Author: Osita Odafi

Twenty years ago, the Sani Abacha regime established the Federal Character Commission. The 1999 Constitution transformed the decree establishing the Commission into an act, making the commission one of the fourteen independent federal executive bodies established by that constitution. The commission was set up to ensure fairness and equity in the allocation of public offices, recruitments into government agencies as well as the siting of developmental projects. It was to make sure that no region or state got more than its fair share of governmental presence and/or appointments over the others. The establishment of the commission gives effect to Section…

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation recorded a milestone ten years ago when it instituted the Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership. The annual award, the world’s largest seeks to recognise excellence among African leaders. This is the latest addition to the series of measures put in place to ensure good governance in Africa. To qualify for the award, a leader must have been democratically elected, made his/her country better and must have left office gracefully within the last three years. It comes with it a $5 million cash gift over ten years as well an annual reward of $200,000 thereafter.…