In a renewed push to bridge the gap between government policies and grassroots realities, the New Dawn for Women and Community Intervention Initiative (NEWOMCII) is calling for deeper collaboration between public institutions and civil society organisations to strengthen development delivery across communities in Nigeria.
It was against this backdrop that the leadership of NEWOMCII paid a courtesy visit to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in Abuja, to present its development framework and seek stronger institutional collaboration.
The delegation was led by the Founder and Chairman of NEWOMCII, Alhaji Bolaji Raji, alongside the National Coordinator, Hajiya Sa’adatu Adamu Bokane, and other members of the organisation’s national executive team.
During the visit, Bokane said the organisation was established to function as a bridge between government policies and grassroots communities, particularly in rural and underserved areas where access to development information and intervention programmes remains limited.
She explained that while government continues to implement initiatives across agriculture, education, health, and social welfare, many communities still struggle to fully access or understand these opportunities due to communication and structural gaps.
According to her, NEWOMCII is designed to complement national efforts by ensuring that development programmes are not only implemented but also properly understood and accessed at the community level.
She noted that the organisation operates through a nationwide structure that includes regional coordinators, state executives, and local government focal officers across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, allowing for direct grassroots engagement.
Bokane further disclosed that NEWOMCII also deploys technical officers and consultants across its thematic areas to ensure that its interventions are professionally guided, properly monitored, and aligned with development standards.
She added that agriculture remains a key focus area for the organisation, alongside support for small businesses, women led enterprises, skills development, education, health, and community welfare programmes aimed at improving livelihoods.
According to her, Nigeria’s population size and development challenges make collaboration between government and civil society not just important but necessary, as no single institution can effectively address all grassroots needs alone.
“Government is doing a lot, but the population is growing and the needs are expanding every day,” she said. “We believe organisations like ours must complement these efforts to ensure that no community is left behind.”
She described NEWOMCII as a bridge organisation committed to translating national development policies into practical impact at the grassroots, particularly for women, youth, and vulnerable groups.
In her response, Abike Dabiri-Erewa commended the initiative and encouraged stronger collaboration between civil society organisations and government agencies in expanding access to development opportunities.
She stressed that credible grassroots organisations play a vital role in strengthening awareness of government programmes and ensuring that interventions reach intended beneficiaries.
The NEWOMCII delegation also used the visit to outline its flagship programmes, including the Women Grow Initiative for agricultural support, the Creating the Future Programme for creative enterprise development, the Skills for Life Programme for education and employability, the Care and Dignity Initiative for health and welfare support, and the Mobility and Safety Plan for community safety interventions.
The organisation further highlighted ongoing projects across various communities, where it has supported women in agriculture, provided processing equipment to improve productivity, and conducted medical outreaches to improve access to basic healthcare services.
Alhaji Bolaji Raji, Founder and Chairman of NEWOMCII, said the organisation’s mission is rooted in practical community engagement aimed at ensuring that development reaches those at the margins of society.
He noted that the organisation is structured to promote accountability and effective delivery through its multi-level coordination system spanning regional, state, and local government structures.
Raji added that NEWOMCII remains committed to working with government and development partners to expand the reach and impact of its interventions nationwide.
The delegation described the visit as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen institutional partnerships that will enhance programme delivery and deepen grassroots impact.
They expressed optimism that closer collaboration with NiDCOM would help improve awareness of development initiatives and strengthen linkages between Nigerians at home and in the diaspora.
Both parties reaffirmed the importance of sustained cooperation between government institutions and civil society organisations in addressing Nigeria’s development challenges.
NEWOMCII reiterated its commitment to advancing grassroots development through targeted interventions focused on women empowerment, economic inclusion, health, and community transformation.
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