of what can be achieved when an institution is committed to human capital, to a just society and to a fairer society, which we have all been part of,” Obi said.
The anniversary highlights included a book launch, presentation of awards to outstanding staff and partners, and a posthumous award to Mr. John Moru, who served as ActionAid’s Governance Team Leader in 2005.
The award was received by his wife, Abiemwense Moru, and daughter, Kylie John-Moru, who expressed gratitude to ActionAid Nigeria for the recognition of his work.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, has praised ActionAid Nigeria for its 25 years of action, service, and transformative work across Nigeria.
Idris gave the commendation at the 25th Anniversary of ActionAid Nigeria in Abuja.
This was contained in a statement issued by Idris’s Special Assistant on Media, Malam Rabiu Ibrahim, on Friday, November 28, in Abuja.
“For a quarter of a century, ActionAid has taken development to the frontlines, empowering women and girls, strengthening education, improving healthcare, advocating for governance reforms, supporting communities during crises, and amplifying the voices of the most vulnerable.
“ActionAid must be praised for its innumerable responses to challenging humanitarian situations and grassroots empowerment work that have shaped policy and community development in profound and measurable ways in Nigeria.
“Today, we gather to honour this legacy and to look toward the next chapter,” Idris said.
The minister highlighted two symbolic milestones at the event; the launch of the AAN@25 Legacy Book and the unveiling of the ActionAid building prototype.
He described them as “a strong signal of organisational growth and long-term presence in Nigeria.”
According to Idris, this forward-looking investment reflects ActionAid’s commitment to deepening its contribution to our nation over the next 25 years and beyond.
He stressed that such milestones deserved collective applause of all Nigerians.
On the misconceptions about Nigeria abroad, Idris stressed that the country was not a violator of religious freedom and reaffirmed that such freedoms were clearly guaranteed in the constitution.
He acknowledged the extant security challenges in the country but emphasised that government efforts were yielding positive results.
Idris cautioned against narratives that mischaracterise Nigeria and strain its relations with its partners, particularly the United States.
He urged civil society groups to help correct these misrepresentations by applying evidence-based insights into the Nigerian situation that allow them to take a constructive and leading role in reshaping the false narratives.
The minister reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment and responsibility to protecting all the citizens including children.
“Our children must be safe in their schools, safe in their communities, and safe in their homes.
“President Bola Tinubu recently declared a national emergency on security.
“The emergency measures include new recruitment into security agencies, support for state-level security outfits, and a push for legislative action towards establishing state police,” Idris said.
He described the declaration as a turning point in the fight against terrorism and banditry.
He called on CSOs to deepen their support for open governance, media freedom, digital literacy, and community development.
Idris affirmed that ActionAid’s contributions in these areas remained “complementary and invaluable” to national progress.
