LocalGovt. Research working Papers.

LocalGovt.    Research     working Papers.

These are  training manual for local government administrators, community based organizations, NGOs, activists and policy makers, interested in improving good governance on the local level in Nigeria. The objectives of this manual are (1) to enable local government administrators to appreciate their roles as developmental agents and to enable them harness the various resources at their disposal to bring about meaningful grassroots development; (2) to help various interest groups and grassroots constituencies reach an understanding of issues in local government administration; (3) to assist political actors, community organizations and grassroots people in the context of their dealings with the local government; and (4) to help every stakeholder to develop action plans for the local government in their respective areas. The manual is intended to be used as training material for seminars and workshops, as a reference guide as well as advocacy material in public enlightenment and discourses.
Researchers and students can find the work papers useful for their project development.
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1 Boosting Internally Generated Revenue of Local
Governments in  Nigeria [Ogun state LGs as case studies]

2 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION & DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA------by Olisa Agbakoba SAN & Hilary Ogbonna
(A Capacity Building Manual)

3  Local Government Administration and the Challenges of Rural Development in Nigeria

4  LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT OF LOCALITIES IN NIGERIA: ISSUES, PROBLEMS AND SUGGESTIONS

5  Repositioning the Local Government System for Sustainable Development through Constitution Review”
TEXT OF LECTURE DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR IKE EKWEREMADU CFR,


6 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SERVICE DELIVERY: A STUDY OF SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN NIGERIA

7 LG AUTONOMY IN NIGERIA ; A HISTORICAL PERAPECTIVE.

8 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA: ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD

9 Project Planning and Implementation at the Local Government
Level: Lessons of Experience.

10 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION, POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA .

