Purpose – the reason that this matters to everyone – it is almost the Manifesto and includes mission, identity and aspiration/ambition. There has to be a common purpose for the system to function as a system. Without this the following can’t emerge in a unified manner.

Promise – the covenant that everyone signs up to and that will form the basis for governance. This will be articulated through an objective and transparent legal framework, operating principles, measurement etc. Nigeria has a Pledge already – this would add meaning to that Pledge.

Culture – the shared identify and values that unite the system. This requires an understanding of what motivates each member and appreciation of how they view the system and its purpose.

Contribution – every member of the system has a part to play and each must be very clear what that is. That means an unpacking of the manifesto above to individual and group responsibilities that all add up to achieving the Purpose.

Leadership – at many levels. There needs to be clear direction and accountability to make this happen. But this doesn’t sit in specific areas. There will be leadership spanning all contributions. This will show up in the administration of the system’s core processes, the governance of that promise across contributions and the enforcement of consequences when the system is compromised.

Exchange – sharing across stakeholders to enable contribution to collectively achieve its purpose, to communicate effectively across stakeholders and in a variety of ways, to continually build awareness and capture insights and learning so that the system is able to evolve and adapt.

Organisation – the stakeholders in the system have to be adequately equipped to fulfil their promises and deliver their contributions. This means capability, skills, equipment, platforms and infrastructure. Until the contribution, promise and purpose are clear to everyone the organisation of the system is sub optimal. Within the organisation is the ability to adapt and refine and pass the changes to the system back through the ‘chain’.

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We found the singing of the Nigeria Anthem extremely moving – and discovered a second stanza that sums this up better than anything we could write:


Nigeria National Anthem - “Arise,O Compatriots”

Arise, O compatriots,
Nigeria’s call obey
To serve our Fatherland
With love and strength and faith.
The labour of our heroes past
Shall never be in vain,
To serve with heart and might
One nation bound in freedom, peace and unity.

O God of creation,
Direct our noble cause;
Guide our Leaders right:
Help our Youth the truth to know,
In love and honesty to grow,
And living just and true,
Great lofty heights attain,
To build a nation where peace and justice shall reign.