*Dignitaries at the event
Lagos-based lawyer and rights activist, Ebun Olu Adegboruwa, has criticised President Bola Tinubu for allegedly abandoning basics of democracy that he was known for in his days as opposition.
This is coming as the former Chairman of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) called on technocrats in the public service to persistently interact with the legal community if they are to survive the muddy water of politics in the country.
In his intervention at this year annual lecture organised by the National Association of Judiciary Correspondent, NAJUC, Lagos branch, Adegboruwa said President Tinubu has not shown his stuff of what he was known for as an opposition as he was known to be an advocate of true federalism and resources control.
Apart from this, Adegboruwa challenged media practitioners to keep on with the fight for justice, adding that Nigerians are really suffering under economic hardship.
The keynote speaker at the lecture, Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) called on technocrats in the public service to persistently interact with the legal community if they are to survive the muddy water of politics in the country.
He also urged technocrats to work and collaborate with the legal community and be above board to ensure that their dealings in office are ethical and transparent.
The theme of the lecture is, “Navigating the Delicate Balance Between Politics, Law, Media Pressure and Public Perception; The Burden of a Nigerian Technocrat in Public Office”.
The senior lawyer explained several factors that constitute burden on technocrats in public offices, and inhibit their performances, which he said a must be conscious of the environmental and legal restrictions that limits his ability while in office.
Some of the issues highlighted include, due process, redtapism, administrative bottleneck, cultural and religious considerations, public perception, legislative interference, and media pressure.
The former Commissioner of Environment and Transport in Lagos State said all these factors place great burden on technocrats in public office in Nigeria.
While reference the case of in-house technocrats (Civil Servants), Banire said these species of technocrats are now in more precarious situation.
According to him, “ln house technocrats are now in more precarious situation. They are not only demoralised by insecurity of tenure; terminal growth for them is becoming an illusion.
“They therefore hardly have much to look up to again. Worse still is their renumeration package that has pushed them into penury. Politicians treat them as dregs, affording them no serious recognition. Consequently, not the best in recent times is derivable from the in-house technocrats who now have joined the bandwagons of politicians to scoop whatever they can access while in office. This is the country’s story.
To overcome these challenges, Banire technocrats in public offices must be vigilant and make sure that they ‘put their no nose, and ensure that they make inputs when laws concerning their areas/offices are being enacted.
In doing this, technocrats must work and collaborate with the legal community, be above board and ensure that their dealings in office are ethical and transparent.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the occasion, George Etomi said for democracy to thrive, the country needs strong and vibrant media and the judiciary.
Etomi said looking at Nigeria, the level of patriotism is very low, adding that hardly can you see an American/European running down their countries in the social media, while the contrary is the case in Nigeria.
He added that “it we Nigerians that can build the country, and we can’t built is by running it down in the media”.
He said media, politics and the judiciary are interwoven in the building of a strong democracy.
Earlier in his welcome address, the NAJUC Chairman, Mr Olugbenga Soyele said the topic aims to address the challenges faced by the Nigerian professionals in government and explore why they often leave with their reputation tarnished.
“It is widely acknowledged that successful administration require a blend of political acumen and technocratic expertise to address the country’s accumulated challenges and prepare for future uncertainties.”
