NEWS AGENCY OF NIGERIA
General News

PPDC canvasses digital procurement processes, unveils strategic framework

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By Jacinta Nwachukwu

An NGO, Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC), has called for digitalisation of procurement processes to enhance accountability and transparency in procurement governance.

The PPDC Chief Executive Officer, Mrs Lucy Abagi, made the call on Wednesday in Abuja, at the presentation of the PPDC 2024-2028 Strategy Document, titled: `Leveraging Citizen Power for Sustainable Future’.

Abagi said that civil society organisations (CSOs) should not be the primary drivers of procurement processes, saying that government ownership was crucial.

She said that the government should provide regular updates on the use of taxpayers’ money and procurement processes.

According to her, the PPDC has been supporting government’s transparency for the past 22 years.

Abagi said that the NGO’s project, Transparency for Citizen Engagement, was aimed at leveraging citizens’ power for a sustainable future.

She further stated that the project was being implemented in three states: Kaduna, Ekiti and Adamawa to enhance accountability and transparency in the states’ procurement processes.

The chief executive officer said for more transparency in governance, there was the need for state procurement audits, contracting processes and annual reporting on government policies and practices.

“Procurement portals have been developed for the three states, with Kaduna and Ekiti using them efficiently.

“The portals provide detailed information on contractors, contract awards, jurisdictions and timelines.

“The portals also allow citizens to track contractor selection criteria and project monitoring criteria,’’ she said.

Abagi, however, said that observations showed gaps in procurement processes in spite of some progress, with abandoned and poorly executed projects.

She, therefore, called for transparency and accountability in government procurement to prevent project duplication and ensure contractor accountability.

The chief executive officer also urged the government to lead in procurement processes, open government partnerships and open contracting and funding to build capacity for managing procurement portals.

Also speaking, the Advocacy Officer, West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network, Mr Austin Aigbe, said that corruption was the greatest challenge to the Nigerian state, with procurement being a significant loophole.

Aigbe underscored the importance of citizens’ participation in holding the government accountable for procurement fraud.

He said that eradicating procurement fraud would result in significant savings for the country.

The advocacy officer particularly cited the example of vehicle procurement where funds were repeatedly allocated but not used, leading to repeated expenditures.

According to him, procurement fraud ultimately leads to suffering by members of the public, as funds intended for public projects are diverted.

Aigbe, therefore, called on Nigerians to actively follow the procurement process and hold the government accountable through the PPDC strategy and online portals. (NAN)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Politics

Buhari receives APC governors, urges adoption of citizen-centric approach to governance

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By Emmanuel Oloniruha

Former President Muhammadu Buhari has urged state governors to adopt a citizen-centric approach to governance.

 

This is contained in a statement issued by Buhari’s former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, on Wednesday.

 

Shehu quoted the former president as giving the advice while receiving members of Progressive Governors’ Forum (PGF) at his Kaduna residence.

 

According to him, leadership presents both challenge and opportunity, stressing that balancing the two will significantly advance the country’s progress.

 

Buhari also advised leaders to accord importance to the welfare of the people rather than themselves.

 

He cited his personal example of leaving office with the same physical assets he had before he became president.

 

Buhari expressed confidence in the progress being made by the governors elected on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC), reiterating his call for continued dedication to the nation’s progress.

 

He thanked the governors for the visit, saying that while he had worked with several of them, some others were new to him.

 

Buhari also appreciated the President Bola Tinubu-led administration for renovating his home in Kaduna, saying while the building looked very much the same externally, so much improvement was made inside.

 

In his remarks, Chairman of PGF, Gov. Hope Uzodinma of Imo, said that their visit was to greet the former president on the occasion of the recent Eid-el-Fitr.

 

Uzodinma said that the visit was also to convey the governors’ gratitude and enduring respect to Buhari for his immense contributions to Nigeria’s democracy and strengthening of APC.

 

“Many of us recall with pride the principled role you played in the founding of APC. That legacy continues to shape our party’s identity direction.

 

“We are especially gratified to hear your public affirmation, only a few weeks ago, that APC remains your party of choice. That declaration could not have come at a better time.

 

“It reaffirmed your place as a pillar of our movement and provided reassurance to members of our party. Mr President, you are pan-Nigerian,” he said.

 

Uzodinma further stated that Buhari’s legacy in Nigeria’s history was secure, adding that he remained the only opposition candidate in the country’s history to have defeated an incumbent.

 

“You did not only win power, you governed with calm resolve and handed over, with honour, to another APC president. For this, we are extremely grateful,” he said.

