By Comrade Gbenga Olowoyo fcia fimpa JP
“There should be only one political ideology and that is good governance”.
Amit Abraham
The social-political dynamics in the world of human existence is beyond the understanding of human itself.
The recent economic developments in the country have cast a very serious challenge to the management of Nigeria as a country and its abundant resources by our political and traditional leaders.
It is a thing of concern to Patriotic Nigerians as a result of the recent upturn in the value of life and ability to provide necessity of life to its citizens especially food , shelter and other basic amenities which are now out of reach of average Nigerians .
From the time immemorial even during pre-Nigeria independence the concept of good governance as espoused by the colonialists was a sing song phenomenon by our Nationalist leaders who advocated for Nigeria independence and they appreciated the value of life and its necessity to survive it.
Good governance is unambiguous because it refers to the rules, processes and behaviour by which interests are articulated, resources are managed and power is exercised in the society.
Good governance is the way public functions are carried out, public resources are managed and public regulatory powers are exercised in order to maintain orderliness in an organised society where all and sundry will feel, the positive impact of government.
It is very imperative to bring forth the comparative study of Good governance by considering definitions provided by internationally recognised bodies ( despite the fact that the bodies are subjugating the economic independence of developing countries like Nigeria) so as to add intellectual value to my opinion piece
According to the United Nations (UN), governance refers to the activities of all political and administrative authorities to govern their country.
Meanwhile, as stated by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), governance is a concept in which a country is managed, including economic, policy, and legal aspects.
Thus, in general, governance has the meaning: the decision-making process and the process of determining which policies will be implemented and not implemented.
Defining good governance by the World Bank became the first international institution to adopt the concept of good governance into lending arrangements for developing countries and introduce the idea to the general public.
In its 1992 report entitled “Governance and Development”, the notion of good governance was written as the way in which power is used to regulate the economic and social resources of a country for development.
Now, the term good governance has often been used by national and international organisations. Good governance aims to minimise corruption, take into account the opinions of minorities, listen to the voices of the oppressed people in the decision-making process, and respond actively to the needs of the community now and in the future.
Eight principles of good governance;
quoting from the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP), the concept of good governance has eight principles.
- Participation
Participation in the concept of good governance here is an opportunity for everyone to voice their opinions through institutions or representations. In addition, everyone, without exception, has the right to freedom of association and expression. - Rule of law
To implement good governance, the legal framework in the country must be enforced impartially, especially concerning human rights law. - Transparency
Transparency means that every policy taken and implemented by the government must be carried out under existing regulations. In addition, there must be a guarantee that any information related to the policy can be accessed by everyone, especially those who are directly affected by the policy. - Responsiveness
Good governance needs institutions and processes to attempt to serve all stakeholders within a reasonable time. - Consensus oriented
This fifth principle is related to the decision-making process. When the decision-making process cannot accommodate everyone’s wishes, then at a minimum, the decision must be a decision that can be accepted by everyone and does not harm anyone. - Equity and inclusiveness
Good governance ensures justice for the community. Everyone has the same opportunity to maintain and improve their welfare. - Effectiveness and efficiency
Every decision-making process and its institutions must be able to produce decisions that meet every community need. Community resources must also be utilised optimally by the government. - Accountability
All institutions involved in good governance have full responsibility to the public for the sake of improving the quality of society.
The unfortunate development in our polity is that anti clockwise direction in the approach and management of Nigeria situation has brought our leaders to a limbo level by adopting palliative distribution to Nigerians as alternative to good governance.
It is regrettable and a serious pity that our electoral process was the window used by political players to change the perception of our grassroot political leaders from providing quality service to the electorates to vote buying methodology
The vote buying methodology in Nigeria political space has provided a very strong point and weapon to Nigeria leaders to sway Nigerians with variety of vote buying weapons such as distribution of money, rice , grains, souvenirs etc during election process.
The resultant effects of vote buying have brought us to palliative distribution to Nigerians of all strata irrespective of classes in the society.
Nigerians have been turned into lnternally Displaced Persons (lDP) in their own country.
It is a common knowledge that billions of Naira was made available by Federal Government in December 2023 to all appointed and elected politicians to provide rice, indomie, vegetable oil and others to their constituents during the last festive period which became enslavement tools in the hands of privileged political leaders in Nigeria because the masses remain dormant and infantile in asking questions from their Governors, Ministers, Senators and House representatives.
