Category: Dr John Ekundayo

The Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji that I knew 10 years ago, has not changed a bit in character, content, candour and colour. He once stated inter alia: “if I promise you, I will fulfil; and if I cannot fulfil, I will get back to explain to you while it could not happen.” Definitely and determinedly, Oyebanji aka BAO is walking the talk in Ekiti despite the lean resources accruing to the hilly state.

Eccentricity, succinctly and saliently stated, is a deviation from an accepted, established pattern or norm. There are leaders and there are bosses. In leadership studies, the approach to governance could be diverse, making scholars to ascribe leadership styles to leaders. However, it could be conflicting or confusing to ascribe a particular style to certain leaders as these sets of leaders often oscillate between two or three known leadership styles as depicted by the followers’ assessment or perceptions, depending on the context of engagement with the followers.

An ideal way could be tagged as exemplary. In other words, when something or someone is acclaimed as desirable, in a certain context, it is tagged as exemplary. In essence, scholars in the literature depict and describe exemplary leaders as personalities that help you to attain your best; aid you in becoming a better person by reconnecting you with values whilst showing the way with compassion, and simultaneously holding themselves to high standards. Furthermore, exemplary leaders will not bat an eyelid to pause in their path to accomplishing goals if going that route will come at the cost of people’s wellbeing. Does Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji aptly fit this mold? Readers will get to know at the end of this article. Follow me.

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Ekiti: High and Low

Ekiti is a word from the local word “Okiti”, meaning hill in local dialect. Ekiti is in no doubt accorded a high rating in intellectual capacity as the state boasts of conglomerate of cognoscenti in virtually every subject of life. It is literally said that every household in Ekiti has a PhD holder. How has that dovetailed to a knowledge economy mitigating against poverty? This is one germane question for the incumbent government in the hilly countryside to unravel as the government will be one year in office come 16th of October 2023.

However, can one infer that the incumbent Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, popularly referred to as BAO by his teeming admirers and adherents, depicts a measure of exemplary ethos in leadership demeanour as perceived by followers in Ekiti? This question will be best answered in an empirical inquiry targeted at the average man or woman on the streets of towns and villages in Ekiti spanning from Ado to Efon Alaaye to Omuo to Ido Faboro to Ikogosi to Oye to Ikere to Ifaki to Ikole to Ilawe to Isan to Otun to Ijero to Itaji to Ode to Igede to Aramoko to Igbara Odo, etc.

Eccentricity: In a positive term!

This writer as a close follower of His Excellency, Mr. Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji, could attest, posing as an ethnographic researcher, to certain exemplary display and depiction of eccentricity, albeit in positive positing to achieve much with little as the resources accruing to the state are seemingly nothing to write home about in comparison to the avalanche of citizens’ demands for developmental interventions. In measuring up and reaching out to Ekitikete, the BAO-led administration rolled out the 6 Strategic Actionable Pillars – Youth Development and Job Creation; Human Capital Development; Agriculture and Rural Development; Infrastructure and Industrialization; Arts, Culture and Tourism; and Governance. It is surprisingly noticeable that anywhere Oyebanji visits in Ekiti, the people heartily and cheerfully welcome him with shouts of BAO repeatedly renting the air in ecstatic mien.

Remarkably, Oyebanji has, taken cognizance of his humble pedigree, distinguished himself in his demeanour which is visible to Ekitikete. He ensures regular payment of salaries and even going to clear the backlog of arrears owed public servants. Moreover, reiterating to inform others that his aged father, who celebrated 90 years recently, is a pensioner, he needs no prodding to pay pensioners regularly. He has lived up to expectation in the rating among most Ekiti people. It is amazing to this writer, no flattery intended, how Oyebanji is combining the payment of these salaries, emoluments and arrears whilst simultaneously attending to infrastructure, agriculture, health facilities, social investment in micro small and medium enterprises (MSME), tourism, etc. Personally, as a development scholar, yours sincerely wonder whether Oyebanji is not expending his security vote for the people as both the federal allocation and the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the hilly countryside do not measure up to activities, outputs and outcome palpable to observers on the ground! Oyebanji and his team are likely to be great managers of resources.

Concluding this piece, having now become part and parcel of the government of Ekiti State, it is good to let the public know the austere lifestyle of the man in the saddle in Ekiti. He is indeed an eccentric, a good one at that, when grouped and graded with his other colleagues. I have known Oyebanji for about 10 years now! The first meeting was when he was the Ekiti State Honourable Commissioner for Economic Planning, Budget and Service Delivery. Yours sincerely was contacted with others in my team to impact monitoring and evaluation (M & E) skills in Ekiti officers in his ministry. His simplicity and humility were noticed and infectious. Fast-forwarded, aftermath of June 2022 election in which he was declared the Governor Elect, he got me hired pro bono to help distil his manifesto containing the 6 Strategic Actionable Pillars to Outcome and Impact Indicators. This was done with my team and his meeting, on different days, and on three occasions. On each occasion, he was there earlier than scheduled and coming from Ado Ekiti while the place of meeting was in Lagos. I initially demanded we shifted the meeting venue to Ado Ekiti for his convenience, which he politely turned down, saying we were the one coming to help him and not vice versa! I was amazed. In addition, yours sincerely was part of the retreat for the Executive members and Accounting Officers of Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDA) held at Arch-Bishop Abiodun Adetiloye Hall, Ado Ekiti. BAO was timely and stayed throughout the duration of the retreat closing around 6pm daily. He reiterated that he would sanction indiscipline and sampled one of the participants that arrived late and was still choosy on where to sit! He enjoined the participants, at the retreat, of the need to sacrifice whilst appreciating those who had served with him from November 2022 who have been using their personal vehicles to run errands for government services. It is noteworthy to state simply and squarely that Oyebanji exemplifies exemplary eccentricity in that from 16th October 2022 till the time of writing this article, he has been going about with his official vehicle attached to him while serving as the Secretary to the State Government (SSG). To him, he was not unnerved by what other colleagues of his would say about his humble mien so far Ekiti achieved shared prosperity in judicious utilization of resources ensuring the greatest good for the greatest number of people. Moreover, BAO has been shuttling between his old house in the GRA and his hometown, Ikogosi Ekiti for months until he was seemingly bad mouthed by cynics that he was surreptitiously moving the seat of government to his hometown! He, then, relocated to the hilly, Oke Ayoba Government House, Ado Ekiti. Any lesson for other state chief executives and our distinguished members of the National Assembly (NASS) from this exemplifying eccentricity of Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji? Can one comment on his social investment to many poor and hapless people that have been lifted out of poverty through his government’s monthly generosity done on Ward basis. It is the general belief that if BAO hears, he would bear the burdens with the needy.

