Challenges of Public Policy Formulation

             By Bayo Ogunmupe

    The book: Public Policy Formulation In Nigeria, challenges and prospects, is based on the text of a lecture delivered at the Executive Intelligence Management course with the topic: Policy Formulation In Nigeria at the Institute of Security Studies, Bwari, Abuja. The lecture approached public policy formulation from Constitution making perspective. The lecture was followed by interactive sessions with both participants and faculty members. Some of the questions  author Bukar Usman sought to answer are important.

    These questions are whether identifiable policies are of  particular interest to some foreign adversaries and the impact of any such interventions. Two, what informed the dissolution of the Nigerian Security Organization? Three, what is the way out of the continuing clamour for restructuring of the Nigerian polity? and four, the extent to which lack of popular participation in public policy formulation  had sabotaged policies in the country? This book by prolific writer, Bukar Usman has 70 pages; was published this year 2017 by Klamidas Communications Limited, Utako, Abuja, Nigeria.

    Also, Public Policy Formulation has nine chapters, a page of endnotes; two pages of bibliography. There are two significant tables, the first is on the creation of states. It is from four to 36, the fragmentation of Nigeria. The second table is on the creation of local governments. Yakubu Gowon met four regions; on May 27, 1967 he turned Nigeria to 12 states by creating eight more states. The states were further increased to 19 by Murtala Muhammed on February 3, 1976.

    On 23 September, 1987, Ibrahim Babangida added two more states. He created nine more states to raise the number of states from 21 to 30 on 27 August 1991. Finally, Sani Abacha added six more states on October 1, 1996 to attain the present 36 state structure. For the second table where the local governments were tabulated; they started with 301 as created by Murtala Muhammed in 1976 and ends with six Area councils of the Federal Capital Territory by Abdusalami Abubakar in 1999. Abubakar had increased Nigeria's 768 local governments to 774.

    Basically, calls  for restructuring of the nation are indicative of dissatisfaction with the existing Constitutional arrangements. The numerous efforts at Constitutional making in Nigeria since 1914 is proof of poor leadership, insincerity and intellectual weakness of the Nigerian elite. Indeed, constitutional making in Nigeria has become ridiculous. Neither did the creation of states nor  the creation of 774 local governments offered solutions by meeting the aspirations of the people.

    According to Usman, the post independence era of super permanent secretaries was the golden age of the Nigerian civil service. Until the appointment civil commissioners by Yakubu Gowon to assist soldiers in governance the permanent secretaries functioned as civil servants and as political heads of ministries. As a result of this historical linkage,  the author discussed this in his forthcoming book: My Public Service Journey.

    When Murtala commissioned leaders of thought to design a new constitution in 1975, the presidential system was adopted. That was because of its fixed term and unifying factors. but it has proven to be very expensive. Under the democratic system, there are three arms of government. They comprise the legislative, the executive and judicial arms. Their roles are clearly defined in the constitution. There are checks and balances in financial and appointment matters.But the government is symbolized in the executive headed by the president.

    However, remuneration of public officers is fixed by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission as well as the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission. Their recommendations are subject to enactment by the legislature, which has the ultimate power over financial expenditure. At any rate, chapter seven of the book: Confidentiality in Policy Formulation is responsible for the tardiness and insincerity bedeviling governance in Nigeria.

    Thus, insincerity and ills have been responsible for our backwardness. And three attempts were mooted to ameliorate the parlous condition of this nation. The first was Vision 2010. It was ill conceived by Sani Abacha; it  went down with him.  The second was Olusegun Obasanjo's third term agenda where he sought to amend the constitution to perpetuate his tenure. And the third was the 2014 Constitutional Conference organized by Ebele Jonathan. Although the conference report was completed, Jonathan was never able to implement it before he was booted out of office in 2015.

                      The Challenges of National Security is Bukar Usman's second book on nation building.

It is from the same author and publisher. It has 18 chapters; 98 pages and appendices of 68 pages. Like the previous book, it grew out of a paper Dr Usman presented at a workshop for members elect of the National Assembly held at Yola, Adamawa State in May 2011. The induction focused on socio economic issues affecting security  and welfare of Nigerians. The topics and views expressed covered the 1999 Constitution, democracy, national development, and the legislature's role in national security.

    For Usman, the broad definition of security encompasses the following: Measures taken by a military  unit; activities or installations to protect it against acts designed to or which may impair  its effectiveness. Accordingly, security as a strictly non-financial term, encompasses freedom from risk, danger or fear; safety, freedom from anxiety,doubt  and something that gives full confidence; safety and measures adopted to prevent theft, sabotage and the wrath of the law.

    From the foregoing, it is clear that national security is concerned with the continuing safety of a country, its infrastructure and peoples; its institutions. Thus, many measures ensuring individual and national safety are taken.  Such measures include using diplomacy to rally allies and isolate threats. Security operatives also marshall economic power to facilitate cooperation. Measures are also put in place to maintain effective armed forces, civil defence and anti terrorism legislation. Counter intelligence services such as secret police are used to protect the nation from internal and external threats.

    The author, Bukar Usman retired from the presidency as a permanent secretary in 1999. Since then, he has devoted his time to creative writing, cultural research and the revival of Hausa folklore. Consequently, his activities gained him awards such as the honorary doctor of letters degree from the Ahmadu Bello University. He got a leadership award from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Also, he was honored with an award by Ranar Mawakan Hausa Foundation for his efforts in promoting Hausa literature and music. 

    Dr Usman is the president of the Nigerian Folklore Society and he is a member of the board of trustees of the Centre for the Preservation of Hausa Language and Culture. Dr Usman has written more than 30 books.