The Chelsea Season
Chelsea finally gave their fans something to cheer about after missing out on the premier league for three years and narrowly missing the Champions League two seasons ago. The team looked like Champions from the beginning, but also stumbled annoyingly and at times looked likely to re-enact another “almost there” season. But in the end, victory over Man U and Liverpool in the final weeks proved decisive. And the sweetener was the FA Cup double! Didier Drogba, whose achievements the European sports fraternity continue to downplay, proved his class scoring a hat trick on the final day of the league, securing the highest goal tally over the season and scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final. Our Mikel John Obi finally landed a Champions medal, after watching Man U, which he scorned in favour of Chelsea take it three times. Carla Ancellotti has brought Chelsea back on winning ways. Now to the Champions League!
The Special One
Jose Mourinho, our beloved ex-coach at Chelsea, taunted Chelsea a few weeks back, reminding us that after his exit from Stamford Bridge, the team had won….well something (the FA Cup) while he had continued to win leagues in Italy with Inter Milan. Chelsea have silenced him by winning the double, some thing he never did in England. But Mourinho has just upped the ante with a historic treble-the league, cup and Champions league wins by Inter Milan as they beat Bayern Munich last Saturday. Now it is difficult to dismiss Mourinho as a “translator” as Barcelona fans did, or anything other than someone who has a special way with winning. If Mourinho does go to Real Madrid, he would be seeking at least the Spanish Liga and Champions League titles and may become the greatest coach in club football.
Etoo, Ibrahimovic and Barcelona
Until last season, I supported two European teams-Chelsea and Barcelona (Can Sani Lulu, Taiwo Ogunjobi and Co please reform our league such that I could have a domestic team to support?). That was until Barcelona treated Samuel Etoo with contempt and disdain. In a year in which Barcelona won both in Spain and Europe, and in which Etoo was a critical part of that season (indeed scoring in the Champions League final), Barca sold off Etoo to Inter Milan in exchange for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a deal that implicitly rated Ibrahimovic as far superior to Etoo. Etoo was valued at 20 million Euros and Ibra at 69million (in addition to Etoo, Barcelona paid 46 million Euros and an additional fee of 3 million!) Pep Guardiola strained to find sensible justification for that comparative valuation given the relative records and performances of both players. I stopped supporting Barcelona and switched to Real Madrid believing that only Etoo’s Africanness could have motivated Barca and Guardiola (the same reason I find it difficult to support Man U and Liverpool in England which appear to have no place for African players). Well this season, Inter beat Barcelona on the way to the Champions League and won the treble settling the issue of who is superior between Etoo and Ibra!
Cameron, Clegg and the Season of Coalition
Like many people all over the world, I followed the British elections very closely. I tend to be social democratic so I may have had a residual interest in a Labour victory, but I also recognised the reality that Britain appeared tired of the party after thirteen years of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Unfortunately Brown lacked Blair’s charisma and style and could not bring personal charm to bear on the poll outcome even though he was strongest on substance and policy. I also thought the platforms of the Conservatives and Liberal-Democrats were unreasonably ideologically driven (cut the deficit rapidly in spite of recession, anti-Europe) and romantic/unrealistic (amnesty for illegal immigrants, nuclear power) respectively and as the elections approached voters retreated from them reversing earlier gains by both parties. In a sense, Labour was the winner in that election-preventing a Tory majority (not to mention a landslide which once looked imminent) and the poll outcome suggests deep resilience of the Labour vote. Plus I think that the coalition forged by Cameron and Clegg would eventually hurt both of them-the Lib-Dems will have trouble in the medium term rationalising an alliance with a party whose basic instincts are diametrically opposed to theirs and the Conservatives may end up governing as Social Democrats or at best Centrists to retain Lib-Dem support. Meanwhile Labour will get an opportunity to step back, re-strategise, choose younger, more charismatic leaders and re-shape its platform. I bet a fresh and re-invigorated Labour party will be back sooner than later!
The Nigerian Style
Meanwhile we also have a ruling “coalition” in Aso Rock-President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo. They are both blessed with good luck and good health! The government should now begin to work towards transforming Nigeria for good!!! As for football, the portents are not so good. The FA and local league are mired in dispute and disorganisation. The national team is headed for the World Cup with the worst preparation of all the qualifiers. The coach named his list of thirty players without any direct interaction with them and met the team for the first time some days ago. Well good luck to us!
Thursday, May 27, 2010
A Special Season
The Chelsea Season
Chelsea finally gave their fans something to cheer about after missing out on the premier league for three years and narrowly missing the Champions League two seasons ago. The team looked like Champions from the beginning, but also stumbled annoyingly and at times looked likely to re-enact another “almost there” season. But in the end, victory over Man U and Liverpool in the final weeks proved decisive. And the sweetener was the FA Cup double! Didier Drogba, whose achievements the European sports fraternity continue to downplay, proved his class scoring a hat trick on the final day of the league, securing the highest goal tally over the season and scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final. Our Mikel John Obi finally landed a Champions medal, after watching Man U, which he scorned in favour of Chelsea take it three times. Carla Ancellotti has brought Chelsea back on winning ways. Now to the Champions League!
The Special One
Jose Mourinho, our beloved ex-coach at Chelsea, taunted Chelsea a few weeks back, reminding us that after his exit from Stamford Bridge, the team had won….well something (the FA Cup) while he had continued to win leagues in Italy with Inter Milan. Chelsea have silenced him by winning the double, some thing he never did in England. But Mourinho has just upped the ante with a historic treble-the league, cup and Champions league wins by Inter Milan as they beat Bayern Munich last Saturday. Now it is difficult to dismiss Mourinho as a “translator” as Barcelona fans did, or anything other than someone who has a special way with winning. If Mourinho does go to Real Madrid, he would be seeking at least the Spanish Liga and Champions League titles and may become the greatest coach in club football.
