President Obasanjo: The Quote Of The Year By Dennis O. Balogu, Ph.D., M.P.A. During the launching a new Microfinance policy Framework prepared by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Abuja, yesterday, President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria used a very short stanza to correctly state the modus operandi of his macro-administrative style which appeared to mimic the styles of one of America’s greatest Presidents, Ronald Reagan. Macro-administrative style establishes the essence of democratic and presidential system of government that encourages the president to select apolitical professionals with the expertise needed to provide the citizens the best affordable service. In this regard, the execution of policies in the interest of the citizens will become of paramount importance to the chief executives. Under this circumstance, political supporters of a president are encouraged to run for elected offices. So, it appears that the President of Nigeria is continuously shying away from the normal practice in African countries where political allies of the President are compensated with ministerial appointments. Opponents of the President have (it appears) not been able to present to the public alternative programs and issues. Instead, accusations against the President that are primarily, unsubstantiated are thrown to the public through the media. President Obasanjo seems to echo the lack of substance in the accusations made by his opponents when he said: "My adversaries who say Obasanjo is doing nothing must admit that Soludo is doing something. They must agree that Ngozi Iweala is doing something. They must agree that Oby Ezekwsili is doing something. They must agree that Nuhu Ribadu is doing something. One thing they failed to recognise is that I am at the background to create the enabling environment for those who are doing something to do something. Obasanjo who is not doing anything has the job of seeking those who can do something and are doing something,” . . . President Obasanjo. These are the stuff with which great leaders of democracies are made. Great leaders (Chief Executives) set their mission, goals and prioritize objectives; employ and empower expertise and chief operations officers to accomplish the mission through achieving the objectives. The President appeared to have mapped out his objectives and prioritized them since 1999 --: (1) He employed the right people to redirect, reorganize and reprofessionalize the Nigerian Armed Forces; (2) He held the country together; (3) Nigeria is now being respected in the world arena. (3) With the right expertise, he is re-building Nigeria's economy and increasing its food and resource base; (4) With the right people, he is fighting corruption to a stand still -- Governors, Nigerian Governors are no longer traveling all over the world and squandering State funds. Leadership includes knowing the challenges ahead, knowing the times to tackle each of them, establishing the required policies, and getting the right people to implement them. President Obasanjo has met these required based on available information. We should be proud that Nigeria now employs highly qualified Nigerian professionals (including Diaspora Nigerians), the likes of Soludo, Ngozi Iwuala, Mallam el-Rufai, Nunu Ribadu and others to successfully implement policies which are emancipating Nigeria. There are several other highly qualified Nigeria in Diaspora professionals in the areas of Medicine, Engineering and Agriculture who are available and able to work to make Nigeria greater. Let the Presidency give them opportunity to serve Nigeria so that our sick citizens will no longer seek healthcare services overseas. Give the engineers the opportunity to work in Nigeria to build durable roads and bridges, and improved environment. If the Presidency give Agriculturists opportunity in Nigeria, you will predictably see the Groundnut Pyramids reestablished in the Northern cities of Kano and Kaduna; cocoa and plantations will come back in the West; while produce (palm oil, cassava and fruits) will flood the Eastern ports of Port-Harcourt and Calabar ready for export. ___________________________________________ *Dennis O. Balogu is professor of agriculture & international affairs officer at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, USA.
|