Framework for cooperative security in a region in transition challenges and...Kayode Fayemi
This document discusses the framework for cooperative security in Africa and challenges therein. It provides context around increased regional cooperation in the late 1980s/early 1990s due to various global and local factors. It examines ECOWAS as the leading example in West Africa, outlining the institutions and mechanisms it has established like the Mediation and Security Council, Defence and Security Commission, and ECOMOG forces. However, it notes ongoing challenges including issues of sovereignty, differing regional interests, donor dependence, and lack of a shared security vision among some member states. The example of Cote d'Ivoire highlights the need for frameworks to go beyond structures to enable timely, credible action on humanitarian crises.
Handbook on security sector governance.2Kayode Fayemi
This document summarizes key issues, indicators, and benchmarks for democratic governance in the security sector. It outlines 8 main goals: 1) rule of law and constitutionalism, 2) political representation, 3) personal security and access to justice, 4) national security and conflict prevention, 5) open and accountable institutions, 6) a broader understanding of security, 7) facilitative mechanisms for policy formulation and management, and 8) an enhanced international regime for democratic governance in security. For each goal, it lists objectives, targets, and potential indicators to measure progress toward democratic ideals in security sector governance.
Peace and security in west africa any role for the commonwealthKayode Fayemi
The document discusses the role of the Commonwealth in promoting peace and security in West Africa. It notes that while the Commonwealth has helped address issues like democratic backsliding in some countries, its influence faces challenges due to unequal power dynamics between members and a consensus-based approach. However, the Commonwealth could still play an important role by promoting human security, democracy, conflict resolution and regional cooperation. Key will be taking a nuanced view of each country's situation and challenges to conflicts, and supporting locally-driven solutions over broad external interventions.
Constitutional governance and institutions of horizontal accountabilityKayode Fayemi
This document discusses constitutional governance and institutions of horizontal accountability, using Nigeria's Independent Corrupt Practices Commission as a case study. It makes three key points:
1) Many African countries have established independent oversight commissions in their constitutions to promote accountability, but these commissions often lack true independence.
2) In Nigeria, while institutions like the Code of Conduct Bureau were established in 1979 to curb corruption, they fail to meet standards of independence and are subject to influence from the executive branch.
3) For oversight commissions to be effective, constitutions need to guarantee their autonomy, secure funding sources, and prosecutorial authority independent of the executive to hold public officials accountable without fear or favor.
1) The document discusses fears about Nigeria's upcoming 2003 elections, noting that past elections organized by incumbent governments were marred by fraud and violence.
2) It argues that elections commonly hold potential for violence in Africa due to high stakes, desperate players, and lack of civil opposition traditions from military rule histories.
3) While problems exist, Nigeria's democracy is maturing as the judiciary has ruled responsibly on contentious issues and other branches have respected its decisions, showing progress amid political transition challenges.
Democracy, Security & Poverty in Ghana: A Mid-Term Review of the Kufuor Admin...Kayode Fayemi
The document provides a mid-term review of Ghana's government under President Kufuor since taking office in 2000. It discusses key challenges facing the government, including preventing conflict while maintaining democracy, developing clear strategies to achieve economic and social progress, and addressing capacity constraints. While social and economic indicators place Ghana above other West African nations, ongoing political tensions since the 2000 election raise concerns about the government's ability to further improve living standards and meet democratic expectations. The greatest challenge is deepening democracy to ensure stability as the country works to develop.
This document provides an overview of security system reform (SSR) efforts in Africa. It finds that while most African governments have undertaken some degree of reform, few conform fully to the OECD definition of SSR. Reforms have often been piecemeal and driven by changing political and economic circumstances. The document then analyzes SSR contexts and efforts region by region in Africa. It finds drivers of reform include peace agreements, democratization, fiscal pressures, and deteriorating security situations. However, information on SSR remains limited. Overall, the document provides high-level context on security sector governance and reform across the African continent.
