From Moshood Karim
Benin City— Wellspring University on Friday held its second inaugural lecture, titled: “The Imperative of Human Centric Governance in Sustaining Democracy in Africa: An Insight in Niger Republic.”
The lecture was delivered by Professor Steve Iyayi, a distinguished Professor of Public Administration and Dean of the College of Social and Management Sciences at Wellspring University.
The event attracted academics, policymakers, and students eager to explore the pressing issues surrounding democracy in Africa.
In his lecture, Professor Iyayi emphasized that human-centric governance necessitates that rulers prioritize the needs and aspirations of the governed by engaging with them and involving them in policymaking.
He highlighted the low Gross Domestic Product (GDP), high infant mortality rate, corruption, limited access to healthcare and electricity, lack of democratic culture, and ineffective electoral bodies as factors contributing to coups in African countries.
According to Iyayi, these elements of democracy must be provided to improve the quality of life and ensure its sustainability.
“Democratic governance has not really addressed the needs of the society and the people in this region of the world. The reason is not that democracy as a system of government is not suitable to our society but essentially due to the fault of the operators,” Iyayi remarked.
He noted that elections are often manipulated, depriving people of genuine participation in the processes that affect their lives.
Professor Iyayi called on political actors and policymakers in Nigeria and other African countries to adhere to democratic principles for the greater good of society.
He stressed that democracy itself is not flawed, but the failure of leaders to fulfill their roles in social needs and governance has led to its shortcomings.
“To become competitive and relevant among the comity of states, African countries should be led by men and women who possess the requisite knowledge, virtues of discipline, honesty, and fairness to effectively manage the human and natural resources of their states and achieve growth and development for the good of the people,” Iyayi advised.
He advocated for transparency, accountability, and the judicious management of public resources to provide amenities and improve living standards.
He further identified poor leadership as the primary obstacle to development on the continent. Iyayi asserted that only selfless and dedicated leaders can deliver the dividends of democracy to the people. “Good leadership is one irreducible element required by any state to optimize its capacity for growth and development,” he said, adding that it is crucial for setting and realizing visions and missions for the people.
Addressing the situation in Niger Republic, Iyayi pointed out that the struggles there are indicative of broader issues across Africa, where people often find themselves in dire situations, unable to effect change through the ballot.
This environment sometimes leads to military coups, which Iyayi described as a repetitive cycle due to unlearned lessons.
Vice Chancellor of Wellspring University, Professor Isaac Rotimi Ajayi, commended Professor Iyayi for his well-researched and effectively delivered lecture.
He highlighted that the disruption in African countries stems from a democracy that has not yielded its dividends, coupled with a lack of empowerment for the people.
According to him: “For the incidence of coups to reduce in African countries, there must be effective leadership. There must be people-focused policies, free and fair elections, reduction in the cost of governance, and effective participation in governance,” the Vice Chancellor stated.
Professor Isaac Ajayi encouraged Professor Iyayi to continue his academic pursuits and actively mentor young academics for the profession’s development. The lecture concluded with a robust discussion, underscoring the need for sustained efforts towards human-centric governance in Africa.
