Economic Confidential, June, 2009

STATES

Harvard University Partners  Nigerian Governors

….As Four Governors Tour US

Nigeria’s 36 governors have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with john F. Kennedy School of Government of the renowned Harvard University in the United States, for periodic training programme for the states’ helmsmen, business and political leaders.

Four Nigerian governors on behalf of the Nigeria Governors Forum undertake a tour of the United States to familiarize themselves with the workings of the National Governors’ Association in that country and as a step towards repositioning. The Chairman of the Governors Forum and Kwara State Governor, Dr. Bukola Saraki led the delegation comprising Governors Isa Yuguda of Bauchi, Adams Oshiomhole of Edo and Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom.

The MOU which became effective on May 22, 2009 was signed by Dr. Bukola Saraki, Kwara State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum and the Director General of the forum, Mr. Asishana Okauru. Professor Robert Rotberg, Director, Programme on Intrastate Conflict of the University and Ms. Katie Naeve, the Programme Manager endorsed the document on behalf of Harvard University.

The Program on Intrastate Conflict will provide world-renowned experts in the areas of focus to teach at each of the three workshops while the NGF’s Secretariat will coordinate the logistics for the programme.

In a statement after the agreement was signed, Mr. Okauru said, “We are very delighted that Harvard has bought into our commitment to make the NGF a policy hub and assist in improving the capacity of our governors and senior officers who work directly with them.

“This partnership with Harvard University will certainly enhance governance and the adoption of global best practices especially by those who occupy high political offices in our democracy.”

According to Okauru the visit to gave the delegation an opportunity to getting a deep insight into how the NGF could be transformed into an influential lobby group, an advocate of accountability and good governance and an effective catalyst for the deepening of Nigeria’s democracy.

“As you know, the NGA has been on longer than the NGF. They have more experience and capacity than we do. Therefore, we are going there to learn from them and explore ways that we can collaborate to make Nigeria a healthy and prosperous nation and a viable and respected democracy.

“The purpose of this meeting is to get as complete a picture as possible of how the NGA is organized, its functions and mandate, programmes, staffing, public relations and communications activities, liaison with the legislative and executive branches of government, public policy functions, how the NGA finances itself and relations with the corporate community.

“As you know, the Nigerian government structure and constitution are patterned after the U.S. and it is hoped that the NGA may serve as a prototype for Nigeria.  The desire of the NGF is that the NGA serves as a mentor to it as it builds its capacity, processes and institutions.

“We would also request for specific collaboration/participation in some activities and events in the future.  When we return, the governors will pass whatever lessons we learn to their colleagues,” Okauru said.

Also on the Nigeria’s delegation are NGF’s Executive Director, Research and Strategy, Alhaji Abdulateef Shittu and his Finance/Administration counterpart, Alhaji Mohammed Jibiwa.