In conclusion, His Excellency, Governor Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji of Ekiti State has proved, beyond any reasonable doubt, that anyone can hold high government office and demystify that position without denigrating it. The Biodun Abayomi Oyebanji that I knew 10 years ago, has not changed a bit in character, content, candour and colour. He once stated inter alia: “if I promise you, I will fulfil; and if I cannot fulfil, I will get back to explain to you while it could not happen.” Definitely and determinedly, Oyebanji aka BAO is walking the talk in Ekiti despite the lean resources accruing to the hilly state. He hopes to take Ekiti to greater heights as he challenged us in the course of the retreat to speak up by bringing up innovative and creative ideas to uplift our dear state out of squalor! To keep Ekiti working together towards a shared prosperity is the vision of BAO; and it is a herculean task, yet surmountable, for all the stakeholders working together in harmony.

Dr John Moyo Ekundayo, Special Adviser, Office of Transformation and Service Delivery (OTSD) writes from Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

The onus lies on the governors to aid transportation of goods and people within their states by investing on procurement of electric or compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles … Moreover, it is high time that state governments proactively engaged in agribusiness to aid food security, boosts income, enhances foreign exchange earnings, attracts foreign direct investment, and promotes job creation along the value chain. This will spur the country into a massive industrial site overtime like India and China.” – John Ekundayo. Nation, Sunday 31st July 2023.

It is elating and exciting reading the lips of President Bola Tinubu on Monday 31st July as he addressed Nigerians to palpably and possibly douse the concomitant tension arising from the dual effect of removal of fuel subsidy and harmonization of the foreign exchange rate of the local currency, Naira. There are still some Nigerians, as pointedly stated in last week’s edition of this column, that are ill-informed about the nauseating and naughty subsidy scam regime that has eaten deep into the economy of Nigeria. If Nigeria were to be a human system, by now, there is the possibility of her being dead and buried! Mysteriously and miraculously, taking cognizance of currents of corruption cases caressing the body, soul and spirit of the country, she is still breathing!! However, is the breathing normal and healthy for the country’s survival and sustainability?

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The present leaders, at both the federal and state levels, will determine, to a great extent, whether Nigeria will sink, swim or soar in the coming years. In Yoruba common parlance, it is simply and squarely stated: “omo to ba ma gun, ese re a tinrin” (meaning: the child that will grow up tall will show by how thin the legs look like). The motives behind the moves by the incumbent administration, at the centre, will determine how soon light will shine over the horizon even though the man in the saddle vehemently and vociferously vouched, in tandem with the Renewed Hope Agenda, in his address to the country on 31st July 2023 that “after darkness comes the glorious dawn, a vision of hope for our beloved nation.” Writing as a development strategist and scholar, it is time to discuss and dissect Mr. President’s address to Nigerians in order to decipher whether it would not end up as one of those ‘great’ speeches that when mirrored in the lens of result-based management produces no outcome and impact even though lots of activities have gone into inputs and activities.

Propping Presidential Perception?

“A leader needs enough understanding to fashion an intelligent strategy.” John Kotter, Harvard Business School Professor

Much was expected from President Bola Tinubu in the content and context of the 31st July 2023 publicised address to the nation. Seemingly, the nation’s helmsman did not disappoint many, even though some still felt that he did not hit the nail on the head in certain areas, whilst others perceive a missing point or part in the whole gamut depicting diverse governmental interventions intended to cushion the impact of the fuel subsidy removal signaling the cessation of the perennial subsidy scam that over the decades have been enriching privileged aristocratic few. To this columnist, there were lots of good intentions in the speech of the President. According to Harvard Business School Professor, John Kotter, crafting a good strategy demands rigour. Succinctly and saliently in his own words: “a leader needs enough understanding to fashion an intelligent strategy.” However, in the tinkering of another globally acknowledged management guru, Peter Drucker, implementation or execution of a well laid-out strategy is the kernel of the matter. Drucker rammed it home when he posited: “strategy is a commodity; execution is an art.” Therefore, for a result-oriented organization or government, it is not about activities but, enacted out of the process envisaged at the outset, outcomes and impacts that are based on result-based monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) model. In this treatise dissecting the presidential perception, attempts will be made to make meaning or sense out of the diverse interventions listed which are aimed at touching the lives of various sections of the Nigerian society.

Lumping together the agro-allied interventions of releasing 200,000 metric tonnes of grains; 225,000 metric tonnes of fertilizer, seedlings and of their inputs; N50bn each to cultivate 150,000 hectares of rice and maize; and N50bn each to cultivate 100,000 hectares of wheat and cassava. These seem laudable and commendable. However, if there is no strict application of MEAL systems, these humongous resources will go down the drain as witnessed in previous administrations. President Tinubu and his team should learn, with humility, from Ethiopia who approached and attended to the design and dictates of African Development Bank (AfDB) headed by the erstwhile former Minister of Agriculture of Nigeria, Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina. Will Nigeria listen, lean and learn from others who are successfully and sustainably implementing their agricultural programmes such as Ethiopia. The latter has now turned into an exporter of wheat!

In the last edition of “Followership Challenge”, the government was counselled to adapt or adopt the use of the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueled vehicles to save income and consume less gasoline. In the said article it was stated inter alia: “the onus lies on the governors to aid transportation of goods and people within their states by investing on procurement of electric or compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles.” It is gladdening that the government at the centre is taking the bull by the horns. However, for transparency and inclusion, states and civil society organizations (CSOs) should be inculcated into operationalizing this strategy of the federal government which intended intervening with injection of 3,000 units of 20-seater CNG-fueled buses by expending a whopping N100 billion in the programme. It should be stressed that the MEAL model should be adhered to from the programme initiation to close out.

In addition, imperative on the list was the issue of review of the minimum wage to workers. The government seems to be dilly dallying on this tangible matter seemingly not serious with the eroding purchasing power of the populace. It is high time the government at the centre interfaced with state Governors, and labour unions with a view to agreeing at a commensurate figure that will be paid regularly. The Federal Government should not unilaterally fix the minimum wage that will be at wide disparity with the ones of the states as the previous government at the centre was wont and wired to.