11 Fiscal planning and local government administration in Nigeria: The quest for sustainable rural development. 12 Local government autonomy and effectiveness in Nigeria 13    Local Governments in Nigeria: Relevance and Effectiveness in Poverty Reduction and Economic Development 14 THE ROLE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE ATTAINMENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS 15 Developing Alternative Sources of Funding Local Governments in Nigeria during Period of Global Economic Recession 16 Efficient Financial Management for Local Governments: The Nigerian Experience 17 Local Government and Social Service Delivery in Nigeria: A Content Analysis  18  The State of Local Government and  Service Delivery in Nigeria:  Challenges and Prospects  19 Challenges of Managing Local Government Finance in Nigeria 20 Local Government Finance in Nigeria: Challenges and Prognosis for Action in a Democratic Era (1999-2013) 21LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA: THE MYTH, THE PARADOX, THE CHALLENGES. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Abstract/1st chapters 1 Boosting Internally Generated Revenue of Local Governments in Ogun State, Nigeria (A Study of selected Local Governments in Ogun State)† Olusola, Olubukunola. O Abstract For there to be a local government, it must be ready and be seen to be able to meet its obligations through internal sources. However this is far from what is obtained in practice as this study would show that for selected local governments understudied, they were unable to generate 10% of internal revenue, hence the gross dependence on statutory allocations from the federation account. This study had been carried out to see the impact these internal sources has on the total revenue. Problems, efforts for better and effective revenue generation will be identified. The study population consists of all the twenty (20) local governments in Ogun State. The sample size was three (3) local governments. The local governments were randomly selected by balloting and data were sourced from Annual Financial Statements (AFS) of each local government chosen for the study. The study is limited to a period of 6 years (2000-2005). The ordinary least square method was adopted using the multiple regression analysis and panel data regression method to test the fixed and random effects and test for level of significance at 1%. It was found out that rates, fines, fees and licenses, rent sources of revenue are significant factors influencing internally generated revenue of local governments in Ogun State. Keywords: Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), Annual Financial Statements (AFS), Local Governments (LGs), Total Internally Generated Revenue            HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ---------------------------- 2 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION & DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA------by Olisa Agbakoba SAN & Hilary Ogbonna (A Capacity Building Manual) This is a training manual for local government administrators, community based organizations, NGOs, activists and policy makers, interested in improving good governance on the local level in Nigeria. The objectives of this manual are (1) to enable local government administrators to appreciate their roles as developmental agents and to enable them harness the various resources at their disposal to bring about meaningful grassroots development; (2) to help various interest groups and grassroots constituencies reach an understanding of issues in local government administration; (3) to assist political actors, community organizations and grassroots people in the context of their dealings with the local government; and (4) to help every stakeholder to develop action plans for the local government in their respective areas. The manual is intended to be used as training material for seminars and workshops, as a reference guide as well as advocacy material in public enlightenment and discourses. TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Part 1 EVOLUTION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Origin and Forms of Local Governments Part 2 GOVERNANCE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS Good Governance in Local Governments Administration . Local Government Financing , Budgeting in Local Governments. Part 3 CITIZEN PARTICIPATION IN LOCAL GOVERNANCE Civil Society Participation in Local Government Administration Part 4 LOCAL GOVERNANCE AND DEVELOPMENT Local Governance and Development APPENDIX: Function of a Local Government Council Fourth Schedule to the 1999 Constitution.            HOW TO ORDER The full page [109]spiral Handbook will  be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N15000.00 PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 3  Local Government Administration and the Challenges of Rural Development in Nigeria Abstract Rural development of the grassroots has been the concern of every responsible and responsive political system. This is because development and participation have continued to elude people of the grassroots. Development remains insignificant if it does not positively affect the lives of those in the periphery of decision making arrangement. The Nigerian state therefore created local government as the third tier of government whose objective is to ensure effective, measurable and efficient service delivery to the people. Local government is faced with various difficulties. The major concern of this paper is to dwell on these difficulties and illuminates the factors that are responsible for them. In achieving this, the paper relies on descriptive approach and unstructured interview. It concludes that problems of local government are multifarious in nature and the solutions for them should be adequate and practical in order to evolve viable and development-oriented third tier of government. Key words: grassroots, political system, autonomy, third tier, participation, development, uniformity, unity, culture, diversity, interference, national integration, performance, consciousness, concept, commitment, democracy, inefficiency, corruption, decentralisation.          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 4 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AUTONOMY AND DEVELOPMENT OF LOCALITIES IN NIGERIA: ISSUES, PROBLEMS AND SUGGESTIONS J. E. IMHANLAHIMI AND M. O. IKEANYIBE (Received 15, January 2008; Revision Accepted 26, June 2009) ABSTRACT The topical issue of local government (LG) autonomy in Nigeria in relation to the development of the localities, the raison d’etre of LGs, has been examined in this paper. Proceeding from theoretical framework and conceptualizations for clearer understanding, the paper discusses some dominant autonomy issues. These include representative LGs, the size of LGs, revenue, and personnel. The paper found that inadequate handling of virtually all the above issues has posed some challenges for LGs’ developmental efforts in the localities. Inadequate autonomy has been found to be the independent variable in the challenges. Other challenges include inadequate finances, weak intergovernmental relations, fledging democracy and grand corruption. These must be adequately tackled for LGs to make more positive impact in the localities. Some pertinent recommendations are as follows. LGs need adequate autonomy, hard work rather than verbal institutionalization, democratic consolidation, reduced corruption, increased discipline and application of the rule of law.                 HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 Repositioning the Local Government System for Sustainable Development through Constitution Review” TEXT OF LECTURE DELIVERED BY HIS EXCELLENCY, SENATOR IKE EKWEREMADU CFR, DEPUTY SENATE PRESIDENT, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA AT A SEMINAR ON “REPOSITIONING LOCAL GOVERNMENTS ADMINISTRATION TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF VISION 20-20-20” ORGANISED BY THE ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL GOVERNMENTS OF NIGERIA (ALGON) AND THE OFFICE OF THE SGF ON 6TH JULY 2009 AT THE SHEHU MUSA YAR’ADUA CENTRE, ABUJA “Repositioning the Local Government System for Sustainable Development through Constitution Review” Protocol Introduction I am indeed happy and count it an honour and great opportunity to brainstorm with this gathering of important stakeholders in our quest for sustainable national development. Though the invitation to this seminar and request to deliver this lecture was at a relative short notice, I did not hesitate to honour the invitation in person for so many reasons. I place premium on the local government system, being the closest tier of government to the people and a very critical factor in national development and the realization of the Vision 20-20-20. Importantly too, the local government system and the grassroots remain the genesis and cornerstone of my political career. So, for me, this event is a great reunion, having served as the Chairman of the Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State. This seminar is an uncommon opportunity for me to share ideas with my colleagues from the hindsight of a road trod before and of one who had once won the shoe and knows where it hurts. As an active player in the quest for the amendment of the 1999 Constitution since the 5th Senate and the Chairman of the present National Assembly Joint Committee on Constitution Review, I total subscribe to inclusiveness, participation, and consultation as indispensable elements of an acceptable, effective, and credible review of the 1999 Constitution. In fact, this is my second lecture on the constitution amendment in a space of about one month. On the 4th of June, I shared ideas with other critical stakeholders in the Nigerian project and the constitution review at the 2nd Alumni Homecoming of the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus vide a lecture entitled “10 Years of Democracy and the Quest for the Amendment of the 1999 Constitution”. Therefore, before I proceed, I wish to appreciate the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON and the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation for their thoughtfulness in putting this seminar together to enrich discourses in topical development challenges facing the local government system and to build the capacity of these key players for better governance and administration of the local councils towards the achievement of Vision 20-20-20. This event, coming on the heels of Nigeria’s unprecedented 10 uninterrupted years of democracy, is a clear appreciation of the fact that democracy is not an end in itself, but a means which can best be sustained through good governance and practical improvement on the lives of our citizens. Incidentally, an overwhelming majority of our citizens live in the rural areas. Therefore, I count this seminar as indicative of a popular commitment to better the lots of a majority of Nigerians and by so doing consolidate our democracy. I was given the freedom to frame the topic of this presentation around the seminar theme vis-à-vis the constitution review. My choice of this topic is underlined by the fact that the local government system could do much better if it is constitutionally and positively repositioned to deliver on its mandate. And I believe the ongoing process of the 1999 Constitution amendment presents yet another opportunity to reform and strengthen the local government system to be more effective and efficient in contributing to grassroots and national development. Constitutionally well restructured, empowered and well administered local governments are catalysts for sustainable national development. I believe that Vision 20-20-20 can succeed better if local governments are empowered to key in optimally to the vision. I will thus strive to highlight several vital facets of the subject–matter to help engender as well as widen discourse in our quest for a more utilitarian local government system through constitution-making and democracy in Nigeria.            HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND SERVICE DELIVERY: A STUDY OF SELECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN NIGERIA ABUBAKAR, USMAN (Ph.D) Department of Local Government and Development Studies Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria Kaduna State, Nigeria. ABSTRACT Arising from the dissatisfaction expressed by many nations with centralised approaches to local service delivery, a large number of these countries have resorted to decentralising responsibility to lower level elected governments for their provision. This study provides the findings of a field survey carried out in three states from the North-west, South- East and South- Western parts of Nigeria. From these states, three local government areas each: one urban, semi urban and rural were surveyed with respondents comprising of the chairman, six heads of departments and five councillors each from the local governments (9 number) and the civil society comprising traders and market women association, traditional rulers, a retired civil servants, the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) and The Youth Association from each of the 9 local governments surveyed. Questionnaire and interviews were conducted and the responses were correlated and cross tabulated using the SPSS software. The result indicates a very weak relationship between local government (decentralisation) as operational in Nigeria and service delivery. Reasons for this development such as limited autonomy, high level government interferences among others were highlighted and suggestions proffered to help strengthen local governments in service provision. Keywords: Local government, Decentralization and Service delivery               HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7 LG AUTONOMY IN NIGERIA A HISTORICAL PERAPECTIVE INTRODUCTION The aim of this paper is to examine the nature ofomy, the Local Government auton its strength and inherent contradictions in achieving the objectives of local government system in Nigeria. In doing this, it will be relevant to engage in a bit of theorizing and conceptualization of the terms local government and autonomy from different view points. This will enable us generate a greater power of analysis, as we observe that most of the handed down tools, models, theories and approaches from the West are of little utility to the changing conditions of developing democracies. This exercise will not in any way assume to have exhausted all the various definitions given by scholars and leading practitioners as to what local government and autonomy connote. But our choice of definition will be those that are of relevance to the contemporary Nigerian local government system. At this point, it is conceived that any serious discussion on the present local government autonomy has to touch on our socio-economic and political circumstances. Thus our values, sentiments and prejudices could not escape intruding as we make the premise as well as suggest measures for transforming Nigerian local government system.          