Yahaya Bellos' New Direction, Defining Good Governance »

Every government must promote good governance by designing, developing, and implementing policies and programs geared at improving its citizens’ well-being and promoting polity stabilization. Popular participation, consensus building, accountability, transparency, responsiveness, effectiveness, and efficiency are characteristics of good governance. It must be egalitarian and inclusive, and it must adhere to the rule of law.

Good governance presupposes that there is a social contract between the people and their government, it encourages citizens to participate in government activities, which results in people-oriented policies and eventually, increases people’s trust in government.

Regrettably, governance in Nigeria is often viewed as a distant affair from the people. Most government officials perceive themselves as overlords rather than partners in the governing of the nation. As a result, citizens are cynical, distrustful, and dissatisfied with what the government is doing. In general, good governance has remained more of an exception than the norm. Little wonder why many people previously in Kogi state regarded government as an abstract phenomenon with which they have nothing to do.

Haunted by this impasse, governor Yahaya Bello’s New Direction administration saw the introduction of a government that established a relationship between the government and the people. He instituted policies that took a fresh look at the people’s basic needs and pursued them with zeal.

In Health Sector, this explains Yahaya Bello’s fixation in ensuring that health care facilities across the state are given the needed facelift. To ensure the health of the people, he has built, remodelled and equipped several hospitals from the brinks.

The State of the Art Reference Hospital in Okene, the Ultramodern General Hospital in Gegu, Kogi State Specialist Hospital, Lokoja, Prince Abubakar Audu University Teaching Hospital in Anyigba and many others are signatures of Yahaya Bello’s magic in health infrastructures in Kogi state.

As part of his campaign promises, the governor had promised more jobs and faster economic growth. Today, he has pursued all of these with zeal, resulting in the construction of various industrial outfits in the state.

Gov. Bello sees empowerment in a more long-term approach which explains his numerous people-oriented investments in the agricultural sector, where significant investments in training and support of youths, women, and farmers have been made to secure food sufficiency and gainful employment in the state. It is on record that every project executed by Yahaya Bello’s administration, has this cadence and rhythm, style and sparkle that sets it apart for what is now known as the GYB STANDARD. For Bello, Good governance is about accountability and fiscal responsibility.

Consensus building has always been at the heart of Bello’s class of good governance. He leads a government that takes pleasure in listening to all points of view before taking key decisions. As a result, the state has a fairly stable polity and is politically calm. Another feature of Yahaya Bello’s government is the equitable distribution of social amenities. Roads, hospitals, schools, and other infrastructure are strategically placed to reach all strata of communities in Kogi State.

Just like the provision of peace and security are basic governmental responsibilities. Gov. Yahaya Bello has pursued both with uncommon zeal. From being the kidnap headquarters of the country pre-2015, this administration can today boast that it has made the state one of the most peaceful and safe states in Nigeria, owing to the governor’s stern demeanour and zero tolerance for all sorts of crime. His crusading anti-bandnitry and crime activism is paying off as those involved are now realizing that crime is no longer a paying venture. Obviously not in Kogi state.

The payment of salaries to civil servants is not taken for granted because Kogi State under Gov Yahaya Bello is not in the mould of some states where salaries and allowances are withheld or delayed.
Good governance is more of a government that cares about the people.
It is the governor’s empathy that makes him sensitive to issues concerning the welfare and well-being of the people of the state.

In the formation and execution of state policies, Yahaya Bello’s administration has collaborated with youths, religious leaders, elders, the traditional institution, and other key stakeholders. This has, in no small measure, aided in strengthening government-community partnerships, thus ensuring that government programs and policies are adopted by communities and therefore transmitted into maintaining stability.

Gov. Bello has shown courage in carrying on with projects and programmes that he is convinced would add value to the state. One of such projects is the construction of the first ever flyover bridge in the state. Despite the cynicism that initially greeted the project, the governor went ahead with the construction which is awaiting commissioning. Today, he has been vindicated as the bridge is currently the toast of many Kogites.

Another is the Ejiba Rice Mill Creating over 6,000 direct and indirect Jobs (both skilled and unskilled). Both projects and more are thriving, giving vent to the governor’s futuristic tendencies.

Gov. Yahaya Bello has demonstrated that excellent governance is still achievable by maintaining a close government/citizens participatory governance relationship, a high sense of accountability and responsibility, and an inclusive and equitable governance style.

Nicholas Ikinwot writes from Lokoja.