Etoo, Ibrahimovic and Barcelona
Until last season, I supported two European teams-Chelsea and Barcelona (Can Sani Lulu, Taiwo Ogunjobi and Co please reform our league such that I could have a domestic team to support?). That was until Barcelona treated Samuel Etoo with contempt and disdain. In a year in which Barcelona won both in Spain and Europe, and in which Etoo was a critical part of that season (indeed scoring in the Champions League final), Barca sold off Etoo to Inter Milan in exchange for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a deal that implicitly rated Ibrahimovic as far superior to Etoo. Etoo was valued at 20 million Euros and Ibra at 69million (in addition to Etoo, Barcelona paid 46 million Euros and an additional fee of 3 million!) Pep Guardiola strained to find sensible justification for that comparative valuation given the relative records and performances of both players. I stopped supporting Barcelona and switched to Real Madrid believing that only Etoo’s Africanness could have motivated Barca and Guardiola (the same reason I find it difficult to support Man U and Liverpool in England which appear to have no place for African players). Well this season, Inter beat Barcelona on the way to the Champions League and won the treble settling the issue of who is superior between Etoo and Ibra!
Cameron, Clegg and the Season of Coalition
Like many people all over the world, I followed the British elections very closely. I tend to be social democratic so I may have had a residual interest in a Labour victory, but I also recognised the reality that Britain appeared tired of the party after thirteen years of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Unfortunately Brown lacked Blair’s charisma and style and could not bring personal charm to bear on the poll outcome even though he was strongest on substance and policy. I also thought the platforms of the Conservatives and Liberal-Democrats were unreasonably ideologically driven (cut the deficit rapidly in spite of recession, anti-Europe) and romantic/unrealistic (amnesty for illegal immigrants, nuclear power) respectively and as the elections approached voters retreated from them reversing earlier gains by both parties. In a sense, Labour was the winner in that election-preventing a Tory majority (not to mention a landslide which once looked imminent) and the poll outcome suggests deep resilience of the Labour vote. Plus I think that the coalition forged by Cameron and Clegg would eventually hurt both of them-the Lib-Dems will have trouble in the medium term rationalising an alliance with a party whose basic instincts are diametrically opposed to theirs and the Conservatives may end up governing as Social Democrats or at best Centrists to retain Lib-Dem support. Meanwhile Labour will get an opportunity to step back, re-strategise, choose younger, more charismatic leaders and re-shape its platform. I bet a fresh and re-invigorated Labour party will be back sooner than later!
The Nigerian Style
Meanwhile we also have a ruling “coalition” in Aso Rock-President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo. They are both blessed with good luck and good health! The government should now begin to work towards transforming Nigeria for good!!! As for football, the portents are not so good. The FA and local league are mired in dispute and disorganisation. The national team is headed for the World Cup with the worst preparation of all the qualifiers. The coach named his list of thirty players without any direct interaction with them and met the team for the first time some days ago. Well good luck to us!
Chelsea finally gave their fans something to cheer about after missing out on the premier league for three years and narrowly missing the Champions League two seasons ago. The team looked like Champions from the beginning, but also stumbled annoyingly and at times looked likely to re-enact another “almost there” season. But in the end, victory over Man U and Liverpool in the final weeks proved decisive. And the sweetener was the FA Cup double! Didier Drogba, whose achievements the European sports fraternity continue to downplay, proved his class scoring a hat trick on the final day of the league, securing the highest goal tally over the season and scoring the winning goal in the FA Cup final. Our Mikel John Obi finally landed a Champions medal, after watching Man U, which he scorned in favour of Chelsea take it three times. Carla Ancellotti has brought Chelsea back on winning ways. Now to the Champions League!
The Special One
Jose Mourinho, our beloved ex-coach at Chelsea, taunted Chelsea a few weeks back, reminding us that after his exit from Stamford Bridge, the team had won….well something (the FA Cup) while he had continued to win leagues in Italy with Inter Milan. Chelsea have silenced him by winning the double, some thing he never did in England. But Mourinho has just upped the ante with a historic treble-the league, cup and Champions league wins by Inter Milan as they beat Bayern Munich last Saturday. Now it is difficult to dismiss Mourinho as a “translator” as Barcelona fans did, or anything other than someone who has a special way with winning. If Mourinho does go to Real Madrid, he would be seeking at least the Spanish Liga and Champions League titles and may become the greatest coach in club football.
Etoo, Ibrahimovic and Barcelona
Until last season, I supported two European teams-Chelsea and Barcelona (Can Sani Lulu, Taiwo Ogunjobi and Co please reform our league such that I could have a domestic team to support?). That was until Barcelona treated Samuel Etoo with contempt and disdain. In a year in which Barcelona won both in Spain and Europe, and in which Etoo was a critical part of that season (indeed scoring in the Champions League final), Barca sold off Etoo to Inter Milan in exchange for Zlatan Ibrahimovic in a deal that implicitly rated Ibrahimovic as far superior to Etoo. Etoo was valued at 20 million Euros and Ibra at 69million (in addition to Etoo, Barcelona paid 46 million Euros and an additional fee of 3 million!) Pep Guardiola strained to find sensible justification for that comparative valuation given the relative records and performances of both players. I stopped supporting Barcelona and switched to Real Madrid believing that only Etoo’s Africanness could have motivated Barca and Guardiola (the same reason I find it difficult to support Man U and Liverpool in England which appear to have no place for African players). Well this season, Inter beat Barcelona on the way to the Champions League and won the treble settling the issue of who is superior between Etoo and Ibra!
