Posted Fri, Dec 13, 2019 11:29 AM

Post #NES25, NESG Governance and Institutions Policy Commission holds crucial General Assembly

Subsequent to the inauguration of the Steering Committee of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group’s Governance and Institutions Policy Commission (GIPC) in July 2019, the GIPC has commenced work on its main objective which is to support the reform of public institutions (including the civil service), measure performance and strengthen partnerships and collaborations between the public and private sectors in order to fast track the growth and the development of the Nigerian economy. At the GIPC General Assembly which held on the 6th of December, 2019, the two Co-Chairs - ; Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan (Acting Head of Service of the Federation) and Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhoude (Founder, Africa Initiative for Governance) spoke about their roles which amongst other things is to ensure high-level participation of all stakeholders in GIPC activities, ensure genuine and focused public-private sector dialogue and monitor implementation of Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) recommendations.

In his remark at the General Assembly, the Chairman of the NESG, Mr. Asue Ighodalo commended the commitment of the GIPC Co-chairs and all members of the steering committee for continuously debating and dialoguing on strategies for good governance and nation-building. “The symbiosis and the synergy of the Public Sector and the Private Sector is what will take this country to where it needs to go. It’s important that we get governance and policy implementation right”, Mr. Ighodalo said.

Speaking on the just created thematic working groups of the policy commissions, the Co-chair Private sector - Mr. Aigboje Aig-Imoukhoude listed the thematic groups as Supporting Public Institutions Reforms (including Civil Service) Thematic Group which will be led by Prof Tunji Olaopa of the Ibadan School of Government and Public Policy (ISGPP), Measuring Performance Thematic Group which is led by Mrs Chineye Ogwo – CEO, Africa Initiative for Governance and the Partnership and Collaboration between the Public and Private Sector Thematic Group which is led by Dr. Adeyemi Dipeolu – Special Adviser to the President on Economic Matters. “We have noted the extensive work done already on Civil Service reforms and the exiting ecosystem between the public and private sector and we will work to support the process””, Mr Aig-Imoukhoude said.

The Co-chair Public sector – Dr. Folashade Yemi Esan stated that the GIPC was a good platform to foster the needed partnership between the public and the private sector for growth and national development.

Furthermore, the Facilitator of the Governance and Institutions Policy Commission (GIPC), Mrs. Nkechi Onyenso explained that the GIPC was one of the eleven policy commissions in the NESG comprising of public and private sector executives that meet regularly to fast –track the adoption of Nigerian Economic Summit (NES) recommendations and ensure their implementation. Membership to the Policy Commission is open to individuals with a strong track record of excellent performance.. Diversity of ideas and active stakeholder participation was necessary to achieve the overall objective of GIPC.

Other members of the GIPC Steering Committee include: Mr Dasuki I. Arabi – DG, Bureau of Public Service Reforms, Dr Joe Abah ; Prof Chidi Odinkalu (APOSJI) , Mrs Wonu Adetayo (NESG Board Member), Prof Tunji Olaopa (ISGPP), Mr Uyi Apata (PWC) others are Mr Ernert Umakhihe (Permanent Secretary Ministry of Budget and National Planning) and Mr Ganriel Aduda (Permanent Secretary, Polictical and Economic Matters, Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

The Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) is Nigeria’s foremost private sector led think-tank organization that promotes sustainable growth and development in the Nigerian economy. It is a not-for profit/non-partisan organisation with a mandate to promote and champion the reform of the Nigerian economy into an open, private sector-led economy that is globally competitive on a sustainable basis. Over the years, it has emerged as the leading platform for public-private dialogue in Nigeria.