From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Lokoja, Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman has advocated for the use of a multidisciplinary approach for the conduct of research and policy as well as tackling insecurity and good governance in Nigeria.
Dr. Salisu Ogbo Usman, stated this at the Second National Conference of the School of General and Administrative Studies, Federal Polytechnic, Idah.
He said the approach had become necessary, owing to the prevalent acts of terrorism, endemic poverty, unemployment, ethnic and religious tension, and general lack of trust in one another which now constitute a serious threat to socio-economic stability and national security.
Dr. Usman, who was a Lead Speaker at the Conference, said any society that commits itself to cooperation and understanding diversity, creates a platform for economic growth and development, reduces exploitation, and ensures freedom of action, equity, and justice, is certainly on the path of good governance, and invariably a reference point in the maintenance of peace and security.
He added that understanding the institutional framework that would ensure effective governance in Nigeria would require a transparent and accountable government that is responsive to the needs of its citizens.
The rector, who stressed that all academic disciplines had crucial roles to play in ensuring good governance and security, called on scholars at the Conference to interrogate issues that border on ethnic, religious, class, gender, and economic harmonies, adding that doing so would provide a framework for policy prescription that could drive the country forward.
All fields of studies, he added, would need a synergy that promotes transparency, accountability, security, and economic growth, and is in the overall interest of the nation.
The keynote speaker and Rector of Federal Polytechnic Idah, Dr. B. Y. Usman, had earlier posited that the task of governance that would lead towards sustainable development could be possible, only when security was assured.
He stressed that the rising security challenges in Nigeria required newer approaches to unravel the root causes for lasting solutions.
He considered insecurity as a ‘wicked problem’ because, argued that it could be the root cause of other problems such as poverty, drug abuse, population growth rate, inadequacy or lack of functional education, and so on.
The Dean, of the School of General and Administrative Studies Dr. Ali Mohammed Attai, appreciated the guests, management members of the Polytechnic, and participants for taking out time to educate others on the various options available to Nigeria in the bid to find workable solutions to the challenges of Governance and Security in the country.
The Conference which has the theme: ‘AMulti–Disciplinary Approach to Governance and Security in Contemporary Nigeria’ commenced on Tuesday, 16th May 2023, at the Judith Attah Lecture Theater of the Polytechnic. is scheduled to end on Thursday,18th May 2023.