GGAI Calls on Nigerians to Embrace People Centered Governance, Honours Otu as Ambassador of Good Governance
By Missang AKPET
Good Governance and Advocacy International has urged Nigerians to support a more people focused approach to leadership by adopting the People Governance Policy.
This call was made during a one day public lecture on People Governance Policy organised by Good Governance and Advocacy International in Calabar.
The Director General of the organisation, Sir Leonard Anyogo, in his keynote address, stressed that good governance must be rooted in a system that places citizens at the heart of development.
“Good governance must be centred on a People Governance Policy which is derived from the people and the people’s sector,” he stated.
He explained that the principle of the People Governance Policy is already reflected in the administration of Governor Bassey Otu, and encouraged public office holders at all levels of government to adopt it.
Sir Anyogo expressed concern that politics in Nigeria focuses more on elections than on governance.
“In Nigeria, we spend so much time and resources planning for elections, not for governance and not for the people. Politics should be the vehicle, but the destination must be good governance,” he said.
He also described Good Governance and Advocacy International as “Nigeria’s version of Chatham House”, urging citizens to go beyond criticising government by recommending solutions to governance challenges.
In his presentation, the Vice Chairman of the Cross River State Planning Commission, Mr Bong Duke, said governance must transition from an infrastructure based approach to a people centred model
“People Governance Policy shifts the focus from what are we building to who are we building for and how does it improve the quality of their lives,” he stated.
He added that past administrations invested in large infrastructure projects without measuring their actual impact on citizens.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Cross River Chapter, Enome Amatey, speaking during a panel session, agreed that infrastructure remains important, but said development must be measured by its benefits to people.
“People Governance Policy is a system co created by government and the governed, not merely a social welfare programme,” he said.
The one day lecture, which attracted stakeholders from various sectors, also doubled as a celebration of the 50th birthday of the Director General, Sir Leonard Anyogo.
The event climaxed with the cutting of the 50th birthday cake aypresentation of an award to Governor Bassey Otu as Ambassador of Good Governance.