 

Uzodinma stated that the Buhari-led administration gave expression to APC’s core principles through his focus on security, economic recovery and anti-corruption.

 

“Your efforts reclaimed territory from insurgents, extended social investment programmes, like the Conditional Cash Transfer and School Feeding Programme, and ushered in road and rail revolution that is still bearing fruit.

 

“Programmes such as the Anchor Borrowers Scheme directly impacted on food security.

 

“You taught us to produce what we eat and eat what we produce. You brought dignity to governance and deepened the progressive ethos of our party,” he said.

 

Uzodinma said that today, APC was being renewed and repositioned under Buhari’s worthy successor, Tinubu.

 

He described Tinubu’s leadership as bold, reform-driven and unshakably committed to progress.

 

The governor said that the former president’s public endorsement of Tinubu in his recent birthday message was a powerful symbol of continuity and humility.

 

“Your Excellency, today we honor you, not just for your past service but for the enduring values you represent.

 

“We ask you to continue to support and guide us as we take the next steps to deepen progressive politics across the nation, and ensure that APC continues to be in power for a more prosperous Nigeria,” Uzodinma said.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)

Edited by ‘Wale Sadeeq

Economy/Business

Expert outlines opportunities for professional governance in Nigeria

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By Rukayat Moisemhe

Prof. Bayo Adaralegbe, Adjunct Professor of Law, University of Ibadan, has urged secretaries and administrators to take advantage of the opportunities for governance professionals in the country.

Adaralegbe made the call on Saturday in Lagos via a communique from a summit of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators of Nigeria (ICSAN).

The theme of the summit is: “Unlocking Opportunities for Governance Professionals”.

He noted that the idea of governance was not originally part of the company secretary’s job description until 1902 when their roles became legally recognised.

He added that in Nigeria, the Company and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) of 1990, Section 298 persisted in describing the duties of the company secretary.

According to him, they include attending company, board and committee meetings, maintaining registers and other records of the company, rendering returns, and carrying out administrative and other secretarial duties.

He also noted that for the first time, CAMA 2020 in Section 335(1), included corporate governance as one of the duties of the company secretary.

He said the expanded job description moved secretaries from purely administrative tasks to active engagement in corporate governance and to their being referred to as governance professionals.

Adaralegbe said the combined influence of sustainable development, corporate governance, corporate sustainability and others led to the need for a new skills set to help with the implementation of these concepts in companies.

“The developments that motivated corporate governance practices that caused the emergence of the governance professional is global.

“However, there is actually a huge deficit in Nigeria that makes their services necessary.

“Nigeria is an oil rich country grappling with environmental devastation in its oil bearing communities,” he said.

Adaralegbe said opportunities for governance professionals also existed in wide-spread human rights abuses, business failure, social inequality, corrupt practices, gender imbalance, and systemic discrimination.

“Therefore the opportunities are huge for governance professional as the area is new, evolving and essential and companies want to be seen to be compliant,” he said.

Mr Oyedele Togunde, Chairman, Membership Committee, ICSAN, said the event was an opportunity for governance professionals to rub minds as they climbed ladders of advancement, innovations and millennium developmental goals.

Togunde said in-depth knowledge about the profession as secretaries and administrators was very crucial, noting that the word secretary was fashioned after secretary bird which symbolises protection of a nation.

He noted that some characteristics of the bird included alertness, ability to prey on dangerous and difficult terrains, vigilance and its fierce protection of its territory.

“If you refer to yourself and does not possess these characteristics, you may not be worthy of being referred to as a chartered secretary and administrator.

“It is strongly advised that as chartered secretaries and administrators and as governance professionals, that you expose and market yourself, embrace artificial intelligence, create value and solve problems,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Funmilayo Adeyemi/Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma

General News

Nigeria needs disruptive strategy to make significant progress – Nwala

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By Philip Yatai

A lawyer and policy strategist, Dr Oracle Nwala, says Nigeria needs a disruptive strategy to achieve its governance and development goals for the benefits of all citizens.

Nwala stated this at the official unveiling of his book entitled, “Disruptive Strategies: Unveiling Personal Definitive Strategists”, in Abuja on Wednesday.

The author, an eminent member of the global legal community with over 25 years of experience in Nigeria’s legal and policy space, said that disruptive strategy would move the country forward.

Nwala, a member of the Senior Executive Course 43, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos, defined disruptive strategy as essentially doing something the way it works with no regard to laid down procedures.

He added that it also entails looking at a system and taking decisions that work to get the needed results.