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA: ISSUES, CHALLENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD AKHAKPE IGHODALO Department of Public Administration Lagos State University, Ojo Lagos +2348037222867, ighoakha@yahoo.com & KOLAWOLE SOLA Department of Industrial Relations and Personnel Management Lagos State University, Ojo Lagos +2348035753243, iokolly@yahoo.com ABSTRACT Local government administration is widely regarded as government closest to the people of the grassroot. It performs vital functions such as: political education, mobilization of the people for popular participation in governance, vehicle for political accountability, among others. The struggle to bring about a local government system in Nigeria has been a long drawn one. Efforts have geared towards moving the system from local administration to local government with functional political and economic autonomy. Yet, local government administration is confronted with issues and challenges such as: federal and state government’s interventions in the constitutional apportioned responsibilities of local government. The paper argues that for local government administration to realize its lofty goals, the country should return to true federalism, enthrone positive leadership, pursuit of economic self-reliance through internally generated revenue, and embrace attitudinal and behavioural changes to achieve good governance. Keywords: Local Government, Democracy, Reforms and Governance.                   HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 Project Planning and Implementation at the Local Government Level: Lessons of Experience Jimoh A. Oladipo Department of Business Administration, Faculty of Business and Social Sciences University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria E-mail: oladipoui@yahoo.com Tel: +2348033781008 Abstract Events of the second war and its aftermath have succeeded not only in making the concept of development a necessity objective but also in identifying the appropriate investment for implementing development projects. The advocacy for decentralization measures as an allcheck against concentrating power in any one particular organization finds relevance in the instrumentality of local governments in planning and implementing projects to address the issues of poverty, unemployment and inequality. For developing countries such as Nigeria, however, targeted outcomes have remained largely unachieved as projects at the local level have shown profound incapability in contributing to development of local areas. The problem of corruption, social instability and ethnic divisions has continued to increasingly rear its ugly head. The author’s 26 years experience as a technocrat in public project planning has therefore come in handy in looking back at all activities relating to project planning and implementation under three major areas viz: 1. chronicling the process 2. examining all institutional and administrative apparatus put in place and 3. identifying problems and constraints hampering effectiveness in project planning and implementation. Although several factors are discovered to contribute to the failure of local government projects in making appreciable impacts, the most serious ones have to do with institutional instability and policies working at cross purposes. The paper identifies six policy areas in rectifying the failings. Keywords: Project Planning and Implementation, Local Government, Decentralisation, Social and Economic Development, Goals and Objectives          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION, POVERTY ALLEVIATION AND DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA   Samuel C. Ugoh Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, Lagos     Abstract Absolute poverty has to do with living below whatever is defined as poverty line based on per capita income or consumption of individuals or households in a country. The local government system is set up, at least in part, to help curtail the prevalence of poverty. The paper is aimed at an evaluation of to what extent this objective is being pursued and addressed by Nigerian local governments as units of political administration, known as the third tier of government, next to the state and federal levels in that order. The study identified a whole gamut of factors militating against local governments contributing as they should to the issue of poverty alleviation.   Keywords: Poverty; development; local government; alleviation.          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016      ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11 Fiscal planning and local government administration in Nigeria: The quest for sustainable rural development   Samihah Khalil and Salihu Abdulwaheed Adelabu*   Ghazali Shafie Graduate School of Government, College of Law, Government and International Studies, Northern University of Malaysia, 06010, UUM Sintok, Kedah, Malaysia. *Corresponding author. E-mail: Adelabusalihu21@gmail.com. Accepted 7 October, 2011  Abstract The raison d’etre of a local government is to collect its revenue efficiently and to use that revenue to provide infrastructural development for its tax payers. Local government as the third tier of government cannot, therefore be ideal from the financial view lens if it collects its revenue in a slip-shod manner and devotes a large percentage of it to the maintenance of a top- heavy administrative set-up, with a relatively small proportion of the revenue left for the provision of infrastructural development which are of direct benefits to the local inhabitants. The purpose of this paper is to critically examine local government accountability in respect of budget and budgeting system in order to improve sustainable development at the local level. The paper tries to study the main source of revenue of local governments in Nigeria, and determine how the resources are utilized to deliver infrastructural development to the people. Also, information on budget and budgeting of Irepo local government is analyzed in the study. There are 774 local governments in Nigeria. This research study covers  33 local governments in terms of disbursement of statutory allocation, and Irepo local government in terms of budget and budgeting analysis.  As far back as 1999, the Nigerian local governments are being given enough by the Federal Government in order to provide infrastructural development to the citizens in the local area, but it seems the said public revenue are being mismanaged by political leaders and local governments’ officials in Nigeria. The findings of this paper revealed that < 5% of the statutory allocation accrued to the local governments under consideration is being expended on infrastructural development, while > 10% is used for personnel expenditure as the cost of delivering infrastructural development by local governments in Nigeria. So, further researches can still be carried out on fiscal planning by local governments for sustainable development in the remaining local governments in Nigeria. This paper therefore recommended that the policy/decision-makers should make use of the findings of this study to help inform future decisions on fiscal planning in the local government administration in order to bring about sustainable development to the rural dwellers in the local governments. It is found that there is need for proactive measure for fiscal planning in order to sustain infrastructural development in the local government administration. Also found, is that local governments need to put in place a good fiscal planning that will sustain development at the local level. Key words: Fiscal planning, sustainable development, local government.          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 12 Local Government’s Autonomy and Effectiveness in Nigeria Abdullahi Ayoade Ahmad dollah_8540@yahoo.co.uk Abstract Local government is an intermediary player between the federal authority and the grassroots in a given society. Adequate effective local authority is an indication that governmental policies and activities are well with the people. In other words, the smooth running of a society needs to be cemented from the grassroots through adequate representation, policy formulation and implementation, and equitable distributions of resources and services. Nigeria is one of the few countries in Africa that adopted a federal system of government, a system that envisages autonomy for every sector of its authorities. Unfortunately, to suit their political agenda and interests, federal and state governments have maintained a great level of control over local authorities. This paper will investigate the level of privilege empowered on the local authorities in the Nigerian constitution to discharge their duties, and the extent to which the federal and state governments have interfered with and influenced its effectiveness.          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13         Local Governments in Nigeria: Relevance and Effectiveness in    Poverty Reduction and Economic Development Ito Diejomaoh (Corresponding author) African Institute for Applied Economics 27 Nza Street, Independence Layout, Enugu Tel: +2348059273107 E-mail: itobore@gmail.com Prof. Eric Eboh African Institute for Applied Economics 27 Nza Street, Independence Layout, Enugu Tel: +2348036660475 E-mail: eceboh@yahoo.com Abstract This paper examines the local government system in Nigeria, its relevance and impact in poverty reduction, economic growth and sustainable development. After a review of the local government system in Nigeria as an example of political, fiscal and economic decentralization, it examines the nature and evolution of local government in Nigeria as well as the roles and responsibilities of the local governments in the Nigerian context. In examining the deficiencies of the local government system in Nigeria one of the major issues seem to be a problem of accountability of local governments along with serious capacity issues. The paper concludes with a treatment of the imperatives for optimising the effectiveness of local governments in Nigeria. Keywords: Local Government, Effectiveness, Poverty Alleviation      HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 THE ROLE OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT IN THE ATTAINMENT OF THE UNITED NATIONS MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS   INTRODUCTION/DEFINITIVES Aristotle, the  great Greek  philosopher, who was described by Dante, the Latin poet, as the “master of those who know”, had suggested that “definition of terms (names ) is  the  beginning  of any discussion” rendered in Latin as “initio disputandi est definitio nominis”. In line  with the above glaring veracity,   the writer intends to give explication  of key terms used in this address. Before such an exercise in linguistic analysis, however, permit the writer  to declare that this paper intends, secondarily, to indicate the extent to which  the  United  Nations Millennium Development Goals  have been attained at the Local Government level of  administration in Nigeria,  the Niger Delta and  our States in  particular. However, the paper focuses more and primarily on the responsibility of the local government towards the attainment of these self-same goals. We  thus  wish to  explicate the concept  of Local Government and to give a cursory insight into what the  goals  to be achieved  are all  about. Let us say here, that after the explication  of terms, we shall  go on to address the historicity, structure, finance and  function  of Local Government. We shall then  connect Local Government to the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals, mindful of what they ought to do.  If  there  are problems that can militate against  the Local Governments in their attempt  to practically address  these  goals, we shall discuss them, and thereafter make  some recommendations. To the explication of terms now we turn.                  HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 15 Developing Alternative Sources of Funding Local Governments in Nigeria during Period of Global Economic Recession.  