Moreover, the President’s pandering to ignite development of the manufacturing sector which is apparently comatose is commendable. Specifically, the initiative of injecting a humongous amount of N75 billion Naira into 75 entities (each accessible to N1 billion with favourable borrowing conditions) is intended to rev manufacturing to live and provide jobs whilst enhancing the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as goods are produced, thus gradually wresting the economy from perennially and perpetually being import dependent. If this is strategically executed with application of MEAL, in a concrete and credible manner, it has the added advantage of engaging many of our youths in worthwhile ventures considering the value chains associated with the industries. However, will the federal government be brave and bold to initiate a process of banning importation of items being produced locally as a way of protecting and propping these manufacturing firms?

In addition, the Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) received a big boost of a whopping injection of N125 billion partly reaching businesses owned by constituents in all the 774 local government areas (LGAs) (1,300 per LGAs). This equally is well intentioned if properly and credibly implemented.

Synopsis of the Matter

The President reiterating that cessation of subsidy ensues savings accruals, within two months, amounting to trillions of Naira. It is expected that if properly utilized – in the immediate, short term and long term – the savings from financing fuel subsidy should be expeditiously expended eschewing any form of prevarication. The hand of the clock is ticking whilst the apparent and inherent angst of the people bottled up is about to explode to the dismay of the people in power who promised interventions that are virtually becoming elusive to the ordinary man on the street. Moreover, the President seemed concerned about the prices of food items. However, genuine stakeholders’ engagement should inculcate proactive and practical steps that will ensure that both the federal and state governments should subsidize and incentivize production, rather than consumption of agricultural produce as it is being done in sane and serious climes and countries. In addition, rural roads should not only be opened up but continuously and sustainably maintained for movement of people and goods between rural, semi-urban and urban areas of the country.

This way farm produce will be prevented from rotting away in the hinterland.

Tinkering on education and the plight of Nigerian students, the tertiary students, apart from benefiting from the transportation scheme through the introduction of CNG-fueled buses, has nothing beneficial in the whole gamut of interventions. It is recommended that a certain financial palliative of not less than N10,000 be extended to all students of tertiary institutions for a period not less than 6 months. This period will allow them to adjust to the new realities before all other interventions of the government will mature for them, their parents and guardians to savour. Listening to the President:

“No Nigerian student will have to abandon his or her education because of lack of money.”

It is on this premise that President Bola Tinubu promised to make education more affordable to higher education students. However, this seems elusive until his government ensures certain cogent, core and crucial steps are taken. The government, taking cognizance that the new session starts in September or October, is seemingly slow in operationalizing the students’ loan scheme. It is apparently doubtful that many students of higher institutions will not be sent out of the school system in the coming session. If this occurs, it may not augur well for the security situations in the states and local governments of the country. Will the President walk his talk in ensuring no student in debarred from accessing education at any level? How veritable is this statement of President Bola Tinubu, if he himself tinkers on his trajectory to higher education considering his poor background that would have pinned his back to the ground in life? Does that not speak volumes of the dire need to urgently and proactively act in ensuring that all indigent Nigerian students, in the higher institutions, have access to loans to further their studies and research without hassles and hardship?

In conclusion, the onus lies on the federal government to ensure application, adaptation and adoption of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) in all her programmes and projects. Credible, competent and courageous Nigerians drawn from the public and private sectors should be involved in empirically tracking the outcomes, not just outputs, of these laudable initiatives and interventions of the Tinubu administration. In this context, the contribution of the National Association of Evaluator (NAE) headed by the resourceful Dr. Usman Shamsuddeen, the erstwhile Minister of National Planning, should be courted into the whole monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) template. All said and done, quintessentially, in his own words: “our commitment is to promote the greatest good for the greatest number of our people”, will the man in the saddle at the centre live up to his billing? Seriously, a stitch in time, saves nine! Time will tell!

•John Ekundayo, Ph.D. – can be reached via +2348030598267 (WhatsApp only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com

“. . . That the N8,000 conditional cash transfer programme envisaged to bring succour to most vulnerable households be reviewed immediately. This is in deference to the views expressed by Nigerians against it. That the whole gamut of palliative package of government be unveiled to Nigerians . . . The President further assures Nigerians that the N500 billion approved by parliament to cushion the pain occasioned by the end of subsidy regime will be judiciously utilised. The beneficiaries of the reliefs shall be Nigerians irrespective of their ethnic, religious or political affiliation.” – Dele Alake, Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communication and Strategy to the President (Source: channelstv.com, 18th July 2023)

The column will be digressing from the series: “Tinubu: Touching The Tangibles?”, to pinpoint and periscope on two issues of national importance this week. The whole country, since the inauguration of the President Tinubu administration on 29th May 2023 at Eagle Square, where he saliently and succinctly stated, ex tempore, that “subsidy is gone”, is still reeling from its after effect. This singular issue of abrupt ending of the fuel subsidy regime, oozing with scam, jolted the socio-economic stance of Nigerians to a great extent with the President appealing for calm stating unequivocally that he feels our pains and pangs. In fact, the Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communication and Strategy to the President, Mr. Dele Alake, simply and squarely stated whilst interfacing with stakeholders in the Nigeria project that this present administration would do more of intervention than palliatives.

Be that as it may, as the citizens await the release of cooling and cushioning interventions to sooth the hardship occasioned by the subsidy withdrawal, it was not palatable waking up on Tuesday 18th July 2023 reading on social media platforms, the instantaneous increase in pump price of premium motor spirit (petrol) without any notice from the marketers, even the ubiquitous Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), was bizarre to one’s imagination. The initial reaction or response was waving it off as another fake news. Alas, it was real but apparently irrational to conceive it happening less than 2 months after another increase in the pump price of gasoline (pms)! It would be recalled that Mr. Dele Alake stated inter alia, “. . . that the whole gamut of palliative package of government be unveiled to Nigerians . . . The President further assures Nigerians that the N500 billion approved by parliament to cushion the pain occasioned by the end of subsidy regime will be judiciously utilised.” Mr. President better be told that it is high time he laid bare the whole gamut of his government’s interventions meant to touch the poor in the rural, semi-urban and urban areas of Nigeria so as to calm fretting and fraying nerves as elastic limits of some individuals to contain pressures within the polity are apparently reached with no hope of succour imminent!

 Good Governance Group (3G)

The Good Governance Group (3G) is made up of composite credible cognoscenti, intellectuals, technocrats, politicians, business men/women, artisans, students, etc. In the course of the week, there was a serious discourse, debate and dialogue on the twin-topic of palliative and pump price palaver pervading the country. In the final analysis, yours sincerely as the Convener, GGG (3G), issued a press release on the kernel of discussion in the group. The following points are well noted in the release:

The Good Governance Group (3G), a robust, concerned, conscientious and collaborative initiative of intelligent men and women of substance rubbed minds on this development in our country and decided to issue this Press Release informed by value-laden discourse, debate and dialogue among members.

