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The Convener and Founder of Arise Women Conference, Dr. Siju Iluyomade, has called on Nigerians to support government efforts towards national development, stressing that building a better country requires collective responsibility and active citizen participation. Iluyomade made the call at the 2026 edition of the Arise Women Conference, with the theme, Impact, held at the Oriental Hotel, Lagos. She said democracy should not be viewed as the sole responsibility of elected leaders, noting that citizens must also contribute to building sustainable institutions and improving the quality of life across the country.
According to her, the focus on Impact at this year’s conference was a call for individuals and organisations to move beyond discussions and translate ideas into meaningful, lasting contributions to society. She emphasised the need to build a legacy that future generations could benefit from, particularly in critical sectors such as healthcare and education.
Iluyomade lamented the decline of some institutions and the inadequate attention given to essential social infrastructure, urging Nigerians to abandon careless attitudes and embrace a stronger culture of responsibility, compassion and service.
She noted that sustainable development required deliberate efforts to establish institutions and facilities that would stand the test of time rather than temporary interventions.
Reflecting on the 18-year journey of Arise Women, Iluyomade said the organisation had remained committed to reaching underserved communities and improving the lives of vulnerable Nigerians.
She explained that her passion for helping the less privileged inspired the organisation’s interventions in rural communities, where it had supported the establishment of schools, boreholes and healthcare facilities. According to her, its programmes have also included farmers’ support initiatives, mobile clinics and the distribution of food through its signature pink buckets, which have reached households in Lagos, Abuja, Sokoto and other parts of the country.
