By Uche Onyeali
Non-adherence to ethical standards and best practices in governance has continued to pose a serious challenge to Nigeria’s developmental stride over the years, especially on the aspect of innovation and governance.
This was the observation of the Chartered Institute of Development Studies and Administration of Nigeria, CIDSAN, at its National Conference held recently in Abuja.
CIDSAN in a communiqué released at the end of the three-day conference decried what it described as over concentration in producing strongmen rather than strong institutions, which it said makes it difficult to control the behaviours of the strongmen.
The communiqué, signed by the CIDSAN president, Dr. Elijah Ogbuokiri and Prince Ihendu Okoro, laid strong emphasis on the development of strong institutions instead of developing people who it said would in turn develop things to leverage on the country’s teeming population.
Non-observance of strict adherence to ethical standards and best practices in governance is a very serious problem bedeviling the country’s developmental stride over the years.
“Over concentration in the production of strongmen rather than strong institutions makes it very difficult to control the behaviours of the strongmen. “Consequently, this leads to the intense struggle for power in the leadership sphere of the country to the detriment of citizens’ wellbeing.
The introduction of the term ‘Prebendalism’ into the political landscape of the country is yet another disturbing factor in the polity. This practice is bereft of ethical practices, but brings about state capture and economic inequality in the system.
The unethical indulgence in the ruling class has created a very severe level of poverty that has given rise to strife and other forms of insecurity in the country today,” the communiqué said.
The institute further observed that Nigeria’s development journey must be adequately planned, evaluated, carefully monitored, and ethically managed and accounted for.
It has become very imperative to begin to groom leaders that will enhance ethics in public institutions, so that strong institutions will emerge to regulate the behaviour of the leadership class.
“The people should be properly developed to enable them to develop things in return for the growth of the nation,” it added.
CIDSAN argued that for development to be sustainable, it must be people-centred with a bottom-top approach rather than a top-bottom approach, adding that the principle of service to the nation should be promoted rather than state capture and corrupt practices in the distribution of economic resources of the country.
The conference,, themed ‘Innovation, Ethics and Governance: The Role of Development Studies and Administration Professionals,’ provided a platform for insightful discussions, knowledge sharing and networking opportunities, focusing on key issues and challenges in managing, monitoring, and sustaining development for the overall economic advancement of the country.
Various perspectives on the issue were presented by individuals, professionals and scholars in development studies and administration.
