Nigeria faces significant challenges due to bad governance, corruption, and insecurity, leading to calls for citizens to actively demand accountability from their leaders. Tunji Aworinde, Chairman of the Open Africa Foundation, emphasized that silence and indifference could exacerbate these issues during the 11th International Conference on Financial Crimes, Governance and Electoral Integrity held in Abuja.
Aworinde highlighted the importance of the rule of law, transparency, and accountability as essential for national unity and economic progress. He criticized the appalling conditions in public education, noting that inadequate facilities compromise children’s safety and learning. He urged Nigerians to vocally demand improvements, stating that their collective outrage is vital for change.
He also addressed the pressing issue of insecurity affecting children, especially regarding abductions and attacks on schools, stating that such matters should take precedence over other government projects. Aworinde called for a rejection of political apathy, urging citizens to vocally advocate against unemployment, corruption, and governance failures.
Cardinal John Onaiyekan echoed these sentiments, urging the integration of moral values such as justice and compassion into governance. He urged that religion should unify rather than divide, calling for citizens to collectively demand a government that prioritizes their welfare over the political elite’s interests.
Addressing police reform, Dr. Stanley Ude from the Nigeria Police Reform Secretariat highlighted the need for better intelligence gathering and community policing to enhance security, particularly in light of the upcoming elections. He stressed the importance of state and local government involvement in funding police efforts.
In addition, Sunday Okeowo from the Nigeria Revenue Service pointed out fiscal challenges related to debt servicing and the necessity for improved tax compliance to finance public services and infrastructure.
