Eminent Nigerians chart part to state viability at Aelex lecture

Worried about the quality of governance and public service at the state level in Nigeria, a law firm, Aelex, last week, put together a team of eminent personalities to brainstorm on the way out of the challenge in its 11th annual lecture in Lagos.

With the theme: “Making states work”, the panelists discussed strategies to make states more efficient, self-reliant and sustainable, considering the prevailing economic circumstances in the country.

The panel included Mr. Donald Duke, the former governor of Cross River State, Mr. Peter Obi, former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, President of Council, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and Director, Africa Programme, Open Society Justice Initiative and Mr. Isaac Babatunde, Executive Director, Corporate & Sovereign Ratings, Agusto & Co.

Duke said the challenge of dysfunctional states in Nigeria goes beyond finance. Duke also said that one of the most essential factors in making states work is the framing of a personal vision and a collective vision for the state, which he said remains a missing component amongst many Nigerian governors.

“We are losing the essence of the federating units in Nigeria. As a leader, having a vision is essential but having a collective vision for the people is key,” he noted.

Duke added that the absence of consequences for either good or bad actions in the country is responsible for the social misnomer in the country. “In Nigeria, there are no consequences for doing the right things neither are there consequences for doing wrong,” he stated.

Former governor of Anambra State, Obi argued that the vision of the leader is expedient to the development of the state, adding that the vision must be clear. “That way, the leader can drive the state to success. The reason for most failure is the absence of a plan,” he submitted.

According to Obi over 70 per cent of corruption cases are usually initiated by civil servants.

On his part, the President of Council, Nigerian Stock Exchange, Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede said most Nigerian states are not functional due to bad governance. He identified the electoral process and how states cum leaders are created as the major challenges of states in the country. Aig-Imoukhuede said that only six states are economically independent. They are Lagos, Kaduna, Kano, Rivers, Oyo and the FCT.