Cameron, Clegg and the Season of Coalition
Like many people all over the world, I followed the British elections very closely. I tend to be social democratic so I may have had a residual interest in a Labour victory, but I also recognised the reality that Britain appeared tired of the party after thirteen years of Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. Unfortunately Brown lacked Blair’s charisma and style and could not bring personal charm to bear on the poll outcome even though he was strongest on substance and policy. I also thought the platforms of the Conservatives and Liberal-Democrats were unreasonably ideologically driven (cut the deficit rapidly in spite of recession, anti-Europe) and romantic/unrealistic (amnesty for illegal immigrants, nuclear power) respectively and as the elections approached voters retreated from them reversing earlier gains by both parties. In a sense, Labour was the winner in that election-preventing a Tory majority (not to mention a landslide which once looked imminent) and the poll outcome suggests deep resilience of the Labour vote. Plus I think that the coalition forged by Cameron and Clegg would eventually hurt both of them-the Lib-Dems will have trouble in the medium term rationalising an alliance with a party whose basic instincts are diametrically opposed to theirs and the Conservatives may end up governing as Social Democrats or at best Centrists to retain Lib-Dem support. Meanwhile Labour will get an opportunity to step back, re-strategise, choose younger, more charismatic leaders and re-shape its platform. I bet a fresh and re-invigorated Labour party will be back sooner than later!
The Nigerian Style
Meanwhile we also have a ruling “coalition” in Aso Rock-President Goodluck Jonathan and Vice-President Namadi Sambo. They are both blessed with good luck and good health! The government should now begin to work towards transforming Nigeria for good!!! As for football, the portents are not so good. The FA and local league are mired in dispute and disorganisation. The national team is headed for the World Cup with the worst preparation of all the qualifiers. The coach named his list of thirty players without any direct interaction with them and met the team for the first time some days ago. Well good luck to us!
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
From Goodluck to Good Governance
Every conversation in Nigeria now involves some exposition into President Jonathan’s good luck and his wife Dame Jonathan’s patience. Jokes and wise cracks are incomplete without announcing a change of name to “Goodluck” and their wives’ to “Patience”. Truly Jonathan’s rise to Nigeria’s Presidency should confirm to us all that it is “not by might, nor by power…”, that “…the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong….”, and that “…promotion comes neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south…” Clearly it is difficult to discount the place of fate, destiny and divine purpose in President Jonathan ascension to Nigeria’s presidency. So now the question the President must ask is, “why have I been transported to this position in our national life?”
Is it just so that he can bear the title “President”? Is it so that he can go down in history as one of those who have ruled Nigeria? Is it merely so that like Babangida, Shonekan, Buhari and Gowon (and Abacha if he was alive!), he can become a member of the Council of States created by the Constitution? Is it just so that the Ijaws, and perhaps the entire Niger-Delta can feel the joy of having their “son” listed as a president of Nigeria? Is it so he can have access to the huge resources of the Nigerian state and so control its distribution and allocation? Is it so that Nigeria can continue to “move forward” as the irritating cliché goes in continuous motion without movement? Is it so that he can become richer or have a bigger wardrobe, or own more houses in Nigeria or abroad? Is it so that he and his fellow members of the PDP can become more powerful so they can capture more of the states of Nigeria? Did God make Jonathan president so that the Governors’ Cartel can get more influential? Or so that Danjuma, Obasanjo, Aliyu Gusau or other power brokers can exercise greater power? Or so that Edwin Clark, Graham-Douglas, Alamieyeseigha or other Ijaw elders can have their “brother” in Aso Rock? Did God embark on the intricate scheme of piloting Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to the presidency so that Nigeria can remain the same?
There might be an alternate possibility. Perhaps President Jonathan can make sure that more Nigerian children go to school in 2011 than in 2009 or 2010? Perhaps he can try to ensure that whatever the number, the quality of education they get is better or that there are a few more computers, books and broadband internet coverage in primary and secondary schools? Perhaps he can ensure that while he is president, no Nigerian university is shut down as a result of ASUU, NASU or any other strike? May be he can work to reduce the rate of unemployment and poverty in Nigeria? Or can he increase job training and skills acquisition, including in his Niger-Delta region. May be the reason he has become president is to end Nigeria’s debilitating power shortage or to design a strategy for sustainable petroleum products supply and distribution in Nigeria? Can he reduce corruption and abuse of office? Or deepen our democracy through greater openness, transparency and free and fair elections. Can he ensure passage of a Freedom of Information Act? Is the purpose of Jonathan’s Presidency to transform Nigeria?
After the initial signs of a new order in Abuja, we are swiftly returning to business as usual! The President has already in choosing his cabinet and Vice-President returned to the “normal” approach-consult a few godfathers and governors; look for people who desperately lobby for the job, or who pretend not to be interested while actively begging through agents; desirable candidates must not threaten any interests, a system I have come to characterise as “obscurity strategy”-the more obscure, unknown or colourless you are, the greater your chances of public office! The process is often about negotiating with chieftains and cabals and not about the public interest. It is better to be under-qualified than over-qualified. Next the President will begin to visit the states to commission projects and lay foundation stones for new ones. Then he will be invited to other African countries-Ghana, Benin, Senegal, Egypt, Libya, South Africa…before the obligatory visits to Europe, America and Asia. Before you know it, his tenure will be up, and the status quo will have been preserved. Is this why God has endowed President Jonathan with so much good luck? So he can conduct official visits, cut the tape to declare events and structures open and deliver speeches?
I don’t think so! When leaders are given rare opportunities, they must leverage them in furtherance of a higher purpose-ruling with justice and equity; bringing development and progress; life more abundant for the people; education, health and care to the poor; peace, security and prosperity to all; bringing light etc. If the president delivers on such ideals, I suspect he will be established-beyond 2010, 2011, 2012! I think President Jonathan should now step back and ask what he will do with the power that has been entrusted to him. Good luck has brought him thus far. Now it is time for good governance!
