OGP and Imo’s Good Governance Voyage-1 - ITREALMS

MidWeekCommentary@ITREALMS: 

One of the cheering news in Imo State today is that the administration of Governor Emeka Ihedioha has submitted a Letter of Intent to join the Open Government Partnership, Nigeria. This confirmation came from the Secretariat of OGP Nigeria, Abuja. The implication is that the state has made some commitments in the area of Open Government.

Imo State government sources identified some of the commitments made by the state to include: Access to Information, Anti Corruption, Open Budgeting, Fiscal transparency, Open Contracting and Citizens Engagement.

Enquiry at the OGP National Secretariat revealed that a Letter of Acceptance of Application to Imo State has already been signed by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice and will likely arrive Owerri, the State capital this week.

Open Government Partnership (OGP) is a multi-stakeholder initiative that focuses on improving government transparency, accountability and responsiveness to citizens through technology and innovations. It was launched in 2011 by eight founding member-countries, following their endorsement of the Open Government Declaration. The eight countries are: Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, The Philippines, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America.

Nigeria joined the OGP in July 2016, two months after President Muhammadu Buhari attended the Anti- Corruption Summit organised by the government of the United Kingdom in May, 2016. At the Summit, the Nigerian President reaffirmed his government’s commitment to strengthening anti-corruption reforms and bringing integrity to governance through leadership by example. He announced Nigeria’s commitment to Global Open Government Partnership principles and directed the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to implement the commitments made in London.

ALSO READ: 100 days of Emeka Ihedioha by Chris Uruakpa - ITREALMS

In July, 2016, the Federal Ministry of Justice, under the leadership of Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, organised a Stakeholders session on the OGP to identify members of the Steering Committee and to discuss the implementation framework of the OGP Principles. One of the highlights of the meeting was the self-selection of the Civil Society representatives at the Steering Committee. Subsequent meetings were held, where the Action Plan and other related issues were discussed.

For OGP to be operational in any state, such a state is required to implement commitments made by the state government; endorse a high-level Open Government Declaration; deliver a state action plan developed with public consultation (government and civil society); Commit to independent reporting on their progress and contribute to peer learning.

Now that the administration of Chief Emeka Ihedioha, pursuant to his electoral promise of entrenching good governance has commenced this journey, steps need to be taken to close the gaps identified in the process.

For the first time in eight years, Imo State annual Budget is online- on the state official website. This is part of the proactive disclosure obligations of the state government under the FOI Act. This, no doubt is a step in the right direction.

The giant strides of the Governor Emeka Ihedioha-led administration in the areas of ease of doing business and open contracting cannot also go without mention.

However, there is need for a stakeholders’ session for state and non-state actors on OGP implementation in the state. The need for members of the state steering committee to emerge cannot be overemphasized.

Again, pursuant to the commitments, there is need for efforts to be fast-tracked towards adopting the Freedom of Information Act in the State. The summary of commitments on Access to Information is implementation of the FOI Act in Imo State. Although the FOI Act is applicable in all states of the federation, having an Imo State version will further show the commitment of the present administration in Imo State to transparency principles.

There is no gainsaying the fact that the present administration in Imo State, led by Governor Emeka Ihedioha is committed to entrenching openness and accountability in governance. This indeed, is a new beginning for Imo State.

While we await a Letter from the OGP Nigeria National Secretariat, accepting Imo State’s application, the foundation needs to be laid for a smooth implementation of OGP principles in Imo State.

Steps need to be taken to make Imo citizens own the OGP process, to ensure effective implementation, lest it becomes another elitist initiative.

The time to act is now!

*Dr. Walter Duru, a Communication expert is a member of the National Steering Committee of OGP, Nigeria, where he co-chairs the Access to Information Working Group. He also chairs the Board of the Freedom of Information Coalition, Nigeria.
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2019: Irona pledges good governance, inaugurates Ihedioha campaign committee - ITREALMS

ITREALMS:

The Deputy Gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Imo State, Hon. Gerald Irona, has assured people of the State of good governance when voted into power in 2019, reports ITREALMS.

He gave this assurance weekend, while inaugurating the Imo Restoration Vanguard and Ihedioha Campaign Committee in Eziorsu, Oguta Local Government Area of the State, reiterated the commitment of the PDP team to bringing the dividends of democracy to the door steps of the people.

According to him, “Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha is committed to good governance and bringing the dividends of democracy to your door steps. We must come together to end the era of poor governance in Imo. Go and tell Imo people the good news that the PDP is ready to right the wrongs in the state by returning power to the people. It is time to end poverty and create wealth in Imo. The era of deceit is over. It is time to ensure that your rights as the economic base of the state are protected and all that you have been denied over the years restored.”