1. The eminent group appreciates that since the removal of fuel subsidy, the government cannot fix the price of pms as that will be interfering in the market process since forces of demand and supply should dictate pricing of gasoline going forward.

2. However, 3G, as a group, frowns at sudden change that the followers or populace always bear the brunt while the governments at all levels look on seemingly unconcerned. Therefore, future review mechanisms should ensure abundant supply to all filling stations, countrywide, prior to adjusting to the new price. In this vein, a notice of nothing less than 72 hours should be given with strict monitoring to ensure compliance to all fuel stations selling at prevailing prices.

3. The Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) used to move about monitoring compliance. It is high time this organ of government woke up from its deep slumber and moved round nationwide to heavily sanction errant retailers (fuel station owners) that breach quality and quantity as unscrupulous ones among them mischievously tampered with their metres to sell less for more money! 

4. GGG (3G) will equally desire that the Federal Government addresses associated fees or levies along the line of importing pms into Nigeria such as jetty, landing, freighting, local taxes, etc. This may impact review of prices in the future.

5. It is equally imperative for the Federal Government to succinctly state to the citizens the actual status of our four refineries possessing professionals with no product to show as a sign of performance for years! 3G is advocating for either outright sale or major stakes be offered to core, credible and competent investors without delay. This should be done in a win-win situation specifically with salient terms and conditions mutually concurred to by both parties. Moreover, the Dangote Refinery is yet to produce one litre of commercial pms for the local market despite the huge euphoria that greeted the commissioning by former President Muhammadu Buhari; update is needed on this.

6. It is a good initiative that both Lagos and Ogun States are leading the way in making use of electricity and gas in driving commercial automobiles, respectively. Other states as well should replicate the laudable steps of Lagos and Ogun. What stops states partnering with private organizations, like Lagos is doing with Geregu Power PLC, to produce electricity tapping into the new Electricity Act signed into law by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023?

7. Moreover, states could work with the organized private sector (OPS) to own modular refineries to produce locally refined gasoline (pms) that may bring down the price of the product in that locality. Doable.

8. It is high time the needed reforms in the whole oil sector, oozing out with palpable cancerous corruption, began as old bottles cannot contain new wine of this change-minded administration. Mr. President should hire new drivers before the sector is grounded! Seemingly, discerning minds cannot see NNPCL top management advancing any credible change since the inauguration of this government!

9. In the immediate, it is commendable that Mr. President is reviewing the paltry palliative of N8,000 per household employing the controversial register of the poor as passed on by the erstwhile administration of President Buhari. 3G is of the opinion that increasing the purchasing power of the populace is the way to go. In this way, the amount to be given monthly could be in the range of N20,000 – N30,000 per household administered through the state via the local government, flowing down to wards and units. The traditional rulers should be consulted in an all-inclusive manner as well. This may not reach all people but by and large going this route will reach real, rather than imaginary, beings; after all, we voted unit by unit in our wards; our PVCs could be a means of identification here.

10. GGG believes for our country to be great, we need to love and adhere to processes that lead to sustainable productivity as these will ultimately enhance our Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Hence, Long-term solutions are: local refining of our crude oil to products – boosting employment and income of our people; subsequently, we can export to African countries the products. Secondly, aggressive local production in agribusiness and mining resulting in industrialization through which our country will earn foreign exchange thus shedding the import driven toga we are presently wearing.

In conclusion, the Good Governance Group (3G), will want to commend Mr. President for putting his ears to the ground in filtering fitting feelers and feedback from followers within the polity, specifically in retracing his step about the N8,000 per household targeted at 12 million households countywide. The emergency declared in the agricultural sector is welcome but should be properly tracked by a team of incorrigible Nigerians appointed by the President. The federal government, especially with the states and local governments getting more funds, should work together and proactively invest in agribusiness to end hunger in all states and subsequently boost local industrialization. In addition, the Micro Small Medium Enterprises (MSME) could be boosted in an organized fashion. This in a way will diversify our apparent monolithic economy dependent upon oil. GGG (3G) believes, with Mr. President as a financial engineer, not new to governance within Nigeria’s context, coupled with the acclaimed Lagos experience, Nigeria is most opportune to deliver good dividends of democracy to her citizens through President Tinubu’s firm and fixated policies. Nigeria will be great and prosperous.

Surmising this piece, it is gladdening going to the press and reading breaking news of some of the recommendations of 3G being already adopted or adapted. Particularly gladdening is the resolution of the National Economic Council (NEC) headed by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, readiness to rally the states to use their own registers in reaching the poor. In addition, the state governments were encouraged to fund MSME; a point harped upon in the 3G press release. Ipso facto, the followers of Nigeria, the populace, may begin to feel or see governance as a two-sided coin: leadership and followership. All said and done, could it be inferred that in the administration of President Bola Tinubu, followership matters and can make a remarkable difference in the decision-making process? Time will tell whether this is a happenstance or habit that may be taken as a hallmark of the administration!

• John Ekundayo, Ph.D. – can be reached via +2348030598267 (WhatsApp only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com

“I am reminding you that your appointment is on probation of six months period after which a monitoring and evaluation team under my headship will be monitoring the performances of the ministry’s and those who performed well will be appreciated and those who under performed will be pulled out,” – Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State, Vanguard, Wednesday, 5th July 2023.

Kickstarting his maiden cabinet meeting in the ancient city of Kano, the seemingly maverick man in the saddle in the state, Governor Abba Yusuf, pulled a surprise one that will jolt any developmental scholar and strategist possessed with penchant for performance in governance. The new helmsman has apparently been in the news for the wrong reasons since his inauguration as Governor. Howbeit, in succinctly and saliently rehashing in ears of the newly appointed commissioners of his intention, as the commander, to utilize the carrot and stick approach by monitoring and evaluating them and their ministries. This columnist recalls his strategy execution class experience in Harvard Business School (HBS) in which he was taught that the strategist in achieving his overarching goal for the organization could choose to wear any of four hats, or a combination. What are these four hats? The main driver of a strategy according to Professor Robert Simons of HBS could swing in – between being a coach; commander; boss; and facilitator – cum – sponsor. In this wise, the Kano helmsman has depicted distinctly, ab initio, in reading out the riot act to his team, that he is de facto wearing two hats, interchangeably: a commander and boss. The questions to ask are, but not limited to: will he set out the goals for each MDA? As we speak, does his administration possess any strategic plan thematically possessing vision, mission, core values, beliefs, goals, strategic boundaries, strategic uncertainties, etc? Are there sets of key performance indicators (KPIs) measuring milestones and targets? In any case, Governor Yusuf has demonstrated, albeit akin to a display of a mere tokenism as new helmsmen are wont to at the inception of their administration. Will he walk the talk as he promised to head the monitoring and evaluation team that will be tracking the ministries and their captains.