Is it just so that he can bear the title “President”? Is it so that he can go down in history as one of those who have ruled Nigeria? Is it merely so that like Babangida, Shonekan, Buhari and Gowon (and Abacha if he was alive!), he can become a member of the Council of States created by the Constitution? Is it just so that the Ijaws, and perhaps the entire Niger-Delta can feel the joy of having their “son” listed as a president of Nigeria? Is it so he can have access to the huge resources of the Nigerian state and so control its distribution and allocation? Is it so that Nigeria can continue to “move forward” as the irritating cliché goes in continuous motion without movement? Is it so that he can become richer or have a bigger wardrobe, or own more houses in Nigeria or abroad? Is it so that he and his fellow members of the PDP can become more powerful so they can capture more of the states of Nigeria? Did God make Jonathan president so that the Governors’ Cartel can get more influential? Or so that Danjuma, Obasanjo, Aliyu Gusau or other power brokers can exercise greater power? Or so that Edwin Clark, Graham-Douglas, Alamieyeseigha or other Ijaw elders can have their “brother” in Aso Rock? Did God embark on the intricate scheme of piloting Goodluck Ebele Jonathan to the presidency so that Nigeria can remain the same?
There might be an alternate possibility. Perhaps President Jonathan can make sure that more Nigerian children go to school in 2011 than in 2009 or 2010? Perhaps he can try to ensure that whatever the number, the quality of education they get is better or that there are a few more computers, books and broadband internet coverage in primary and secondary schools? Perhaps he can ensure that while he is president, no Nigerian university is shut down as a result of ASUU, NASU or any other strike? May be he can work to reduce the rate of unemployment and poverty in Nigeria? Or can he increase job training and skills acquisition, including in his Niger-Delta region. May be the reason he has become president is to end Nigeria’s debilitating power shortage or to design a strategy for sustainable petroleum products supply and distribution in Nigeria? Can he reduce corruption and abuse of office? Or deepen our democracy through greater openness, transparency and free and fair elections. Can he ensure passage of a Freedom of Information Act? Is the purpose of Jonathan’s Presidency to transform Nigeria?
After the initial signs of a new order in Abuja, we are swiftly returning to business as usual! The President has already in choosing his cabinet and Vice-President returned to the “normal” approach-consult a few godfathers and governors; look for people who desperately lobby for the job, or who pretend not to be interested while actively begging through agents; desirable candidates must not threaten any interests, a system I have come to characterise as “obscurity strategy”-the more obscure, unknown or colourless you are, the greater your chances of public office! The process is often about negotiating with chieftains and cabals and not about the public interest. It is better to be under-qualified than over-qualified. Next the President will begin to visit the states to commission projects and lay foundation stones for new ones. Then he will be invited to other African countries-Ghana, Benin, Senegal, Egypt, Libya, South Africa…before the obligatory visits to Europe, America and Asia. Before you know it, his tenure will be up, and the status quo will have been preserved. Is this why God has endowed President Jonathan with so much good luck? So he can conduct official visits, cut the tape to declare events and structures open and deliver speeches?
I don’t think so! When leaders are given rare opportunities, they must leverage them in furtherance of a higher purpose-ruling with justice and equity; bringing development and progress; life more abundant for the people; education, health and care to the poor; peace, security and prosperity to all; bringing light etc. If the president delivers on such ideals, I suspect he will be established-beyond 2010, 2011, 2012! I think President Jonathan should now step back and ask what he will do with the power that has been entrusted to him. Good luck has brought him thus far. Now it is time for good governance!
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Good Night Yar'adua
President Umaru Yar’adua died last Wednesday, May 5, 2010 at a relatively young age of 58. He was born on August 16, 1951 to the prominent Fulani family of Musa Yar’adua, Minister for Lagos Affairs under the first republic. His older brother General Shehu Musa Yar’adua was Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters (effectively Prime Minister and Number 2) under General Olusegun Obasanjo from February 2006 (after the assassination of Murtala Muhammed) till the handover to civilian rule in 1979.
Shehu Yar’adua vigorously sought the presidency of Nigeria. Along with Babangida, Joe Garba and Anthony Ochefu, he was a ringleader of the military coup that displaced General Yakubu Gowon in 1975, and brought in the triumvirate of Muhammed, Obasanjo and T.Y Danjuma. As deputy to Obasanjo, he appeared to have a deal with the incoming National Party of Nigeria (NPN) government of President Shehu Shagari to be made Defence Minister. Power brokers within the NPN feared the influence he would acquire as Defence Chief and failed to honour the deal. An embittered Yar’adua fought back, forming a group that attempted (unsuccessfully) to work with Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the 1983 general election.
Under the Babangida transition, Shehu Yar’adua formed the Peoples Front (PF) which included Babagana Kingibe, Lawal Kaita, Farouk Abdulazzez, Yahaya Kwande and Atiku Abubakar. PF even though less endowed in terms of electoral assets was more politically crafty and ended up seizing control of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) from the Afenifere, and Shehu became the party’s dominant leader. Umaru Yar’adua who had leaned towards the leftist Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) of Mallam Aminu Kano from 1978 to 1983, was a member of the SDP in Katsina State and sought the state governorship, losing to Alhaji Saidu Barda of the more conservative National Republican Convention (NRC). With the failure of the Babangida transition and the ascension to power of General Sani Abacha in 1993, Shehu Yar’adua continued his quest for power which inevitably got him into trouble (and jail) with Abacha. Shehu unlike his friend and boss, Obasanjo did not survive Abacha’s prison!
