The Lyrics of Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Nigeria Political Leadership -By Tony Osakpamwan Agbons

Nigeria, the largest democracy in Africa has been bedevilled by so much negativity and bile in the recent times. The country is at a crossroad due to heightened insecurity and cluelessness of its political class who are so detached from the ordinary citizens they are meant to serve. The nation is also suffering from organic dysfunction in virtually other sectors and the horizon looks bleak with each passing day.

It is therefore with gusto that Nigerians and indeed Africans from all walks of life received the joyful news of the confirmation of the appointment of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala as the new Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO.  This coming after the initial cul-de-sac that happened to the selection process due to the refusal of the disgraced former United States President, Donald Trump to affirm her appointment of the apex international trade organisation.

Dr Iweala, a cerebral global economist is not new to the headlines. A former World bank Vice President, and two time Finance Minister of Nigeria has an impressive eye raising resume. Her astuteness, expertise, and competence rank up there.  This new appointment as DG of the WTO could not have come at a better time not just for Nigeria or Africa, but for other ethnic minorities in the global world order.  It is also a statement of intent to motivate and inspire the girl child all over the world that they can make it to the top of their endeavour if they are passionate, focused, dedicated and hardworking. C`mon! Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, please take a well-deserved bow,

An interesting aspect of Dr Okonjo Iweala’s meteoric rise to the zenith of the global map is her assuredness, charisma, charm, and flair. Listening to her acceptance speech at the World Press Zoom conference where her appointment was announced, she once again showed to the watching world her sagacity, serenity, and tenacity. She was poised, calm, calculated, qualified, and measured of words. The way she communicated her purpose and vision was clear, refined, and sanguine.  The thoughts racing in the minds of many Nigerians watching that Zoom conference was; “how is this woman not our President?”. “Why is Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala not the leader of Nigeria?”.

It is difficult to conjecture how our humongous system does not consider or throw up the likes of Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala to contest for the top political job in Nigeria. How come our political parties don`t jostle for the candidacy of persons of the irk of Dr. Okonjo Iweala to lead the nation? Are we so cursed not to see the many types of Dr. Okonjo Iweala that dot our sphere? What really is our problem as a people that we cannot bring out the best of our people to take charge of our nation? What is the problem that makes us celebrate mediocrity like butterflies stuck to nectar? The list of this rant is endless…

Since independence in 1960, Nigeria`s major problem has been a lack of effective and visionary leadership. Some folks argue that the followership is also complicit in the debacle. However, the truth is that the buck stops at the desk of leadership. A few of our leaders took the mantle of leadership unprepared, others had leadership thrust on them by dint of faith and not because they were fit for purpose. Nigeria has also suffered from a skewed political system that makes it impossible for cerebral minds to ascend the highest office. Such deep cerebral minds do not even get near the ladder talk less of climbing it. The top of our leadership pyramid is littered with mediocre never-do-wells, jokers and political jobbers. These classless class of political elites and their hangers-on are empty headed, lazy, flat and unable to decipher their right hand from their left.

In other climes, leaders at all levels are easily recognised, mentored, and learn the ropes before been thrown in the mix. That way, they are very well grounded to assume the role. Similarly, political parties hunt for the best materials to put forward for plum positions. No wonder those nations are at the forefront of global advancement and development. Examples abound of hitherto struggling nations whose trajectories have been changed for the better by a single leader. Open the doors for South Africa`s Dr Nelson Mandela, Paul Kigame of Rwanda, Jerry Rawlings of Ghana, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Joyce Banda of Malawi, Julius Nyerere of Tanzania, Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, Ronald Reagan of USA, Muammar Ghaddafi of Libya, and a host of other transformational leaders too numerous to mention.

Nigeria has the ignominy of been a country where the best never gets the top job. The late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo was described as the “Best President never Nigeria had”. He contested numerous federal elections for close to three decades and lost (with all due respect) to less fancied opponents who ordinarily were no match to his gargantuan personality. We have also been blessed with the likes of Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Prof Dora Akinyuli, Dr Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, and more recently, Donald Duke. More names could be added to this list. All excellent who did not got a sniff at the top job in the land. Nigeria, we hail thee! Bravo Nigeria!!

As we move towards another electoral season come 2023 and barring any implosion of Nigeria due to the ongoing security and economic challenges confronting the nation, our focus must be beyond the mundane. The desire of every Nigerian should be the emergence of men and women of spartan discipline and vision. Every ounce of energy must be geared towards making it happen. A popular people`s movement must spring up to challenge the current establishment if they are unwilling to do the right thing. The present system of recycling outdated and spent-out individuals for the highest offices in the land must end. The many Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala`s we have in Nigeria are ready to take up the space and drive the country on the path of greatness. All that we need to do now is to create an enabling environment for their star to shine ipso facto.

Dr Agbons writes from the United Kingdom