Developing Alternative Sources of Funding Local Governments in Nigeria during Period of Global Economic Recession 1Danjuma Abdullahi Phd, 2Zakariyau Yahaya Kwanga 1College of law, government and international studies Universiti Utara, Malaysia 2Department of Public Administration Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic Birnin Kebbi Abstract: The paper intends to investigate the reasons for poor performance of local governments in Nigeria as well as looking at the alternative sources of funding local governments been the level of government closer to the people but unfortunately this level of government has been subjected to serious underfunding by the other tiers of government couple with economic recession that is affecting the globe, it is clear that government alone could no longer continuo funding local governments, Nigeria is a mono-crop economy that is heavily rely on oil, any fluctuation in the oil market could definitely make a negative impacts on their allocation and affect the rate of service delivery to the people, traditionally local government allocation came directly from federal allocation but for unknown reasons the state government do hijack it and gives local government a token amount that is not even enough for the payment of their salaries, Descriptive approach was used to gather data, the findings revealed poor performance of local governments in Nigeria and the paper suggest that local government should look outward for alternative sources of revenue instead of relying on federation allocation. Key words: Local Government; Funding; Economy and Recession          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016  --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 16  Efficient Financial Management for Local Governments: The Nigerian Experience Olu Ojo Department of Business Studies, Covenant University, P. M. B. 1023, Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria e-mail: oluojoe@yahoo.com Abstract This article attempts to present the local governments’ executives with a number of options to consider as they deal with the complex and ever changing questions of financial management for the local community. The paper provides local government officials quick access to a framework of ideas and suggestions that work within the hierarchy of financial management. Finance is immensely important in the running of organizations or governments. Local governments need financial resources to carry out their constitutional responsibilities as regards providing social services as well as mobilizing available resources for effective rural development and good governance at the grass root level. However, investigation revealed that local government has performed below expectations as a result of poor fund management. This paper which deals with efficient financial management in local governments in Nigeria was written to articulate and discuss the instruments that will help the local government councils to manage their funds adequately and be able to perform their statutory duties accordingly. Specifically, we discussed the various tools and techniques of efficient financial management which could assist the local government with performing their roles. These are as follows: the use of budget, rational approach, incremental approach, zero-based budgeting approach, planning, programming and budgeting system, audit alarm, and auditing approach. A thorough adoption and application of these approaches will improve financial management of local governments in Nigeria and enhance the quality of service delivery at the grass root. Key words: local government, financial management, tools of financial management, service delivery          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 17 Local Government and Social Service Delivery in Nigeria: A Content Analysis Agba, Michael Sunday, PhD Dept. of Public Administration, Univerrsity of Calabar, Calabar, Cross River State,        Email. mikagbaagba@yahoo.co.uk Akwara, Azalahu Francis, PhD Department of Political Science Federal University, Taraba State, Nigeria. Idu, Abubakar Y. Department of Public Administration Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria Doi:10.5901/ajis.2013.v2n2p455 Abstract Government exists primarily to provide services that will make life worth living. Accordingly, local governments as third tier government are created to bring government closer to the people at the grassroots and for transformation of lives at the rural level. One of the ways of bringing government closer to the people at the grassroots is through the delivery of service in a satisfactory, timely, effective and adequate manner.This paper is therefore an examination of Local Government and Social Service Delivery in Nigeria. It argues that the constitutional mandate of local governments in terms of “function performance” has not been translated into reality. Thus, the paper concludes and recommends that local governments must attempt to overcome the challenges that have circumvented their performance. It is only by this can they be positioned to render cutting services in a timely, effective, adequate, prompt and satisfactory manner to justify their continuous existence and huge financial allocations to them. Key Words: Local government, financial allocation, rural development, performance and social service delivery. 1. Introduction No government can satisfy me if it does not address the food poverty of Nigerians, the health poverty of Nigerians, education poverty of Nigerians, the infrastructural poverty of Nigerians, the energy poverty of Nigerians. GaniFawehinmi( cited in Anagwonye,2009:184) Nigeria operates a federal system of government with a Federal Capital Territory (Abuja), 36 states and 774 local governments. As creatures of the federal government, local governments are constitutionally mandated to perform four basic functions: to provide a machinery for the discussion of local needs and for the provisions of corresponding services within the competence and capability of the local area; to provide machinery for the execution at the local level of regional or federal government policy; to provide a consensus mechanism for the resolution of conflicts of interest at the local level; and to provide a training ground for political participation and articulation (Okoli,2000).This implies that Nigerian local governments are to render cutting edge services that will foster socio-economic development of the rural people. If properly managed, local governments are viable instrument for rural transformation, development and the delivery of social services to rural communities in their jurisdiction. Historically speaking, local governments have been assigned different functions. In colonial time, native authorities were primarily established for maintenance of law and order. With the emergence of independence, emphasis shifted from laws enforcement to the provision of social services (Adeyemo, 2005)          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 The State of Local Government and  Service Delivery in Nigeria:  Challenges and Prospects  Local government creates an appropriate and conducive environment for the people at the local level through efficient and effective service delivery. The value of local government in a country is inestimable because it is an indispensable arm of government. As a result, the link between the qualities of service that citizens enjoy is very significant. The article examines local government and effective service delivery with special reference to Nigerian local governments. It notes that Local government is the closest government to the people at the grassroots level, so it is expected to play significant roles in providing the social services for the people in order to improve their standard of living. But in Nigeria, the impact of local government is so far limited, especially with regard to improving service delivery. The article observes that despite the strategic importance of local government to the development process through effective service delivery, there has not been much development in most local governments in Nigeria. The article recommends that local governments in Nigeria need adequate autonomy that can facilitate their operations and development of the localities through effective service delivery. Keywords: Local Government, Service Delivery, Development, Nigeria.          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 19 Challenges of Managing Local Government Finance in Nigeria Maurice Ayodele Coker , John Anyabe Adams Department of Political Science, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria Email of Corresponding author: coker_maurice@yahoo.com Abstract Since the 1976 Local Government Reforms that were undertaken to strengthen the local system in Nigeria, several challenges have cropped up, over the years, to impede the performance of local government councils in the discharge of their constitutionally assigned responsibilities. One of such challenges is the dwindling revenue base of local government councils. This paper focuses on how local government councils manage their finances against the background of lack of financial autonomy, corruption, and, undue interference in local affairs, especially in the areas of operation of joint statelocal government accounts which gives the state government undue advantage over local governments. The objective of the study to improve understanding of the revenue status of local governments so that the public may appraise the financial challenges faced by the third-tier of government in Nigeria that have adversely affected the delivery of quality services to the rural populace. The methodology used in the study was descriptive qualitative analysis. The findings show that local governments in Nigeria have not been doing well due to lack of financial autonomy, undue meddlesomeness of state governments in local affairs, corruption among local government officials, etc. it is recommended that full financial autonomy should be granted local councils on matters statutorily assigned to them, the joint state-local government councils account system should be abrogated, and honest and transparent officials should be put at the helm of affairs in the local government councils to firm up the local government system in Nigeria. Keywords: Local government reform; revenue base; financial management; budgeting; local government autonomy          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 20 Local Government Finance in Nigeria: Challenges and Prognosis for Action in a Democratic Era (1999-2013) Agba, Michael Sunday 1;  Stephen Ocheni 2; Nnamani, Desmond Okechukwu 3 1Department of Public Administration, University of Calabar, Calabar, Nigeria  2Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja, Nigeria. Email: stephenocheni@yahoo.com 3Department of Public Administration and Local Government, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. Email: dungabrazil8yahoo.com. (Corresponding Author). Abstract Local government finance is one of the aspects of public finance. It deals with the generation of revenue, expenditure and utilization of financial resources in order to bring the impact of government closer to the people at the grassroots. Put differently, finance is essential in enabling local governments  transform the lives of the rural dwellers through the provision of social services and rural infrastructures like the construction and maintenance of rural roads, markets, schools, health centers. Despite the fact that the funding of local governments in Nigeria is an important aspect of fiscal federalism and intergovernmental relations, it has suffered setbacks, thus, circumventing development at the grassroots. This ugly trend is usually associated with or provoked by certain underlying factors like overdependence on statutory allocations from the Federation Account, corruption, tax evasion from citizens at the grassroots, creation of non-viable local government councils in terms of the capacity to generate finance internally and effectively utilized it for development purposes, and lack of financial autonomy. Thus, the paper is an attempt at revisiting the sources of local government finance in Nigeria and the factors affecting the financial viability of local government councils within the purview of fiscal federalism as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Financial viability backed up by effective management; public accountability, fiscal autonomy, staff motivation and servant leadership attitude among politicians are imperatives in building capacity at the grassroots for legitimacy of creation and sustainable development. Keywords: Local Government, Fiscal Allocation, Sources of Revenue, and Social Services          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  21 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ADMINISTRATION IN NIGERIA: THE MYTH, THE PARADOX, THE CHALENGES AND THE WAY FORWARD ABSTRACT Local government as presently structured in Nigeria has its challenges that constitute a great hindrance to the realization of its very essence as governance at the grass root. This laudable institution the world over is really finding it difficult to thrive in this part of the globe. It becomes then pertinent to ask if the problem is in the structure, in the dynamics of operation or in the operators. Is there a possible way out? These questions, this paper sets out to answer with a position that the apparent failure is due to the scientific approach to politics in Nigeria without consideration of the Sitz-im-Leben involving the ontological and epistemological proclivities of the African which would have resulted in “a-home-grown” system that would have been beneficial and relevant to the people, at the same time, yield the desired result of the involvement and mobilization of the grassroots in governance. Key Words: Local Government, Myth, Paradox, Problems, Way Out          HOW TO ORDER The full page spiral Handbook can be delivered by courier [EMS,DHL] at N5500 The soft-copy version sent into your inbox [email] ,so that you can print it out Yourself will cost N3500. PAY TO A/C ; JAPHET NKWOCHA DIAMONDBANK A/C  0021031321 FOR INFO. CALL 08030485016

