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Report Ranks Nigeria Third Worst Governed Country

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Reactions have continued to trail the recent publication by the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI), rating Nigeria as the third worst governed country in the world.
The CGGI, a group that monitors governance index across the globe, had a few days ago released the 2021 list of 104 countries with good governance.
Finland, with an index score of 0.848, ranked first on the CGGI list.
Switzerland, Singapore, Netherlands, and Denmark ranked second, third, fourth and fifth on the CGGI list, respectively.
The report, however, ranked Nigeria very low in governance, leadership, and foresight, scoring the country 102 out of the 104 countries that were monitored.
Nigeria has just a score of 0.319 points, ahead of Zimbabwe and Venezuela.
The CGGI cited leadership as the basis for the ranking, stating that, “Good governance begins with good leadership”.
This is not unconnected with the numerous challenges bedevilling the country birthed by bad governance in both the federal, state and local governments.
The nation’s good image has continued to depreciate despite the claim of integrity at the federal level with the fight against corruption.
The current security crisis may have greatly exposed the ‘weakness’ of the governments at all levels.
It would be recalled that aside police brutality which stimulated call for the disbandment of the Special Anti-Rubbery Squad (SARS), by Nigerian youths in 2020, one of the key factors that triggered the protest was bad governance.
The youths, who were angered by lack of employment opportunity, abject poverty and lack of political will to address issues in the education sector, took to the streets, protesting bad governance with the Hashtag – EndSARS.
Unfortunately, a good number of youths lost their lives in the struggle for better governance.
The shocking incident at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos State on the night of October 20, 2020, when the Nigerian army opened fire on armless youths still remains fresh in the minds of the citizens.
According to Amnesty International, no fewer than 12 protesters were killed during the shooting.
Bad governance has always characterised the Nigerian Government despite efforts by several administrations to eradicate corruption from the system.
Some concerned Nigerians, who spoke with newsmen on the CGGI report, yesterday, said the situation could not worse than this.
One of the 2020 #EndSARS protesters, Mr James Adedeji, said the youths foresaw the poor rating, saying the Nigerian Government has killed the image of the country.
“Corruption has eaten so deep into the system such that nothing can be done to change it. It has become part of us and that is why we don’t progress.
“Corruption has proven to be an incurable and highly contagious disease in the country as even those fighting it, sometimes get infected.
“You still remember how Ibrahim Magu was arrested last year for alleged involvement in corruption. A corruption fighter was even the most corrupt.
“If someone who claimed to be fighting crime happens to be a criminal himself, then I think we have lost it woefully”.
An On-Air Personality in one of the leading radio stations in the Federal Capital Territory, who identified himself as T. Master, said it was a shame for Nigeria to be rated the second-worst governed country in Africa.
“The giant of Africa is the second-worst governed country in the continent. What a shame?
“We are always taking first from behind. I can’t remember when last Nigeria is rated first, second or third for anything good. It’s all negative, yet our leaders won’t see anything wrong.
“They came in with the promise to eradicate corruption, but their administration is even more corrupt. Bad eggs always have their ways into every regime.
“If Nigeria exists till 2023, we shall give it another try, but we can only be better, we can’t be Finland.
Also, Mr Micheal Alom, who spoke from Makurdi, the Benue State capital, said he was shocked to see Nigeria as the third-worst country, stressing that the country was expected to be number one.
He said, “I am still doubting the CGGI report. Nigeria is the worst governed country in the world? Don’t tell me it is number three. So, which country is number one and two?
“You can’t tell me that Zimbabwe and Venezuela are not better than Nigeria. They are far ahead of us in terms of governance.
“We asked for change but unknown to us, we were heading to the worst. Nigeria has never been like this before.
“Everything about Nigeria is bad. I think we should investigate the meaning of the name ‘Nigeria’ because your destiny can’t be better than what you are called.
“Look, Finland is the best-governed country globally. Recently, the country still maintained first position on happiest countries in the world.
“Have you wondered why the United States remains united? Israel means triumphant. Are they not like their names?
“The name of every country defines its destiny but unfortunately, our own country has a name without meaning. What is Niger Area? That is why we are confused”.

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I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

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The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

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RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

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Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

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Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

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The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

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