NASS, NEPAD begin process for 2nd  Africa Peer Review Mechanism 

The National Assembly is rallying support for Nigeria’s second African Peer Review rating by the African Union Development Agency,  formerly NEPAD.
At a legislative roundtable, African Union management says the country now has all necessary structures im place for the effective implementation of the second review process.
Nigeria scaled the first African Peer Review hurdle under the leadership of then President,  Olusegun Obasanjo.
The APRM is a mutually adopted instrument for self monitoring by African countries, using agreed African and international standards.
The Peer review process is designed to enshrine and deepen good governance in the continent and every country is expected to carry out a self assessment of its performance using four thematic areas.
Stakeholders met at a legislative roundtable discussion with both chairmen of the committees of Integration and Cooperation in Africa, Senator Chimaroke Nnamani and Rep. Umar Bago (APC Niger State)
Most importantly, the benefits of commencing the APRM for good governance across the continent was the crux of the meeting. 
According to the lawmakers, policies of the country must conform to the agreed values and in the four thematic areas namely: Democracy and  political governance, Economic governance and Management , Corporate Governance and Socioeconomic development. 
Hon. Princess Gloria Akobundu, the National Coordinator/Chief Executive Officer of the AUD-NEPAD/APRM, while delivering the keynote address said the four primary objectives of AUDA-NEPAD were to eradicate poverty, promote sustainable growth and development , to integrate Africa in the world economy, and accelerate the empowerment of women and youths amongst others.
On the need to reform the NEPAD, Akobundu said “the transition of NEPAD to AUDA is part  of the measure to strengthen the effective operation of AU agencies for effective implementation of AU-Agenda 2063 and UN-SDGs in building the ” The Africa We Want.
“AUDA-NEPAD facilitates and coordinates the development of continent-wide programmes and projects, mobilises resources.
She said the APRM review process is based on a country’s performance which is assessed in the APRM’s thematic areas.
” Nigeria in its effective implementation of the National Programme of Action (NPoA( in the four thematic areas of the APRM, is currently embarking on the Second Cycle Review following the Africa Governance Report of 2019.
“The adoption of the Heads of States and Government of the African Union at the 28th Summit of 9th February, 2019 on the need  to promote, strengthen and increase the effectiveness of governance standards for socioeconomic development in Africa through collaborative efforts and the approval of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for the conduct of Second Review of Nigeria,” she said.
Senate President Ahmed Lawan, who declared open the meeting in Abuja, said in view of the decision of member countries renaming the NEPAD as African Union Development Agency, (AUDA), it was imperative to give it a legal backing in Nigeria, to enhance its existence and activities in its new form.
In his remark, Rep. Mohammed Umar Bago (APC Niger State) who is the Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Cooperation and Integration in Africa, reassured of the House’s support for every process that would entrench good governance in the country.