Former Vice President of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has hailed  investments in security, healthcare, education and social welfare in Adamawa State.

He said such initiatives demonstrate how politics can contribute to improving people’s lives.

Osinbanjo spoke yesterday in Yola when he delivered a lecture titled, “Democracy and Development, The Imperative of People-Centered Governance”, during activities marking the 59 birthday of  Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri.

He also praised the governor for making his birthday celebration an opportunity to discuss the future of Nigeria and Africa, rather than focusing solely on personal festivities.

He called on African leaders to strengthen people-centered governance by addressing economic hardship, tackling corruption and restoring public confidence in democratic institutions.

The former VP observed that although many Africans prefer democracy, significantly fewer are satisfied with its performance.

He noted that public confidence in government institutions remains a concern, while economic hardship, unemployment, inadequate living conditions and inequality continue to undermine citizens’ expectations.

Professor Yemi Osinbajo stressed that governance must be participatory and collaborative, with systems that promote accountability, measure performance, and ensure that government delivers results for the people.

The former vice president expressed concern over declining voter turnout, particularly in Nigeria, where participation fell from about 44 per cent in 2015 to 30 per cent in 2019 and 2017 per cent in  2023.

Professor Osinbajo warned that corruption, electoral irregularities and failures to uphold the rule of law could further weaken public trust in democracy, particularly among young people.

He stressed that citizens expect democratic governance to produce tangible benefits for ordinary people to retain their confidence and support.

In his  remark Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, said the decision to organise a public lecture to mark his birthday was aimed at encouraging meaningful discussions on democracy, leadership and the responsibilities of public office holders.

Fintiri reaffirmed his commitment to improving the lives of the people, stressing that good governance must deliver lasting benefits to society.

He said the gathering of distinguished personalities provided an opportunity to examine Nigeria’s challenges and explore practical ways of strengthening democracy and accelerating national development.

The governor also announced plans to establish the Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri Foundation after leaving office to provide scholarships and other forms of support to vulnerable members of society.

He expressed appreciation to his wife, who also celebrated her birthday, describing her as a special gift from God, and thanked his children for their support and understanding throughout his years in public service.

Earlier in a remark the chairman of the occasion and Taraba State Governor, Doctor Agbu Kefas, called on political leaders to protect democratic freedoms, respect citizens’ rights, and allow people to express their opinions without fear of intimidation.

Governor Kefas cautioned leaders against using public resources and government institutions to silence dissenting voices, emphasising that democracy thrives when citizens can freely choose their leaders, question their actions, and seek political change through peaceful means.

He noted that both leaders and citizens have responsibilities to uphold, adding that public trust grows when leaders fulfil their duties and citizens exercise their rights responsibly.

Governor Kefas also highlighted the longstanding family ties and common interests between Adamawa and Taraba States, calling for sustained peace, cooperation, and mutual understanding to promote development across the two states and the country.

In his remark the quest speaker at the event,Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Barau Ibrahim Jibrin, emphasised the need for effective communication between government and citizens to promote understanding of government policies, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance public participation in the development process.

Senator Barau observed that population growth presents significant challenges to governments at both national and subnational levels, particularly in the provision of education, healthcare, employment opportunities, and essential infrastructure.

Senator Barau called for better communication to enable the public to understand government policies, ongoing projects, and the challenges associated with governance.

He further noted that the rising cost of living is partly influenced by global economic challenges, including international conflicts that have disrupted markets, increased commodity prices, and raised production costs.

The event featured panel discussion on democracy and governance, people centered government where many developmental issues concerning were highlighted.

Dignitries that attended the Governors Birthday lecture included the National Chairman of APC, Governors of Borno ,Bauchi,Gombe, plateau,kano and traditional title holders among others.