'Seun Ibukun-Oni, Abuja
DAILY COURIER — A coalition of influential political figures, including Obiageli Ezekwesili and Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, at the 2024 Africa Conference, hosted by the School of Politics, Policy and Governance, themed "Good Governance In Africa: Leaders and Citizens Driving Systemic Change," aims to reshape the political landscape in Nigeria and across the continent.
Opening the conference, Ezekwesili, the founder of the School, emphasized the need for a fundamental shift in the mindset of future leaders. She stated, “When governance—whether local, state, or national—is practiced, you don’t govern for the population that you immediately see; you govern for Africa.” She urged participants to adopt a pan-African perspective that fosters interconnected solutions with exponential impacts.
Ezekwesili referenced academic research indicating that poor governance is a primary barrier to Africa’s development. “If research identifies poor governance as our collective malady, we must address it strategically,” she asserted. Her vision includes cultivating a new political culture that promotes accountability and effective governance.
Keynote speaker Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings underscored the critical importance of inclusivity, particularly the roles of women and youth in political processes. “The time for sitting on the fence is over,” she declared. Agyeman-Rawlings stressed that grassroots engagement is vital, noting that community involvement is not synonymous with ignorance. “If you are too big to engage at the grassroots level, you risk leaving the selection of leaders to those you deem less enlightened,” she warned.
Alero Ayida-Otobo, CEO of the School, highlighted the urgent need for a new political architecture to facilitate productive leadership. She emphasized the collective responsibility of participants: “You are now accountable to deliver the future.” Ayida-Otobo aims to create a supportive platform for value-driven leaders, promoting connection and collaboration among disruptive thinkers who may feel isolated.
The conference serves as a prelude to the graduation ceremony of the School’s fourth cohort and has drawn value-oriented politicians and thinkers from countries including Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Egypt, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe. Attendees are collaborating to identify actionable strategies for enhancing governance across Africa, with a focus on developing future leaders capable of enacting systemic change.
As the dialogue continues, the urgency for transformational leadership in African governance resonates strongly among participants, setting the stage for a renewed commitment to accountability and inclusive political engagement.