Cradle of Ideas: By Oba Erediauwa

Cradle of Ideas: By Oba Erediauwa

₦9,000.0

Cradle of Ideas: By Oba Erediauwa

This documentary source-book is a compendium of speeches and writings of Oba Erediauwas intellectual legacy for posterity. The sixty-eight speeches and articles are arranged in six themes, which mirror how the Great Benin monarch has shared his intellectual insight on a number of problems and issues. Within the context of intellectual history, the ideas of Oba Erediauwa demonstrate how the value of knowledge takes on new meanings, definitions and significance.

The book has been conveniently arranged in six parts as follows:
A. Cultural Development, Traditional Institutions and Governance.
B. Exploring the Past.
C. Vision from the Ivory Tower.
D. Education, Social Mobilization and Sport.
E. Politics, Economics and the State.
F. Media, Religion and Standard of Service.

Who's Who in the World 2015 -32nd Edition (Classic)

Who's Who in the World 2015 -32nd Edition (Classic)

Release Date: December 2014
Format(s): Hardcover ( 8.5 x 11 )
Pages: 2,856 (approx.)
ISBN: 978-0-8379-1154-0
List Price: $1000.00

For over 110 years, Marquis Who's Who® has been the gold standard for biographical information, trusted by academic and public libraries. This tradition of excellence continues with the release of the 2015 32^nd edition of Who's Who in the World which provides concise, accurate biographies of renowned individuals from around the world, representing virtually every major field of human endeavor. Within this publication, you will find Nobel Prize winners, innovators/inventors, authors, athletes, academic professionals, judges, fashion professionals, and entertainers. You will also find royalty, captains of industry, political and religious leaders and many others whose noteworthy and profound contributions are showcased in this volume. This indispensable research tool includes professional and personal data unavailable in any other source, offering researchers a unique insight into the lives of the world's most notable personalities. There is simply no other source like it.

• Gina Rinehart - Australian Mining Executive; named to TIME 100: The Most Influential People in the World, 2013
• Vladimir Putin - President of Russia
• Rafael Nadal - Winner of the 2013 US Open
• Margaret Chan - Director General of the World Health Organization (WHO)
• Toyo Ito - Winner of the 2013 Pritzker Architecture Prize
• Prince William - His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge; second in line to succeed Queen Elizabeth II, after Prince Charles
• His Holiness Pope Francis - Elected the 266th Pope of the Catholic Church on March 13, 2013

Also featured are prominent first-time listees including:

• Yang Lan - Chinese TV personality; co-owner of Sun Media Investment Holdings
• Mark Cutifani - New CEO of Anglo American plc
• Robert Azevêdo - Director General of the World Trade Organization
• John W. Ashe - President of the United Nations General Assembly
• Hassan Rouhani - New President of Iran
• Dr. James C. Hogg - Winner of Canada Gairdner Wightman award for his research in the field of Chronic Respiratory Disease
• Fabiola Gianotti - Physicist with CERN, Switzerland; named one of the 100 Most Powerful Women, Forbes magazine, 2013

The gold standard of world biography since 1970, Who's Who in the World continues to be the authoritative source for biographical data on the movers and shakers of the world today..

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This book "Legal Tactics and Antics"

t is simply a classic. Please do get a copy for yourself or for a loved one.

This book "Legal Tactics and Antics" is a great and thorough intellectual legal work done by my Boss Terhemen Oscar Aorabee Esq., an erudite Legal practitioner of over 20 years post-call experience in active law practice.

It will be launched/publicly presented tomorrow 27/9/2014 at Smile View Hotel, Fr. Hunter Street, Nyiman Layout, Makurdi Benue State by 9am prompt. It can however be delivered to you anywhere in the country upon indication of interest.

The book is rich, well researched and simply written to benefit legal practitioners of all classes. Both those who are already many years at the bar and the young lawyers. It exposes the Tactics and Antics employed by lawyers in winning their cases and making the best out of even seemingly bad ones.

If there ever is a gift I have cherished so much in my life, then this sure is. There are some things that when they get into your hands, you value them much more than money. I mean real money. This certainly is one of those things. God forbid that I advertise the book. I won't. But let me humbly recommend it to whoever must have had anything to do with the law or the legal profession. You just have to read this book!!!

It is simply a classic. Please do get a copy for yourself or for a loved one.

we refer you to where you can order  for the book
for a referral fee [MTN Recharge card of N 200 to 08030485016]

My stewardship as Abia governor (1999-2007) – 1

0

By Our Reporter on September 13, 2014 · Back Page / Columns, Kalu Leadership Series