Productivity for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and EmploymentKayode Fayemi
Being the Keynote Address by
H.E. Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Minister of Mines and Steel Development
Federal Republic of Nigeria
at the Annual Lecture of the
16th National Productivity Day organized by
THE NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE
Framework for cooperative security in a region in transition challenges and...Kayode Fayemi
This document discusses the framework for cooperative security in Africa and challenges therein. It provides context around increased regional cooperation in the late 1980s/early 1990s due to various global and local factors. It examines ECOWAS as the leading example in West Africa, outlining the institutions and mechanisms it has established like the Mediation and Security Council, Defence and Security Commission, and ECOMOG forces. However, it notes ongoing challenges including issues of sovereignty, differing regional interests, donor dependence, and lack of a shared security vision among some member states. The example of Cote d'Ivoire highlights the need for frameworks to go beyond structures to enable timely, credible action on humanitarian crises.
Handbook on security sector governance.2Kayode Fayemi
This document summarizes key issues, indicators, and benchmarks for democratic governance in the security sector. It outlines 8 main goals: 1) rule of law and constitutionalism, 2) political representation, 3) personal security and access to justice, 4) national security and conflict prevention, 5) open and accountable institutions, 6) a broader understanding of security, 7) facilitative mechanisms for policy formulation and management, and 8) an enhanced international regime for democratic governance in security. For each goal, it lists objectives, targets, and potential indicators to measure progress toward democratic ideals in security sector governance.
Peace and security in west africa any role for the commonwealthKayode Fayemi
The document discusses the role of the Commonwealth in promoting peace and security in West Africa. It notes that while the Commonwealth has helped address issues like democratic backsliding in some countries, its influence faces challenges due to unequal power dynamics between members and a consensus-based approach. However, the Commonwealth could still play an important role by promoting human security, democracy, conflict resolution and regional cooperation. Key will be taking a nuanced view of each country's situation and challenges to conflicts, and supporting locally-driven solutions over broad external interventions.
Constitutional governance and institutions of horizontal accountabilityKayode Fayemi
This document discusses constitutional governance and institutions of horizontal accountability, using Nigeria's Independent Corrupt Practices Commission as a case study. It makes three key points:
1) Many African countries have established independent oversight commissions in their constitutions to promote accountability, but these commissions often lack true independence.
2) In Nigeria, while institutions like the Code of Conduct Bureau were established in 1979 to curb corruption, they fail to meet standards of independence and are subject to influence from the executive branch.
3) For oversight commissions to be effective, constitutions need to guarantee their autonomy, secure funding sources, and prosecutorial authority independent of the executive to hold public officials accountable without fear or favor.
1) The document discusses fears about Nigeria's upcoming 2003 elections, noting that past elections organized by incumbent governments were marred by fraud and violence.
2) It argues that elections commonly hold potential for violence in Africa due to high stakes, desperate players, and lack of civil opposition traditions from military rule histories.
3) While problems exist, Nigeria's democracy is maturing as the judiciary has ruled responsibly on contentious issues and other branches have respected its decisions, showing progress amid political transition challenges.
Democracy, Security & Poverty in Ghana: A Mid-Term Review of the Kufuor Admin...Kayode Fayemi
The document provides a mid-term review of Ghana's government under President Kufuor since taking office in 2000. It discusses key challenges facing the government, including preventing conflict while maintaining democracy, developing clear strategies to achieve economic and social progress, and addressing capacity constraints. While social and economic indicators place Ghana above other West African nations, ongoing political tensions since the 2000 election raise concerns about the government's ability to further improve living standards and meet democratic expectations. The greatest challenge is deepening democracy to ensure stability as the country works to develop.
This document provides an overview of security system reform (SSR) efforts in Africa. It finds that while most African governments have undertaken some degree of reform, few conform fully to the OECD definition of SSR. Reforms have often been piecemeal and driven by changing political and economic circumstances. The document then analyzes SSR contexts and efforts region by region in Africa. It finds drivers of reform include peace agreements, democratization, fiscal pressures, and deteriorating security situations. However, information on SSR remains limited. Overall, the document provides high-level context on security sector governance and reform across the African continent.
