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| Dr Olisa Agbakoba |
Former
President of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA)Dr Olisa Agbakoba(SAN) on
Thursday advised the Buhari Administration to establish strategic communication
policies to enable the masses understand the government’s plans and how it
would benefit the generality of the people.
President of the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA)Dr Olisa Agbakoba(SAN) on
Thursday advised the Buhari Administration to establish strategic communication
policies to enable the masses understand the government’s plans and how it
would benefit the generality of the people.
Agbakoba,
who spoke at a news conference organised by Olisa Agbakoba Legal(OAL) in Lagos, said
majority of the masses did not understand the government’s operational policies
and therefore, felt alienated from the nation’s affairs.
who spoke at a news conference organised by Olisa Agbakoba Legal(OAL) in Lagos, said
majority of the masses did not understand the government’s operational policies
and therefore, felt alienated from the nation’s affairs.
“There is an urgent need to develop strategic communication
policies. Government must avoid communication lethargy in 2016.
policies. Government must avoid communication lethargy in 2016.
“People need to be carried along to inspire hope, followership,
confidence and patience.
confidence and patience.
“I suggest that government create an Office for Strategic
Communication to link government with the people.
Communication to link government with the people.
“It is
clear that Nigeria’s political landscape is very problematic, so, many Nigerians
feel alienated and disconnected.
clear that Nigeria’s political landscape is very problematic, so, many Nigerians
feel alienated and disconnected.
“The consequences are all too clear. The situation is made worse
by the powerful elite class, controlling the system.”
by the powerful elite class, controlling the system.”
Agbakoba advised President Muhammadu Buhari in a letter, that the ‘elites’
must be confronted since they did not want to support people-oriented policies for
the benefit of the masses.
must be confronted since they did not want to support people-oriented policies for
the benefit of the masses.
He said that initiative could be achieved in alliance with pro-
people institutions, like Civil Society and the labor Unions and Nigerian
people.
people institutions, like Civil Society and the labor Unions and Nigerian
people.
To that end, Agbakoba said
President Buhari should set up a
small technical committee on National Order, with an urgent task of working on
a Bill for an Act of the Union of Peoples and Nationalities of Nigeria.
President Buhari should set up a
small technical committee on National Order, with an urgent task of working on
a Bill for an Act of the Union of Peoples and Nationalities of Nigeria.
He said he endorsed the
change agenda represented by the ideological shift in creation of structures
for social benefits and inclusive political architecture.
change agenda represented by the ideological shift in creation of structures
for social benefits and inclusive political architecture.
Agbakoba, however, warned Buhari to be mindful of what he tagged
the ‘Conspiracy of the Elites,’ calling them ‘’a small per cent of Nigerians
who exert tremendous influence, with a view to state capture.
the ‘Conspiracy of the Elites,’ calling them ‘’a small per cent of Nigerians
who exert tremendous influence, with a view to state capture.
“This class is very dissatisfied about the ideological change of
your government and they see the new agenda as a threat to their privileges,”
he said.
your government and they see the new agenda as a threat to their privileges,”
he said.
The civil rights activist added that credit must be given to the
Buhari Administration for what he considered ‘Economic policy correction.’
Buhari Administration for what he considered ‘Economic policy correction.’
“Clearly, this government has created an ideological shift to the
left (pro-people).”
left (pro-people).”
He said it was clear that the country was advancing toward social
democracy, which he said was the first of its kind in the nation’s history.
democracy, which he said was the first of its kind in the nation’s history.
Evidence of this shift, according to Agbakoba, includes: the Treasury Single Account (but needs redefinition) Quality of
ministers, generally , Blocking finance leaks ,Social regulations , Benefits
and stimulus strategy.
ministers, generally , Blocking finance leaks ,Social regulations , Benefits
and stimulus strategy.
