By Kubura A. Muhammad

Good governance in Nigeria would remain a mirage until the people regain their rights to elect leaders through credible, free and fair elections.

Immediate past deputy governor of Nasarawa State, Mr. Labaran Maku, stated this in a paper presentation titled "The Challenges of governance in Nigeria" at the 10th anniversary of the National Centre for Women, Youth and Community Action (NACWYCA), which took place at the Ibrahim Abacha Youth Centre, Lafia recently.

According to him, the electoral reform process embarked upon by the federal government was timely step towards attaining the objective, but insisted that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or whatever electoral body to be constituted must be truly independent of the executive.

He attributed the excesses of elected leaders to the near absence of due process that would enable the people recall or vote out bad representation as being practiced in organized democracies.

He commended NACWYCA for braving the odds in providing the opportunity for youths to realize their potentials as well as creating the fora for experts to discuss the way forward yearly for both the state and entire country.

Speaking at the occasion, the executive director Centre for Women, Youth and Community Action (NACWYCA), Mr. Nawani Aboki, said the organization has embarked on sensitization of the people on service that emphasized less of ethnicity, religion, politics but more of human value equality, justice and fairness even in the face of all odds.

Mr. Aboki said NACWYCA over the years has transformed from an organization to an institution with procedure system and process.

He said, this has, today, put smiles on many faces, who had lost hope and faith to those who have lost hope in governance.

Mr. Aboki said the centre has influenced communities in the state in aspects of health where million of people have been supported.

He said, in the aspect of vocational skills and training, many citizens have been assisted to promote skills development among young persons.

Also speaking, Honourable Justice Simon Aboki, Chairman Board of Directors, NACWYCA, stated that "after ten years today, the centre can look back with pride at where they are coming" stressing that it has been a long rewarding journey so far.

He said that the centre was determined to improve its services to humanity in the state.