The present economic indices have nailed all Nigerians except few that have access to Nigeria wealth because prices of necessity of life have skyrocketed beyond the reach of Nigerians, caused by trial and error economic policies.
At different fora, well researched opinions have been expressed that in implementing any sensitive government policies our leaders should be conscious enough to know that you do not put the cat before the horse, the resultant effects of emotionally inclined government pronouncement ( fuel subsidy is gone) has become a serious clog in the wheel of Nigeria progress.
Since the beginning of year 2024, Nigerians have been groaning in economic pain , languishing in hardship, committing suicide, living at the mercy of God, because there is total collapse in the country economic permutations.
The fire brigade approaches by both Federal and state Governments are not only appauling but also derisive in nature with desperation by government to arrest the situation which is as a result improper planning and uncoordinated implementation of policies
Can you imagine Lagos State government planning to partner with “mama pot” to feed Nigerians, more State Governments are releasing millions of Naira to buy food stuffs to share to citizens; how many days will these serve the beneficiaries. This is an unfortunate development in Nigeria.
Our leaders and all stakeholders must be ready to inject new policies that will bring hope to Nigerians and brighten the future of Nigeria as a country .
Hardships and hunger in the land
The recent developments where parents put their children for sale as low as (N300,000) three hundred Thousand is nauseating, people have gone on looting spree, people committing suicide due to hunger, depression and frustration
On Sunday morning, 3rd March 2024 some residents of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja carted away food stuffs in a warehouse owned by National Emergency Management Agency of Nigeria (NEMA), located in Karimo, Phase 3 Region of the FCT, Abuja.
It was gathered that residents packed food stuffs and other items before the arrival of policemen due to hunger and anger , something must be done to prevent any uncontrollable spontaneous protests in coming days.
Prices of food stuffs now increase in threefold day in day out, for instance, module of rice now cost as much as (N3,000) three thousand Naira only, Beans is (N2,200) two thousand two hundred Naira only other basic amenities and items are endless.
To this end, Federal Government must be ready to provide leadership and be serious with it by considering the way forward with underneath suggestions .
1,. Good leadership is critical for good governance. This will involve leadership, by example, a leader with political will who will be able to steer the country in a clear direction, must be competent; has integrity and credibility; and is perceived as fair to all segments of the population.
2, Good governance requires proper coordination of the organs of government
3,. We need to restore due respect for government procedures rules and regulation and enforce sanctions for their disregard for an orderly and smooth functioning governmental administration.
4,. We must address Nigeria’s economic stagnation/crisis. We must move from consuming to producing economic if we must grow industrially
The amount of money Federal Government spend on palliative can revitalise our refineries and improve small scale businesses. There must be Sustainable Development Goals and Policies that impact humanity positively and develop Nigeria industrially
- Good governance in Nigeria will include a relentless effort to curb corruption in public fabrics.
- We need to assiduously and sincerely address rate of escalating insecurity in the country
- To improve good governance in Nigeria we also need to restructure the country’s Federal system. This include fiscal federalism, devolution of powers to federating units and the restoration of state police.
- Effective and constructive opposition is critical for the maintenance of good governance and the deepening of democracy, which in turn, helps in the maintenance of good governance. Under this arrangement stakeholders have serious task ahead Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Trade Union Congress (TUC) Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) must be alive to their responsibilities
- Good governance will also require a fearless and independent media. Nigeria Labour Congress to the rescue
As a matter of NLC constitutional responsibilities the Nigeria Labour Congress has performed excellently well by providing leadership during last protest which took place on Tuesday 27th February, 2024 and raising its voice against hardship in the land in tune with its
fundamental aims and objectives which state interlia that “Nigeria Labour Congress are to protect, defend,
and promote the rights, well being and the interests of all workers,
pensioners, the trade unions and the working class in general; and also to promote and defend a Nigerian nation that would be just, democratic,transparent and prosperous” and “to
continually struggle to influence public and corporate policies and legislation on all issues at all levels, in the interest of workers, disadvantaged social
groups and trade unions;” it is very expedient to be state that Nigeria Labour Congress has not acted outside this scope
What Nigeria is undergoing now need urgent action of government to stem the tide of hardship because the rate of untimately deaths of Nigerians are on the increase, essentially due to biting hardships and hopelessness.
A stitch in time will save our nine
Comrade Gbenga Olowoyo ; fcia fimpa JP
Trade unionists and industrial relations practitioner
08033570338
gbengaolowoyo3@gmail.com