MEET FRANK OSHANUGOR
By Winnie Kodilonye
A frontline politician, businessman and one time Commissioner for Youths, Sports, Social Development and
Culture in Delta State, Dr. Austin Izagbo has called for major policy reforms, political will and
stakeholders engagement in addressing the need for a drastic reduction
in the cost of governance in Nigeria.
Delivering a Public Lecture on Saturday, December 7th, on “STRATEGIC
RIGHT SIZING OF THE COST OF GOVERNANCE” at the University of Lagos, venue of the Convocation/Graduation Ceremony of the Strategic Business School, Lekki, Lagos, Distance Learning Students in
affiliation with the European American University, United Kingdom, Izagbo commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu for having the courage
to revisit and bring to the fore the almost forgotten Oronsaye
Committee Report on the need to streamline the Cost of Governance in Nigeria.
He called for greater impetus in adopting the said Report in order to reduce Nigeria’s current overbearing cost of governance.
He also called for a reduction in the large number of Political Aides being appointed into the three tiers of government. He cautioned that
“the attainment of, and holding of Political Office should be for
service to the people rather than an opportunity of ‘job for the boys’
and or for self-aggrandizement”.
He stressed that the “sole end of
governance is the advancement of the quality of lives of the
citizens.”
Other Speakers at the event were Prof. Edmond John Kersey De – Polanie
Patrikois of the European American University, UK who spoke on the topic
“Education without Boundries,” Prof. Noble Ogugua who dwelt on
“Maladministration in Nigeria, Burden & Interrogation” and Prof. Misan
Fregene whose topic was “Strategic Leadership of a Nation: Insight from Singapore,
UAE and Finland”
The Chief Executive Officer of Strategic Business
School Prof. Joseph Mba spoke on the topic “Nigeria in Nostalgia”.
Largely, the lecture presentations and discussions harped on some need areas for immediate attention and these include Greater transparency and accountability in government to address the issue of financial wastages in governance.”
Another is greater efficiency and effectiveness in the management of public funds and Strengthening of our institutions. There was the contention that Nigeria should be seen as a country of strong institutions rather than “a country of strong men and women.”
The need to entrench strict measures for the implementation of Performance based budgeting was also highlighted with introduction of e-functions and processes in Government.
In the same vein, a clarion call has gone to all Nigerians to participate more in government
and to demand more from our leaders and hold them to greater
accountability for their actions in Government, for “together we can
build a more transparent, accountable and prosperous Nigeria.”
The highlight of the event was the Presentation of Certificates and
Awards to the graduands among whom were Florence Izagbo who bagged a
Doctor of Business (DBA) in Strategic Education Management, Tessa Obiageli Anota (DBA) – Strategic Administration & Leadership and Victor
Olowo who earned DBA in Strategic Leadership & Governance.
Recipients of the
Masters in Business Administration (MBA) category included Abdul Adejo and Okwara Owen.
The event also witnessed the Award of Chartered Licences of theChartered Institute of Strategic Managers & Leaders (CISML) to the
some distinguished Management Practitioners among whom were Joel Nwankwo,
Abraham Adeniji, Samson Bamighayan and Oluwatosin Adeniji.
The Strategic Business School (SBS) took advantage of the event to unveil its many affiliating institutions and bodies across the globe.
