AN ASSESSMENT OF GOOD GOVERNANCE AS PANACEA FOR PEACE AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA (A CASE STUDY OF EKITI STATE)

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

It is general knowledge inside development circle that development involves a physical reality and a state of mind. Through development method, the interactions between social, economic and institutional processes should be frequently sustained to meet up with increasing future demands in terms of population growth and continuous use of natural, human and material resources. It's been determined that changes within the integrated approach to social, economic and environment problems haven’t very expedited the biological process goals in African nation. Many people are born into this world with the chance of creating themselves live higher in their numerous communities. higher condition of living for voters, has been achieved within the developed nations of the globe, like  u. s. of America, Germany, Japan, China etc. in these countries, there are evidences of well-run instructional system, smart organization of business sectors, provisions of cheap shelters for the voters, smart national security and political stability. There also are expressly the interdependency between growth, economic condition reduction and property development that acknowledge that development rests on the foundations of democratic governance, the rule of law, respect from human rights and peace and security. The developed nations have place in situ some measures like making certain security and stability within the politics through realization of national economic direction, creating government additional economical and effective through public service reforms,  substantiation and pension reforms. Oromareghake (2009) reported that the Millennium Development Goal (MDGs) square measure the world’s time-bound and quantified targets for addressing extreme economic condition in its several dimensions-income economic condition, Hunger, disease, lack of adequate shelter, and exclusion whereas promoting gender equality, education, and environmental property. They are conjointly basic human rights the rights of every person on the earth, to health, education, shelter and security. But here in Nigeria, the state is that the epicentre of crisis and political instability, with continued food insecurity, an increase of utmost economic condition, spectacularly high kid and maternal mortality, giant numbers of individuals living in slums, and a widespread deficiency for many of the millennium Development Goals. All these, are linked to unhealthy governance. So during this paper, the conception of excellent governance is mentioned at the side of the indexes of excellent and unhealthy governance within the country. Finally, attempts are made to proffer solutions to the incidence of bad governance within the country so the state can move forward.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM

In Nigeria, insecurity, conflict and violence due largely to the activities of insurgents have already taken the centre stage. In the economic structure for example, there is no gain in saying that business and entrepreneurship activities are badly affected. The North Eastern Nigeria appears to be worst affected because there is no peace in the sub-region. Since peace building deals with complex of issues it requires a holistic understanding of the need for peace comprising security, youth empowerment, gender equality, religious tolerance, education, self-reliance, poverty eradication and other socioeconomic, cultural and political recovery measures. While the relationship between conflict and development in general is recognized, the impact of peace building and sustainable development is not fully appreciated and realized. The destruction of economic structures would further escalate conflict and violence. Peace as a dividend for sustainable development offers itself as an alternative to conflict, violence and insurgency. However, the dimensions of peace that may contribute to sustainable development in Nigeria have been neglected in a number of frameworks and plans. The problem of this research lies in finding solutions to ensure peace so that sustainable development may develop in the sub-region. In summary therefore, the problem this paper attempts to investigate is how the drivers of governance in Nigeria would be addressed to avoid a relapse of bad governance and to sustain peace. The problem also bothers on how peace building activities could be linked to sustainable development with the hope of reducing unemployment and gender inequality, increasing self-reliance, poverty reduction, managing diversity, religious tolerance and ethnic differences in Nigeria

1.3 AIMS OF THE STUDY

The major purpose of this study is to examine good governance as a panacea for peace and sustainable development in Nigeria. Other general objectives of the study are:

1. To examine the nature of governance in Nigeria.

2. To examine the problems of sustainable development in Nigeria.

3. To examine the impact of good governance on peace and sustainable development in Nigeria.

4. To examine the challenges of leadership towards achieving good governance.

5. To examine the relationship between good governance, peace and sustainable development in Nigeria.

6. To suggest ways of improving governance that will lead to peace and sustainability in Nigeria.

1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. How is the nature of governance in Nigeria?     

2. What are the problems of sustainable development in Nigeria?

3. What are the impacts of good governance on peace and sustainable development in Nigeria?

4. What are the challenges of leadership towards achieving good governance?

5. What is the relationship between good governance, peace and sustainable development in Nigeria?

6. What are the ways of improving governance that will lead to peace and sustainability in Nigeria?

1.5 RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Hypothesis 1

1. There is no significant impact of good governance on peace and sustainable development in Nigeria.
2. There is a significant impact of good governance on peace and sustainable development in Nigeria.

Hypothesis 2

H0: There is no significant relationship between good governance, peace and sustainable development in Nigeria

H1: There is a significant relationship between good governance, peace and sustainable development in Nigeria.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The national question has remained an intractable challenge to Nigeria’s existence. The debate revolves around the demand for good governance and leadership in the country. The pattern of leadership advocated has tended to follow closely the way the national question is framed. Political leadership, the governmental framework of the Nigerian state, has been the subject of constant demands for tinkering or fundamental reform policy since when it was first adopted, but these demands have been shaped by the underlying discourse on the national question. Thus this study will help the Nigerian government and students in further research

1.7    SCOPE OF THE STUDY 

The study is based on assessment of good governance as panacea for peace and sustainable development in Nigeria, case study of Ekiti state.

1.8 LIMITATION OF STUDY       

Financial constraint- Insufficient fund tends to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire and interview).

Time constraint- The researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. This consequently will cut down on the time devoted for the research work.

1.8 DEFINITION OF TERMS      

Governance: Government and governance are interchangeably used, both denoting the exercise of authority in an organization, institution or state. Government is the name given to the entity exercising that authority.

Peace: Peace is a stress-free state of security and calmness that comes when there's no fighting or war, everything coexisting in perfect harmony and freedom. In our war-torn world, it seems like there's not nearly enough peace. However peace can be big and small, seen in entire countries or brief moments.

Sustainable Development: Sustainable development is the organizing principle for meeting human development goals while at the same time sustaining the ability of natural systems to provide the natural resources and ecosystem services upon which the economy and society depend. The desired result is a state of society where living conditions and resource use continue to meet human needs without undermining the integrity and stability of the natural system. Sustainable development can be classified as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generati