The need for me to publicly give ac­count of my stewardship when I served as the governor of Abia State has become inevitable, because of the way and manner my successor in office, Chief Theodore Orji, has tried in recent times to twist the facts and, by so doing, mislead gullible members of the public. Those not aware of the smouldering crisis of confidence raging between me and the governor could easily believe some of the propaganda materials his administration has continued to churn out in the past three years, particularly since he left our politi­cal ‘family’ to seek shelter elsewhere.
The reason I did not sound my trumpets about my performance as governor was that I had thought that government was a continuum and, therefore, there was no need trying to cre­ate dichotomy between one administration and another. Again, I had reasoned that since the man that was to succeed me was a key player in our administration, he would build on what we had done and carry on with the road map we had collectively designed. Sadly, that was not to be.
Though different books were published at different times in the course of our govern­ment, especially toward the end of my tenure as governor of Abia State from 1999 to 2007 documenting for posterity our achievements as an administration, there is still a need to make further clarifications and elucidations through this series. None of the books in question, to the best of my knowledge, was launched in public and, therefore, might not have made the desired impact in terms of outreach and mileage. More so, I am sure it was not every person who should get the books got them for the reason I had given: Our administration was winding down and all attention focused on the hand-over process and the compelling need to get the governor (and my Chief of Staff then) released from prison.
Those who knew what really transpired would confirm that nothing else mattered to me then other than to get Chief Theodore Orji released from prison. The plot of our detrac­tors was to keep him in prison until the date for his inauguration was over. Sensing this plot, we swung into action, pulling all available strings and, in the end (we give God the glory), we sailed through. The day Theodore Orji was released from prison was my happiest day in life. Our joy almost turned sour when informa­tion filtered to us that our detractors planned to re-arrest him to make his inauguration an im­possible mission. In our usual way, we devised a strategy to counter this latest plot.
To avoid any mistakes, I personally char­tered a flight to take him from Lagos to Umua­hia to prepare his inauguration – a few days away. Not only that, I accompanied him on that flight to the Owerri Airport and returned to Lagos on the same flight to ensure that all went well. The crowds we mobilized to re­ceive him at the airport were such that any plot to re-arrest him was almost impracticable. I thank God the whole thing went as planned, and today Theodore Orji sits atop the affairs of Abia State as governor.
Sincerely speaking, securing the release of Theodore Orji and ensuring his subsequent successful swearing-in remain one of the most exciting aspects of my stewardship in Abia State.
Prior to the Theodore-Orji-for-Governor project we had transformed Abia State in sync with a carefully-packaged developmental agenda. Let me quickly state at this juncture, that on assumption of office on May 29, 1999, Abia State was something in the neighbour­hood of a pariah state – infrastructure was non-existent, workers’ morale was down, be­cause of two-month unpaid salaries, with pen­sions and gratuities of retired workers running into several years in arrears. Added to this bag of liabilities we inherited was an N8 billion debt accumulated by past regimes, compris­ing arrears of salaries, pensions and gratui­ties, contractual obligations and other matters relating to the administration of government. The foreign debt portfolio we inherited was 680 million United States dollars. The loan was secured during the NPP/NPN era for the building of Enyimba Hotel and Glass Indus­try – both in Aba, Ogwe Chicken Farm in Ukwa, and Metallurgical factory at Olokoro. Curiously, we were made to pay up the loan by then President Olusegun Obasanjo before the end of our administration. The Minister of Finance, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is there to confirm the veracity of this statement. Again, it is good to place it on record that our state’s share from the federation account reached the N1 billion mark for the first time in Novem­ber 2004. After that it oscillated between N1.2 and N1.6 billion. It never at any time hit the N2billion mark. Despite the paucity of funds, we were still able to meet our statutory and contractual obligations.
Do I need to shy away from the fact that hundreds of communities had no electricity and pipe-borne water, school buildings were dilapidated and abandoned; facilities in exist­ing health facilities were insufficient, while those available had no operable staff and equipment? The State Teaching Hospital was like a cottage hospital, not to talk of the palpa­ble state of fear among the citizens of the state, occasioned by frightening rates of crimes. Enyimba Football Club of Aba faced relega­tion from the elite division to the second divi­sion. This was the situation on ground when we assumed office in May 1999.
That is not all: The Enyimba City – the biggest commercial centre in Africa, which is also called the Japan of Africa – was a shadow of its old self. In fact, it looked like a deserted city as its residents wallowed in self-pity and abandonment. There was also no single state-of-the-art conference centre anywhere in the state, except the Okpara Auditorium (which lacked the necessary facilities for conferences and other formal events).
It was in this state of hopelessness and de­spair that our ship of redemption berthed in Abia State. The few days I stayed in the state before my inauguration revealed the rot in the state and the urgent need to hit the ground run­ning. So, from day one, it was business till the chapter of our administration closed formally in the midnight of May 28, 2007.
I must not fail to express deep gratitude to God for the vision and courage to achieve the much we did in spite of obvious impediments in our way. We thank the well-meaning people of Abia State that believed in us and voted us into power. It was their love and support for our government that made us go into covenant with them. The covenant was hinged on the fear of God and respect for human dignity and life.
In any case, every person who was resi­dent in Abia State in the period I was governor would recall with little effort that we worked assiduously to reposition the state and make it the economic hub of Nigeria, nay Africa. Even a blind man saw the transformation of the state from obscurity to global preeminence. We took Abia State to every nook and cranny of the universe, attracting investors and other partners in development, who brought in their investments with confidence.
Aside the economic package for the devel­opment of Abia State, we paid serious attention to security of lives and property. Our thinking was that no reasonable investor would come to a state that was unsecure. The plan we set in place for security was unparalleled. Kidnap­pers and other hoodlums scampered for safety. In fact, Abia State was adjudged one of the se­curest states in Nigeria. Security was such that no single case of kidnapping or political kill­ing was recorded throughout the eight years we served. I could count about five brother-governors that approached us then to copy our security master plan.
The success we made of security was hinged on a simple formula: Design a strategy that would nip crimes in the bud. In short, we took the war to the criminals and made the state inhabitable for them. We also considered the personnel that would execute the plan and reasoned that the best way to get the best out of them was to motivate them. Apart from providing them vehicles and communication gadgets and occasional monetary rewards, we also put in place an insurance scheme that insured each of the 3000 policemen posted to our state. These incentives indubitably fired their morale and made them ready to sacrifice their lives in defence of the state and its people.
We kept faith with our covenant with the police – to cater to their welfare. This manifest­ed when we lost a policeman on essential duty. His family was instantly handed his insurance benefit of N10 million. According to available records, it was the first time any state in Nige­ria could do such a thing.
As people went about their legitimate businesses without fear, life started booming all over the state. In less than two months in office, we had succeeded in clearing the two-month salary arrears owed the workers by the previous administration and established a sys­tem that ensured that workers got their entitle­ments every 25th of the month. We kept faith with this plan until our exit.
When we had achieved the plan for regular payment of salaries, we then turned to pen­sions and gratuities. We were not deterred by the many years of arrears owed. We started somewhere, hoping to settle a reasonable per­centage of the arrears before our tenure ran out. And so it happened. By the time we left office, only an infinitesimal percentage of per­sons were yet to receive their gratuities.
It is important to state here that throughout our tenure, there was no single industrial ac­tion by workers in the state. There was harmo­ny between the workers and government. The only time workers went on strike was when the Association of Staff Union of Universities embarked on a national strike. I went to Abia State University and negotiated a deal with the state’s ASUU and they told me they would join their colleagues to commence the action and would back out after two days. And they kept to their word. And so, academic activities were never interrupted in any of the tertiary institutions in our state throughout the dura­tion of our government, making our students graduate when they should.
Subventions to the Abia State University, Uturu; Abia State Polytechnic, Aba; and the College of Education (Technical), Arochuk­wu, were arithmetically increased. The same could be said of infrastructure and other fa­cilities that enhanced cognitive capacity in the citadels of learning. I will still come to the re­habilitation of primary and secondary schools later.
Next in line were roads. A visit to Aba would make one cry openly. Almost all the rods in the city were in a state of disuse. We sprang into action. Wait a minute! What was our monthly allocation from Abuja then? I think something in the neighbourhood of N150 million. Can you imagine what N150 million would do for a state with non-existent amenities? We were not dismayed. Rather we looked up to God, motivated by the fact that our emergence in the saddle of governance was not by accident.
Determined not to fail, I personally raised N500 million from Guaranty Trust Bank through the instrumentality of its Group Man­aging Director then, Tayo Aderinokun, who was also a close friend, to start five roads in Aba. Abia State will never forget his invalu­able contributions to the development of the state. We pray God to grant his soul eternal rest in Heaven. By February 25, 2000 when then President Olusegun Obasanjo paid his first official visit to Abia State the roads were ready for commissioning. The President was moved to emotion by what he saw in Aba that he openly awarded me the title of the “Action Governor of Nigeria”. Don’t mind we disa­greed along the line and he started tormenting me. What I went through later in the hands of Obasanjo was horrifying. Thank God, we sur­vived.
After the initial five roads in Aba, we em­barked on massive reconstruction of the road networks in the city. We knew this would cost us enormous financial resources and so we were prepared for the task. The bulldozers and caterpillars rolled in. In less than two years, the city was transformed. Those that deserted the city started coming back. Life gradually picked up. Aba started regaining its lost glory.
One of the ways we had planned to boost the new confidence in the residents of the city was to save Enyimba Football Club from relegation. The team was at the verge of rel­egation when we assumed office. Because I had deep knowledge and experience about football and club management, I was able to set in motion a redemption plan for the club, which yielded immediate result. By the close of the 1999/2000 football season Enyimba had regained its winning power and shunned relegation. We did not stop at that; we started another project: this time to build a new Eny­imba team that would win the elusive African Champions Cup.
By the time the new season of 2000/2001 started, we had a brand new Enyimba team. At the end of the season the team had won the National League. In 2001/2002 season, it won the national League and Challenge Cup. In 2002/2003, it won the league back to back. The next target was the African Champions Cup, which we won for Nigeria for the first time in 38 years in 2003. All these achieve­ments in sports would not have been possible without building the necessary infrastructure. So, we started the expansion and upgrading of facilities at the Umuahia and Enyimba Stadia.
In subsequent editions, we will discuss oth­er crucial issues, especially the finances of our administration from 1999-2007: How much we received and how much we spent and on what. In fact, I’m working toward publishing the financial account of our administration in a fully-paid 24-page pull-out in The Sun News­paper very soon to put a lie to the culture of falsehood taking root in Abia State. I am do­ing this, despite the fact that our government published monthly report on its finances in the dailies.
I was in London when the Group Managing Director of The Sun Newspaper, Femi Adesina, called to break the sad news of the sudden death of Dimgba. Initially, I did not believe the news, be­cause it sounded like a fairy-tale, since I spoke with Dimgba the night before his death, as we dis­cussed future plans for the paper. Don’t forget: I had appointed him Vice Chairman of The Sun just last year.
In order to confirm what I had been told (not that I did not believe Femi), I put a call through to his family. I spoke with his wife and son, and both expressed disbelief that their breadwinner and caring father would die in such a horrendous manner.
It was when the news had finally sunk in that I realised the damage it had done to my system: I felt hollow and devastated. My mind ran riot. Memories of things we did together started flashing back. Oh, my God, it was horrific!
I would not have believed it if even the most prominent prophet had told me that he saw that Dimgba would be dead by Sat­urday, September 6, 2014! Why would a man with such vivac­ity, large dreams and an unusual knack for excellence and perfor­mance die in his ‘youth’ (at 58)? I am yet to come to terms with this loss. It is too true to be true.
Dimgba was too good to die at the time he did, but who are we to question God? I will do a proper tribute at the appropriate time.
Fare thee well, my friend and brother!

