By Tekena Amieyeofori
Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Founding Executive Director of the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, has emphasised the need for governance policies that promote strong public institutions and productive enterprises to drive sustainable economic growth and development in Nigeria.
He made the call recently in Abuja during the public presentation of two books titled “Reforming Service Delivery in Nigeria’s Public Service” and “Fish Hatchery and Fingerling Production” authored by Dr. Augustine Erhabor.
In his keynote address, Igbuzor noted that the contents of the books are distinct in their outlook but collectively stress the urgent need for viable public institutions and productive enterprises to engender sustainable economic growth and development.
According to him, “The convergence of these two books illustrates an important lesson: sustainable economic growth and development require excellence in both the public and private sectors. Effective public institutions create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs to thrive, while innovative entrepreneurship generates employment, creates wealth, and drives sustainable economic growth.”
Dr. Igbuzor declared that the significance of the day’s event extended beyond public presentation of books, noting that it was a celebration of ideas and innovation in public service and national development. For him, it was an opportune moment to remind the Nigerian state and citizens that sustainable development thrives more on focused leadership than the abundance of natural and human resources.
“Throughout history, no nation has attained sustainable economic growth without an efficient and competent civil service. Countries that have transformed from poverty to prosperity, including Singapore, South Korea, Malaysia, Rwanda, Botswana, and Mauritius, did so because they built capable, ethical, and professional institutions.
“The history of nations demonstrates that the greatest determinant of development is not natural resources, but leadership. Countries have transformed through the ideas of visionary leaders who inspire excellence, build institutions, promote innovation, and mobilise citizens towards shared national goals.”
Dr. Erhabor, who convened the public presentation of the books, lauded ongoing reforms in the civil service, especially regarding digitisation and transparency. He said ideas espoused in the books are intended to sustain the drive towards efficient service delivery in the civil service to improve governance quality in the country.