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Nollywood veteran Richard Mofe-Damijo, popularly known as RMD, has called on Nigerians to take a more active role in addressing the challenges facing the country instead of limiting their contributions to criticism.
The actor made the call on Tuesday while speaking at the Pivot Nigeria Conference held at the Muson Centre in Lagos, where he stressed the importance of citizens contributing positively to the development of the country.
RMD said while Nigerians have legitimate concerns about the state of the nation, there is a need to move beyond pointing out problems and begin looking for practical ways to address them.
He noted that citizens have roles to play in improving the country and should not leave the responsibility of nation-building entirely to those in positions of authority.
According to the actor, Nigerians are often quick to condemn problems without offering suggestions or taking actions that could contribute to finding solutions.
“We are too quick to condemn us. There are problems but we need to fix them. Don’t stand and just criticise and then proffer no solution,” he said.
RMD Calls For Greater Citizen Participation
The veteran actor also encouraged Nigerians to become more involved in the affairs of the country, particularly by holding leaders accountable and contributing ideas that could help improve society.
His comments centred on the need for citizens to understand that governance and national development are not responsibilities that belong exclusively to political leaders.
While leaders have a duty to provide effective governance and respond to the needs of citizens, RMD argued that Nigerians also have a part to play in building the country they want.
He urged citizens to approach national issues with a mindset that focuses on constructive contributions rather than constant condemnation.
The actor also pointed to the role of individual behaviour in shaping Nigeria’s image beyond its borders.
According to him, the actions of citizens can influence how the country is perceived internationally. He therefore called for greater responsibility in the way Nigerians conduct themselves and speak about the country.
‘Nigeria Is A Work In Progress’
RMD further appealed for patience and continued effort, noting that the challenges confronting Nigeria cannot be expected to disappear overnight.
He described Nigeria as a country that is still developing and said citizens must remain committed to the work of building a better nation.
“We are a country, we’re a work in progress, and we must continue just doing the work,” he added.
His remarks came as the Pivot Nigeria Conference brought together participants to discuss issues surrounding the country and the role citizens can play in shaping its future.
The conference provided an avenue for conversations around national development, civic responsibility and the importance of individual contributions to society.
RMD’s message focused on the need for Nigerians to combine their concerns about the country with practical efforts towards addressing those concerns.
Conference Convener Seeks More Civic Engagement
Also speaking at the event, the convener of the conference, Victoria Uwadoka, said the gathering was created to encourage Nigerians to recognise their individual and collective strengths.
Uwadoka said citizens need to understand that their everyday actions can have an impact on the country’s image and development.
She urged Nigerians to become more involved in civic affairs and to demand accountability from those entrusted with leadership positions.
According to her, active participation in civic matters is important in creating a society where citizens can contribute meaningfully to national development.
Uwadoka also encouraged Nigerians to engage in constructive conversations about the country rather than focusing exclusively on negative narratives.
She said while the challenges facing Nigeria should not be ignored, citizens should also recognise the achievements and positive developments within the country.
The comments by both RMD and Uwadoka highlighted the importance of balancing criticism with constructive action.
For RMD, acknowledging Nigeria’s problems should be accompanied by efforts to find solutions, while Uwadoka emphasised the need for citizens to understand their influence and become more actively involved in civic affairs.
Their calls centred on the belief that building the country requires sustained contributions from both leaders and citizens.
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