Tag Archives: Ethics

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Public Policy and the Critical Factors of Time, Skills, Resources, and People (2)

Skills – The Engine of Policy Execution

Skills are the lifeblood of effective policy implementation. Public policy is about ideas translated into action, and the competence of the individuals and institutions involved determines whether those ideas thrive or flounder. While the vision of a policy may be grand, without the right skills to design, execute, and adapt it, even the best-intentioned efforts will fall flat. Conversely, skilled policymakers bring so much wisdom into how governments deliver on their mandate and promises.

In public policy, skills operate on multiple levels. Policymakers require analytical skills to craft sound policies, negotiation skills to build consensus, and foresight to anticipate challenges. On the other hand, the bureaucrats and technocrats who implement these policies need the technical know-how to translate concepts into actionable programs. Then there are the citizens, whose awareness and participatory skills can significantly influence a policy’s reception and success.

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Nigeria’s Oil Sector: Tinubu’s Opportunity

In the intricate dance of leadership and governance, timing and ethics are paramount. I do hope President Bola Tinubu understands this. When we fail to do what is right and at the right time, we often find ourselves ensnared in a web of unnecessary efforts to resolve the consequences. This truth is painfully evident in the Nigerian oil sector, where malfeasance and unrestrained interests against the common good have led to a credibility crisis. This photo-op simply reveals more about curbing interests than bringing solutions.

The Nigerian oil sector once heralded as the backbone of the nation’s economy, is now a cautionary tale of missed opportunities and ethical lapses. The principal characters in this sector have, for too long, prioritized personal gain over national interest. This has not only stunted the sector’s growth but also eroded public trust.

When leadership fails to address corruption and self-serving interests, it sends a clear message: that the pursuit of personal gain is acceptable, even at the expense of the nation’s welfare. This unchecked behavior breeds inefficiency, and in the end, discourages investment as we are currently experiencing. The ultimate decline in the sector’s performance is nothing that could not have been easily predicted 25 years ago. Continue reading →

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