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Tag: Good Governance

  • Good governance: How Internet is greatest tool – Ezekwesili

    Good governance: How Internet is greatest tool – Ezekwesili

    Dr Oby Ezekwesili, the Senior Economic Advisor, Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative (AEDPI) says internet has become the greatest tool for citizens’ participation in good governance.

    Ezekwesili, former Education Minister, said this at the Nigeria Internet Governance Forum 2018 with the theme: “Internet; An Enabler for Good Governance’’ in Abuja on Tuesday.

    She was speaking on the topic: “Internet as an Enabler of Accountability and Transparency’’.

    According to her, governance exists to improve the quality of life and ensure safety and security, using the instrumentality of strong policies with strong and dynamic institutions to promote growth and development.

    “Without quality governance, it is impossible for a country to develop; the internet is an equaliser and a means of improving capacity.

    “It is a tool to use to create the bases for wider participation, engage voices, demand for accountability and define how quickly we get to good governance.

    “As growth and development happens societies become stable and prosperous, the prosperity of society further thrives because as society grows, the citizens grow and this creates a basis for social cohesion.’’

    She said the internet had destroyed the barrier of geography and distance that made communication and participation in governance impossible.

    She explained that people could be in the remotest areas in Nigeria and still be able to interact with the people in the Diaspora.

    “The internet has come to disrupt the monopoly of bad governance, and so the main issue is going to be getting the citizens to a place of information literacy.

    “Just getting the citizens to a place you have a right to know, you not only have a right to know, you have a voice to demand and the power to determine the quality of governance that is given to you.’’

    She, therefore, urged youths to focus on knowledge-based technology to improve their society instead of commercial-oriented schemes to enrich themselves which would not result in good governance.

    Mr Gbenga Sesan, the Executive Officer of Paradigm Initiative an NGO said that Nigeria would never move forward economically or otherwise if it kept talking down on the youth instead of providing opportunities for them.

    “Nigeria can do a lot better as far as the internet is concerned; when we talk of internet governance, one of the key elements is digital rights.

    “We need to make sure that every young person who is a citizen of this country is pushed toward being creative so that instead of arresting people for the things they tweet, we can focus on the opportunities the internet presents,’’ he said.

     

  • APC celebrates Obasanjo at 81, says his legacy inspires good governance

    The All Progressives Congress (APC), has said that the legacy of former President Olusegun Obasanjo had continued to inspire good governance on the African continent after so many years.

    Malam Bolaji Abudullahi, APC National Publicity Secretary, stated this in a statement on Monday in Abuja while celebrating the former president on his 81st birthday.

    He also said that the former president remained an influential voice in different facets of national life.

    ´´Our party joins family, friends, well-wishers and associates in celebrating the retired general, who has emerged as a bastion of democracy, good governance and development in Nigeria and beyond.

    ´´Chief Obasanjo has inspired a generation of Nigerians, notably in the areas of entrepreneurship, leadership and education, especially through his non-profit initiatives, the Africa Leadership Forum (ALF) and the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, ´´ he said.

    He also said that as a true Nigerian patriot and statesman, Obasanjo had over the years built solid bridges across political divides in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large.

    Abudullahi prayed God to enable Obasanjo age in health and wisdom, so that he could continue to contribute to the unending task of nation building.

  • We were elected to offer good governance not blame Jonathan – Amaechi

    The Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, has said Nigerians elected President Muhammadu Buhari against former President Goodluck Jonathan to offer good governance and not to blame it for Nigerian’s woes as the administration has done from inception in 2015.

    Amaechi spoke during a meeting at his office on Tuesday.

    In his words: “I agree with those who said we should stop criticising the last government and that we should do our own.”

    The minister decried Nigeria’s infrastructure deficit, drawing a comparison with other relatively new countries like Singapore.

    “We need to leverage on what we know. People are shouting intermodal transport; I went to the new airport in Singapore and I didn’t find one person at the airport.

    “As you walk in, technology takes over,” he said.

    The minister however called for an urgent renaissance in Nigeria’s infrastructure, especially in the area of information and communications technology.

    “They also said in the next few years, they would introduce driverless cars. We should also think outside the box about how to improve our transport sector and think less about how sun and moon affect the sector or building more bus stops.

    “We should see how much investment we can put in the area of ICT. Intelligence transportation should not be ignored,” he added.

     

  • Restructuring won’t substitute for good governance, respect for rule of law – NLC

    The Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC, has said that if the Federal Government finally heeds the deafening calls for the restructuring in the country, it still won’t substitute for good governance and respect for rule of law by the ruling class.

    This was revealed on Monday by the NLC President, Comrade Ayuba Wabba in Abuja at a symposium with the theme: “Making Nigeria Work for the people organised by the Congress to mark Nigeria’s 57th Independence Day.

    He said that one of the problems facing Nigeria was the absence of good governance.

    “This crisis of good governance is exemplified by the massive corruption in our body politics.

    “This, in turn, is responsible for the huge unemployment crisis, poor service delivery and continued absence of dividends of democracy for the majority of our people.

    “The latest manifestation of this is the refusal by a number of states government to fulfil their elementary obligations to their workers by not paying salaries and pensions as at when due.

    “So, for us in the Congress, we look at restructuring as that which cannot be a substitute for good governance and respect for the rule of law,’’ he said.

    Wabba explained that as long as the political and bureaucratic elites continue to misappropriate and divert resources meant for development, the nation would not overcome its developmental challenges.

