Essential Ndubuisi
By David Okpokwasili, (ABS News)
The Catholic Bishop of Awka Diocese, the Most Reverend Paulinus Ezeokafor says selfishness and nepotism are the major reasons different governments fail to make policies that positively impact the people and that the increasing levels of these two trends in Nigeria governance system call for great concern.
Most Reverend Ezeokafor made the statement at the maiden edition of Community Parliament organized by the Justice, Development and Peace Commission, JDPC, Awka.
The Community Parliament is holding at the Archbishop A.K. Obiefuna Retreat, Pastoral and Conference Center, Okpuno, Awka South Local Government Area.
Bishop Ezeokafor, represented by his Secretary, Reverend Father Evaristus Iheanacho, said the practice where people in corridors of power try to please their family members and close associates instead of taking care of the need of the people, creates a loophole between the government and the governed thereby retarding development while calling for the large gap between the governed and the government to be closed through periodic interface in an organized manner without undue influence.
Further interrogating the problem of sustainable good governance in Nigeria, a professor of political science at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Chukwuemeka Jaja Nwanegbo said as captured in the term of “market democracy”, where individuality is self asserted and independence of thought is promoted, is absent in Nigeria instead tribe, sectionalism, ethnicity, and religion are held ahead of credibility.
Professor Nwanegbo who shared in his views in his paper presentation which was on the theme of the community parliament, “Bridging the gap between what the people want from the government and what the government want for their people, and from the people: a call to good governance”, said the gap can only be bridged if more value is placed on votes and constant adjustment and reforms made to further strengthen institutions.
He also called for Laws that will enable the masses to hold government officials to account for their decisions and enforce periodic reporting by representatives of the people on their actions which they took on behalf of the governed.
Panelists at the Community Parliament including the Special Adviser to Governor Willie Obiano on Political Matters, Chief Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, A Public affairs Commentator, Chima Christian and the Anambra State Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, APC, Mr Okelo Madukife called for governments at all levels to create more platforms to interact genuinely and sincerely with the people as a way to build trust.
Earlier, the Executive Director, Justice, Development And Peace Commission, JDPC, Awka, Reverend Fr. Levi Ukor said like every village assembly, the Community Parliament provides the platform for members of the society to discuss issues of great importance to the society, actualize good and inclusive governance, and consolidate democracy.
The Community Parliament Chaired by Prince Amobi Adirika, the former Managing Director of Anambra Broadcasting Service had in attendance the traditional ruler of Okpuno, Igwe Sunday Okafor and the Board Chairman of JDPC, Asks, Sir Ogo Ezeonu.
Others include representatives of the Ohaneze Ndigbo, Anambra State, Anambra State Association of Town Unions, ASATU, National Youth Council of Nigeria, Nigerian Union of Local Government Employees, NULGE, community leaders, civil society activists, religious leaders and heads of media organizations.
