By: Michael Mike

A call has been made for the reshaping of the political landscape in Nigeria and the entire Africa continent to allow future leaders superior supportive environment to acquire the knowledge of governance.

The call was made by former minister of education, Obiageli Ezekwesili at the 2024 Africa Conference hosted by the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) in Abuja.

Ezekwesili who is also the Founder, School of Politics, Policy and Governance, speaking at the conference with the theme: “Good Governance In Africa: Leaders and Citizens Driving Systemic Change,” said the forum was put in place to change and upgrade the mindsets of future leaders in Africa.

She noted that: “When governance whether at the local level, state or national level in your countries, you don’t govern for the population that you immediately see, you govern for Africa. We want you to immediately have that mindset of the Africa solution that will be exponential in impact as well as as interconnected.

“Academic research findings show clearly that Africa’s development challenge is primarily because of the absence of good governance, and if research gives you evidence of what your malady is or the cause of your malady, what you must do as a sensible group of people is to address your malady.

“So, since poor governance is our malady as a people, as a continent, the research that I did then gives me an insight into how to address the malady. And the critical part of it is to begin the development of an entirely new political mindset and culture,” she added.

The Keynote Speaker Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings called for more involvement of women and youth in politics, decision making and governance in Africa.

She said the time for sitting on the fence is over, stating that: “People who felt that they have something to offer their countries must also consider that grassroot does not mean illiterate, grassroot does not mean not knowledgeable, that is the foundation of everything. And if you feel that you are too big to be at the grassroot level, that is what you will see at the end when other people you feel are not as enlightened as you are will decide who you subsequently have to choose as your leader because you have decided not to take part at the grassroot level of the primary choice of who your leaders should be.”

The Chief Executive Officer, School of Politics, Policy and Governance, Alero Ayida-Otobo said the barrier of development is absence of good governance, as such there was need to develop entire new political architecture that will bring in productive leaders.

She said: “The weight of this single mandate is enormous and us on every single one of you because you came and you are hearing this, you are now going to be held accountable to deliver the future.

“Many times, those that are value-driven, those that are disruptive in their thinking, they feel alone and they feel there is no body around them. What we want to do is to build a platform that they can stand on, then connect them.”

The 2024 Africa Conference, a prelude to the graduation ceremony of the fourth graduates of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance brought together value-oriented politicians from Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Egypt, Tunisia, Zimbabwe among other African countries to brainstorm on how to reposition the continent’s politics and governance.

Ezekwesili, Rawlings, Others Call For Reshaping of Africa’s Political Landscape to Build Future Political Leaders

Maiduguri: Zulum assesses roads, bridges destroyed by flood

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday, conducted an assessment of some vital infrastructure including roads, bridges and hospitals damaged by the flood disaster that struck Maiduguri Metropolis and the surrounding local government areas.

The devastating September 10 flood, described as the worst seen in Maiduguri in over three decades, has caused damages, isolated communities and hindered the movement of essential goods.

The governor’s assessment includes visits to key areas such as Gwange maternity, road networks and Fori, Moro-Moro and Gwange bridges.

Zulum, while lamenting the destruction caused by the flooding pointed out that the houses built on the river banks obstructed the passage of water from river Ngada.

He said, “the quantum of the destruction was enormous, you can see we had just visited one place. It is very unfortunate that some people choose to build houses right inside the waterways which obstructed the water passage. Otherwise, the water could have passed onto the lowland without affecting the main city.Maiduguri: Zulum assesses roads, bridges destroyed by flood

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, on Thursday, conducted an assessment of some vital infrastructure including roads, bridges and hospitals damaged by the flood disaster that struck Maiduguri Metropolis and the surrounding local government areas.

The devastating September 10 flood, described as the worst seen in Maiduguri in over three decades, has caused damages, isolated communities and hindered the movement of essential goods.

The governor’s assessment includes visits to key areas such as Gwange maternity, road networks and Fori, Moro-Moro and Gwange bridges.

Zulum, while lamenting the destruction caused by the flooding pointed out that the houses built on the river banks obstructed the passage of water from river Ngada.

He said, “the quantum of the destruction was enormous, you can see we had just visited one place. It is very unfortunate that some people choose to build houses right inside the waterways which obstructed the water passage. Otherwise, the water could have passed onto the lowland without affecting the main city.

Maiduguri: Zulum assesses roads, bridges destroyed by flood

Borno Flood: Zulum Presents N61 billion Supplementary Budget for Reconstruction

By: Michael Mike

Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, in order to begin reconstruction of damage infrastructure as a result of devastating flood which submerged over half of the capital city, Maiduguri and its environs, has requested the State House of Assembly for an additional N61 billion to the initial N358.7 billion total budget size which was signed into law on January 10, 2024.

The governor’s request was read on the floor of the State Assembly by the Speaker of the House, Abdulkarim Lawan, seeking to amend the 2024 appropriation act.

The additional funding would specifically target key infrastructures that were severely damaged by the September 10 flood which affected nearly 2 million people and completely submerged parts of Maiduguri and surrounding local government areas.

In addition to the reconstruction of key infrastructure, the supplementary budget would also cover the funding of other government expenditures such as emergency relief and humanitarian aid, support to farmers, economic recovery as well as environmental management.

Zulum on Thursday conducted the assessment of the destroyed bridges, road networks and hospitals to ascertain the extent of damage. He noted that the devastation from the flood was massive.

Meanwhile, Borno State House of Assembly has extended sympathy and condolences to the flood victims. The house also commended individuals, local and international organisations, state governments, medical personnel, and security agencies for their contributions in ameliorating the plight of affected persons.

Borno Flood: Zulum Presents N61 billion Supplementary Budget for Reconstruction