    The labour leader called on the Federal Government to reconstitute the National Minimum Wage Negotiating Council to negotiate a new minimum wage for workers.

    He warned that workers were running out of patience with the delay to reconstitute the Minimum Wage Negotiating Council.

    “The 2011 collective agreement entered into with the government at the last negotiations, provided for five years cycle for reopening negotiations, which is overdue.

    “Secondly, all economic indexes such as inflationary rate, cost of living, exchange rate, high cost of goods and services, among others, have shown that the current minimum wage of N18, 000 is obsolete.

    “There is an urgent need for the government to give the go-ahead for these negotiations to start as workers are running out of patience,’’ he said.

    Wabba urged the Federal Government to refocus its developmental programmes and planning to address the pressing needs of the vast majority of Nigerians.

    He also stressed the need for the government to address the issue of provision of employment for the teeming unemployed youths.

    In his contribution, Mr Jaiye Gaskiya, the convener, `Say No Campaign,’ stressed the need for the federal government to properly manage the issue of restructuring, “or else it might end up “creating food for the boys’’.

    “We need to be careful or else it will breed more crises in the country, ‘’he warned.

    On Nigeria at 57, Gaskiya said the business of having a better Nigeria does not rest on the shoulders of the leaders alone.

    “The citizens also have a role to play in nation building.

    “The citizens must not stand aloof and behave as if they have no business in nation building,’’ he said.

    Also speaking, Mr Victor Ekpo, NLC National Youth Committee Chairperson, called for a better Nigeria where all the citizens are given equal rights irrespective of their state, religion or economic class.

    He expressed dismay that about 70 percent of Nigeria’s youth population of not less than 64 million youths are unemployed.

    He stressed the need for governments at all levels to institute good governance structure that would create decent jobs, security, that would discourage migration of the youths.

    Ekpo also harped on the need for stability in the political system where youths are carried along.

    “Our politicians should stop embezzling our future, ‘’he said.

  • We need good governance to end demands for restructuring – Wike

    Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike of Rivers State has declared that nobody will clamour for the restructuring of the country once the Federal Government adopts a just governance model.

    He said that a governance model that emphasizes the equitable distribution of resources and projects will promote unity and the rapid growth of the country.

    Addressing the National Executive Council of the Science Teachers Association of Nigeria (STAN) on Tuesday at the Government House Port Harcourt, Governor Wike said that unless the Federal Government takes the right steps to address developmental challenges, agitations for restructuring will intensify.

    He said: “Nobody will clamour for restructuring once things are put in the right perspective. Unless the right thing is done, the clamour for restructuring will never stop”.

    The governor explained that delivering credible elections at all levels will also help reduce the level of agitations in the country.

    According to him, credible elections will keep leaders on their toes and make them work for the people, instead of the present situation where leaders fail to work but rely on INEC and Police to help them rig elections.

    He said: “If rigging is eliminated from the system and the will of the people matter, leaders will sit up and work for their communities. However, INEC and police form obstacles to credible elections in Nigeria”.

    Governor Wike pointed out that all Nigerians must work together to address the challenges in the country.

    He advocated for the enthronement of merit in the country. The governor said that the relegation of merit in critical areas have led to failure and under-development.

    The Science Teachers are in Rivers State for their 60th Anniversary.

  • Obaseki bans Oshiomhole’s private task collectors

    Obaseki bans Oshiomhole’s private task collectors

    Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State has declared as invalid arrangements by previous administrations (both at the state and local government levels) in the state to involve private tax collectors in generating revenues for the government.

    The governor who stated the lawlessness with which the tax officials go about their activities said his administration will not condone inflicting more hardships on the citizens who are already feeling the economic bites of recession in the country.

    Obaseki in his New Year address to the people, expressed gratitude and appreciation to them for overwhelmingly entrusting him with the responsibility to take charge and to steer the socio-economic and political destiny of the State.

    “I am aware of the enormity of the trust and confidence you have reposed in me and by the grace of God Almighty I will meet your expectations”, he assured.

    Obaseki, who reviewed the socio-economic activities of 2016 and concluded that it was indeed harsh, however, exuded confidence that 2017 would be better for the people of the state.

    “As we reflect on 2016, we have every reason to be thankful to God Almighty for preserving us and our country; 2016 was a year of challenges, difficulties, excitements and opportunities.

    “Undoubtedly, the economic recession unleashed unprecedented difficulties on individuals, families and communities as no aspect of our economic and social life was spared the severe economic hardship.

    “Because of the drop in the price of crude oil and the vandalism of pipelines; we saw the value of our currency decline significantly.

    “We also saw industries and businesses shut down while people lost their jobs, the level of unemployment has continued to rise; all these have thus led to increase in crime and poverty in the land.

    “In spite of the difficulties and gloom, 2016 nonetheless experienced some bright moments for us in Edo state for which we are grateful to the Almighty,’’ Obaseki said.

    “I must quickly mention that one issue that continues to agitate Edo people is the lawless activities of some individuals who persist in harassing and extorting innocent citizens under the guise of collecting taxes and levies.

    “The laws of our country vest the responsibility for collecting taxes exclusively on the three tiers of government – federal, state and local governments.

    “Consequently, with immediate effect, only employees of government can collect taxes and levies in the state.

    “All arrangements to collect taxes or levies entered into by any state or local government agency in Edo State, cease to be valid”, he stated.

    He urged the citizens not to cave in to any form of intimidation, but to rather “call or alert law enforcement agencies if they find anyone involved in such nefarious activities.”