By Dorcas Jonah
Prof. Anya O. Anya, Chairman, National Restructure Actualisation Summit, says democracy will not thrive without the spread of a democratic culture of values and principles.
Anya said this at a National Restructure Actualisation conference held in Abuja on Friday that the democratic culture of values would guide the behaviour of individuals and groups.
He stressed the need to advance democratic values, ethics, and practices to further entrench democracy in the country in years to come.
The chairman noted that there were usually trade-offs between democracy and development which arises from the fact that democracies guarantee property rights and are more capable in enforcing property rights and contacts.
He said that the process facilitates investments and economic growth, adding that generally, democracies are better at managing economic reforms.
Anya said it was easier to facilitate consensus building by securing the support of those who otherwise would have lost out in any reforms.
According to him, democracies increase human capital accumulation, lowering income inequality and increased growth.
“In some circumstances, it may also lower fiscal capital even as it raises government consumption.
“It can be said therefore to prevent the worst outcomes even if it does not guarantee the best outcomes given the multitude of variants of democratic systems.
“However, we must at this point emphasise that the micro-economy is the foundation of prosperity, hence the importance of micro-economic competitiveness for sustainable economic prosperity,” he said.
Anya noted that a survey of the global environment shows that remarkable growth could be achieved by opening up to the world economy, stabilising macroeconomic policies and removing internal barriers to competition.
He said for the gains to be sustainable, the challenge was to build up the underlying micro-economic competitiveness since national prosperity was ultimately determined by competitiveness demonstrated in the productivity of a nation’s human capital.
Earlier, the Chairman of Restructure Actualisation Movement (RAM), Gen. Henry Ayoola, in his address of welcome says Nigeria’s destiny is more important than any group’s interest.
The RAM national chairman, who called for constitutional review, said some of the works done already should be looked into with a view to fine tuning them to meet national aspirations.
“For instance, reports of various national conferences, the 2014 National conference, the APC True Federalism Committee and wide range consultations with socio-cultural groups across board,” he said.
According to him, restructuring can also be key to resolving the myriad of crises facing Nigeria.
He said that the group was determined to galvanising public consensus toward ensuring a peaceful Nigeria.
Ayoola said restructuring in its simplest form would ensure honest and holistic overhauling of policies, strategies, systems processes and procedures. (NAN)