On this page last week, the President was being called upon to specifically set targets for the service chiefs, the same thing reiterated at TVC News Breakfast in which yours sincerely was a guest reviewing the President 30 days in office (details available on YouTube). It was like Governor Yusuf read the last edition of this column or watched the TVC News production in charging his team. Mr. President and all Governors are enjoined and encouraged to develop mindsets akin to this line of tinkering of the Kano’s helmsman if it will not be business as usual in our country.

Back to the subject of this serial musings. Is President Bola Tinubu touching the tangibles in his government approaching 50 days this week? Is like the frenetic speed is waning as the acclaimed “Baba Go Fast” is taking cautious steps, not wanting to puncture the goodwill his government has been riding upon since inauguration till date. However, the constitutional provision of presenting the ministerial list to the Senate within 60 days of his mounting the saddle is sacrosanct and should be strictly adhered to. Mr. President knows this as the back of his hand. Why is the delay in releasing the list of ministerial nominees?

Meeting Ministers’ Material

Is there any need rehashing it in the ears of President Bola Tinubu to courageously choose credible, cerebral, capable and competent men and women as Ministers not only to man the ministries but those that will task themselves with targets to strategically deliver. Ultimately, as round pegs are in round holes, and square pegs in square holes, these men and women coming from diverse expertise and experience will be able to deliver on the mandates of their ministries, and so overtime, actualize the Renewed Hope mantra of the Tinubu administration. 

It was unexpected of many followers – admirers and adherents – of the President inclusive, that it would take up to almost 50 days for the man in the saddle tagged as “Baba Go Fast” to constitute his cabinet. Peradventure, the waiting and watching may well be worthwhile as the content of the list may signal and symbolize the expected tone and tonic, this season of dithering depicting a “fingers crossed” demeanour to governance. Will anything good come out of this Nazareth called Nigeria as she inches towards 63 years of existence as a country consisting of many nations? It is instructive to state simply and squarely that the much eagerly awaited ministerial list to be forwarded to the Senate for screening and confirmation should be accompanied with the respective portfolios of the nominees. This will enable proper grilling appropriate to the expected delivery associated with such offices. The President should be upbeat in objectively choosing his cabinet taking into cognizance the art of balancing, specifically from three perspectives, namely: firstly, capable politicians who contributed to Tinubu winning the highly competitive election; his longtime associates who have proved their mettle in the journey of life; and sagacious and savvy technocrats with uncommon, unblemished and untainted records of accomplishments that the naysayers will not be able to gainsay or grumble about. All said and done, when the chips are down, there should be a balance in regional reach in such a way as incorporating ‘national healing and reconciliation’, in the word of the President as contained in his acceptance speech aftermath of the keenly contested 25th February 2023 presidential election. Be that as it may, the onus lies on the head that wears the crown to chart the course of governance by mutually agreeing on milestones and targets in delivering on the Renewed Hope mantra that had been much mouthed to the electorate prior to the election. It is imperative for the President, in concert with his cerebral personae, to break down his Renewed Hope mantra into actionable strategic goals, impacts, outcomes and outputs. These should be accompanied with KPIs with appropriate timelines incorporating milestones. Then, the President can celebrate some salient milestones within 100 days, 200 days, etc.

Most importantly, to make political appointees accountable and responsible, the Ministers should be reporting or answerable to the President whilst all other heads of bureaux, offices, agencies, departments, authorities, institutes, services, etc. should report and be administratively answerable to the minister. Under no circumstances, should these individuals see themselves as having the temerity to report directly to the President unless the constitution stipulates as such. Making all other appointees within the jurisdiction of the ministry answerable to the minister will erase any erratic or eccentric exhibition on the part of some pompous political appointees who are palpably influential and apparently larger than their offices; such could disrupt good governance if the system is not synchronized against these unscrupulous individuals. This has been the noticeable trend that was an avoidable pitfall of past administrations. The Tinubu administration should side step such banana peel, ab initio.

Branding APC To A Political Party

It is crystal clear that the leader of the ruling party is the incumbent President. Presently, there is virtually no political organization run as a valid political party in Nigeria’s context. This columnist sided with the erstwhile Governor John Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State when he pontificated that the extant political organizations are mere political platforms for people to express themselves. Saliently and succinctly stated in his own words:

“It is about what would make a difference to our people. And none of our two parties (veiled reference to the ruling All Progressives Congress and the opposition Peoples Democratic Party), or any of the parties that we have; none of us is there yet. We are still platforms . . . What we need is an organic party structure that really speaks to the yearnings of our people, a lot more strongly than we do at the moment” – Punch, 2nd April 2021.

Thinking along this same line, this column will want to advocate for a systematic transformation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to a real political party of “ideas and ideals” in the words of Fayemi. It is high time the ruling party, APC, was appropriately branded. It is timely for this piece of counsel as the health of a ruling party may be a determinant of the well-being of the country as the tree cannot make a forest; the President alone can do little. However, he can accomplish much more with his team tactfully thinking creatively and innovatively in tandem with the Renewed Hope mantra. The erstwhile President Buhari, an accomplished general, did not possess the political dexterity and sagacity needed to mold APC into a sound political entity. However, President Bola Tinubu, exemplifying extraordinary deft and distinctive moves in the election of the principal officers of the NASS laboured day and night to get this accomplished that would not have been necessary if APC has evolved overtime as a sound and structured political entity. It is therefore imperative for Mr. President to take steps proactively in positioning APC, as this week, the political association will be having its first National Caucus and National Executive Committee (NEC) meetings aftermath of the inauguration of Senator Bola Tinubu as the President of Nigeria.

 In going forward in the transformation or branding process, it is imperative for the party elders to address core, crucial and cogent issues to signal and symbolize direction, discipline, loyalty, and cohesion laced with code of conduct stipulating sanctions for errant and erratic members. APC, with Tinubu in the saddle, has a most auspicious time to transform the platform to a real political party. It is high time APC addressed this misdemeanour as the last incident witnessed in the election of the principal officers of the NASS exhibited eccentric exemplary mien on the part of some members that should not be condoned in going forward.

