Today in Banjul, following my engagement at the REFELA National Conference, I had the honour of also joining the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Community of Practice for Governance and Peacebuilding Conference, themed “Digital Governance for Inclusive, Transparent, and Accountable Societies.”

In my brief interaction with them, I sincerely appreciated the UNDP for the invaluable work of supporting governments across Africa. Many African States and sub-nations have benefited directly from UNDP’s expertise and support, and I can gladly count Anambra State during my administration as one of them.

Dr. David Omozuafoh, the Head of Regional Governance and Rule of Law of the UNDP told the conferees of the challenging moment of my first meeting with them when I was Governor of Anambra State. He narrated to the stakeholders how the UNDP had earlier left Anambra because resources they had provided were mismanaged by a previous administration, and how they initially declined working with me due to this bad experience when I first approached them.

However, after I sought an audience, we had a thorough and candid meeting where I transparently explained why Anambra needed assistance, why we were committed to reform, and how the stronger governance systems we put in place would ensure that every intervention would be used for the public good. I made them understand that our people deserved better, and that we were ready to be held accountable for results. I firmly promised that any support they provided would be transparently managed for the benefit of the people of Anambra, especially in the critical areas of development, education, health, and lifting people out of poverty.

After those discussions, the UNDP agreed to return and work with Anambra State. The moderator then noted that the outcome of that partnership was remarkable. He informed the conferees that Anambra eventually became the best-performing state in Nigeria in the implementation of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) particularly in health and education. He added that Anambra State was then cited by the UNDP as a model for other sub-national governments, which led to my being invited to New York City to share and present our approach.

I encouraged them that we must continue to work together, governments, civil society, and international partners, to build societies where accountability, justice, and shared economic growth are the foundation upon which we build the future we want for our children and generations to come.

I still believe that a New Nigeria is POssible. -PO