Ibraheem Al-hassan.
The basis for the survival of any democratic society is good governance. This entails discipline and a sense of responsibility in the administration of states' resources by the rulers and the citizens.
The impact of good governance is the benefit the people derive from government policies and its implementation. What this means is that if the government is performing, the evidence will manifest physically as improvements in infrastructure – electricity, education, health, agriculture, security, roads as well as other amenities in the various sectors of the economy. Putting media spotlights on these projects and policies is what the good governance tour is all about.
Transformation is anchored on ensuring that good governance is delivered in a different and impactful ways. These two concepts of transformation and good governance form the major policy thrust of the present administration.
One noticeable thing about the current good governance tour is that it has come to bridge the gap which has often existed between the government and Nigerians. The town hall feature of the tour has provided the platform on which people can air their opinions freely in a democratic setting. This also enables citizens to become stakeholders in the transformation of the country. Developmental issues were raised; responses or clarifications were given by the States' administrators.
Also, due to the pervasive negative influence that the current insecurity challenge is having on the mindset of Nigerians, it is pertinent to say that only a programme like the national good governance tour by the media which highlights the developmental efforts and the town hall meeting, where people express their feelings can assuage this concern to a large extent as it fosters understanding which is a catalyst for peace, security and development.
The media still remains the dependable ally in the quest to ensure that the leadership carries along the citizens while the citizens themselves actively collaborate with government and other relevant agencies.
Ibraheem Al-hassan is an Information Officer serving on the Features desk, National Press Center, Abuja.
Via: Federal Ministry of Information (FMI) Nigeria