The Acting Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Akwa Ibom State, Rt. Hon. Lawrence Udosen has said that only the prevalence of good governance and effective security can engender the much desired sustainable development in Nigeria.
Hon. Udosen, speaking while playing host to participants of the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS), who came on a study tour of Akwa Ibom State, at the State Secretariat of the PDP, Thursday, reiterated that governance is a serious business which requires serious-minded men and women, who are prepared and driven by passion to succeed, in order to bring turnaround in all areas of human endeavours.
The PDP Chairman, who spoke on the theme “Governance, Security and Sustainable Development in Africa: Nexus, Challenges and Prospects’, said that “Sustainable development as the bye product of good governance and adequate security should be undertaken effectively and efficiently.”
According to him, the expectation for good governance in a democratic setting is quite higher than in a non-democratic setting, and advised that leaders who have the capacity, zeal and the passion should be elected.
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“There is high expectation of good governance in a democratic setting than in a non-democratic setting. Consequently, leaders who have the capacity, zeal and the passion should be elected,” he added.
Previewing the state of the Nigerian nation, the political egghead stated that, “Transparency, participation, accountability, rule of law, responsiveness, consensus-oriented, equity and inclusiveness, and effectiveness and efficiency as the key elements of good governance should be enthroned.”
Against the backdrop of blamed game, Hon Udosen stated that “Leaders in Africa and Nigeria in particular should accept blame when they fail and be ready to quit when found wanting.”
Hon Udosen also counseled against excessive borrowing by those in power, saying that the cumulative effect may thwart future aspirations and development.
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“Sustainable development is both for now and the future, nothing should be done to jeopardize the chances of development in the future. The idea of excessive borrowing in the present can forestall future development and breed unemployment and poverty which can also lead to insecurity,” he said.
He also backed the call for the enthronement of true federalism and resource control, stressing that these are major determinants of sustainable development.
The chairman commended Governor Udom Gabriel Emmanuel for running an administration that befits a true example of good governance since assuming the mantle of leadership in the state in 2015.
“In the light of governance, security and sustainable development, we seize this opportunity to appreciate the Executive Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr Udom Emmanuel on the giant strides he has attained in the development of the state.
“In his era, the state can boast of numerous foreign and domestic investments, attainment of Free Trade Zone (EPZ), enhancement of power generation capacity of Ibom Power Plant, Coconut refinery, Flour Mill, Ammonia Fertilizer Plant, Jubilee Syringe Manufacturing Industry, Pencil Manufacturing company, Ibom Airline, licensing of Ibom Deep Sea Port, good road network and bridges, among others. These achievements are a testimony to the governor’s dexterity in good governance and security. Remember, Akwa Ibom State is the most peaceful state in Nigeria,” Hon Udosen said.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Intelligence Management Course 14 of the National Institute of Security Studies, Mr Emmanuel Esomonu, explained that the team was made up of very senior officers from the intelligence community, military and paramilitary, law enforcement, regulatory and other federal government strategic agencies.
Mr Esomonu said they were in Akwa Ibom State on a study tour as part of their 10 month course at the National Institute for Security Studies (NISS).
According to him, the theme for this year’s course is “Governance, security and Sustainable Development in Africa: Nexus, Challenges and Prospects”, adding that the purpose of the course is to impact on the participants’ leadership skills, broaden their vision and perspectives on issues of security and governance, and prepare them for management of the ever dynamic and complex security challenges in their respective countries.
The team leader noted that Akwa Ibom has made remarkable progress in development and sees that as a reflection of good leadership by its past leaders and Governor Emmanuel, who has attracted lots of industries to the state.
