an overview of the role of ict in ensuring good governance and elections in nigeria introductory...

AN OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE OF ICT IN ENSURING GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ELECTIONS IN NIGERIA

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS BY OYELAYO BABAJIDE

DIRECTOR, PLANNING, RESEARCH AND POLICY ANALYSIS,

Federal Ministry of Science and Technology,

19, NOVEMBER, 2015

AT THE CONFERENCE ON THE USE OF ICT TO PROMOTE GOOD GOVERNANCE

AT THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTER, ABUJA

PRESENTATION OUTLINE

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

HIGHLIGHTS OF INTERVENTION BY FMST

TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTIONS

WAY FORWARD

It is pertinent to note that no nation can successfully develop without appropriate deployment of Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) apparatus.

In today’s world, STI remains an important bridge that connects all sectors of the economy. It is thus a reliable path for any country to make progress in terms of governance, infrastructural development, Human capital development and employment generation, among others.

There is a growing support at bringing out the critical roles of technology especially ICT for the improvement of the socio-economic and political state of Nigeria through fostering a robust National System of Innovation as highlighted in the National STI Policy.

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INTRODUCTIONINTRODUCTION

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INTRODUCTION………………CONT’DINTRODUCTION………………CONT’DAs a simplifier of tasks, nations and peoples desire application of technology in all sectors of the economy. There is a growing support at bringing out the critical roles of ICT for the improvement of the socio-economic and political state of Nigeria through fostering a robust National System of Innovation as highlighted in the National STI Policy.

One of the key mandates of the FMST is to create technology infrastructure and knowledge base to facilitate its wide application for development. A key strategic area of focus by the revised STI Policy is Research and Development into Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

This covers various sectors and sub sectors of the economy including entrenchment of good governance with robust electoral process/system as a key element premised on the implementation of the National Policy on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI).

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INTRODUCTION………………CONT’DINTRODUCTION………………CONT’D

In line with one of the STI Policy Strategies which is to popularize and inculcate STI culture in Nigeria, it became imperative for the Ministry to play a leadership role towards sensitizing and equipping Nigerians especially the youths with skills and technological tools used by advanced democracies in electoral processes to ensure peace for general development.

The FMST in keeping with its leading role for guiding the deployment of technology in the country, with the support of Democratic Governance for Development (DGD) II Project of the United Nations Development Agency (UNDP), undertook the following designed to foster good governance with robust electoral process/system in Nigeria:

Two – day conference on technology and the electoral process for Ministry’s staff and other staff from the Ministry’s seventeen (17) Parastatals during which the staff of the Ministry were exposed to global best practices in electioneering processes;

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HIGHLIGHTS OF INTERVENTION BY FMST

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HIGHLIGHTS OF INTERVENTIONS BY FMST...............CONT’D

Pix 5: Cross Section of Participants at the Event

Pic. 1: Dignitaries at the Event


• Two-day training for 200 youths in Abuja, on the use of technology in enhancing electoral process, including guided tours of the Ministry and selected parastatals;

Pix 1: Dignitaries at the Event Pix 6: Cross Section of Participants at the Event

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• One day Lessons learnt conference for the youth who participated in the ‘Rock the vote Nigeria 2015’online campaign contest to document good practices and challenges held on 7th May, 2015;

• .

• • •

Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, r

epresented by the Permanent Secretary,

Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, FCA, delivering the keynote Address

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Participants with the representative of the Honourable Minister of Science and

Technology

Participants at a break out session


One day Lessons learnt conference (Awards Presentation)

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Group Photograph of Award Winners with the representative of the Honourable Minister of Science and Technology, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, FCA

One of the Award Winners


• One day in house workshop for officials of FMST, its Agencies and relevant stakeholders to review the draft Policy Framework on the use of ICT in Governance and electoral process held on 4th June, 2015

•

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Mr. Oyelayo Babajide, Director, Planning Research and Policy Analysis, delivering the Welcome

Address

Participants at the Inhouse Workshop

HIGHLIGHTS OF INTERVENTIONS BY FMST...............CONT’D..

• One day stakeholders validation workshop of FMST, its Agencies and relevant stakeholders on the draft Policy on ICT for good Governance and Elections in Nigeria held on 12th August, 2015

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Mrs Moni Udoh represented the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Communication Technology.

Cross Section of Participants during the Group Discussion.

TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTIONS

Election is a decision making process through which people choose their political representatives.

Election remains the only legitimate instrument for entrenchment of good governance and leadership turnover for representative democracy.

It is a core aspect that requires the active involvement of citizens.

However, beyond elections, the flowering of democratic practice depends largely on the active participation of the people through different forms of political activities such as in the electoral process.

the use of ICT / Social Media platforms entreches participation at all levels..