Productivity for Sustainable Entrepreneurship and EmploymentKayode Fayemi
Being the Keynote Address by
H.E. Dr. Kayode Fayemi, CON
Minister of Mines and Steel Development
Federal Republic of Nigeria
at the Annual Lecture of the
16th National Productivity Day organized by
THE NATIONAL PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE
STATE OF THE SOLID MINERALS SECTOR AND WAY FORWARDKayode Fayemi
STATE OF THE SOLID MINERALS SECTOR AND WAY FORWARD
Presented by
Dr. ‘Kayode Fayemi, CON
Minister of Solid Minerals Development
at the Inaugural Media Briefing of the Ministry
on Monday, December 21, 2015
Promoting Stewardship in Public ServiceKayode Fayemi
By
J. ’Kayode FAYEMI, PhD., CON
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria
at the
Excellence in Leadership Conference 2015
Daystar Christian Centre, Oregun, Lagos
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
LEADERSHIP FACTORS AND GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE: KEY TO NATIONAL GROWTH AND ...Kayode Fayemi
Paper by His Excellency
J. ’Kayode FAYEMI
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria
at the 2015 Edition of the
Akintola Williams Distinguished Lecture Series
Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, Nigeria
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Intellectuals In Politics And Governance In Africa: The Lessons And Legacies ...Kayode Fayemi
the text of the paper by His Excellency
Dr. John Kayode Fayemi
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria
At the 3rd Annual John Atta Mills Memorial Lecture
Accra, Ghana
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
19 Ekiti State House of Assembly Members Letter Kayode Fayemi
19 APC members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly writes the Minister of Finance, Body of Attorney generals and Minister of Works denouncing the appointment of Commissioner for works, Commissioner for finance and Commissioner for justice in the state.
As the last child in the Fayemi household, my arrival was heralded with song and dance. Although my birth elicited genuine excitement on the part of my siblings, it was for my mother a cautious welcome. My mother’s caution was understandable having lost a boy and two girls in quick succession before my arrival.
The document is a speech given by Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Governor of Ekiti State in Nigeria, at The Future Awards Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders in 2012. In the speech, he discusses three main points:
1) The importance of grooming a successor generation of leaders through formal education, training, and mentorship in order to ensure sustained development through a planned political succession process.
2) The need for leadership to be values-driven by motivating citizens to solve community problems rather than reinforcing state control, and rebuilding public and private institutions.
3) The challenge for political leaders to reconnect democratic choices with people's daily lives
Tackling Poverty from the Roots – the Role of MediaKayode Fayemi
The document discusses the role of media in tackling poverty in Nigeria. It notes that poverty in Nigeria is widespread and deep, with over 70% of the population living below the poverty line. It argues that poverty is rooted in unequal power relations and mismanagement of resources. The media can play a crucial role in highlighting the scope and depth of poverty, and ensuring stakeholders comprehensively address it. The document outlines lessons for developing an effective anti-poverty strategy, including the need for conceptual clarity, local empowerment, reconciling economic and social development, problematizing the link between globalization and poverty reduction, and locating poverty reduction within democratic governance. It emphasizes that empowering local communities and decentralizing power is key to ultimately
The Responsibility to Protect Report: Lessons from West AfricaKayode Fayemi
This document summarizes the development of the ECOWAS Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security. It discusses how ECOWAS has evolved from focusing primarily on economic cooperation to developing institutions and protocols to address security issues and humanitarian intervention in member states. While progress has been made, challenges remain regarding implementation and achieving consensus among members on security. The document recommends strengthening regional values, democratic governance, capacity building, and developmental regionalism to further cooperative security in West Africa.
The Peace and Security Challenges Facing Africa: Can the African Union and NE...Kayode Fayemi
This document discusses the challenges facing the African Union (AU) and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) in addressing peace and security issues on the continent. It analyzes the peace and security cluster of the NEPAD strategy, highlighting both positive and critical aspects. It examines the causes, nature, and context of conflicts in Africa in order to understand the values of security that need to be promoted. Finally, it discusses prospects for addressing current challenges and the need for genuine global partnership to resolve Africa's violent conflicts.
