Ex-DG Calls For Forward-looking Governance To Empower Nigerians

A former director-general of the National Orientation Agency (NOA), Dr Mike Omeri, has said governance at all levels must be deliberately structured to equip the citizens for current realities and to prepare them for future socio-economic challenges.

Omeri, in a statement yesterday, said leadership must go beyond immediate needs and ensure that Nigerians are prepared to “face the present squarely while preparing for the future with hope and optimism.”

Omeri noted that governance should be deliberately structured to empower people across sectors, with an emphasis on entrepreneurship, innovation, and support for small businesses to reduce poverty and strengthen the middle class.

He observed that economic pressures have widened inequality, stressing the need for policies that prevent further erosion of the middle class and provide sustainable livelihood pathways.

“Our direction must focus on organising, uniting, transforming, and building communities in real terms,” he said, adding that effective governance must translate into measurable improvements in people’s lives.

While outlining his broad vision for leadership in the Nasarawa South Senatorial District, he said his approach to representation would be anchored in a forward-looking governance model focused on building citizens’ resilience through education, economic empowerment, and social inclusion.

He also highlighted infrastructure, healthcare, and social services as key priorities, describing them as essential to improving the quality of life and ensuring balanced development across communities in Nasarawa South.

Omeri further stated that leadership must remain accountable to the people, noting that elected officials have a responsibility to deliver on the objectives they have defined that reflect their constituents’ needs.

He added that sustainable development in the district would require a collective commitment to wealth creation, education, and social cohesion, stressing the importance of inclusive governance that allows all sectors of society to contribute meaningfully to development.