Surmounting Subsidy Sufferings

Surmising this piece without reverting to addressing concomitant effects on the followers regarding fuel subsidy removal and the anticipated governmental interventions that Mr. Dele Alake, the Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy succinctly and saliently vouched for on behalf of the government will be a disservice. Alake was categorical in siding with the government providing interventions rather than palliatives in cushioning the negative impact of the removal of fuel subsidy on the poor-of-the-poor in the society.

As at the time of going to the press, the last on subsidy intervention was to seek the NASS approval for the release of $500 billion to act as the succour. In explaining further, the government at the centre is targeting 1.2 million households with N8,000 per household for a period of 6 months. How the government will endure this is fairly shared is one big issue vis – a – vis the purchasing power of the amount; in any case, it is better than nothing especially for the poor-of-the-poor. How about government workers? Any intervention or provision for the businesses in the organized private sector (OPS)? Anything coming the way of the senior citizens of 60 years and above? Will the physically challenged be taken care off in the government intervention aftermath of removal of fuel subsidy? The questions are not exhaustive. Definitely, more will be heard from the followers on this trending topic.

John Ekundayo, Ph.D. – can be reached via +2348030598267 (WhatsApp only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com

“Gladwell in his book acted in sync with the duo of James W. Wilson and George L. Kelling, savvy social science scholars, who first muted the idea of the “Broken Windows Theory” in 1982. Subsequently and unanimously, police officers and social psychologists agree that if a window in a building is broken and is left unrepaired, all the rest of the windows will soon be broken. The implication, from studies, is that one un-repaired broken window is a signal that no one cares, and so breaking more windows costs nothing and could be the norm in such a society.”

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference” is the debut book by celebrated and award-winning author, Malcolm Gladwell, first published in 2000. Gladwell defines a tipping point as “the moment of critical mass, the threshold, the boiling point.” The treatise’s main aim is to depict and display the “mysterious” sociological changes that mirror daily life of people, irrespective of their clime. As Gladwell states: “ideas and products and messages and behaviours spread like viruses do.” One typical example pinpointed in his treatise and highly relevant to this edition of “Followership Challenge” is the steep drop in New York city’s crime rate after 1990. It is the rational belief of Gladwell that human behaviour could be sensitive and strongly influenced by its environment. In the New York scenario, it was discovered that a seeming “zero tolerance” effort exerted in combating minor crimes such as graffiti, fare-beating, pickpocketing and vandalism resulted in serious decline of more violent crime citywide! It was an amazing discovery!!

Gladwell in his book acted in sync with the duo of James W. Wilson and George L. Kelling, savvy social science scholars, who first muted the idea of the “Broken Windows Theory” in 1982. Subsequently and unanimously, police officers and social psychologists agree that if a window in a building is broken and is left unrepaired, all the rest of the windows will soon be broken. The implication, from studies, is that one un-repaired broken window is a signal that no one cares, and so breaking more windows costs nothing and could be the norm in such a society. Window breakers could therefore term it as fun and be involved in more frenzy and frenetic fiasco not blinking their frowned faces! In essence, in any context, clime, community or country, the onus lies on the leaders to devise and execute a successful strategy to address apparent small misdemeanors. In other words, concrete efforts should be exerted in repairing the broken windows within a short span of time, possibly, within a day or week. The concomitant effect is that vandals’ hands are weakened in breaking more windows. Going this route, if the sidewalk is cleaned up daily, the tendency is for litter not to accumulate (or for the rate of littering to be much less). In the same vein, as it was soon discovered in New York, arrest and prosecution of pickpockets, overtime, led to reduction in hardened criminals’ menace in the city. In essence, public problems are less likely to escalate or exacerbate into uncontrollable degrees if swiftly attended to at early stages where they apparently appeared infinitesimal or insignificant.

Intent To Tackle Intangibles

The Tinubu administration should not just focus on the seemingly tangibles, some of which had been highlighted in past editions of this column. In the introduction to this write up, it is crystal clear that intangibles are like cancer starting small and soon spreading to several organs of the body. It is high time, some of these critical intangibles that have been foisted on the psyche of this country, and frighteningly feasting as a parasite on our ailing economy, were scythed from the roots forthwith, if indeed the anticipated growth in our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 6.0 will not be a utopia as declared by Mr. President in his inaugural speech.

It is imperative as time ticks for President Bola Tinubu to get his acts together to constitute his cabinet whilst jettisoning pedestrian political patronage or parochialism. For the umpteenth time, it should be rehashed in the ears of the man in the saddle that round pegs must be in round holes if we, as a country, would not pander to the pitfalls of political demagogues who are bent in continuing the menace of “window breaking” without batting an eyelid! Pointedly put, it is when these savvy men and women who are counted credible, competent and cerebral to sit on top of crucial and core agencies of government, unleash the power and influence of their offices to surmount several seeming intangibles eating the fabric of the country that Nigeria can breathe fresh air. The President cannot be gloating over the whole space, the more reason he needs these eggheads in government. It was exciting and elating reading the lips of the Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, vociferously declaring that he felt like a lion ready to devour Nigeria’s enemies. One hopes that this would not be a mouthed mantra analogous to a dog barking with no bite that will soon die with the tide of time! Will he be able to walk the talk? Will he be able to match his words with his actions culminating in the enemies of peace and safety ending up in the net or relocating from Nigeria in the next 6 months?

Read Also: Tinubu: One month of pragmatic solutions, edifying actions

One of the onerous duties before appointed and elected men and women in office, starting from the Federal level (the President has to show the way) will be cutting off wasting of resources – human and fiscal. It would be politically unwise to advise the President to right-size the public service as some analysts believe the public service is overstuffed. This columnist, having served in the prestigious Lagos State Civil Service, differs. However, need and gap analysis should be carried out in order to move some workers around whilst halting employing new hands even as some are retiring. In addition, draining pipes oozing out needed fiscal resources should be sealed. Equally, the budgeting system of the Federal Government should be adjusted gradually to get more of capital than recurrent expenditure, if indeed the incumbent Presidency of Tinubu will make the needed impact in governance and on the people. Be that as it may, both Capital and Recurrent Expenditures should be properly tracked or monitored for performance, not just in the amount budgeted spent, but the outcomes and impact deliverables should be felt, seen, touched or embraced by the citizens. This is part of the social contract as the President is supposed to be a servant leader, waking the talk.