विवादास्पद फिल्म के ट्रेलर से गाली-गलौज वाले दृश्य हटा दिए गए हैं, और जुर्माना लगाया गया है। सुप्रीम कोर्ट और बॉम्बे हाई कोर्ट दोनों ने फिल्म की रिलीज पर रोक लगा दी है और उसे निलंबित कर दिया है। पहले यह फिल्म 7 जून और फिर 14 जून को रिलीज होने वाली थी, लेकिन अब यह 21 जून को रिलीज हो रही है।
19 जून को बॉम्बे हाई कोर्ट ने विवादित फिल्म ‘हमारे बारह’ को 21 जून को थिएटर में रिलीज करने का रास्ता साफ कर दिया, हालांकि यह सुनिश्चित करने के बाद कि फिल्म निर्माता कुछ आपत्तिजनक अंशों को हटा दें।
STATE OF THE SOLID MINERALS SECTOR AND WAY FORWARDKayode Fayemi
STATE OF THE SOLID MINERALS SECTOR AND WAY FORWARD
Presented by
Dr. ‘Kayode Fayemi, CON
Minister of Solid Minerals Development
at the Inaugural Media Briefing of the Ministry
on Monday, December 21, 2015
Promoting Stewardship in Public ServiceKayode Fayemi
By
J. ’Kayode FAYEMI, PhD., CON
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria
at the
Excellence in Leadership Conference 2015
Daystar Christian Centre, Oregun, Lagos
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
LEADERSHIP FACTORS AND GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE: KEY TO NATIONAL GROWTH AND ...Kayode Fayemi
Paper by His Excellency
J. ’Kayode FAYEMI
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria
at the 2015 Edition of the
Akintola Williams Distinguished Lecture Series
Muson Centre, Onikan, Lagos, Nigeria
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Intellectuals In Politics And Governance In Africa: The Lessons And Legacies ...Kayode Fayemi
the text of the paper by His Excellency
Dr. John Kayode Fayemi
Former Governor of Ekiti State, Nigeria
At the 3rd Annual John Atta Mills Memorial Lecture
Accra, Ghana
Tuesday, July 21, 2015
19 Ekiti State House of Assembly Members Letter Kayode Fayemi
19 APC members of the Ekiti State House of Assembly writes the Minister of Finance, Body of Attorney generals and Minister of Works denouncing the appointment of Commissioner for works, Commissioner for finance and Commissioner for justice in the state.
As the last child in the Fayemi household, my arrival was heralded with song and dance. Although my birth elicited genuine excitement on the part of my siblings, it was for my mother a cautious welcome. My mother’s caution was understandable having lost a boy and two girls in quick succession before my arrival.
The document is a speech given by Dr. Kayode Fayemi, the Governor of Ekiti State in Nigeria, at The Future Awards Symposium for Young and Emerging Leaders in 2012. In the speech, he discusses three main points:
1) The importance of grooming a successor generation of leaders through formal education, training, and mentorship in order to ensure sustained development through a planned political succession process.
2) The need for leadership to be values-driven by motivating citizens to solve community problems rather than reinforcing state control, and rebuilding public and private institutions.
3) The challenge for political leaders to reconnect democratic choices with people's daily lives
Tackling Poverty from the Roots – the Role of MediaKayode Fayemi
The document discusses the role of media in tackling poverty in Nigeria. It notes that poverty in Nigeria is widespread and deep, with over 70% of the population living below the poverty line. It argues that poverty is rooted in unequal power relations and mismanagement of resources. The media can play a crucial role in highlighting the scope and depth of poverty, and ensuring stakeholders comprehensively address it. The document outlines lessons for developing an effective anti-poverty strategy, including the need for conceptual clarity, local empowerment, reconciling economic and social development, problematizing the link between globalization and poverty reduction, and locating poverty reduction within democratic governance. It emphasizes that empowering local communities and decentralizing power is key to ultimately
The Responsibility to Protect Report: Lessons from West AfricaKayode Fayemi
This document summarizes the development of the ECOWAS Mechanism for Conflict Prevention, Management, Resolution, Peacekeeping and Security. It discusses how ECOWAS has evolved from focusing primarily on economic cooperation to developing institutions and protocols to address security issues and humanitarian intervention in member states. While progress has been made, challenges remain regarding implementation and achieving consensus among members on security. The document recommends strengthening regional values, democratic governance, capacity building, and developmental regionalism to further cooperative security in West Africa.