In 1999, Obasanjo became civilian President. Umaru Yar’adua was second time lucky, becoming Governor of Katsina, and in spite of health challenges went on to run a fairly transparent administration. After Obasanjo’s two terms, in 2007 he forced Umaru on the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the nation. What the older Yar’adua had lost his life seeking; Umaru was given by Obasanjo and a compliant nation, on a platter of gold. It remains one of the abiding mysteries of Nigerian politics that Umaru Yar’adua upon ascension to the Presidency appeared to regard Obasanjo as a political adversary. Interestingly apart from Yar’adua many of the influential people within his circle (Isa Yuguda, Sayyadi Abba Ruma, Tanimu Yakubu, Bukola Saraki, Danjuma Goje, Mahmud Yayale Ahmed etc) were previous Obasanjo appointees and beneficiaries as well. It was public knowledge that Umaru was in poor health-as Katsina governor, he spent months in Germany receiving medical treatment; and he collapsed and was rushed abroad during his presidential campaign.
Yar’adua’s most significant achievement was the Niger-Delta ministry and amnesty which brought respite in a region plagued by violence and lawlessness. The turmoil had cut oil production and government revenue and was affecting global oil markets. Though the programme failed to address the underlying causes of conflict, it offered temporary peace and provided an opportunity to deal with the fundamentals. He provided strong political support for Lamido Sanusi, his appointee to the Central Bank who embarked on a radical (and some argue brash) clean-up of Nigeria’s banking sector. While the reform was necessary, the Bank and the Government did not appear to have focused sufficiently on the systemic risks associated with their actions, precipitating a credit crunch and general economic slowdown. The third achievement Yar’adua is associated with-“rule of law”-is more nebulous. Some of us believe that the rule of law mandates action against corruption and obeying all laws, such as the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) 2005 which Yar’adua failed to do.
He did not fight corruption. Indeed many of his allies were persons with serious charges of corruption against them. His Attorney-General, Michael Aondoakaa became in effect defence attorney to such persons and the EFCC was crippled. The regime failed to address the nation’s power crisis insisting against good sense on pumping government money into the inefficient PHCN and ignoring the EPSRA which contained a rational model for ameliorating the power situation. He made no impact on our other economic priorities-improving infrastructure, investing and reforming social services, particularly health and education, resolving downstream petroleum sector deregulation and advancing economic reform. He also became half-hearted about electoral reform in spite of his inauguration-day promise, discarding most of the critical recommendations of the Justice Uwais panel. Politically he seemed to disproportionately appoint persons from his North-West zone (particularly the Katsina/Kano axis) to important offices.
Since November 2009, President Umaru Yar’adua had been very ill. His family and friends focused on retaining power, and/or preventing his deputy, Goodluck Jonathan from inheriting the office, rather than his health and well-being. But Yar’adua was a decent gentleman, a humane politician and probably a well-meaning leader. Now he is no longer an object of political schemes and manipulation and will now have his rest. May his soul rest in peace.
Shehu Yar’adua vigorously sought the presidency of Nigeria. Along with Babangida, Joe Garba and Anthony Ochefu, he was a ringleader of the military coup that displaced General Yakubu Gowon in 1975, and brought in the triumvirate of Muhammed, Obasanjo and T.Y Danjuma. As deputy to Obasanjo, he appeared to have a deal with the incoming National Party of Nigeria (NPN) government of President Shehu Shagari to be made Defence Minister. Power brokers within the NPN feared the influence he would acquire as Defence Chief and failed to honour the deal. An embittered Yar’adua fought back, forming a group that attempted (unsuccessfully) to work with Chief Obafemi Awolowo in the 1983 general election.
Under the Babangida transition, Shehu Yar’adua formed the Peoples Front (PF) which included Babagana Kingibe, Lawal Kaita, Farouk Abdulazzez, Yahaya Kwande and Atiku Abubakar. PF even though less endowed in terms of electoral assets was more politically crafty and ended up seizing control of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) from the Afenifere, and Shehu became the party’s dominant leader. Umaru Yar’adua who had leaned towards the leftist Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) of Mallam Aminu Kano from 1978 to 1983, was a member of the SDP in Katsina State and sought the state governorship, losing to Alhaji Saidu Barda of the more conservative National Republican Convention (NRC). With the failure of the Babangida transition and the ascension to power of General Sani Abacha in 1993, Shehu Yar’adua continued his quest for power which inevitably got him into trouble (and jail) with Abacha. Shehu unlike his friend and boss, Obasanjo did not survive Abacha’s prison!
In 1999, Obasanjo became civilian President. Umaru Yar’adua was second time lucky, becoming Governor of Katsina, and in spite of health challenges went on to run a fairly transparent administration. After Obasanjo’s two terms, in 2007 he forced Umaru on the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the nation. What the older Yar’adua had lost his life seeking; Umaru was given by Obasanjo and a compliant nation, on a platter of gold. It remains one of the abiding mysteries of Nigerian politics that Umaru Yar’adua upon ascension to the Presidency appeared to regard Obasanjo as a political adversary. Interestingly apart from Yar’adua many of the influential people within his circle (Isa Yuguda, Sayyadi Abba Ruma, Tanimu Yakubu, Bukola Saraki, Danjuma Goje, Mahmud Yayale Ahmed etc) were previous Obasanjo appointees and beneficiaries as well. It was public knowledge that Umaru was in poor health-as Katsina governor, he spent months in Germany receiving medical treatment; and he collapsed and was rushed abroad during his presidential campaign.
Yar’adua’s most significant achievement was the Niger-Delta ministry and amnesty which brought respite in a region plagued by violence and lawlessness. The turmoil had cut oil production and government revenue and was affecting global oil markets. Though the programme failed to address the underlying causes of conflict, it offered temporary peace and provided an opportunity to deal with the fundamentals. He provided strong political support for Lamido Sanusi, his appointee to the Central Bank who embarked on a radical (and some argue brash) clean-up of Nigeria’s banking sector. While the reform was necessary, the Bank and the Government did not appear to have focused sufficiently on the systemic risks associated with their actions, precipitating a credit crunch and general economic slowdown. The third achievement Yar’adua is associated with-“rule of law”-is more nebulous. Some of us believe that the rule of law mandates action against corruption and obeying all laws, such as the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (EPSRA) 2005 which Yar’adua failed to do.
