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By Tony Eluemunor

Dr. Austin Izagbo, a frontline politician, businessman and former
Delta State Commissioner for Youths, Sports, Social Development and
Culture, 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 7, 2024 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, UK, Dr.
Izagbo commended President  Bola Ahmed 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 on the topic –
“Education without  Boundries”, Prof. Noble Ogugua –
“Maladministration in Nigeria, Burden & Interrogation”, Prof. Misan
Fregene – “Strategic Leadership of a Nation : Insight from Singapore,
UAE and Finland”, and  Prof. Joseph Mba, CEO, Strategic Business
School on the topic – “Nigeria in Nostalgia”.

Highlights of the lecture presentations and discussions harped on the
following need areas for immediate address –

*Greater transparency and accountability in government to address the
issue of financial wastage in governance.

* Greater efficiency and effectiveness in the management of public funds.

* Strengthening of our institutions. Nigeria should be seen as a
country of strong institutions rather than a country of strong men and
women.

* Entrench strict measures for the implementation of Performance based budgeting

* Introduction of e-functions and processes in Government

* A clarion call on 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 including  Florence Izagbo who bagged a
Doctor of Business (DBA) in Strategic Education Management, Tessa
Obiageli Anota (DBA) – Strategic Administration & Leadership, Victor
Olowo (DBA) – 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 Licencies of the
Chartered Institute of Strategic Managers & Leaders (CISML) to the
following distinguished Management Practitioners- Joel Nwankwo,
Abraham Adeniji, Samson Bamighayan and Oluwatosin Adeniji.

The Strategic Business School (SBS) took advantage of this event to
unveil its many affiliating institutions and bodies across the globe.