It is saddening and worrisome that some Nigerians had died with their inventions with states and federal governments looking away unconcerned or paying lip service. This ugly and unwarranted stance should be stemmed. It is high time the Federal Government established an agency dealing with research and innovation that will open doors for budding inventors like in civilized climes. This agency, aftermath of deciphering the content and genuineness of the invention or innovation, should promote the inventor or innovator to the government and financial institutions thus charting the way forward. India and China are countries where cottage industries with small tools and plants to operate them abound. Nigeria can emulate this trend too. Moreover, this agency, to be effective and efficient should be proactive, non-partisan, but professionalized organ of government with core mandate to handle inventions and innovations all over the country till they turn into mass production of several items thus reducing unemployment, increasing productivity, enhancing income generation and promoting export of processed or manufactured goods within and outside Africa.

In addition, apparently intangible is the multiplier effect of developing digital skills of our youths. It is gladdening that the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, mouthed the impending 1,000,000 (one million) digitalized jobs coming. This should not just be mouthed but be made to manifest through conscious and intentional strategic planning with a resultant effect of decapitating poverty and arresting insecurity as many of our youths, frustrated due to lackadaisical leadership leaning, have veered into cultism, internet fraud and other criminal activities.

In addition, one other apparent intangible that should be seriously looked into is converting waste to wealth. There are huge benefits and potentials here we can leverage on in developing our dipping economy if we can go through the whole process of conversion. The same research and innovation agency, aforementioned, can handle this too, acting in conjunction with ministries of environment at both state and federal levels. Recently, a generator adapted to being powered by human urine was recently promoted online; the WhatsApp post soon went viral. Moreover, another budding innovator was alleged to generate diesel from bark of trees mixed with other items. Equally, there are so many others that we can exploit by converting wastes to wealth. In the light of this, the federal government should direct research institutes to liaise with the agency handling innovation and work in synergy specifically in making public all research findings gathering dust on the shelves of these institutes.

Interestingly for decades, we have been used to our archaic and atavistic airports that are left unattended to as orphans. Our airports should be properly maintained whilst some should be concessioned for effective and efficient service delivery. It is equally imperative to plan for two new international airports – Abuja and Lagos – well situated and serviced for the 21st century ambience. Airports are now designed as communities where passengers are taken care of as their second homes. Indecorous and indecent attitude of begging and bribe taking should be anathema in all our airports as this unseemly attitude demeans us as a country. I remembered an occasion when I travelled with some Singaporeans, including my then boss, to Lagos, Nigeria. The unsettling attitude of cleaners and other unscrupulous officials begging for money was used against we Nigerians publicly when we arrived in Singapore in comparison to what obtained at the internationally acclaimed Changi International Airport, Singapore. Of course, one cannot be comparing apples with oranges! Therefore, it is imperative for workers to be trained to act professionally as obtained in sane climes as our airports are vital gateways into our country.

Conclusion

In surmising this piece, identifying certain and core seeming intangibles and tackling them could arrest discernible bigger crimes. Moreover, it must be succinctly and saliently stated that fixing round pegs in round holes as Ministers and Heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) will ensure performance as credible, competent and cerebral hands will know what to do and share burden of governance with the President. This will allow the President enough headroom to tinker on crucial national issues. In concluding this piece, one core issue is that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should be proactive and less partisan in picking on corrupt public officials involved in pilfering public patrimony. In the same vein the IGP and Service Chiefs, in fact, the entire security apparatus and architecture being coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) should be up and doing; there should be swift action on small crimes. The “Broken Window Theory” comes into focus here. However, there should be less media trial so that the suspected culprits will not escape off the hook. As an addendum, the incoming Minister of Justice and Attorney General should liaise with the National Assembly (NASS) to review some of our archaic and atavistic civil and criminal laws to seemingly serve erring members of the society “no more business as usual” notice.

 •John Ekundayo, Ph.D. – can be reached via +2348030598267 (WhatsApp only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com

“Having lived as a Nigerian for up to six decades now by the grace of God; studied and worked in Nigeria and outside Nigeria; and traversed some other nations of the world in different continents, I have come to a certain conclusion that to fix Nigeria, replete with so humongous human and natural resources, will simply and squarely demand one core and crucial thing from the man who sits in the saddle as the President and Commander-in-Chief. He must die first on the assumption of office. As the man is taking his oath of office, he must write his will. Not done, he should sign his death warrant! These steps should not be done privately but be publicised …” – John Ekundayo, from the book, “TINUBU: Trajectory To The Throne”, published December 2022 in the USA by Amazon, page 245.

Ab initio, most citizens, conditioned to the nauseating nuances of governance within Nigeria’s context, since the advent of the democratic dispensation counting from 1999 till date, were not so much eager or enthusiastic of the President Bola Tinubu’s administration exhibiting and exemplifying positive reflexes within 100 days in office taking cognizance of the horrendous hysteria associated with the socio-economic and political conundrum our country finds herself. It would be recalled that past presidents had been tagged with monikers such as “Baba Go Slow”, “Clueless”, etc. These aliases are borne out of leadership perceptions by seeming unanimity of followers within the polity.

However, the inauguration speech of Mr. President generated waves of reactions and responses from diverse analysts, scholars, politicians, professionals and citizens generally. In fact, there was a backlash the same day! Aftermath of President Bola Tinubu’s seeming sonorous statement: “subsidy is gone!”, gasoline retailers jerked up the prices whilst some outlets refused selling the products. Presently, supply has been consistent and fuel queues have disappeared from petrol stations within a few days albeit the price regime has been reviewed upward depending on the marketer. Strategic leadership in principle and practice!

Sheriff: Sour or Sweet?

The body language of the man in the saddle in Aso Rock, is in sync with the sobriquet: no business as usual! It is noteworthy that a cross section of followers has tagged the new sheriff in town as “Baba too fast!!” Interestingly, President Tinubu is less than 30 days on the saddle!!! This columnist considering the gamut of gargantuan concerns and challenges ahead, wrote in this column a day to the inauguration of the President, precisely on Sunday 28th May 2023, inter alia: “Will Tinubu do things differently, in sync with the expectations of many followers, to terminate tangible troublous trails, and doing so within the nick of time?” Apparently, Mr. President, in comparison with other past presidents or heads of state, has, within a short span of time, turned the table giving a hint of where his government may be heading to in the next couple of months. Interacting with a core and cerebral analyst recently, this columnist heard him say: “Jagaban has demystified governance!” One crucial and delicate issue that exemplifies this perception is the withdrawal of petrol subsidy and the attendant atmosphere devoid of rancor and resentment despite the country’s bleeding economy draining the already pulverized purchasing power of the populace. This is a seemingly sagacious strategic step that is worth commending. Any wonder, market indices spiked sweetly a few days after the inauguration? There is indeed a new Sheriff in town!