He did not fight corruption. Indeed many of his allies were persons with serious charges of corruption against them. His Attorney-General, Michael Aondoakaa became in effect defence attorney to such persons and the EFCC was crippled. The regime failed to address the nation’s power crisis insisting against good sense on pumping government money into the inefficient PHCN and ignoring the EPSRA which contained a rational model for ameliorating the power situation. He made no impact on our other economic priorities-improving infrastructure, investing and reforming social services, particularly health and education, resolving downstream petroleum sector deregulation and advancing economic reform. He also became half-hearted about electoral reform in spite of his inauguration-day promise, discarding most of the critical recommendations of the Justice Uwais panel. Politically he seemed to disproportionately appoint persons from his North-West zone (particularly the Katsina/Kano axis) to important offices.
Since November 2009, President Umaru Yar’adua had been very ill. His family and friends focused on retaining power, and/or preventing his deputy, Goodluck Jonathan from inheriting the office, rather than his health and well-being. But Yar’adua was a decent gentleman, a humane politician and probably a well-meaning leader. Now he is no longer an object of political schemes and manipulation and will now have his rest. May his soul rest in peace.
Nigeria: Forward or Backward Part 2
Last week I suggested that Nigeria will benefit by searching for a new, more contemporary leadership that possesses the required ingredients of honesty and integrity, competence, vision and commitment. In my view, the usual candidates-Ibrahim Babangida, Muhammadu Buhari and Abubakar Atiku would do us no good! It is time, I argued for our nation to look forward to the future, rather than back to the past, especially in terms of selecting our President and Vice-President in 2011. However in view of ex-President Babangida’s hypothesis that his generation must continue to occupy Nigeria’s political leadership in so far as the younger generation have not proven up to the task of leading, the position I advocate would be incomplete except I can come up with names of the type of leaders I have in mind.
So let’s start from Northern Nigeria. I think Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu is very qualified to be President of Nigeria, and he would probably (at the very least) be a better leader than any of the usual suspects. He was a very experienced federal civil servant rising to permanent secretary before his election as Governor. He espouses some admirable values (such as servant-leadership) and appears willing to engage on intellectual issues. He also comes across as somewhat of a nationalist rather than an ethnic, regional or religious jingoist. And he has more experience in management and leadership today than Babangida, Buhari or Atiku when they first occupied high office. The same argument will apply to Dr Shamsudeen Usman (former state commissioner, bank CEO, Central Bank Deputy-Governor and Finance Minister and current National Planning Minister); Mallam Abba Kyari (former UBA Managing Director); Senator Sanusi Daggash (former Representative, Senator, National Planning Minister and current Minister for Works) and numerous others.
From the South-South, we can list former Cross-River State governor, Donald Duke, Mr Atedo Peterside and Senator Udoma Udo-Udoma. Duke was a very successful state governor for eight years. His state, along with Edo, was the poorest in the South-South. Fortunately for his people, while Edo had the misfortune of Lucky Igbinedion, Cross-River had Duke. During his tenure, his state became associated with tourism and entertainment (Obudu Ranch, Christmas Carnival) and the TINAPA Resort, which remains his enduring legacy. The state government under Duke was reasonably efficient and delivered social services to his citizens. Atedo Peterside founded IBTC Bank, built it into a strong domestic investment banking giant; engineered its merger with the former Chartered Bank thus emerging from the consolidation exercise a fairly strong universal bank; and then forged the merger with Stanbic Bank to create today’s Stanbic IBTC. He is associated with competence, sound judgment, professionalism and ethics. He has on two critical occasions-the June 12, 1993 and the recent Yar’adua crises spoken out in favour of the national interest, rather than cower quietly like many of his colleagues in the business community. I have written about Udo-Udoma in the context of the SEC Chair. I remain convinced that his professional qualifications and achievement, political and legislative experience and impeccable reputation make him a model of a public servant.
We can add to this South-South contingent, Acting President Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan has acquitted himself excellently through the recent crisis and since he became de facto President. His education, calmness under pressure and emerging charisma make him an obvious candidate for national leadership. And his tentative record in office, though short, is admirable. I would certainly prefer to be led by Jonathan, Duke, Peterside and Udo-Udoma than Buhari, Atiku or Babangida!
From the South-East, you have the impeccable possibility of Dr Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s most successful Minister for Finance since Chief Awolowo’s war-time performance. A graduate of both Harvard and MIT, Okonjo-Iweala came to the finance ministry from a glittering career in the World Bank to which she returned as Managing Director after her ministerial tenure. Her record of Nigeria’s macroeconomic management and the reforms achieved between 2003 and 2006 is unmatched and the Paris Club debt forgiveness is an abiding testament to her competence (and the leadership of her boss, Olusegun Obasanjo before things fell apart). Professor Bartholomew Nnaji (current member of the Presidential Advisory Committee, former minister and CEO of Geometric Power) and Engineer Earnest Ndukwe (who as Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Executive Vice-Chairman revolutionized our telecommunications sector) are also excellent prospects.
I can confidently assert that all of the names I have mentioned in this article would make better leaders than most, if not all of those who have led this nation. I have no doubt that these individuals, and indeed many others possess the attributes required to transform our nation. We should desist from negative self-fulfilling stereotypes which appear to have become ingrained in the psyche of our people that only corrupt politicians or retired generals are qualified to lead this country. That formula has not worked. It’s time to try something different!
