For Record Purposes... What your take on this?... Corruption Free Leadership... There’s no governance in Nigeria, only contracts awards – Ezekwesili.... Nigeria’s former World Bank Vice President, Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, has said that there is no governance in Nigeria but a mere gathering of people in power for the purpose of contracts awards. Ezekwesili, who referred to the process of the awards of the contracts as “massive transactions”, said those at the helm of affairs, especially at the federal level, rather than provide policy directions for the country, only gather for selfish economic gains. The former Minister of Solid Minerals and later Education in the government of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, said the concept and purpose of governance has been totally misconstrued in Nigeria. Ezekwesili, who spoke on Wednesday at the Excellence in Leadership Conference of Daystar Christian Centre, Lagos, said those in government rather than meeting to award contracts should provide policy directions, strategise and monitor the processes that would lead to the attainment of the goals of governance. She said: “Governance does not happen in Nigeria. “What happens is massive transaction “Policy implementation is low in the perking order of governance in Nigeria. “Contract award is the main issue in governance in Nigeria. “But I feel it is a waste of time discussing transactions. “Government should be for the purpose of policy, strategy, to achieve results. That’s the role of the leader.” Ezekwesili, who spoke on the topic: “Civil servants as catalysts for building a credible nation,” said the awards of contracts should be the business of the civil servants, who should drive the democratic process. She, however, said the civil service was not performing its roles in Nigeria because it had become corrupt over time. She described the theme of the conference: “Corruption-free leadership,” as an ambitious one as it is “”faith in action” since the opposite is what is in place in Nigeria. She said: “Of all the obstacles that stand in the ways of nation building, corruption is most potent. “Corruption however is a mere manifestation of a deeper problem. “Good governance is the broader issue. “But it (corruption) is so malignant that it overwhelms the other things. “The democratic ethos and nuances, etc that enables equitable growth are lost to corruption. “Corruption does not provide for equitable distribution of resources. “And we must equalize opportunities if we are going to build an egalitarian society.” Ezekwesili said it is shocking that Africa, especially Nigeria could descend to the level where it is in terms of corrupt practices. She said her shock comes from the realisation of the fact that corruption, which now has a stronghold on Africa, was actually sanction in pre-colonial Africa, adding: “People were excommunicated from the society then for corruption. “So how can a continent that punished corruption so grossly become aculturised to corruption?” Ezekwesili said the civil service as an agency of government was established to serve the purpose of the colonial Britain’s extractive reasons. She said over time, the role of the civil service as the engine room of governance became eroded and the evil of corruption became manifest. Suggesting a way forward, the former minister said the time for cultural re-orientation had come. Ezekwesili said it is also incumbent on the governed to demand for results from the government. She said this is the only way those in government will realise that they can be held accountable for the management of the country’s commonwealth. She said: “Government owes you results. “When you don’t ask for it, you won’t get the results. “We need to understand that the voice of citizenship is the beginning of demand for accountability. “We should no longer look at government as something that is just there. “We need to demand for a new set of social contracts. “We need to ask questions.” The Convener of the conference and Senior Pastor of Daystar Christian Centre, Pastor Sam Adeyemi, said corruption has become a norm in the country. Adeyemi said from the led to the leader, there are several corrupt practices that have combined to hinder the growth of the country. He said from the market woman who shortchanges her customers by making use of doctored measuring instruments, to those elected who brazenly steal the country’s resources, corruption has found a place in the affairs of Nigeria. He said there was the need for a fresh orientation of values in the country in order to check underdevelopment that has become the hallmark of the country. He said worldwide, no country has made progress with corruption permeating the whole society. Related posts: Ezekwesili to provide economic policy advisory for African countries. Ezekwesili to Jonathan: Stop presiding over contract award meetings... N1t spent on N’Assembly members in eight years – Ezekwesili
Posted on: Fri, 08 Nov 2013 09:40:51 +0000
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