Nigeria Will Shine

“Despite frantic moves by the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, to beat Acting President Goodluck Jonathan into political line over the composition of the new Executive Council of the Federation, EXCOF, the party appears to be losing out…

…Investigations reveal that the last visit by PDP National Chairman, Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, to Aso Rock…was to discuss with Jonathan on the need for the new EXCOF to have PDP outlook, a position which the governors are also canvassing. Jonathan’s men were, however, said to have rejected the idea…”

Above is how Vanguard a Nigerian daily reports the political horse-trading and wrangling that surrounds the appointment of a cabinet in Nigeria.

Being a minister in Nigeria is a highly profitable job – it opens doors to many things. Interests run deep and getting one's name on a potential ministerial list can be a do or die affair! Appointment to ministerial position in Nigeria is hardly about performance. It appears to be hardly about competence too.

Some may disagree, but before you do just that, let’s look at a dictionary definition of the word “competence”.

Competence is described as the acquisition of knowledge skills and abilities at a level of expertise sufficient to be able to perform in an appropriate work setting. So if for an example one was to be appointed to the position of a minister, the appointee must possess the required level of skills and expertise to perform the designated duties as effectively and efficiently as possible. Such an appointment will yield desired results. People's live will be touched.

At the moment one of the questions flying about as Mr Goodluck puts together a team that will run the affairs of Nigeria before the general elections early next year is: will the new team comprise of competent people who will bring about some significant improvement in the lives of Nigerians within such a limited period?

We scratch our heads. The reason being that the names that have so far made it to the list appear to be wives, cousins, nephews, friends, loyalists, ex-this, ex-that, etc. These people, argue pundits, will effectively constitute the “traditional square-pegs-in-round holes” sing-along FEC-attendees. The only glimmer of hope say some critics is one Goldman Sachs of London guy!

But don’t despair as Ayi Kwei Armah said in his book “The Beautiful Ones are Not Yet Born” it is from the depth of the manure that life springs forth. Much as I am pessimistic about the future of my country, I still believe that “one day go be one day”

....and Nigeria will shine.