A press statement by the Adviser, Communications to Rt. Hon. Gerald Irona, Dr. Walter Duru, made available to ITREALMS, quoted him as charging people of the area to resist the temptation of selling their votes for peanuts in order to secure the future of the state.

In their respective speeches, some leaders of the area- Messrs. Charles Mazi, Clinton Ifejirika and Kingsley Ngwuruakor Adigwe were unanimous in pouring encomiums on Hon. Irona, describing him as a dependable leader.

They pledged their support to the Ihedioha/Irona joint PDP ticket, describing it as the best option for Imo state in 2019.

The community leaders urged people of the area to give massive support to the PDP in 2019 in order to deliver the state from what they described as “mismanagement of resources and poor governance.”

The highlights of the occasion were speeches, cultural dances and defection of persons from other political parties to the PDP, among others.

No fewer than five thousand persons from Eziorsu town and other parts of Oru Ward were present at the event.

Nenye Dom/GEE

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Ambode wins transparency, good governance merit award

ITRealms:

The Lagos State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has emerged winner of the Transparency & Good Governance Merit Award (TGMA) 2016 of the Citizen Anti Corruption Volunteer Corps (CACVC), reports ITRealms.

CACVC, ITRealms gathered is a coalition of NGOs fighting corruption in Nigeria.

A press statement made available on Wednesday in Lagos and endorsed by CACVC National Chairman, Comrade Eze Harris Chuma, said: “Governor Ambode was chosen for the honour based on his proven track record of providing transparent and exemplary leadership which has continued to propel Lagos State forward at a time when the rest of the country is reeling under the weight of a crushing economic recession.”

He also said that Governor Ambode would be conferred with the award during a ceremony to be held at LTV Compound, Agidingbi Ikeja, on December 18, 2016, revealing that the speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru A. Obasa, would also be presented with the Anti-Corruption Ambassadorial Certificate during the event.

CACVC said that the Award Keynote Lecture would be delivered by the DG, Change Ambassadors of Nigeria, Prof. Chris Nwaokobia Jnr., who would speak on the theme, “The Quest for Good Governance, The Lagos Experience”.

The group said that there would be other speeches by the likes of Barr.Monday Onyekachi Ubani, Second Vice President, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), who would speak on “Anti-Corruption: Role of Judiciary In Nigeria”, while All Progressives Congress (APC) Lagos State Publicity Secretary, Engr. Joe Igbokwe, would speak on “The Raging War Against Corruption As Reinvigorated By APC Government”.

Further, the group said that Dr. Jude Akagbusum, President, The Institute of Good Governance of Nigeria, would equally present a paper on “The Menace of Corruption, Consequences and its Eradication in Nigeria.”

Congratulating Governor Ambode and Speaker Obasa, the group urged other elected public officers across the country to emulate their good examples so as to fast-forward the Nigeria’s ext from the present stifling economic recession.

Oyi Midele/GEE

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Alaibe ready to serve Bayelsans, not through violence, cultism

ITRealms:

 

Good Governance for Change Initiative, a political organisation, has said that Chief Timi Alaibe is ready and always willing to serve the good people of Bayelsa but not through violence and cultism, ITRealms gathered.

“Alaibe is ready and always willing to serve the good people of Bayelsa but not through violence. He is only interested in the issues of development in Bayelsa State. In this state, we know the true practitioners of violence and cultism. Bayelsans cannot forget in a hurry the atrocities committed by Sylva while he was the governor. Many lives were wasted on the streets of Yenagoa in what many knew as state sponsored killings of perceived enemies. So many innocent lives were lost in cross fire of cult gangs or killer squads who regrettably were introduced to drugs.

“Many can still recollect that these boys were used as political thugs to intimidate opponents and if the Youth Vanguard is truthful, it will concede that what played out last Tuesday was a demonstration of a sordid past aided and abetted by Sylva,” the group said.

GGCI, on Saturday rose in defence of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirant, Timi Alaibe, saying he is not desperate for power but running to serve the people of Bayelsa State. This is coming barely 24 hours after a group sympathetic to ex-Governor Timipre Sylva, APC Youth Vanguard, had said Alaibe was so desperate for power.

But the Secretary, GGCI, Mr. Friday Dressman, in a statement reacted to the claims by APC Youth Vanguard, saying contrary to insinuations, it was Sylva who had showed desperation for the job of governor as his conduct indicated during the recent botched governorship primary of the party.

He, however, clarified that the events of last Tuesday during the primary election were triggered by Sylva’s “inordinate ambition”, saying they could have been avoided had the former governor played by the rule rather than “obsessive inclination to seize power” in what he also referred to as “do or die politics”.

Cyriacus Nnaji/GEE

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Pix: Chief Timi Alaibe

Nigerian tweeps record 86,400 tweets per day

 •Over fuel subsidy protests

Nigerians who have Tweet handles, also known as ‘tweeps’ may have recorded 86,400 number of tweets per day since the last week protest over bad governance in the country ignited by the removal of fuel subsidy.

