By Tony Eluemunor
A frontline Politician and businessman, Dr Austin Izagbo, has called for major policy reforms, political will and stakeholders engagement in addressing the need for a drastic reduction in the cost of Governance in Nigeria. Izagbi was a former Commissioner for Youths, Sports, Social Development and Culture in Delta State.
Delivering a Public Lecture last Saturday, December 7th, on “STRATEGIC RIGHT SIZING OF THE COST OF GOVERNANCE” at the University of Lagos, venue of the Convocation/ Graduation Ceremony of the Strategic Business School, Lekki, Lagos, Distance Learning Students in affiliation with European American University, United Kingdom (UK), Dr Izagbo commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for having the courage to revisit and bring to the fore the almost forgotten Oronsaye Committee Report on the need to streamline the cost of governance in Nigeria.
He called for greater impetus in adopting the said Report in order to reduce Nigeria’s current overbearing cost of governance.
He also called for a reduction in the large number of Political Aides being appointed into the three tiers of government. He cautioned that “the attainment of, and holding of political office should be for service to the people rather than an opportunity of ‘job for the boys’ and or for self-aggrandizement”. He stressed that the “sole end of governance is the advancement of the quality of lives of the citizens”.
Other speakers at the event were Prof. Edmond John Kersey De – Polanie Patrikois of the European American University, UK.
He spoke on “Education without Boundries”, Prof. Noble Ogugua also spoke on “Maladministration in Nigeria, Burden & Interrogation”, while Prof. Misan Fregene spoke on “Strategic Leadership of a Nation: Insight from Singapore, UAE and Finland”.
Similarly, Prof. Joseph Mba, CEO, Strategic Business School harped on “Nigeria in Nostalgia”.
Highlights of the lecture presentations and discussions also harped on the following areas for immediate address: “Greater transparency and accountability in government to address the issue of financial wastages in governance. Greater efficiency and effectiveness in the management of public funds. Strengthening of our institutions. Nigeria should be seen as a country of strong institutions rather than a country of strong men and women. Entrench strict measures for the implementation of Performance based budgeting Introduction of e-functions and processes in Government.
A clarion call on all Nigerians to participate more in government and to demand more from our leaders and hold them to greater accountability for their actions in Government, for together we can build a more transparent, accountable and prosperous country.
The highlight of the event was the Presentation of Certificates and Awards to the graduands including Florence Izagbo who bagged a Doctor of Business (DBA) in Strategic Education Management, Tessa Obiageli Anota (DBA) – Strategic Administration & Leadership, Victor Olowo (DBA) – Strategic Leadership & Governance. Recipients of the Masters in Business Administration (MBA) category included Abdul Adejo and Okwara Owen.
The event also witnessed an Award of Chartered Licencies of the Chartered Institute of Strategic Managers & Leaders (CISML) to the following distinguished Management Practitioners- Joel Nwankwo, Abraham Adeniji, Samson Bamighayan and Oluwatosin Adeniji.
The Strategic Business School (SBS) took advantage of this event to unveil its many affiliating institutions and bodies across the globe.
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