By Felix Khanoba
Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, founder of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG), has emphasized the need for substantial systemic changes in governance to facilitate meaningful development across Africa.
Ezekwesili, a former Vice President, World Bank’s Africa Region and ex-Nigerian Minister of Education, made this known on Friday at a press conference to mark the conclusion of this year’s Africa Conference organised by the SPPG in Abuja.
While expressing serious concerns on the present cost of living crisis, poverty, poor democratic governance in Africa, Ezekwesili said the conference which attracted representatives from 12 African countries, recommended systemic change in governance to meet the developmental needs of the continent.
“Every country that is represented here we see them as the voice of the citizens of this continent asking for systemic change because if the system of governance doesn’t change, we will only be making progress on the margin or in fact going backward,” she said.
The SPPG founder called for robust collaboration to ensure the desired systemic change.
” Citizens and leaders collaborating to deliver systemic change. It takes collaboration for Africa to become what we aspire collectively to see a continent that developed, but not only developed but develop in an inclusive way of ensuring that all citizens have access to the productivity, capabilities and the skills and all opportunities that are necessary to participate in building a prosperous continent, ” she said.
Joined by former Minister of Information Frank Nweke Jnr. and participants from countries including Ghana, Cameroon, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ezekwesili described the Africa Conference as an initiative aimed at fostering effective leadership in Africa.
“The SSPG which we have in Nigeria, in Senegal and we will soon have in Ghana, in Kenya and in Zimbabwe, trains people who will be a new generation of African politicians and public servants who serve the people as custodians of the African public space so that the well being of the African citizens will be at the centre of the rule of government in our continent.
“The Africa conference is an idea of having a place of minds that are different in a way that they interpret public leadership can meet together, share knowledge, network, collaborate, cooperate, woork together to deliver a broader community of people,” she said, adding that the conference was part of week of celebration of SSPG graduation ceremony of class 2024.
Speaking further, Ezekwisili said there is the strategic need to raise individuals that would turn around the fortunes of Africa through good governance.
“Our continent is failing majority of our people, not the continent actually, there is leadership failing majority of our people. Wevwant to change that story and reality so that factually as we begin to populate the public space with minds that have characters, that have competence and capacity, and therefore govern for the public good and the African citizen will be at par if not ahead with the most advanced of society in our world, ” she said.
The Africa Conference, themed “Good Governance in Africa: Leaders and Citizens Driving Systemic Change,” took place in Abuja from October 3rd to 4th, 2024.
