When is a federal appointment fair and acceptable? -By Lamido

Hadiza Bala Usman

The recent nomination by the Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, and subsequent appointment of Hadiza Bala Usman as the new Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) by President Muhammadu Buhari has been torpedoed by a tirade of criticism and unfounded claims by those who know little to nothing about the operations of the NPA or the personality and qualities of Hadiza Bala Usman.

The colour of most of the criticism is mostly ethnic, sectional, gender chauvinist or religious. None of the criticism is on the basis of any defective qualities of ineptitude, nepotism or corrupt financial practices attributed to her over the years. The constituencies of those who vehemently resent the appointment can also be linked to some politicians who covertly hope and overtly lobby for President Muhammadu Buhari may nominate them for the appointment.

The loudest wailing came from those who felt that an end of their dirty livelihood as a port rats and rodents has come, if Hadiza succeeds in transforming the operations of Nigerian ports. Some of those opposed to her appointment are Malam Nasiru El Rufai’s traducers. They are afraid of his influence on Hadiza, which is capable of leading to the positive fortune that Abuja enjoyed during his tenure as Minister of the FCT. One other footprint in the categories of those who are opposed to her appointment is the anti-Amaechi group, as to them, whatever good he has a hand in, is bad and worth opposing.

The last category worth considering is those who objectively doubt her competence and experience in managing public institutions. The only question one needs to ask those harping on the experiences and competences of Hadiza is, whether Malam Nasiru failed in his management of BPE, FCT Abuja and now Kaduna State. If the responses are in the affirmative, then Hadiza has the requisite experience to successfully manage and turn around the fortunes of Nigerian ports. The adage that a tree cannot make a forest comes to mind. Amongst the trees that populate Malam Nasiru El Rufai’s orchard, there is the contribution of Hadiza.

The hope of those who live under the umbrella of putrefaction of decaying mass of corruption left behind by the past regime, which is sustained by a fervent prayer to heaven for the return of the years of the locust. Such prayers, God willing, will not go beyond the roofs above their heads. For those mandarins who publicly advertise their ignorance stating that Hadiza does not know anything about maritime law or maritime technicalities should know that the present management structure of NPA has a Board and three seasoned Executive Directors, 21 General Managers, with whom she would work.

One other rare quality Hadiza would bring to bear on the management of the NPA is an upright pursuit of transparency and accountability in its affairs. Change has come and some of the agents are people like Hadiza Bala Usman. Those, sectional, religious and gender bigots should know that armchair criticism does not yield result. They should rather invest their time in constructive endeavours. Don’t sabotage her: just wait and see.

Lamido writes from Zangon Shanu, Zaria.