Mimiko Advocates Jethro Principle for Nigeria's Governance

• Former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko advocates for power devolution in Nigeria.
• Mimiko draws from the biblical story of Moses and Jethro to illustrate the importance of delegating authority and resources.
• The Jethro Principle teaches that effective governance must be built on merit, capacity, and capability.
• Power devolution is seen as a viable solution to Nigeria's governance challenges such as ethnocentrism, corruption, insecurity, poverty, and poor leadership.

The Jethro principle teaches us that effective governance must be built on merit, capacity and capability. Power and responsibility must be pushed closer to the people, so local issues can be handled locally, while only national matters rise to the centre.

Former Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has reiterated his support for power devolution in Nigeria, citing it as a viable solution to the country's governance challenges. In a recent speech at the Redeemed Christian Church of God's 74th Annual Convention, Mimiko drew from the biblical story of Moses and Jethro to illustrate the importance of delegating authority and resources to capable leaders. According to Mimiko, the Jethro Principle teaches that effective governance must be built on merit, capacity, and capability, with power and responsibility pushed closer to the people. This approach, he argued, is essential for true federalism and addressing Nigeria's challenges such as ethnocentrism, corruption, insecurity, poverty, and poor leadership.

Mimiko's advocacy for power devolution and the Jethro Principle comes amidst ongoing efforts by the Tinubu presidency to decentralize policing, resource management, and decision-making to sub-national governments. While these initiatives aim to address community-specific challenges, Mimiko believes that a more structural approach is needed to dismantle systemic governance failure. The former governor noted that excessive concentration of power at the center has been the root cause of Nigeria's problems, making it essential for leaders closest to the people to be empowered to solve problems closest to them. This emphasis on subsidiarity highlights the need for lawyers and compliance officers to advise clients on the implications of devolving power and adopting a more decentralized approach to governance.

Mimiko's call for power devolution and the adoption of the Jethro Principle has significant implications for Nigeria's governance structure. By pushing power and responsibility closer to the people, local issues can be handled locally, reducing the burden on the center and promoting accountability. This approach also recognizes the diversity of Nigeria's multi-ethnic, multi-cultural, and multi-religious society, allowing leaders closest to the people to address problems specific to their communities. As Mimiko urged Nigerian Christians and people of all faiths to actively participate in politics, it is clear that this development highlights the need for responsible civic engagement in pursuit of national renewal.

This development highlights the need for lawyers and compliance officers to advise clients on the implications of devolving power and adopting a more decentralized approach to governance, which could lead to improved efficiency, accountability, and reduced corruption risks.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH