Godwin Obaseki: Sleeping in good company

Recently the Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki became an object of public ridicule when pictures of him sleeping at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York surfaced. He was photographed yawning, struggling to stay awake, and eventually dozing off while President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) delivered an address to world leaders. Obaseki woke from […]

Recently the Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki became an object of public ridicule when pictures of him sleeping at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly in New York surfaced. He was photographed yawning, struggling to stay awake, and eventually dozing off while President Muhammadu Buhari (PMB) delivered an address to world leaders. Obaseki woke from his slumber just in time to applaud the speech he obviously had paid no attention to! For dutifully clapping he will collect attendance allowances and estacode. In some jobs sleeping on duty is a minor transgression not even worthy of sanctioning, in others it’s considered to be gross misconduct constituting grounds for disciplinary action including possible termination of employment.

Obaseki isn’t alone amongst current political leaders sleeping on duty these days. A number of them have been pictured taking a nap during working hours. Governor Nyesome Wike dozed off during a People’s Democratic Party (PDP) retreat in Rivers State. Governor Rochas Okorochas fell asleep as a member of a 33-man delegation accompanying PMB to America for a meeting with World Bank President Dr Jim Yong Kim. The Kano State Governor Umar Ganduje earned a reputation as the “sleeping Governor” due to his penchant for slumbering at public events. He accompanied PMB on a 4-day official visit to India and dozed off as usual at the African-Indian summit.  Senator Barnabas Gemade was caught on camera sleeping during a National Assembly session. Honourable Essien Assisi a PDP member of the House of Representatives was photographed snoozing during PMB’s 2016 budget presentation. Former Akwa Ibom Governor Godswill Akpabio was filmed sleeping during Senate deliberations.  To be fair to all those mentioned, sleeping on duty didn’t start with today’s political leaders.

As far back as 1960, Nigeria’s first ambassador to the United Nations Jaja Nwachukwu was photographed sleeping. The iconic photograph taken during a UN meeting is alleged to be the reason why Nigeria was given the nickname “sleeping giant” of Africa! In stark contrast to Nwachukwu and Obaseki’s slumber, representatives from other countries were alert and attentive. Cynics are of the opinion that Obaseki’s sleeping must have been due to excessive night partying in New York. Although this is difficult to believe, matters were made worse by the concerted attempt to defend his misconduct and his refusal to simply apologise. Obaseki’s Special Adviser on Media and Communication Strategy made a complete hash of trying to defend his boss.

Firstly, he said quite correctly that the internet is awash with photographs of outstanding world leaders who have at one time or another yielded to fatigue at meetings.  The list includes German Chancellor Angela Merkel, President Obama, Pope Benedict, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi and Austrian Prime Minister Heinze Fischer. This of course is neither here nor there. He then attested to what he described as the Governor’s “rare and unique work ethics devoid of fanfare and trivialities”.

Unfortunately for his boss, outlining the “chaotic itinerary” leading up to the sleeping incident made one thing clear, his Excellency needs to improve his time management skills. His overloaded schedule which includes many social events perhaps explains why Governors always rush around blaring sirens and appearing to be in a hurry while doing little of real importance. The ability to delegate is one of the major traits of successful executives. There is a school of thought which believes that the reason for so much sleeping on duty is that Nigerian politicians are aged and refuse to give way to younger more vibrant individuals.

Furthermore, they are nocturnal people. Instead of sleeping at night they hold meetings, enter into surreptitious agreements, plan intrigues, and undermine democracy as well as each other. Another possible explanation for all the sleeping is the poor quality of speeches made nowadays. Nigeria’s current political leaders can’t seem to address a congregation without labouring through a boring prepared address. They demonstrate no stimulating oratory, no ownership of facts, and no deep understanding of issues. It’s as if simply reciting what is on a piece of paper is an achievement. With heads bowed they regurgitate whatever the spin masters and speech writers have placed before them, stumbling through and making it evident that they are seeing the speech or the first time! These speeches are never consulted or referred to again, and the contents are forgotten immediately afterwards. The issue isn’t amnesia it’s simply a lack of intellect. It’s really an affront to the abundance of talent, knowledge, capacity, intelligence and expertise within the nation.

Perhaps it should come as no surprise that the medical name for sleeping sickness is “Human African Trypanosomiasis”. Obaseki can at least remain consoled that he is sleeping in good company!