By Chesa Chesa
A civil society organization fostering accountability in Nigeria, the Paradigm Leadership Support Initiative (PLSI), which marks its eighth anniversary, has unveiled plans to establish a Policy Accountability Lab (PAL) in Nigeria, the first of its kind.
In a statement signed by its Communication’s Associate, Judith Nwokoro, the organization marking eight years of impactful interventions in Nigeria stated that what is next on its agenda is to set up a PAL Centre to enhance and support implementation of policies at national and subnational levels in Nigeria.
PLSI pointed out in the statement that over the past eight years, it has maintained its leading voice as a public audit advocate, bridging the gap between citizens and the government through active engagement with Nigeria’s public audit system.
“We have worked very hard to strengthen public finance management in Nigeria particularly public auditing and we are now connecting public finance with policies of governments to ensure that these instruments of development deliver positive results to the people.
“We want to ensure that Nigerians live quality lives and one way to deliver that goal is by ensuring that policies of governments at national and subnational levels especially those targeted at improving the quality of life for citizens produce expected results”, it stated.
It further explained that the Policy Accountability Lab (PAL) initiative will serve as the Centre for policy research and analysis, policy monitoring and evaluation, policy advocacy and reform, capacity building for effective implementation of policies and public engagement to enhance participation in policy- making process, promoting inclusive governance.
“The Lab will work closely with key stakeholders to evaluate the effectiveness of government policies and strengthen mechanisms for public accountability”, Nwokoro said.
Speaking on PLSI’s plan, the
Executive Director of PLSI, Mr. Olusegun Elemo, was quoted to have remarked that “out eight-year journey has been driven by the belief that public accountability is the foundation for sustainable development, and it must be the norm rather than exception.
“We are thrilled with the progress we’ve made, the results we’ve achieved and the journey ahead especially with our plan to establish a Policy Accountability Lab in Nigeria. With this innovative move, PLSI will deepen its commitment to providing a structured pathway for citizens to engage with, evaluate, and shape policies that affect their lives.”
Mr. Elemo added: “As we broaden our impact from the federal to subnational levels across Nigeria, it’s important to acknowledge the challenges in promoting accountability in public financial management and implementation of policies.
“However, we remain steadfast in our commitment to the cause, and we will continue to push for accountability required to achieve good governance and sustainable development in Nigeria.”
PLSI also commended the President’s commitment to assent to the Federal Audit Bill, as promised during the unveiling of the Office of the Auditor-General’s Strategic Plan 2024–2028 in Abuja.
“We urge the National Assembly (Senate) to accelerate legislative activities on this important bill and transmit it to the President for assent to bolster anti-corruption efforts, enhance transparency in public financial management, and empower the Office of the Auditor-General to fulfill its constitutional mandate of ensuring efficient use of public resources and effective implementation of public resources and effective implementation of policies”, the statement added.
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Ayom commends Tinubu for appointing Tegbe as D-G of Nigeria-China Partnership
By Chesa Chesa
A former presidential aspirant in the 2023 general election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Moses Ayom, has commended President Bola Tinubu for appointing Mr. Joseph Olasunkanmi Tegbe as the Director-General and Global Liaison on Nigeria-China renewed strategic partnership.
Nigeria and China during President Tinubu’s State visit to Beijing in early September, signed several agreements for a mutually comprehensive bilateral relationship of economic and development interest to both countries.
Ayom, who holds an Honourary Ambassadorial title of ‘Outstanding Advocate’ – Nigeria, conferred on him by the Chinese government, said that Tegbe, a 1988 first-class civil engineering graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, is the right choice for the important diplomatic assignment.
“I have no doubt in my mind that Mr. Tegbe will utilize his wealth of experience and knowledge as a Chatered Accountant and an engineer of repute to effectively engage with Chinese partners in ensuring that all deliverables in the agreements signed between Nigeria and China are met and synchronised with the national development goals of the President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Ayom said.
According to Ayom, President Tinubu’s decision to promptly appoint a global liaison in pursuit of the partnership was timely and a demonstration of his administration’s sincere commitment to explore the opportunity provided by President Xi Jinping’s pledge of $51 billion new financing to African nations during the opening session of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).
“Nigeria’s ability to strategically access a chunk of the funds provided by China will obviously assist the Nigerian government to deliver on critical infrastructure intervention projects across the country, thereby, impacting many lives,” Ayom stated.
The former presidential aspirant further urged President Tinubu to create an enabling working environment for the new appointee to succeed in delivering on the bilateral assignment.