So let’s start from Northern Nigeria. I think Niger State Governor Babangida Aliyu is very qualified to be President of Nigeria, and he would probably (at the very least) be a better leader than any of the usual suspects. He was a very experienced federal civil servant rising to permanent secretary before his election as Governor. He espouses some admirable values (such as servant-leadership) and appears willing to engage on intellectual issues. He also comes across as somewhat of a nationalist rather than an ethnic, regional or religious jingoist. And he has more experience in management and leadership today than Babangida, Buhari or Atiku when they first occupied high office. The same argument will apply to Dr Shamsudeen Usman (former state commissioner, bank CEO, Central Bank Deputy-Governor and Finance Minister and current National Planning Minister); Mallam Abba Kyari (former UBA Managing Director); Senator Sanusi Daggash (former Representative, Senator, National Planning Minister and current Minister for Works) and numerous others.
From the South-South, we can list former Cross-River State governor, Donald Duke, Mr Atedo Peterside and Senator Udoma Udo-Udoma. Duke was a very successful state governor for eight years. His state, along with Edo, was the poorest in the South-South. Fortunately for his people, while Edo had the misfortune of Lucky Igbinedion, Cross-River had Duke. During his tenure, his state became associated with tourism and entertainment (Obudu Ranch, Christmas Carnival) and the TINAPA Resort, which remains his enduring legacy. The state government under Duke was reasonably efficient and delivered social services to his citizens. Atedo Peterside founded IBTC Bank, built it into a strong domestic investment banking giant; engineered its merger with the former Chartered Bank thus emerging from the consolidation exercise a fairly strong universal bank; and then forged the merger with Stanbic Bank to create today’s Stanbic IBTC. He is associated with competence, sound judgment, professionalism and ethics. He has on two critical occasions-the June 12, 1993 and the recent Yar’adua crises spoken out in favour of the national interest, rather than cower quietly like many of his colleagues in the business community. I have written about Udo-Udoma in the context of the SEC Chair. I remain convinced that his professional qualifications and achievement, political and legislative experience and impeccable reputation make him a model of a public servant.
We can add to this South-South contingent, Acting President Goodluck Jonathan. Jonathan has acquitted himself excellently through the recent crisis and since he became de facto President. His education, calmness under pressure and emerging charisma make him an obvious candidate for national leadership. And his tentative record in office, though short, is admirable. I would certainly prefer to be led by Jonathan, Duke, Peterside and Udo-Udoma than Buhari, Atiku or Babangida!
From the South-East, you have the impeccable possibility of Dr Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s most successful Minister for Finance since Chief Awolowo’s war-time performance. A graduate of both Harvard and MIT, Okonjo-Iweala came to the finance ministry from a glittering career in the World Bank to which she returned as Managing Director after her ministerial tenure. Her record of Nigeria’s macroeconomic management and the reforms achieved between 2003 and 2006 is unmatched and the Paris Club debt forgiveness is an abiding testament to her competence (and the leadership of her boss, Olusegun Obasanjo before things fell apart). Professor Bartholomew Nnaji (current member of the Presidential Advisory Committee, former minister and CEO of Geometric Power) and Engineer Earnest Ndukwe (who as Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) Executive Vice-Chairman revolutionized our telecommunications sector) are also excellent prospects.
I can confidently assert that all of the names I have mentioned in this article would make better leaders than most, if not all of those who have led this nation. I have no doubt that these individuals, and indeed many others possess the attributes required to transform our nation. We should desist from negative self-fulfilling stereotypes which appear to have become ingrained in the psyche of our people that only corrupt politicians or retired generals are qualified to lead this country. That formula has not worked. It’s time to try something different!
Nigeria: Forward or Backward?
In my last article, I raised questions around the lack of clarity about what our national paradigms are as a people. It was my way of re-directing our national debate back to the fundamental issues as we approach our fiftieth independence anniversary. In continuing my examination of our challenges and prospects as we approach half a century of post-colonial nationhood, today I ask, are we as a people looking forward to the future, or looking backward to the past?
I have always been struck by our penchant for looking backwards rather than forward in our national life. When we want an indigenous football coach, we go back to Amodu Shuaibu or Austine Eguavoen, who have done the job previously rather than for instance trying Sunday Oliseh or Samson Siasia. We continually re-call old grandees out of retirement, rather than create a new pool of talent who can serve the nation-Theophilus Danjuma, General Aliyu Gusau, Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Gamaliel Onosode, Jubril Martins Kuye, Shettima Mustapha, Ufot Ekaette, Adamu Ciroma, Ibrahim Lame etc are recent illustrations of this backward-looking inclination, the consequence of which is that we do not develop new leadership capacity in our nation.
The perpetrators of this syndrome, (who invariably are also the beneficiaries!) then justify their continuous recycling based on the absence of substitute leadership capacity, thus creating a vicious cycle (of mediocrity) and self-fulfilling prophesy (of leadership deficiency). The contemporary example of this trend is of course the emerging profile of possible contenders for the 2011 presidential contest. Look at the list of supposed front liners-former military President Ibrahim Babangida, ex-military Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar are the leading Northern contenders. None of the numerous former Governors, Ministers and Senators from the North (and South) is courageous enough to join the race as the system is configured to assume that only these political dinosaurs (as one commentator described them) are eligible to contest and win.
Indeed Babangida has sought to justify his return to the presidency after leaving the office seventeen years ago on the basis of an absence of younger leaders. He has not attempted to flaunt a sparkling performance record (perhaps an admission that he doesn’t have one?); he has not put forward any intelligent analysis of the nation’s current challenges; and he has not proffered any solutions to the nation’s myriad problems. He left office with the nation in disarray, plunging us into five years of terror under his comrade and friend, General Sani Abacha due to the unending transition games his government played. Even though he seemed at first to have an understanding of economic policy, his government soon lost its way as oil prices recovered and corruption undermined structural adjustment. His government’s impact on the educational system, national ethics and societal value system however remains his most damaging legacy! Yet he audaciously returns to ask for the same job!!!
