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By Victor E. Dike
The chips are beginning to fall! No person guided by ethics had expected Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to serve this long in an administration that is driving all over the road! However, when she finally submitted a letter of resignation Mr. President quickly accepted that and praised for her “patriotism, dedication and loyalty.” However, there is a limit to which patriotism and dedication and loyalty would enable one to endure an excruciating pain.
Sycophants thrive in a society ruled by the naked gods! Most of those who are hanging around the administration after being insulted and humiliated must have sold their good conscience. Those who lack alternative employment are dying in silence while pretending that they are patriotic, dedicated and loyal. Individuals with principles are known to have always dissented whenever their principles are trampled upon. However, the greedy and ‘soul-less’ dogs would stay and get kicked about!
As Philosopher Henry David Thoreau has noted “An individual’s first duty is to live his [her] life as his [her] principles demand.”
There is a growing disenchantment with the administration’s policies and Nigerians of good conscience are variedly registering their disgust. As many well-meaning Nigerians have noted, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala “demonstrated sincerity, enthusiasm and integrity as a public servant” and her uncanny knack for doing the things, which has earned her local and international fame.
Some people might have been wondering why Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala worked for OBJ this long, despite the insults she received. Perhaps, she wanted to give back to Nigeria. JFK would say ‘Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.’ But, this writer thinks that there is a limit to human endurance!
Mr. President has harping on Nigerians in the Diaspora to return and assist in re-building the society. The cold treatment to Okonjo-Iweala shows that they are mere rhetoric. He has not been sincere, in the opinion of this writer, with his “war against corruption” because his administration does not seem to appreciate transparency in governance. He could be seen as “fighting corruption” and encouraging corruption - like the proverbial Indian giver that gives a gift with the right hand, but takes it back with the left hand.
Nevertheless, as this writer has noted elsewhere, the OBJ administration does not seem to think through its policies. How would the world believe the administration is serious with its “reformist” agenda with all the contradictions? And how would Mr. President’s action restore local and foreign investors confidence in the economy and reverse the brain drains to brain gain? How would he succeed in attracting Nigerians living in the Diaspora home when he is slamming the doors on those who braved to come home?
The writer is not saying that Nigeria cannot move forward without her or that Nigerians in the Diaspora posses the solution to Nigeria’s problems. There are many well-educated, skilled, knowledgeable, capable and gifted Nigerian professionals on the ground to restructure the society if they are allowed unfettered hands to operate.
Yes, Mr. President has the prerogative to hire, re-deploy and fire any person he wants, but that should not be done in a manner that would destabilize national programs. Nigerians should appreciate and commend the achievements of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, which speak volume! With more of her type in every other department, the nation could develop much faster! Those who would discount her contributions should remember that the nation has had many Finance Ministers before her, whose contributions were only to increase Nigeria’s debt burden.
That OBJ is very ungrateful is an understatement; he does not seem to value individuals with integrity. If not, why would he humiliate such a wonderful lady after she had helped him with solution to the staggering problems facing the Nigerian economy? In fact, this crude and mean action has obviously dimmed the light in the thick forest! This writer must warn her to watch her back for the “Almighty EFCC” and “Killing Squad!”
However, as the administration is winding down (hopefully - the Interim Government innuendo is another issue) Nigerians should follow keenly the activities of the political gods because it is last chance for the corrupt ones to loot the treasury. As President George Bush (Senior) would say “Watch your Wallet!” More important, as the “world” is fighting its real and imagine “terrorists” Nigeria must fight its, and perhaps, more deadly, brand of “terrorists” (the corrupt politicians) who are looting and pauperizing the society.
Nigeria should move forward with the rest of the world with progressives and reforming technocrats who have the skill and knowledge to articulate visions to get the nation on the path of sustainable economic growth and development. Nigeria should reject the old and tired and corruption politicians who are ready to return the nation to the woods. One individual can only do so little! And there is a limit to which ‘patriotism, dedication and loyalty’ could push any sane individual to work against his or her principles.
Victor E. Dike, CEO, Center for Social Justice and Human Development (CSJHD), in Sacramento, California, is the author of Democracy and Political Life in Nigeria
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