The Federal Government has been urged to strengthen the independence of the electoral systems and voters’ education to boost the credibility of governance in the country.
This formed part of the resolutions reached at the end of the two-day “2024 Presidential Retreat Warri” organised by the Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria (APBN).
A communique was signed by Mr Manason Rubaino and Mrs Adefolake Adeniyi, the APBN’s President and Secretary-General respectively and copies were made available to journalists on Wednesday in Warri.
Recall that the programme with the theme: “Contemporary Challenges in Nigeria: The Response of Professionals,” was held in Warri between May 30 and May 31.
The presidents and delegates of 17 professional bodies from different parts of the country were in attendance.
Prof. Benjamin Okaba, the President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) delivered the keynote address while Abel Omolu and Dr Shalywest Eboigbe X-rayed the theme from different perspectives.
According to the communique, the association observed the following as some of the challenges bedevilling the country:
Bad governance, lack of transparency, high level of bigotry and nepotism in governance, territorial porosity, abuse of true federalism, economic hardship, and infrastructural decay.
Others were: the apathy of professional bodies to the politics and business of governance, weak Institutions like the electoral and judicial systems, and neglect for nationhood, especially by the youths and others.
The communique, however, recommended as follows: “Consolidation of the practice of true federalism and promotion of transparency, accountability and sustainability in prioritising the issues and challenges of governance.
“Avoiding bigoted and nepotic display in governance at all levels and ensuring a stable economy through fiscal and monetary policy.
“Providing adequate and sustainable infrastructural developments to enable security of food, employment, health and others,” it said.
The communique also recommended that professional bodies should partake in the politics of governance at all levels to better collaborate with government policy strategies.
It urged professionals to be actively involved in addressing the contemporary challenges in Nigeria through constant engagements and demanding accountability from public and political officeholders.
The communique called on professional bodies to showcase their local content by engaging and encouraging the youth to follow in their footsteps, especially at the primary and post-primary levels of education.
It also urged the Federal Government to strengthen the independence of the Judicial system by ensuring parity and equity as well as reviewing moribund laws and regulations to enable stronger institutions.
“Enabling the regulatory, professional bodies and law enforcement agencies to propose laws and regulations that are enforceable under constitutional provisions.
“Re-orientation and re-branding of the importance of patriotism, discrimination and dichotomy in the public service and elective positions.
“Reintroduction of history and moral instruction at all levels of the educational curriculum in both formal and informal education.
“Imbibing in the citizenry, especially the youths, the importance of putting the nation first before their need, “what can I do for my country, then, what the country can do for me”, thereby making the “Japa” syndrome unattractive.
“Total disregard for sycophancy and ensuring public sanctions of erring public officers, individuals, professionals and government appointees to serve as a deterrent to would-be violators,” it said.
The association also resolved that Nigeria should adopt community policing instead of state policing as well as the use of technology in tackling the seemingly intractable insecurity challenges in the country.
It also stressed the need for government to follow due process in procurement and contract awards at all levels of government.
“Quacks should be exposed and prosecuted by professional bodies with the backing of APBN and established laws of the federation.
“Every successive government should have clear-cut vision and programmes in order to ensure governance is run sustainably,” it said.
The association, however, resolved that teamwork and leadership should be encouraged among professionals.
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