Dr Reuben Abati     Photo courtesy

Nigerians like patronizing language when things are adrift and the nation is off the mark. But by condoning and accommodating conducts unbecoming, after decades of trial and error, there are more errors than good trials. 

Being critical is good for effective governance. Being critical is doing an audit or efficiency review. It is asking tough questions, and demanding in an insatiable manner: 'is that all one can do'? It is making one to say, there ought to be a better way.

Aiming high, appears a challenge in Africa’s leadership culture. If not, how come given all the tools of the trade, the continent with its array of educated minds, is still a doormat for others? Being critical is perfectly okay. Its absence breeds complacency.

Nigerians appear detached and clueless when it comes to their role in enhancing leadership by keeping their government on its toes. Without a checkered framework and foundation on which to anchor effective governance, it is no wonder 'anything goes leadership.' While Nigeria’s cabinet is staffed like a college faculty with all the so called bright minds with towering degrees and certificates, the outcome has not rendered or produced glowing tributes to help hapless 160 million people in the most populous black nation in the world, make sense and manage their daily life.
 
Before Jonathan Goodluck  showed up, Nigerians wished that Nigeria would be better when or if someone with a PhD was at the helm. Well, not only did Nigeria get their wish, they got one whose experience rises through the political class like no other: a Deputy Governor who became Governor by default, then a Vice president who later acted in the position and finally won an election for the office. No Nigerian has shared president Jonathan Goodluck's experience. Above all, he is a locally grown and nurtured politician with a PhD. Is Nigeria better because he has a PhD? The jury is out. 

Leadership is not best manifested with educational qualifications. Rather, as a human exercise, it is best attained and displayed by individuals who inspire their people and nation, challenge their most indolent qualities and prompt them to rise for the best they can be and achieve. Since 1970, no Nigerian leader has inspired the nation or prompted them to rise and shine. For 42 years, it has been a country led by cliché and class of persons displaying crass while believing their own hype.

To deliver inspiration, a leader must communicate with the people or have someone do so as spokesperson. Presidential spokespersons are often the mouthpiece of an administration. In the case of present day Nigeria, Reuben Abati has that role. However, Mr. Abati speaks but can hardly communicate. 

When in May 22, 2004, Reuben Abati, was to share a podium/panel with me on a-one day seminar titled 'Good Governance and the Nigerian State: The Way Forward,' he never showed up. The seminar was organized by NAS in The Netherlands at the Institute of Social Studies.

To assign glowing tributes to Reuben Abati, is in order but he is not the world's greatest communicator. Mr. Abati, does not do Jonathan Goodluck  good service given his manner of speaking instead of communicating. When one is given and disposed to doing the same thing over and over, it supports the notion of practice makes perfect, but this time in the wrong direction. How will Nigeria unshackle herself from the perennial condition? Only by serious surgery and treatment of many of its ailments. It will not be easy given that when certain unproductive conducts are allowed to go unchecked and unchallenged for decades, they become tradition. Nigerians have become a people functioning under undue traditions and culture of misguided and mismanaged opportunities.

If leadership classic definition is the ability to influence things with or without authority, then leadership is not only by those appointed or elected. It is from anyone who through use of good persuasive practices can channel a people in a direction to enhance their collective existence. 

The single fact that Nigeria had electricity in 1894, 15 years after it was discovered, and 118 years hence, the country can hardly boost of 20% daily power supply, states in undeniable terms that it is a country in 'darkness.' When God said 'let there be light', Nigerians can rightly feel maybe He did not mean light for Nigeria; literally and figuratively speaking. 

Now get Reuben Abati, to explain that.

Ejike Okpa II, Dallas, Texas.