He recalled that President Bola Tinubu had disrupted Nigeria’s economy with the removal of fuel subsidy on the day he was inaugurated as president of the country.

Nwala said that the action was paying off with the economy gradually picking up and things getting better by the day.

According to him, what Nigerians need is continued disruption.

“Let us disrupt things that are not working; let’s disrupt things that are not helping us. The philosophy, the ideas and everything we have thought about and are not working let’s jettison them.

“Artificial Intelligence has disrupted the technology space and now young people are doing much more than we have ever done – this is disruption,” he said.

At a personal level, the author said that the book unveils the untapped potential within each individual to chart a unique path to success and fulfilment.

He added that by advocating a paradigm shift, the book underscores the importance of prioritising personal strategy alongside traditional business approaches to succeed.

“Disruptive Strategy empowers readers to confront life’s challenges with confidence and resilience, unlocking their full potential and achieving lasting fulfilment.

“Serving as a roadmap for those ready to break free from the ordinary, transcend limitations and embrace a life of purpose and achievement, the book is an invitation to seize control of your personal journey and thrive in the modern world.

“Whether redefining your personal or professional path, disruptive strategy combines real-world insights, practical tools and a deeply personal methodology to help you build resilience, think strategically and dominate your niche,” he said.

The book reviewer, Prof. Ahmed Okene, Provost, National Defence College, Abuja, said that disruptive strategy was simply querying existing norms or methods to achieve results.

Okene said that the book, made up of 12 chapters and 331 pages, provides a step-by-step guide on how to adopt disruptive strategy to achieve personal, governance, entrepreneurship, economy and other goals.

“In terms of governance and leadership, applying disruptive strategy means you will have to question the existing status quo to achieve desired results.

“People are used to doing things in a certain way; the way it is done but with disruptive strategy, you will have to query what you see; disorganise the system to reorganise it for it to work.

“In governance, you will have to think from a perspective that others have not thought of before,” he said.

One of Nwala’s coursemates at the National Institute, Mr Mukhtar Galadima, described the book as an eye opener in governance, leadership and personal life.

Galadima, the Director of Development Control, Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), said: “What the book is simply saying is, don’t always follow protocol. Whatever will give you results, do it.

“The most important thing is getting the desired results.

“The FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, my boss, is applying this disruptive strategy and you can see the results,” he said. (NAN)

Edited by Muhammad Lawal

General News

CSO urges states to enforce FOI Act

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By Naomi Sharang

The Centre for Transparency Advocacy (CTA) has urged states yet to domesticate the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to do so in order to ensure transparency in governance.

The Executive Director of CTA, Ms Faith Nwadishi, made the call at the meeting/project launch of “The Strengthening Accountability and Governance in Nigeria Initiative (SAGNI) Project held in Abuja on Tuesday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that project is with the support from the Rule of Law and Anti-Corruption Programme (RoLAC) and funding from the European Union through International IDEA.

Nwadishi said that through SAGNI, CTA aimed to empower citizens, civil society organisations, youth and women’s groups among others, to demand accountability at all levels of governance.

She noted that since the FOI Act’s passage in 2011, some progress had been made particularly in promoting the effective use of the act but added that significant barriers remained.

“With so few states—Lagos and Ekiti, just the two—having domesticated the FOI Act, enforcement remains inconsistent,” she said.

She said that other challenges with the Act is that it had a concerning number of exemptions, making it challenging for the average citizen to access government information.

“Additionally, complex terminology within the Act, such as “public interest,” often creates ambiguity.

“Another challenge is Nigeria’s literacy rate, which stands at just 57.9 per cent limiting citizens’ understanding and engagement with the Act.

“A historical culture of secrecy within our public institutions—rooted in colonial-era practices—also continues to influence governance.

“While mindsets are slowly changing, this is an uphill battle that the CTA is dedicated to addressing,” Nwadishi said.

In his address, Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi said the FOI Act guarantees the right of citizens to request government information and records without establishing the intent or reason for the request.

Fagbemi was represented by Garuba Godwin, Head, Freedom of Information unit at the Ministry of Justice.

The minister said that the Act was applicable to all public institutions which included the three Arms of Government and private companies utilising public funds, providing public services or performing public functions.

He said his ministry was collaborating with different Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and l

public institutions in ensuring citizens’ participation in governance to strengthen transparency in public institutions and foster a culture of accountability.

The event had in attendance, commissioners of Justice from Edo and Anambra as well as representatives from CSOs, media, National Commission for Persons with disabilities and others.(NAN)

Edited by Sadiya Hamza

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