The phenomenal transformation Lagos has encountered in recent years is basically due to the brilliant heads that have governed the state. For the next gubernatorial polls, superficially looking at the calibre of the top two gubernatorial candidates, one can hastily say that Lagos, most likely will just be fine with any of them.
But considering the fact that democracy magnifies the essence of political decision-making, and punishes electorates when they decide not to look beyond the nose when taking political decisions; for that singular fact, I advice that Lagosians get their facts right to ensure developmental continuity in Lagos. Lagos can’t settle for less at this point, anyone replacing Fashola must have adequate experience to occupy that seat, not just any brilliant technocrat who is passionate about delivering Lagos to the People’s Democratic Party.
During an interview conducted by the convener of Good Governance Group (3G), Former President Olusegun Obasanjo was asked to shed light on the leadership problem in Africa, and some of his responses were quite revealing. “There is nothing wrong with Africa, there’s a lot wrong with our leadership. Will you say that God has not endowed us enough? Will you? Will you say God has not given us men and women who can stand on their own anywhere in the world? Will you?” Obasanjo asks.
He further expatiates on the leadership problem in Africa, recalling his own experiences as a Former President. “After I left government as military head of state, I realized that there are two areas of problems, I call one mistake of omission, mistake of omission is when leaders in any walks of life just don’t know any better, either because of limitation of education, limitation of experience, limitation of training, limitation of knowledge…whatever”
Obasanjo opened up that sometimes, those of them who have occupied leadership positions do not know any better, he illustrates this truth pointing at one of his un-thoughtful decisions – which had to do with putting a good and brilliant person in a position that basically requires knowledge and relevant experience. “When I was military head of state, using the example of the national carrier -The Nigeria Airways. The Nigeria Airways was a mess, whatever we tried to do we did not get it right, but I had the presidential pilot or the pilot of the Head of States, a man called Paul Taha. Paul was a first class man, decent, honest and well behaved. So one day I just got fed up with Nigeria Airways so I called Paul and said Paul I want you to take over running the affairs of the Nigeria Airways and Paul agreed, Paul never ran an airline before but he was a good pilot.
Well I should have known that being a good pilot does not mean that you will be a good airline manager, so every other day I will phone him “Paul how are you getting on?” He would say he is alright, one day I phoned him and he said “Sir, I feel like committing suicide” I said, I will pull you out rather than allow you to commit suicide, what is the matter? And he said there’s this airline either Lufthansa or KLM, they have an expert who used to visit Nigeria Airways for about a week, once in six months. So this man came and looked at the flight timetable that Paul had prepared, and when he looked at it he flung it, this took him two nights, and the man said “it might have taken you ten nights but what I see is that you go from Lagos to Kaduna everyday on Monday you take off at 8:30, on Tuesday you take off at 7, on Wednesday you take off at 8. How much convenient would it have been for you and your customers to know that there is a flight to Kaduna everyday, it is 7am daily except Sunday, simple thing!”
And Paul said that thing was so simple but the fact that he did not know of it .…” That’s what I call “mistake of omission”, because of limitation of experience and training” Obasanjo narrates.
In line with the above illustration by Olusegun Obasanjo, I strongly feel that Lagos will benefit a lot by having Akinwunmi Ambode as the next governor, considering his wealth of experience and knowledge, plus the credible achievement he has attained in his career and professional life. I am delighted about his candidacy. He is well versed as an Accountant, Administrator, Public Finance expert and also in civil service matters.
Akin Ambode Lagos gubernatorial aspirant
Ambode’s profile doesn’t agree with the perception that the public service is only filled with civil servants who are unimaginative. This is a man like Fashola who knows the Lagos State civil service and the working of government like the back of his hands. He has served as Assistant Treasurer to Badagry Local Government, Auditor to Shomolu Local Government, Council Treasurer to Alimosho Local Government and Council Treasurer to Mushin Local Government.
He was later appointed Auditor General of Local Government Councils. Thereafter, he become Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Finance and later became the youngest Accountant-General of the state at the age of 37, a position he occupied till 2012, after which he voluntarily resigned – making his retirement the first ever recorded voluntary retirement by a Permanent Secretary in the Lagos State Public Service.
Under his watch, Lagos state’s budget performed at an average of 85 percent annually.
He has been able to transfer his wealth of experience into private practice by establishing Brandsmiths Consulting Limited in 2012. Brandsmiths presently consult for federal, state and local government on financial advisory services.
Should we ignore Ambode’s 27 years of quality experience working with the State, where he has held key positions and made tangible contributions as Auditor General for Local Governments, Permanent Secretary and Accountant General?
Should we then suddenly start demanding change just for the sake of it and then suspend our reasoning as electorates? Experience counts a lot. The days of having good men in leadership positions merely because they are good are over. Anyone who must lead must be garnished with relevant experience that can be translated into development. Such must also have relevant and successful track records. You’ve got to be passionate about the people and that must show via your track records.
My fear with Jimi Agbaje is that in every sense of it, he doesn’t come close to Ambode’s wealth of relevant experience. Say I’m biased, but truthfully I have researched and concluded that Agbaje’s private sector experience isn’t any stellar. Let’s say it’s a little above average. At best! I wonder where he has been after he lost in 2007, only to show up all of a sudden.
The PDP certainly needs his good image to gain Lagos. But truthfully Lagos’ development needs more than that. This state needs to develop into a real megacity and Lagosians need to keep holding the leadership responsible at all times, so they can be accountable.
Eko O ni baje.
I am @Lanre_Olagunju on Twitter.
Views expressed above are solely that of the author.
