UN launches good governance campaign

Nigeria and the UN Centre for Human Settlements (HABITAT) launched a campaign in Abuja on Tuesday to promote transparency and accountability in urban governance, the UN reported in New York. Speaking at the launch, President Olusegun Obasanjo described ‘The Global Campaign for Good Urban Governance’ as “one of the best ways to ensure that ordinary Nigerians can fully benefit from the democracy dividend”. He reiterated that his government was committed to broadening the democratic process. After several years of non-democratic rule, he added, urbanisation was one of the major challenges facing Nigeria. HABITAT’s Executive Director Ann Tibaijuka said that although Nigeria - like the rest of Africa - was still predominantly rural, it had one of the highest rates of urbanisation in the world. She said the problems of cities and towns across the continent could only be solved by better urban governance. The three-day launch in the Nigerian capital has highlighted the campaign’s goals of promoting partnerships with the private sector, non-governmental organisations and other members of civil society to effect positive change in urban governance. Discussions have also included issues of women in government, poverty reduction, urban safety and security, the UN reported.