Fancied Frenetic Face?

Discerning citizens, who are not novices to the nuances of governance, still know that the nitty gritty of leading the fractious entity called Nigeria to a glorious destination is neither a walk in the park or a tea party. President Bola Tinubu seems to show signals of knowing that route. Does he however possess the stuff, substance and stamina as well as the credibility, competence, carriage and charisma to strategically steer the ship of state northward to that desired haven? It is said that morning shows the day, and in consonant with the Yoruba common parlance, which the president is attuned to, a child that will grow tall, his legs will be thin (“omo ta gun, ese a tirin”), judging from the perception of many followers, cognitively rather than empirically, the President is on course within the short span of time having signalled a departure from the slow-paced nature of leadership Nigerians are wont and wired to. Nigerians, no doubt, desire to see changes in style of leadership, especially shipping out of round pegs in square holes left behind by the Buhari’s administration. How, and when, the incumbent President Tinubu will act is what they could not discern?

Rising up courageously as though pandering to the desire of the followers, in less than 30 days, the man in the saddle at the centre has withdrawn petrol subsidy; commenced engagement of labour and students unions and association without impasse; signed into law Electricity Act that the erstwhile President Buhari could not summon the courage to do since July 20222; signed into law the Student Loan Act that will signal the pace for autonomy of our tertiary institutions in no distant time; and, made key appointments such as Chief of Staff, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, National Security Adviser, and core advisers, who are mostly technocrats. Moreover, exploring and exploiting his political strategic sagacity, President Bola Tinubu, got his preferred candidates elected into the Senate presidency and House of Representatives speakership without any stalemate. He acted differently from the politically unwise stance of the erstwhile President Buhari who once stated openly “I belong to everybody, I belong to nobody.” Buhari’s stance in siding with this statement accounted in no small dimension in the cabal cornering his government and counselling him wrongly especially in the matter of the National Assembly elections in his first term which the fifth columnists acting in cahoots with the opposition made mincemeat of his political aloofness.

Moreover, as the President was preparing for his first official visit to France, in one fell swoop, the battle-weary service chiefs were given the boot! Not done, new ones were immediately appointed and to resume work immediately. In the same appointment list, a new head of brigade of guards and barracks within the precincts of FCT were also appointed. Curiously included in the list, is the removal of Comptroller General of Customs and appointment of a new one.

Tangentially Touch Tangibles?

Interestingly and instructively, most public commentators and analysts concurred on national spread and religious balancing thus dousing the demonizing Muslim-Muslim mouthing that the opposition callously chorused against the ruling party prior to the election. Right now, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) can compare which is beneficial to them of the erstwhile Muslim-Christian ticket of the Buhari administration and the incumbent government with balancing in region and religion. It is worthwhile pontificating on this page the herculean task embarked upon by the President in a series of engagements and meetings with various organs of his party and opposition in order to get elected his favoured candidates into both the red and green chambers. Senator Ali Ndume let the cat out of the bag when he was a guest of Seun Okinbaloye of Channels TV. The distinguished senator stated unequivocally that President Bola Tinubu bent over by calling some national assembly members to vote for his candidates. The President went further, according to him, to sneak out to places where he could find them to persuade and appeal to them to side with him in ensuring the candidates of his party that he put forward were elected. To this columnist, Senator Yari, funnily in Yoruba language, stressing his seeming stubborn stance, one would say ‘Yari, ti yari ooo’ (meaning: Yari has rebuffed all entreaties, including presidential one!). In the final count, he met his waterloo!! What is significant in this strategic sagacious stepping of the man in the saddle? It is not just that his candidates won, but in commencing national healing and reconciliation that he promised in his acceptance speech after being declared as the President Elect.

Concluding Comments

In essence, with virtually all the appointments thus far, the President has demonstrated and depicted a mix of spread; regional and religious balancing; competence and credibility; relationship and camaraderie spanning years. All said and done, this columnist will not state here and now that all the appointees fit in as there are few that will need to prove their mettle while in office. It is sagacious to reference the point made by the president to the traditional rulers when he conferred with them a few days after his inauguration. He pointedly posited, inter alia: “We may not have it right 100 per cent of the time, but we must get it right 90 per cent of the time for this country, …” In essence, we should be able to afford eccentricity and error of 10%. Whilst scoring 90% is a distinction mark in any institution or context, missing out of a 10% of vital part of governance can trounce and truncate the feats recorded in other segments. Hence, there is the need for the government to allow feedback mechanism and applying rigorous and robust Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) tools, ab initio as done in developed climes.

Surmising this piece, does President Bola Tinubu embody extant empathy of the downtrodden in the society presently in Nigeria? How far will his government interventions, aftermath of the petrol subsidy withdrawal, touch the poor of the poor who are neither public servants or engaged in the organized private sector? Will it not still be better to constitute a National Healing and Reconciliation Commission to address sore and stubborn issues of coexistence within the context or contraption called Nigeria operating a non-truly federalism? In addition, how will building and sustaining strong political and economic institutions engender sustainable strategic development? Will the ministerial list to be presented to the Senate meet the expectations of the majority of the masses and be devoid of political pandering and parochialism that may jeopardize achieving tangible outcomes and impacts anchored on the “Renewed Hope Agenda”? This series will delve and dive into more of what to expect and strategically critique the move of the government in order to deliver effectively and efficiently the dividends of democracy to the populace.

Surmising it thus, as quoted in the opening of this essay, anyone serving as Nigeria’s President should first die if he ever wants to make a meaningful impact. In the book, “TINUBU: Trajectory To The Throne”, written by this columnist and published in USA by Amazon, inter alia, it is succinctly and saliently stated on page 245:

“I have come to a certain conclusion that to fix Nigeria, … the President and Commander-in-Chief … must die first on the assumption of office. As the man is taking his oath of office, he must write his will. Not done, he should sign his death warrant! These steps should not be done privately but be publicised …” Follow the “Followership Challenge” for this series while expecting your feedback.

• Ekundayo, Ph.D. – can be reached via +2348030598267 (WhatsApp only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com