LAGOS State governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola has said that the increasing challenges of globalization and emerging trends in information and communication technology (ICT), now makes it imperative for every country especially the developing economies to look inward and deploy the application of technology in critical areas of socio-economic and developmental challenges.

Fashola who disclosed this at a three - day seminar organized by the Administrative Staff College of Nigeria (ASCON), for states' head of service and directors of ICT, across the federation on e-governance pointed out that "electronic governance (e-governance) was aimed at enhancing efficient service delivery at all levels of government in line with modern trends in developed economies,' adding that "it simply refers to government use of information technology to exchange information and services with citizens, businesses, and other arms of government with a view to achieving effective service delivery in the public sector of the economy."

The governor said the introduction of e-governance was intended among others, to eliminate the identified bottlenecks; check corruption and corrupt practices by ensuring transparency and improved quality of service in the public sector. Without mincing words, he said, e-governance as a democratic tool is gradually gaining universal acceptance and applicability, and Nigeria can not afford to lag behind, especially when its full implementation would enhance efficiency and effectiveness in public service delivery."

Head of service of the federation, Ms Amal I. Pepple, in a key note address said good governance does not only facilitate the attainment of sustainable development but is indeed a precondition for it while poor governance stifles and impedes development. Experience, according to her, has shown that in countries where there is corruption, poor control of public funds, lack of accountability, abuse of human rights and excessive military influence, development inevitably suffers.

Pepple said: "the concept of governance is simply concern about the management of the development process involving both the public and the private sectors. It encompasses the functioning and capability of the public sector as well as the rules and institution that create the framework for the conduct of both public and private businesses, including accountability for economic and financial perform, and regulatory framework relating to companies, corporations and partnerships."

Also speaking at the event, the director-general of ASCON, Mr. Ajibade Peters said good governance was adopted to describe best practices in the administration of a country for the purpose of creating conducive climate for political and socio-economic development and of increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of development programmes. He said: "Good governance ensures high quality service delivery to the citizenry and ASCON is as anxious for this transformation as Mr. President is and, therefore, emphasizes the importance of e-governance at state levels".