The Chief Executive Officer, African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM) Nigeria Princess Gloria Akobundu, has said deliberate self-assessment in key areas of national life and continuous advocacy will entrench good governance in the nation.
In a signed statement issued in Abuja by the Media Assistant to the NC/CEO AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria, Abolade Ogundimu, Akobundu stated this in Abuja in her goodwill message to mark the 17th APRM Day, observed every March 9th, among 38 African nations that subscribe to it.
APRM is a voluntary self-assessment tool to measure individual nation’s growth in four thematic areas which include: Democracy and political governance; Economic Management and Governance; Corporate Governance; and Socio-economic development.
The CEO said individual nations will be able to deliver more on set out objectives if it embarks on Self Peer Review Process while reaching out to all across socio-economic divide.
She said: “Due to the passion of President Muhammadu Buhari and commitment of PRM structures, Nigeria is in the process of conducting Second Cycle Review in the four thematic areas of APRM.
“The exercise which will be conducted across the entire nation will give people at the grassroots and various interest groups opportunity to express their views and proffer solutions to societal issues.
“Since the federal government is ready to work with the reports, I urge Nigerians to cooperate with our officers during town hall meetings and when responding to questionnaires that will be shared,” she added.
The CEO further assured that reports of the exercise would be presented to the federal government as National Programme of Action to be considered for National Development Plan (NDP).
Similarly, Mrs. Adefunke Adimula, Director, Department of APRM said the nation has been taking necessary steps towards the Second Cycle Review.
“In line with APRM continental requirements, Nigeria has put all structures in place for the success of the exercise including appointment and inauguration National Governing Council of APRM.
“Also, the recent ‘2-Day Broad Sensitisation /Training Session on Sharing Experiences for the Conduct of Second Review’ held in Abuja February 27th-28th was applauded by the APRM continental structures, as good sign of readiness for the exercise.
‘The general public, especially those at the grassroots should see the exercise as opportunity to take part in the governance of the nation for their benefit and that of posterity,” she said.
APRM is a voluntary self-assessment instrument, already acceded to by 38 African Nations to share experience on common issues and identify suitable solutions to similar problems.
