Cross Udo, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday in Abuja called on member states of the African Union (AU) to imbibe the culture of peer review and peer-to-peer learning for proactive and strong leadership in the continent.
The President appealed at the launch of the Second Country Review Report (CRR) and the National Programme of Action (NPoA) of Nigeria.
He expressed delight that electoral, pension, tax, and monetary policy reforms undertaken by his administration have received high commendations from African policy experts, who have also recommended that such best practices are worthy of emulation.
He explained that his commitment to the Second Review of Nigeria was borne out of his ‘‘undiluted resolve to entrench democracy, and quality leadership in all aspects of governance, and further ensure that Nigeria does not lag behind other nations.’’
Describing the document as important to Nigeria as a country built on true Federalism and good governance, the President directed Ministries, Departments, and Agencies to implement the report.
He noted that the Report would strengthen the implementation of the African Union Agenda 2063, the strategic framework for the socio-economic transformation of the continent over the next 50 years.
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“It comes with a strong mandate on New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) and African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), especially now that the continent is gearing towards the implementation of the Second Ten Year Development Plan to consolidate and seek the acceleration of better society,” he said.
Buhari pledged that Nigeria would continue to support Africa’s renewal and rebirth in line with the collective commitment to the principles and guidelines of the APRM to consolidate Africa’s path to a healthy democracy, sustainable growth, and development.
He, therefore, directed the relevant Agencies to coordinate the proper use of the Report, adding that it should be institutionalized at the Learning Centres for academic work and archived for future reference.
Buhari recognised the pragmatic role of the Panel of Eminent Persons of the African Peer Review Mechanism, led by Dr Abdoulie Janneh, who doubles as the Nigerian lead panellist, and the entire team members who in one way or the other lent their helping hands for the successful conduct.
National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer, AUDA-NEPAD/APRM Nigeria, Princess Gloria Akobundu, said the launch of the report would pave the way for experience sharing, reinforcement of successful best practices in promoting good governance and sustainable development at the national, regional, and continental level.