FOUR YEARS OF BRIDGE BUILDING

FOUR YEARS OF BRIDGE BUILDING

Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III


By Uche Ezechukwu
Monday, March 07, 2011,BACK PAGE


At a time when Nigerians are faced with horrendous and disappointing failures in leadership at the various levels, it is not surprising that superlative performers at their leadership posts are nowadays treated with lack of recognition. At a time when betrayal has become the distinguishing habit of most of those to whom we entrust our lives and circumstances, it is hard to blame citizens when they fail to extol men and women who are making sterling contributions to the society. One of such rare people is a retired army general, astute and intellectual diplomat, scholar and administrator – among many other attributes – and currently the Sultan of Sokoto, the head of the Sokoto Caliphate and the leader of Nigerian Muslims.

Last week, the second of March, marked the fourth anniversary of the coronation of Alhaji Mohammed Sa’ad Abubakar III as the 20th Sultan of Sokoto and the head of the 200+ year-old Caliphate, founded by Sheikh Othman dan Fodio in 1804. (He had ascended the throne in November of the previous year, 2006 at the death, through a plane crash, of his predecessor). It would almost be trite to assert that before ascending the most prominent and enduring traditional stool in Nigeria, if not Africa, the former army general (whose bio-data is as thick as a book) had been adequately prepared professionally, intellectually and politically to occupy the position which, like most other such institutions, was being confronted by the challenge of marrying the ancient with the modern ways of life of millions, while at the same time trying to make both relevant in the vicissitudes of the present day demands.

Abubakar III ascended the leadership of the Sultanate, two years after the bi-centenary celebrations, during which the essence of the Caliphate was being put to question by some who were not great fans of an institution which they claimed had outlived its usefulness, just as better informed people, who have had the benefit of studying and watching the operation of the Sultanate from very close quarters, have continued to insist that its roles have become even more relevant now than ever. A major relevance of the Sultan is that as the head of the Muslim community (umma) in Nigeria, he holds a delicate but very important ace to the stability of Nigeria which can only be assured through a deft management of religious relationships in the country. Remarkably, Sultan Abubakar III ascended the throne at a time of great challenges in inter-religious and ethnic relationships in the country.

He personally acknowledged this fact on October 28, 2008, while receiving an honorary doctorate from Anambra State University. The Sultan acknowledged that the country was experiencing great challenges in its religious and ethnic relationships occasioned by the escalation of religious and ethnic differences, particularly over the vexed issue of indigene-settler relations. Wondering how Nigeria had been brought to a stage where “friend turned against friend, neighbour turned against neighbour and state turned against state, to maim and kill, without any compunction and to leave a trail of destruction...”, he reasoned realistically that the sooner Nigerians of all backgrounds appreciated that it does not make any sense for anybody to be regarded as stranger in his or her own country, the better for all, and unless Nigerians were not desirous of existing as citizens of one country, sturdy bridges of understanding must be built consciously by all Nigerians of all ethnics and faiths to achieve the imperative of peaceful co-existence.

He has acted more as a doer than a preacher in the way he has immersed himself deeply into activities that would realistically and sustain build these bridges. Through the instrumentality of the Nigerian Interreligious Council (NIREC), which the Sultan as the head of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) co-chairs with the president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), a big momentum was generated in the management of religious relationships in the country. Needless to say that the dedication and level-headed activities of this council of the 50 men and women (25 each from the two religions), has contributed immensely to keeping these crises from going overboard. The unique maturity and chemistry between the Sultan and another great bridge builder, Archbishop John Onaiyekan, the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja, have gone a long way in erecting these bridges across the religions and cultures.

It is on record that the Sultan made history when he journeyed to Abuja in May last year to officiate as a keynote speaker at a national event of CAN during which he elaborated on the need for a better appreciation of and on the imperatives of building on the things that bind Muslims and Christians rather than stressing on their differences. It would be useful for such a gesture to be reciprocated by an equally high ranking Christian leader.

I had the opportunity of being invited to deliver the keynote paper at the NIREC conference in Bauchi in April 2010, and have since then, been afforded the opportunity of getting deep insights into the workings of the little-advertised Council as well as the enormous contributions which the organization and its members have made, as well as NIREC’s unprecedented potential for building religious harmony in the country. I have also been able to appreciate more deeply how far personal integrity, committed patriotism and deep knowledge of leaders can take a people and their society in the right direction. That fact ensured that Sultan Abubakar III and Archbishop Onaiyekan achieved a great deal and it is very obvious that even now that Onaiyekan has yielded his seat to another, by the virtue of his departure as CAN’s leader, the impact he left on NIREC and the society will remain enduring, as long as the sultan remains a part of that patriotic commitment and vision.

The Sultan is a man of great knowledge and patriotism, and contrary to what some might think, the Caliphate is not a conservative institution and will continue to remain relevant because it is guided by a deep belief and commitment that no society can survive and endure without building strong bridges of understanding, continually repaired and strengthened across many aspects of the society. For the Sultan Abubakar III and his forebears, these bridges must be built on justice, knowledge and good governance, through the service to the people and not through a situation, whereby leaders, “simply regard politics and struggle for political power as the shortest route to fame and fortune”, as the sultan stated in his lecture paper entitled ‘The Responsibilities of Leadership in National Development’, at NIPSS, Kuru in March 2009.

Like the 19 others before him, Sultan Abubakar III has continued to insist that justice and knowledge constitute some of the strongest bedrocks of a sane, progressive and stable society. In his paper at the Fifth Annual Lecture of the Post Graduate Studies of UNILAG in June 2009, the Sultan succinctly remarked that, “the Sokoto Caliphate...was predicated on the firm belief that knowledge constitutes a necessary ingredient for effective leadership and good governance. Leaders must not only be educated and knowledgeable but must also be guided by knowledge and understanding to manage efficaciously, the affairs of the citizenry”. To him, good education is a sine-qua-non for good governance and good citizenry, just as he holds that Nigeria cannot go forward without justice to the citizens. Most Nigerians today bemoan the fact that lack of knowledge and inadequate education has become the bane of our national and local politics.

He has shown an unparalleled commitment to ensuring that leaders and the led continue to appreciate the great gains that can be made through the enthronement of certain imperatives which, as he believes, Nigeria cannot do without. These imperatives he recognizes as that of purposeful and visionary leadership; a common citizenship with its requisite rights and obligations; and nurturing talent and providing opportunity to each citizen to realise his or her potential.

According to him, “we must also nurture talent and provide opportunities for our entrepreneurs in different parts of the country to contribute their quota to national development. Where a particular region, like the South East, has specific talents in process engineering and manufacturing, the nation, as a whole must come to the full support of this region with the view of making Nigeria self-sufficient in its area of expertise. And the same should be done for other regions...”

Sultan Abubakar III has time and age on his side, and if the big bridges he has already built and building within this short time in office between the different peoples and their cultures and religion, not to talk about the unique vistas and knowledge which has brought to bear, from his vast and varied exposures and experience, on our society, are anything to go by, then Nigeria will be the best for it. Ultimately, it will be appreciated by all that what matters most are not the bridges of concrete across our physical terrains and landscapes, but rather those built across our minds, relationships and perceptions...because it is those that make for human progress, social justice and over-all social development.