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TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTIONS.......................CONT’D The ICT /Social Media platforms include: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube,

Instagram, skype, linkedin, among others which when deployed are effective in deepening the democratic process.

These are Social instruments of communication and viable platforms for social networking and content/information sharing.

The power of these platforms as viable mechanisms for political mobilization, advocacy, activism and electoral activities cannot be over estimated

Examples of Social Media Platforms14

TECHNOLOGY AND ELECTIONS.......................CONT’D

Harnessing the Power of Social Media for Elections - Global Practices:

• Voter/Civic Education.• Marketing Candidates.• Monitoring of the Electoral Processes.• Building Consensus on issues.• Reporting.• Respect for the right and feelings of other users, and rules

governing usage.

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Technology in its neutral state can be used for the following:

Creation of credible voter register. Elimination of multiple registration, voting. Mitigation of election fraud such as ballot snatching and stuffing,

intimidation, over voting, etc. Infusion of peoples’ confidence in the electoral process and the

final outcome of elections. Reduction in the time of voting, collation, transmission and

tallying of ballot and announcement of results of elections. Regulate political parties and candidates Voter education Corporate management Marketing candidates during elections

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However, it is important to note that Technology has no will of its own.

It only obeys the will of the users.

Therefore, there is need to have discipline and honest people involved in the management and usage of technology in elections

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ICT AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

• Information and Communications Technology (ICT) has been regarded as the source for the social and economic empowerment of any country especially a developing country like Nigeria

• It has remained the catalyst of growth for developed countries. Virtually all government services could be initiated and delivered through ICT and since these ICT tools are efficient and reliable, they are today functioning as promoters of good governance in most countries.

• To realize her vision of becoming one of the top 20 global economies in the year 2020, good governance through ICT holds the ace for Nigeria’s Vision 2020 program.

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GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS

• Participation: Participation by both men and women (young and old) is a key cornerstone of good governance.

• Rule of law: Good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially. It also requires full protection of human rights particularly those of minorities.

• Transparency: Transparency means that decisions taken and their enforcement are done in a manner that follows rules and regulations.

• Responsiveness: Good governance requires that institutions and processes try to respond to issues real-time and spontaneously.

• Consensus oriented: There are several actors and as many view points in a given society. Good governance requires mediation of the different interests in society to reach a broad consensus in society on what is in the best interest of the whole community and how this can be achieved to serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe.

• Equity and inclusiveness: A society’s well being depends on ensuring that all its members feel that they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the main stream of society. 19

GOOD GOVERNANCE AND ITS CHARACTERISTICS .......................CONT’D

• Effectiveness and efficiency: Good governance means that processes and institutions produce results that meet the needs of society while making the best use of resources at their disposal.

• Accountability: Accountability is a key requirement of good governance. Not only governmental institutions but also the private sector and civil society organizations must be accountable to the public and to their institutional stakeholders.

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WAY FORWARD ...................CONT’D FMST in collaboration with other relevant Ministries,

Departments & Agencies (MDAs) should ensure the full implementation of the Policy on ICT for Good Governance and Elections in Nigeria with the objectives to: Build capacities and capabilities of relevant institutions and personnel

to generate knowledge to adapt, utilise, replicate and diffuse technologies in all areas of ICTs through Research and Development on governance issues;

Ensure that the necessary infrastructure and equipment for deployment of equitable services for good governance are in place in all relevant institutions

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WAY FORWARD ...................CONT’D Carry out the automation of all governments’ activities and

services across Ministries, Departments and Agencies;

Support, harness, promote, and encourage the commercialization and diffusion of locally developed technologies for the conduct of elections and government activities.

Popularize the inculcation of the culture of citizens utilizing ICTs in all engagements with Government for transparency and accountability.

Establish an up-to-date, reliable and accessible databank of all citizens, governance services and institutions in Nigeria

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CONCLUSION ...................CONT’D• Nigeria as the largest black nation in the world and largest

economy in sub-sahara Africa is expected to play leading role in ensuring peaceful election and good governance

• The Ministry’s intervention in the use of ICT to promote peace among youth before, during and after the 2015 elections was timely and helped to spread peace messages and reduce hate messages and violence among youth.

• The change mantra cannot succeed without Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) for us to have a sustainable/meaningful change that will impact positively on the populace.

• STI is the bedrock on which industrialization can thrive.

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CONCLUSION

• It is imperative for all stakeholders to key into the policy thrust of Government which hinged on Infrastructural and Social Development, Governance, Environment, States/Regional Development which are the pillars of national development.

• Diversification of the economy to ensure wealth and job creation for peace and stability will always elude us if we do not make STI a national development priority.

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THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION

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an overview of the role of ict in ensuring good governance and elections in nigeria introductory...

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