Debating the youngest commissioner
It is pertinent to “debate” whether “leadership” is about one’s “age” or “competence”. Miss Kolo, a commissioner-designate from Kwara State is set to take over from Oyo State’s 27-year-old Oluwaseun Fakorede who is currently the youngest commissioner in Nigeria. It is apt to make some clarifications in the first place. I have never known Miss […]
It is pertinent to “debate” whether “leadership” is about one’s “age” or “competence”. Miss Kolo, a commissioner-designate from Kwara State is set to take over from Oyo State’s 27-year-old Oluwaseun Fakorede who is currently the youngest commissioner in Nigeria.
It is apt to make some clarifications in the first place. I have never known Miss Kolo and have nothing whatsoever against her, but my intention as a writer is only to “provoke a public debate” in order to discuss between “competence” and “age” and which way forward for any leadership position. Some Nigerians think the best way is to have young people in leadership positions while others think the opposite. Please come with me!
However, on Miss Kolo’s nomination, if it is based on her capacity or capability or competence and or integrity and not her age alone, one will say it is a welcome development and we have no option than to say a very big congratulations to her.
In my view, the quest for credible leadership should go beyond one’s age alone, it should be about one’s capacity or capability or competency or patriotism and or integrity. In addition, I am a believer in the combination of both young and old in leadership. Not on the basis of one’s age per se, but on the basis of the above qualities.
The society will surely benefit from the youthful exuberance of a competent young leader just as it will benefit from the experience and maturity of a competent experienced leader.
A young leader needs the “experience” and the “maturity” of an “aged” leader while an “aged” leader needs the youthful “exuberance “of a young leader. The mixture of the two classes is the best way to go. It will enable the “old” to “mentor” and “tutor “the youths while the youthful energy of the youth will add value to governance.
In the past we had people below the age of 25 as ministers. Late (Dr) Ambassador Maitama Sule, Danmasanin Kano was a minister at 24.
Nigeria by its history has always been governed by relatively young people. If certain categories of ages are to blame for its leadership failure then the young people will take a fair share of it. With the exception of Presidents Obasanjo and Buhari in their second coming all our presidents past held leadership position at below 60 years.
Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa was Prime Minister at the age of 49, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, Ceremonial President at 51, General Aguiyi Ironsi at 42, General Gowon at 32, General Murtala at 37, General Obasanjo at 38, President Shagari at 54, General Buhari at 41, General Babangida at 44, Chief Shonekan at 55, General Abacha at 49, General Abubakar at 56, President Obasanjo at 62, President Yar’adua at 56, President Jonathan at 53 and President Buhari at 73.
Nurudeen Dauda, wrote from Kaduna [email protected]