The Peace and Security Challenges Facing Africa: Can the African Union and NE...Kayode Fayemi
This document discusses the challenges facing the African Union (AU) and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD) in addressing peace and security issues on the continent. It analyzes the peace and security cluster of the NEPAD strategy, highlighting both positive and critical aspects. It examines the causes, nature, and context of conflicts in Africa in order to understand the values of security that need to be promoted. Finally, it discusses prospects for addressing current challenges and the need for genuine global partnership to resolve Africa's violent conflicts.
विवादास्पद फिल्म के ट्रेलर से गाली-गलौज वाले दृश्य हटा दिए गए हैं, और जुर्माना लगाया गया है। सुप्रीम कोर्ट और बॉम्बे हाई कोर्ट दोनों ने फिल्म की रिलीज पर रोक लगा दी है और उसे निलंबित कर दिया है। पहले यह फिल्म 7 जून और फिर 14 जून को रिलीज होने वाली थी, लेकिन अब यह 21 जून को रिलीज हो रही है।
19 जून को बॉम्बे हाई कोर्ट ने विवादित फिल्म ‘हमारे बारह’ को 21 जून को थिएटर में रिलीज करने का रास्ता साफ कर दिया, हालांकि यह सुनिश्चित करने के बाद कि फिल्म निर्माता कुछ आपत्तिजनक अंशों को हटा दें।
मद्रास उच्च न्यायालय के सेवानिवृत्त न्यायाधीश और केंद्र और राज्य सरकार के नौकरशाहों सहित आठ अन्य लोगों की अध्यक्षता वाली एक उच्च स्तरीय समिति ने 2021 में NEET परीक्षा को खत्म करने की सिफारिश की थी। महत्वपूर्ण बात यह है कि रिपोर्ट में 2010-11 में ग्रामीण पृष्ठभूमि से तमिल छात्रों की संख्या में 61.5% की भारी गिरावट को दर्शाया गया है। इसके बजाय मेट्रो छात्रों में वृद्धि दर्ज की गई है।
Why We Chose ScyllaDB over DynamoDB for "User Watch Status"ScyllaDB
Yichen Wei and Adam Drennan share the architecture and technical requirements behind "user watch status" for a major global media streaming service, what that meant for their database, the pros and cons of the many options they considered for replacing DynamoDB, why they ultimately chose ScyllaDB, and their lessons learned so far.
Federal Authorities Urge Vigilance Amid Bird Flu Outbreak | The Lifesciences ...The Lifesciences Magazine
Federal authorities have advised the public to remain vigilant but calm in response to the ongoing bird flu outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.
17062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
16062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
Recent years have seen a disturbing rise in violence, discrimination, and intolerance against Christian communities in various Islamic countries. This multifaceted challenge, deeply rooted in historical, social, and political animosities, demands urgent attention. Despite the escalating persecution, substantial support from the Western world remains lacking.
Shark Tank Jargon | Operational ProfitabilityTheUnitedIndian
Don't let fancy business words confuse you! This blog is your cheat sheet to understanding the Shark Tank Jargon. We'll translate all the confusing terms like "valuation" (how much the company is worth) and "royalty" (a fee for using someone's idea). You'll be swimming with the Sharks like a pro in no time!
लालू यादव की जीवनी LALU PRASAD YADAV BIOGRAPHYVoterMood
Discover the life and times of Lalu Prasad Yadav with a comprehensive biography in Hindi. Learn about his early days, rise in politics, controversies, and contribution.
Christian persecution in Islamic countries has intensified, with alarming incidents of violence, discrimination, and intolerance. This article highlights recent attacks in Nigeria, Pakistan, Egypt, Iran, and Iraq, exposing the multifaceted challenges faced by Christian communities. Despite the severity of these atrocities, the Western world's response remains muted due to political, economic, and social considerations. The urgent need for international intervention is underscored, emphasizing that without substantial support, the future of Christianity in these regions is at grave risk.
https://ecspe.org/the-rise-of-christian-persecution-in-islamic-countries/
18062024_First India Newspaper Jaipur.pdfFIRST INDIA
Find Latest India News and Breaking News these days from India on Politics, Business, Entertainment, Technology, Sports, Lifestyle and Coronavirus News in India and the world over that you can't miss. For real time update Visit our social media handle. Read First India NewsPaper in your morning replace. Visit First India.
