THE Federal Government has tasked African Union Development Agency-New Partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD), to use its review period to make its mandates more relevant to the needs of Nigerian citizens.

Mr Boss Mustapha, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), gave the charge on Tuesday in Abuja, while inaugurating the 15-man National Governing Council (NGC), of AUDA-NEPAD.

Represented by Dr Habiba Lawal, Permanent Secretary, Ecological Department, Office of the SGF, Mustapha explained that the agency, including the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), as envisioned by its founders, was a strategic policy framework for Africa’s renewal and rebirth.

The aims, according to him, are to eradicate poverty and to place member countries, individually and collectively, on a path of sustainable growth and development.

Mustapha added that the agency was also expected to participate actively in the world economy and body polity.

“One of your immediate responsibilities is to drive the process of Nigeria’s Second Peer Review which is expected to consider the impact of domestic policies on internal political stability and economic growth.

“You are also to promote mutual accountability, as well as ensure compliance with best practices, for effecting progress towards achieving the agreed standards and goals, taking into account the particular circumstances of our country, ” he said.

The SGF urged the agency to focus on the deepening of democratic practices, while strengthening achievements, disseminating best practices and rectifying underlying deficiencies in governance and socio-economic development processes in Nigeria.

“With the inauguration of this AUDA- NEPAD/APRM’s NGC, our dear country is at a strategic leadership position with the major responsibility of being a role model for other African countries.

“Nigeria is at the position to make the APRM review process more relevant to citizens’ needs, more cost-effective and in tune with the agenda 2063 priorities and goals towards the ongoing transformation of AUDA- NEPAD/APRM,” he said.

In her remarks, Mrs. Gloria Akobundu, National Coordinator/Chief Executive, AUDA-NEPAD, said that the appointment of the NGC was in line with the vision of President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the effectiveness and efficiency of the agency’s mandate.

While presenting the agency’s NGC to the SGF, Akobundu enlightened the members on the key flagship programmes of the agency which is under review.

The programmes, according to Akobundu, are reform/domestication of AUDA-NEPAD, second country assessment process/review, implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals/monitoring and evaluation, and realisation of African Union agenda 2063.

She listed others to include early warning on election and violence/voters education, harnessing skills/entrepreneurship and strengthening Public-Private Partnership, and peer reviewing/governance.

Responding on behalf of other members of the committee, former Sen. Abba Ali, the Chairman of the committee, expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for trusting them with such responsibilities.

Ali assured the Federal Government that the council would not disappoint the government, adding that it would strive to ensure that the agency’s mandates were fulfilled in Nigeria.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), recalls that the African Union (AU), Heads of State and Government Summit adopted the NEPAD in Lusaka, Zambia, in July 2001.

The five core mandates of the agency include good governance, peace, stability and security, sound economic policy making and management, effective partnerships, and domestic ownership and leadership.

-NAN

BE

– July 30, 2019 @ 18:40 GMT /