Prof. Shamsudeen Amali, the Vice Chancellor, Nasarawa State University, has urged the Federal Government to harness Nigeria’s traditional system in the quest for good governance.

Amali said that for the Nigerian contemporary democracy to enjoy good governance, some good cultural aspects of the traditional system should be selected and infused into governance.

He told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the current democratic system of governance was working side by side with the traditional system, hence the need to harness it for good governance.

Culture Minister, Edem Duke

According to him, Nigeria is a cultural entity with very many cultural elements with diverse ideas of good governance.

The vice chancellor said, “Traditionally, Nigeria always had ethnic nations, which predate the parliamentary and presidential systems of governance.

“Nigeria practised parliamentary democracy, which did not work for the nation because of many complex and cultural problems.

“The contemporary Nigerian democratic practise is being heavily criticised for not doing enough for the majority of the people.

“To achieve a considerable degree of good governance, it is important to know that some cultural elements and their institutions could be consciously used.”

He recommended the employment of cultural festivals, theatrical plays and drama performances to educate and spread the traditional system of good governance across the country.

Amali urged Nigerians to use the rich cultural heritage in the midst of cultural diversities to develop good democratic governance.

He said that if culture in its totality was consciously made to take its pride of place, the country’s quest for good governance would be achieved.