CLICK:- https://firstindia.co.in/
#First_India_NewsPaper
#WenguiGuo#WashingtonFarm Guo Wengui Wolf son ambition exposed to open a far...rittaajmal71
Since fleeing to the United States in 2014, Guo Wengui has founded a number of projects in the United States, such as GTV Media Group, GTV private equity, farm loan project, G Club Operations Co., LTD., and Himalaya Exchange.
projet de traité négocié à Istanbul (anglais).pdfEdouardHusson
Ceci est le projet de traité qui avait été négocié entre Russes et Ukrainiens à Istanbul en mars 2022, avant que les Etats-Unis et la Grande-Bretagne ne détournent Kiev de signer.
Monitoring governance in the context of needs – the civil society challenge
1. MONITORING GOVERNANCE IN THE CONTEXT OF NEEDS – THE CIVIL
SOCIETY CHALLENGE1
Dr ‘Kayode Fayemi2
Protocol
The notion of good governance has gained greater prominence in the
democratisation discourse since the collapse of the cold war in the early 1990s.
Equally, its meaning has been the subject of contestation between promoters of
the shrinking State and the champions of the inclusive State in which the
establishment of a wide range of governmental and non-governmental
institutions enable people to participate in society. Despite the debate that
raged on the nature of the state, there has been a great deal of unanimity on
the need to arrest the ‘desertion’ by citizens that characterised the ‘old’ cold war
State, in Africa in the quest for a transparent, trusted and accountable State.
Although governance has always featured in the management of public sector in
Africa, it was rarely defined as a partnership between the rulers and the ruled
aimed at the efficiency of State structures. While the clamour for this type of
partnership has featured in the struggles for the transformation of authoritarian
structures and one-party states, the idea of a people driven governance was
largely ignored by the command economies that dominated the world in the cold
war era. The idea that the people ought to have a say in deciding governance
strategies was seen as an anathema and generally discouraged. In the search for
strong states, strong rulers were seen as the sine-qua-non. The more
unaccountable these rulers were, the more legitimate they became in the hands
of the metropolitan powers and their supporters. Even when the command,
interventionist economies of the 1970s and early 80s gave way to structural
adjustment programmes in the mid-1980s, governance defined as partnership
aimed at achieving ownership, social equity, equality and development was still
missing from the equation. Yet, in our view, fundamental to the notion of
governance is the ability of the state to provide efficient and well functioning
institutions and infrastructures of government – legally backed and socially
coherent – that together establishes and maintains an enabling environment in
which human security and human development takes place.
Yet, good governance was hardly a popular terminology in the international
development circles until the collapse of the cold war. Indeed, it was the World
1
Welcome Address to the “Legislative & Executive Governance Monitoring Dialogue” by Centre for
Democracy & Development & the National Human Rights Commission, held at Rockview Hotel,
Abuja from August 31 – September 1, 2004.
2
Director, Centre for Democracy & Development
1
2. Bank’s 1989 report “Sub-Saharan Africa: From Crisis to Sustainable Growth”, that
introduced it in international development circles. Even when it was introduced
into the IFIs lexicon, its operational use was limited. In its use of the term, the
World Bank identified three distinct aspects of governance:
1) the form of the political regime;
2) the process by which authority is exercised in the management of a
country’s economic and social resources for development; and,
3) the capacity of governments to design, formulate and implement policies
and discharge functions.(World Bank, 1994b)
Although they recognise the holistic nature of governance, the World Bank and
other multi-lateral agencies have concentrated mainly on the third aspect in their
governance related work – the capacity of governments to design, formulate and
implement policies and discharge functions. Public sector reform and
management has been the most visible area of activity in this regard. This
ranged from capacity building and institutional strengthening in civil service
reform; government budget, public investment programme, modernisation of
public sector accounting and auditing; government financial management
information systems, development assistance and aid coordination, economic
management agencies and all other sections of government that are pivotal to a
well functioning public sector. Governance in the public sector has also been
concerned with the levels and quality of relationship between different layers of
government – central government and its subordinate tiers as well as the public
and private sectors.