Buhari left office as military head of state in 1985, twenty five years ago! His reign was characterised by abuses of fundamental human rights, press censorship and ignorance on economic policy (the best illustration of which was his counter-trade policy-effectively a return to Stone Age trade-by-barter). His regime imprisoned journalists, executed drug traffickers and jailed politicians without trial. The same government however released the very head of the regime it overthrew, arguing that all wrong-doing in the government was ascribed to the Vice-President! Since then, Buhari has never been heard to discuss economic policy or national development. His record on human rights has not changed as he was a key functionary of the murderous Abacha regime (with which in spite of the regime’s national and international notoriety, Buhari remained a staunch ally) and he has not in any way expressed any regrets about his record in office. Yet he is touted as a serious candidate for presidency!
Atiku Abubakar is probably the Nigerian public office holder (apart from his friend and ally, James Ibori) with the highest number of allegations of official corruption levelled against him. He has had to confront graft allegations both domestically and internationally. Atiku, in spite of having been at the top of Nigerian politics for several decades, is not associated with any ideological, policy or developmental platforms. When his mentee, Bonnie Haruna held forth in Adamawa State, after Atiku relinquished the state governorship for the vice-presidency, that government was remarkable for nothing! Absolutely nothing! He has since then established a reputation as a politician completely lacking in principles in the pursuit of power-in PDP today; off to AC the next day in order to contest for presidency; and desperately seeking a return to PDP thereafter, once it seemed clear to him that PDP is where the presidential action is! These, fellow Nigerians, are not the stuff of which leaders are made!!!
The challenge we face is to decide whether we would look forward, carefully and meticulously for a new, more promising leadership. Babangida, Buhari and Atiku and such “blasts from the past” will not take this nation forward. It is time to search across the political, business, academic and professional spectrum of Nigerian society for committed, honest and visionary leaders. Looking backwards will not deliver that quality of leaders.
I have always been struck by our penchant for looking backwards rather than forward in our national life. When we want an indigenous football coach, we go back to Amodu Shuaibu or Austine Eguavoen, who have done the job previously rather than for instance trying Sunday Oliseh or Samson Siasia. We continually re-call old grandees out of retirement, rather than create a new pool of talent who can serve the nation-Theophilus Danjuma, General Aliyu Gusau, Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Ernest Shonekan, Gamaliel Onosode, Jubril Martins Kuye, Shettima Mustapha, Ufot Ekaette, Adamu Ciroma, Ibrahim Lame etc are recent illustrations of this backward-looking inclination, the consequence of which is that we do not develop new leadership capacity in our nation.
The perpetrators of this syndrome, (who invariably are also the beneficiaries!) then justify their continuous recycling based on the absence of substitute leadership capacity, thus creating a vicious cycle (of mediocrity) and self-fulfilling prophesy (of leadership deficiency). The contemporary example of this trend is of course the emerging profile of possible contenders for the 2011 presidential contest. Look at the list of supposed front liners-former military President Ibrahim Babangida, ex-military Head of State, General Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar are the leading Northern contenders. None of the numerous former Governors, Ministers and Senators from the North (and South) is courageous enough to join the race as the system is configured to assume that only these political dinosaurs (as one commentator described them) are eligible to contest and win.
Indeed Babangida has sought to justify his return to the presidency after leaving the office seventeen years ago on the basis of an absence of younger leaders. He has not attempted to flaunt a sparkling performance record (perhaps an admission that he doesn’t have one?); he has not put forward any intelligent analysis of the nation’s current challenges; and he has not proffered any solutions to the nation’s myriad problems. He left office with the nation in disarray, plunging us into five years of terror under his comrade and friend, General Sani Abacha due to the unending transition games his government played. Even though he seemed at first to have an understanding of economic policy, his government soon lost its way as oil prices recovered and corruption undermined structural adjustment. His government’s impact on the educational system, national ethics and societal value system however remains his most damaging legacy! Yet he audaciously returns to ask for the same job!!!
Buhari left office as military head of state in 1985, twenty five years ago! His reign was characterised by abuses of fundamental human rights, press censorship and ignorance on economic policy (the best illustration of which was his counter-trade policy-effectively a return to Stone Age trade-by-barter). His regime imprisoned journalists, executed drug traffickers and jailed politicians without trial. The same government however released the very head of the regime it overthrew, arguing that all wrong-doing in the government was ascribed to the Vice-President! Since then, Buhari has never been heard to discuss economic policy or national development. His record on human rights has not changed as he was a key functionary of the murderous Abacha regime (with which in spite of the regime’s national and international notoriety, Buhari remained a staunch ally) and he has not in any way expressed any regrets about his record in office. Yet he is touted as a serious candidate for presidency!
Atiku Abubakar is probably the Nigerian public office holder (apart from his friend and ally, James Ibori) with the highest number of allegations of official corruption levelled against him. He has had to confront graft allegations both domestically and internationally. Atiku, in spite of having been at the top of Nigerian politics for several decades, is not associated with any ideological, policy or developmental platforms. When his mentee, Bonnie Haruna held forth in Adamawa State, after Atiku relinquished the state governorship for the vice-presidency, that government was remarkable for nothing! Absolutely nothing! He has since then established a reputation as a politician completely lacking in principles in the pursuit of power-in PDP today; off to AC the next day in order to contest for presidency; and desperately seeking a return to PDP thereafter, once it seemed clear to him that PDP is where the presidential action is! These, fellow Nigerians, are not the stuff of which leaders are made!!!
The challenge we face is to decide whether we would look forward, carefully and meticulously for a new, more promising leadership. Babangida, Buhari and Atiku and such “blasts from the past” will not take this nation forward. It is time to search across the political, business, academic and professional spectrum of Nigerian society for committed, honest and visionary leaders. Looking backwards will not deliver that quality of leaders.
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