Yes, the man who became a prime minister a few hours ago has formed his cabinet. In other words, he has selected members of the federal executive council. In my dear Nigeria, a president is elected at least 3 months before the swearing ceremony. Yet, despite that fair enough time to pick the team, most will spend months before forming the cabinet.
If we have to copy the British people, we need to copy their productivity. Of course, the fast formation of the cabinet comes because leaders are prepared; they debate and think over issues they would be going to fix on Day One.
On our own, we rarely do, and that is the reason we do not even know those who know what! Or we do know, but work hard to make sure they do not come close. #change
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Comment 1: You have to also understand that most of the guys running for office in our case are not sure of winning, this uncertainty about winning stems from the fact that they are bereft of ideas and capacity. So, for them, the end is the campaign itself, not the governance.
When you analyze their supporters, you also see that not many people understand governance, and that creates an intractable dysfunction. Our people believe that Nigeria should be at the top, but how do we ascend to the top? Nobody knows! When we read history of nations, we selectively remember only the glories, and deliberately forget the sufferings and sacrifices.
We discredit and stop those who can actually do something, while doing everything possible to enthrone those who embody failure and mediocrity; only to come here and rant uncontrollably.
Nigeria is still seen like a conquered territory, so you rarely see people who are coming in to give, but rather to take from whatever that is left there.
We have a problem, but the problem is that we don’t even know our problem.
Comment 2: It’s really pathetic the situation in Nigeria.
Your last statement says it all. In fact, often, those who are good to do the job are known but will never be allowed to take the job.
Comment 3: Fair enough Prof. Ndubuisi Ekekwe but there are more nuanced issues at stake in the complex cross-cultural corrosion called Nigeria:
You’re the President and you’ve decided the ‘key’ members of your team. You submit that list to your party’s chairman and all hell breaks lose. You’re accused of not complying with federal character. So-so-and-so person isn’t even qualified to be the Finance Minister. That person didn’t observe the mandatory NYSC, and the list goes on and on.
You’re then left with two choices: call your party’s bluff and stick to your guns (risking a full blown intra-party crisis before Day One) or bend to their will and accommodate their concerns (which leads to a delay you complained about in this post).
Comment 4: What do you expect to get when square pegs are put into round holes. Even those you think should understand don’t. Recall when a minister boasts about exporting medical doctors to make foreign exchange when we have 1 doctor serving almost 1000 individuals in Nigeria. What about the flood that is caused by rainfall rather than the opening of the camerounian dam. It is a shame that these are the people put in leadership. People should resign if they are deficient on the job they are doing instead of embarrassing the nation
Comment 5: I think we concentrate more on politics in Nigeria rather than Governance. The politicians put all the energy and resources into political campaigns/elections but the moment they rig themselves into office, they feel it’s time relax and recoup their investments.
President Buhari has travelled more times out of the country than he has done within the country. No be juju be that? We even beg him to address the nation on critical national issues but he is always happy to Jet out of the country and read out speech.
Nigerian politicians have all the strategies to win elections but none for governance. It’s a pity.
Comment 6: Very Apt Sir. It shows the level preparedness and how efficient the system is over there compared to my beloved country where the reverse is always the case. Maybe for corruption purpose. How can a president lead a country without cabinet for 5 months if not for corruption.
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Dropped waivers.