Just as this figure may have swelled during the two-day rest declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress and organised civil society to restock for the unfolding events this second week of the protest nationwide, saw an increase in the activities on #OccupyNigeria rising from 11,766 as at Friday to 12,957 tweets, which is an average of 1,191 tweets per day.

While Sunday, January 15 and early hours of Monday January 16 witnessed another rise 14,148 to 14,955, according to the TwitterCounter on Monday morning.

Key team member of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG) and Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria, Mr. Gbenga Sesan, made this disclosure at the weekend, saying that Tweet rate for #OccupyNigeria now averages one (1) tweet per second.

Based on this estimate, it means that in the last one week of protest to occupy Nigeria by members of the organized labour and civil society groups that Nigerians were adding about 60 tweets every minute and when this is multiplied by 60 minutes in an hour, it amounts to 360 tweets per hour.

 

Also, when this is postulated into 24 hours in a day, it would amount 86,400 tweets per day and if added up by the last seven days, the awakening record of 604,800 tweets were contributed by Nigerians using the hashtag #OccupyNigeria for seven days and still continue.

But additional investigation via TwitterCounter statistics, #OccupyNigeria handle has a record of 11,766 followers, which means an average of +143 on average have been added since the protest began on January 9, 2012.

Also, #OccupyNigeria follows 313 an indication that it follows other tweeps on average of +3 ; recording 861 tweets with an average of +10 tweets, thus becoming top 100 twitter users with 35,160 as at Saturday, 14 January 2012 while the usage of its hashtag recorded about 34,869; with 13,911 followers in 15 days, which means it took approximated 58 days to get 20,000 followers.

In a related development, another popular hashtag among Nigerians during the fuel subsidy and occupy Nigeria protest has been #FuelSubsidy with 280,463 views and has 376 followers, whereas following 4 on the average and 40 tweets on the average per day.

Remmy Nweke
ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D

SNG commends Nigerians, hackers hit EFCC website

Convener of the Save Nigeria Group (SNG), Pastor Tunde Bakare has commended Nigerian Internet enthusiasts for keeping dates with the on-going.

This is coming  as indications have shown that the website of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) was hacked Friday, following the purported announcement that the Commission has some 21 executive directors of oil-chip firms in its custody for defrauding the nation over fuel subsidy.

Speaking at the fifth-day of the on-going he said that social media activists have helped in no small way in ensuring that Nigerians are fed the right and correct information concerning the week-long protests both locall across all the 36 states and some cities in the country, but also across the world where Nigerians in diaspora have been protesting at the embassies.

He called on Nigerians not to relent, but keep the spirit and hope alive until such a time that President Goodluck Jonathan listens to the voice of the people.

Bakare also noted that the protest has not been called off, but a two-day break to enable Nigerians, especially the protesters to restock their needs in preparation for this week as they intend to reassemble at the various locations accepted as the ‘Freedom square’ for protesters.

According to him, the two-day break is to further send a warning signale to the government and president Jonathan on the demands of the Nigerian people.

In a related development, the website of the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) was last Friday hacked following the alleged announcement by the Commission for arresting and detained some 21 executive directors of oil-chip firms for defrauding the nation over fuel subsidy.

The immediate past Head, Media & Publicity Unit, EFCC, Mr. Femi Babafemi was purportedly reported as saying in a press statement dated January 13, 2012 that those arrested were in response to fuel subsidy scam.

He also alleged to have said that operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission arrested and detained at the weekend included the managing director of CONOil, Otunba Mike Adenuga, who also is the executive chairman, Globacom and three others.

He said these comprised of his counterparts at African Petroleum (AP), Mr. Femi Otedola, MRS Oil, Mr. Sayyi Dantata and Mr. Adewale Tinubu who is the Group Chief Executive of Oando plc among others.

Equally, Babafemi was reported to have disclosed that some senior officials of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) and Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), “who defrauded the nation several billions of Naira.”

The EFCC spokesman was further alleged to have said that in total, “21 executive directors have been detained in all and at the moment been interrogated over fresh information that they allegedly stole fuel subsidy funds,” even as he promised to release more information later.

Investigations conducted by ITRealms Online indicated that the EFCC website may have been hacked by unknown persons following agitation on the removal of fuel subsidy by the federal government, this was further strengthen by the fact that some media organizations who rushed to the press, especially online to announce the arrest have since yanked the announcement off their website.

Just as it was rumoured that the said Mr. Babafemi Babalola may have resigned from the employ of EFCC as at January 12, 2012.

However, EFCC has since Friday denied the reported arrest of Adenuga and co.

Remmy Nweke

ITREALMS Online ... delivering news for ICT4D