That being so, it should no longer the likes of Julius Berger who should be extolled but the likes of Alhaji Muhammed Sa’ad Abubakar III, the 20th Sultan of Sokoto, that should be decorated with the shibboleth of Nigeria’s bridge builders.
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Igwe at his best, may his soul rest in peace[RIP]

From Katsina with Ibrahim Shema’s good tidings

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By Our Reporter on September 2, 2014 · Back Page / Columns, Columns, Sideview

Originally, it was said the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. But nowadays, Nigerians have paraphrased that powerful scripture to the fear of Boko Haram is the beginning of wisdom. So, when the Nigerian Guild of Editors announced that this year’s All Nigeria’s Editors’ Conference, ANEC, was going to hold in Katsina, the question was, why Katsina of all places? Or anywhere in the North for that matter!
The way everyone, including this reporter, reacted, you’d think that the Guild was planning to hold the conference in Chibok town, near the evil forest of Sambisa. “Are we safe?” I had asked the Guild President, Femi Adesina. It turned out that it was the question on every lip and Femi had answered it so many times already.
“Katsina is said to be the safest part of the North,” he explained. But it was when I heard that the issue had become so contentious that the northern delegates, who had faithfully attended three or more consecutive annual conferences in the South threatened to pull out of the Guild if the venue was changed that I made up my mind to be there, perhaps, as the disciples of Jesus said at the Lord’s most harrowing hour, “let us go there and die together.”
But far from dying, Katsina offered us a beacon of hope and good things. To avoid landing in Kano and the attendant logistic challenge of travelling to Katsina from Kano, delegates from Lagos and Abuja had a chartered Boeing 737 flight to take us straight to Katsina en route Abuja.
I was last at Katsina in 1991 with a couple of other journalists that included the then NTA’s Chris Anyanwu and we had come for project inspection during the regime of Military Administrator, Col. John Madaki. Katsina, home to the famous Yar’Adua dynasty and former head of state, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (from Daura), then was a low-key urban town with limited roads and other infrastructures. Then, we inspected mostly boreholes, rural roads, schools, clinics and electrification. The contrast today is very stark. Katsina today is a very modern city, with good roads. We now drove through a new city paved with a six-lane ring road on both sides around Katsina town with made-in-Katsina solar-powered street lights. But, as we piled into buses at the airport, my eyes were alert. Where are the armed security squads to protect us in case? There were none. I’ve gone to many places in the South here where we were escorted by armed security, but not in Katsina. At the large Liyafa Palace Hotel where all the Fellows of the Guild were lodged in suites, not even a single policeman was visible – just, plain private civilian security guards, the type you have in your homes.
The first night, I was thinking, what if Boko Haram hear that editors are in Katsina, wouldn’t we be a great target of the terrorists to draw global attention? But as it turned out, Katsina is a very peaceful state, with no security concerns. Indeed, when we drove from the airport to the Government House for a brief welcome reception with the State Governor, Ibrahim Shema, and his cabinet members, we encountered minimal security. After our registration for the conference the next day, the soldier manning the conference hall suggested that we drop our conference bags with him and collect it after the opening ceremony ostensibly because the Governor, the Senate President, the Minister of Education and other top dignitaries were expected, but surprisingly, I was able to convince him easily to allow us in with our bags because it would be too difficult for each person to retrieve their bags afterwards since the bags are uniform! Such sensible ease speaks about the ambience of peace and security of Katsina.
Over 200 editors besieged Katsina town, stretching their hotel infrastructure. We had come to explore a theme, Credible Elections and Good Governance: The Role of the Editor. We were exploring the foundation of credible elections and good governance. Apart from the keynote address by Alhaji Umaru Muttallab, other papers were presented around this theme by INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, legal activist, Ms Ayo Obe, media icon, Ray Ekpu, plus an interactive executive session with host governor, Ibrahim Shema, representatives of Lagos State Governor, Tunde Fashola, and Bayelsa State Governor, Henry Dickson.
Good governance or credible elections, which drives the other? Papers and debates went back and forth. I was one of the three discussants of the keynote address by Muttallab – my co-discussants were NTA’s Director-General, Shola Omole (represented by NTA’s Executive Director of News, Shola Atere), and Professor Umar Pate. I concluded by arguing that good governance, to a great extent, should drive credible election. Since June 12, 1993, the average Nigerian voters had demonstrated time and again their willingness to deliver free and fair elections, it is the political class that is dragging the electorate backwards with election riggings and instigation of violence. But where the elected office holders perform well in office, they don’t need to induce people with “stomach infrastructure”, rig elections or resort to violence to win elections. The average Nigerian electorate would fight to return them to office.
As it turned out, the performance of Governor Shema in office became a good illustration of that point, an excellent case study in how good governance can drive credible elections. Shema shared his story both at the executive session with all the editors and at a private session with five elders of the Guild of which I was present.
When he came to power in 2007, he inherited N54 billion of awarded contracts obligations. The Nigerian tradition is usually to abandon those contracts, refuse to pay for them and then proceed to award your own contracts. But Shema, convinced that government is continuity, spent the first 18 months of his tenure, completing all the projects started by his predecessor and paying off the N54 billion. This of course, put him at odds with his supporters and powerful stakeholders, who wanted him to award fresh contracts. Some of those contracts included the Katsina airport where we landed, the completion of Katsina State University and Polytechnics, among other things.
Incidentally, it was in the area of education that Governor Shema seemed to have spectacularly excelled. On coming to power, he visited some schools and found them deserted – the pupils had been sent home because they could not pay school fees. Worried by what he saw, Shema calculated the total revenue that accrued from school fees in the state and was told they came to N450 million per annum. Shema then reckoned that if merely he saved N100 million monthly from the state’s monthly allocation of N2.8 billion then, he would save N1.2 billion a year. With that simple arithmetic, Shema then offered free education in the state from primary to tertiary level. The state government also pays for all exam fees like those of WAEC, JAMB, etc.
But it is not only that students from Katsina State are offered education free, Shema’s administration has offered scholarships to about 700 indigenes of the state to study abroad, all expenses paid. But the condition is that they must study science-based courses like medicine, pharmacy, engineering courses, especially aeronautical, environmental engineering, etc.
The story of an orphan boy from Funtua stood out. Thanks to free education by the Shema administration, the boy was able to make straight A’s in all his subjects. But then, he secured a job in the farm of a rich man where his singular duty was carrying fertilizers on a donkey. When Shema heard of his pathetic story, he offered him scholarship to the University of California to study Environmental Engineering. This year, the orphan graduated with First Class honours and won a prize, as the overall best graduating student. He is back for his youth service but before then, with tears in his eyes, he presented his prize to the governor.
In Katsina, the duty of husbands stops with impregnating their wives. After that, the state government takes over all delivery cost, even if it is caesarian section and the child enjoys free medical care until age five. All malaria treatment and dialysis or renal treatments are free while oldies enjoy fee medical care.
Governor Shema inherited a decrepit and leaky Government House from his predecessor, but today, he has built an ultra-modern Government House complex that rivals any in the country.
But the news is not the building of the Government House but how he funded it. His policy is that before he awards contracts, there must be total cash backing. He pays 40 per cent of the contract sum as mobilisation fee and invests 60 per cent in treasury bills and other financial instruments until the final execution. After three-year tenure, Shema was shocked to discover that the state had garnered a huge income of N10 billion from such investments. It was out of this income from the investments that he spent N8 billion to build and furnish the Government House complex and spent another N400 million to build official Government Lodge at Abuja. “This Government House was not built out of the state’s allocation or IGR,” he said. “It is almost free of charge to the government because there is no law that compels me to invest government money in the first place.”
How much did the six-lane ring road cost? Well, according to Governor Shema, Julius Berger quoted N37 billion for less than one-third of the ring road and declined to make any discount. Realising he could not afford to execute the entire project at that rate, Shema then got consultants, who provided him with bill of quantity and then Shema dared five of us, “Can any of you guess how much we eventually built the entire ring road?”
“May be N15 billion?” Ray Ekpu finally guessed.
Wrong. Wide off the mark! “We eventually built the whole of the six-lane ring road for N6 billion! People don’t believe me but that is the truth!”
In all his exploits, Shema wants it underscored that he has never borrowed a dime. All his projects are executed from the state’s federal allocation of N5 billion and N1 billion IGR.”
Yet, the state is not owing workers or pensioners. Yet, the state has a healthy cash balance of over N32 billion and about N20 billion in local government account. Perhaps, it is high time Shema conducted a tutorial on prudence and management of state resources to many of his colleagues, who have left a legacy of squandermania with nothing to show for it.