The basic thrust of this reform process has been state retrenchment in all its
ramifications and this has been manifested in the shift from a highly
interventionist paradigm in many African states to one in which the role of
government is primarily that of an enabler for the private sector, a regulatory
framework and a provider of public infrastructure for the efficient running of the
market. Tied to the structural adjustment reforms whose objective was to
establish market friendly set of incentives that can encourage accumulation of
capital and more efficient allocation of resources, this shift often necessitated
conflict between capital and labour and it resulted in huge labour cuts arising out
of privatisation of inefficient state institutions with serious social consequences –
leading often to a disconnect between the shrinking State and the deprived
Society.
The challenge with institutional reform in many of the sectors highlighted above
has always been one of building convergence between the demands of the new
institutional governance environment and the legitimacy for enforcement
provided by the local context – between ‘good’ governance on the one hand and
‘democratic’ governance, on the other. It is because of the problems associated
2
3. with reconciling the State and Civil Society in the public sector reform process
that sustainable institutional capacity building has been difficult to achieve in
many African states and ours here is not an exception.
Notwithstanding this evident challenge, all stakeholders in Nigeria’s fledgling
democracy now see accountable and transparent governance as critical to the
future strengthening of the State. In the transition to an open, transparent and
accountable State, the civilian government has made some strides in its effort to
reduce corruption by reforming erstwhile opaque and largely secretive financial
management systems. It has also attempted in a rather top-down manner to
consult people on Nigeria’s ‘home-grown’ PRSP strategy – the National Economic
Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS), but local ownership amongst
the people remains limited. The Government’s development reform agenda –
NEEDS – demonstrates stronger commitment through its various components -
on strengthening service delivery, ensuring accountability, acceding to a social
charter and enhancing the growth of the private sector. Also commendable is
the way the National strategy connects to state (SEEDS) and local government
level reform (LEEDS) processes. On the government side, there are clearly more
reformers - with both civil society background and greater willingness for a
deeper engagement between public policy actors and civil society activists, but
capacity, due process and sustainability remain key issues of concern. The
challenge therefore is to ensure that the ideas contained in this reform agenda
are further clarified in manner that can translate into social and economic gains
for the greater majority of Nigerians. By strengthening ‘voice’ in civil society and
seeking an independent research, analysis and monitoring of indicators and
benchmarks outlined in the reform agenda whilst improving civil actors’ ability to
engage policy makers on questions of transparency and accountability, we
envisage an exponential rise in knowledge and a concomitant impact on the
citizens’ ability to demand change.
We hope this dialogue can further expand our interest in bridging this gap
between the search for the efficient and accountable state and the legitimate
society, emphasizing not just the capacity of governments to design, formulate
and implement policies, but also the form of political regime and the process by
which authority is exercised.
For us, the most innovative aspect of our Legislative and Governance Monitoring
initiative is the bridge-building approach to governance that we take. Oftentimes
in Nigeria, the adversarial nature of relationship between government and civil
society institutions gets in the way of effective engagement. CDD has always
designed interventions, which encourage multi-stakeholder engagements without
compromising its independence whilst also addressing questions of success and
sustainability. Our partnership with the National Human Rights Commission in
organizing this dialogue further demonstrates this position. In addition, the
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4. designed intervention connects ordinary voices to critical arenas since we are not
just concerned about enhancing capacity of government institutions alone but
also strengthening the demand side of governance so that communities can have
better access to these institutions and they in turn can be more responsive. At
the back of every step taken by this initiative are the following questions:
How do we ensure that the right to be heard is translated into a right to
be listened to?
What are the existing capacities and gaps, which need to be respectively
enhanced and utilised within communities and government?
What are the monitoring and evaluation indices that will demonstrate
impact or indicate progress (indicators and verifications)?
In responding to the above questions, we hope this dialogue will assist us in
strengthening roles and relationships that already exist to enable our citizens
demand change of their rulers. The added value in a civil society monitoring
initiative such as this is the degree to which it empowers the broader citizenry to
demand change from the elected authorities by monitoring performance in an
independently verifiable manner.
I want to thank the British Council and the Department for International
Development for supporting this initiative.
On behalf of the CDD and the National Human Rights Commission, I welcome
you to this occasion and count on your contributions towards improving good
and democratic governance in Nigeria.
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