Abuja: Experts and professionals have outlined strategies for advancing good governance and sustainable democracy in Nigeria. The experts spoke at the Professional Forum for Good Governance (PFGG) in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, the event was organized by the Association for Public Policy Analysis (APPA) under the theme ‘Nigerian Professionals and Sustainable Democracy: Issues and Perspectives.’ Mr. Princewill Okorie, APPA president and forum convener, attributed ongoing professional complaints to a lack of active participation in the democratic process. He urged professionals to fully engage, holding candidates accountable during and after elections.
‘Unfortunately, there is no political advocacy platform that brings them together to appraise the situation and identify its impact on the professional community,’ Okorie said. ‘This is the reason for initiating the Nigerian Professionals Forum for Good Governance.’ He emphasized that educated Nigerian professionals, exposed to governance and leadership issues, should leverage democratic and electoral opportunities to position their bodies and members for a better environment.
Prof. Pat Utomi, founder of the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL) and a professor at Lagos Business School, was represented by Ephraim Nwoha at the event. Utomi emphasized that democracy endures not just through elections, but via the quality of participants. ‘Professionals must take the front line in the democratic process,’ he stated. He added that sustainable democracy requires legitimate processes, effective governance, and public trust-areas where professionals excel.
Chief Ralph Nwosu, National Leader of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), also addressed the gathering, urging professionals and policymakers to scrutinize aspiring leaders. In his presentation, ‘Nigerian Professionals: Policy Design and Implementation Leadership Challenges,’ he highlighted the importance of evaluating the authenticity of aspiring leaders and political parties. He advocated for organizations to infuse content into the parties producing governors and presidents to improve the country, emphasizing the role of professional bodies in building a great nation.