In support of Oronsaye’s reforms
An organ that is supposed to be both transformative and reformative is stagnant with ossified brains and dead means of doing things. Policies which should galvanise a nation are ruined by self-interest and blatant corruption. Every attempt to punish is thwarted by nepotism and connection to who you know. No nation can make progress with […]
An organ that is supposed to be both transformative and reformative is stagnant with ossified brains and dead means of doing things. Policies which should galvanise a nation are ruined by self-interest and blatant corruption. Every attempt to punish is thwarted by nepotism and connection to who you know. No nation can make progress with such a system in place. Dynamism is the way of the future and Nigeria cannot be an island on its own.
Oronsaye’s background must have exposed him to the frustration that the drudgery for which the civil service is known and his many privileged postings must have exposed him to the loopholes created by the mafia controlling the system for him to be able to peregrinate it with maverick ease. His appointment itself is a coup dur for those who see such positions as their birthright. It is therefore little surprising that he was able to ‘smuggle’ a memo to the president that the conservative hawks felt powerless to block. The hoopla that greeted the reforms is therefore not unexpected. The subsequent boardroom chasm and the leakage to the media showed nothing but the frustration of those who fell as a result of an unpatriotic power play.
His doggedness in sticking to his guns and pursuing his convictions is enchanting. Now, those who are called permanent secretaries know that their positions are not permanent after all. Its like dropping off the social ladder.
His decision to organise a crash one-day programme prelude to the exams for newly appointed officials may not be totally right given the age, orientation and disposition of those concerned; but it is a pointer to that day in Nigeria when even ministerial slots will not be filled in Wadata Plaza or anywhere else but through open, transparent advertisement where only those who have something to offer would apply, be screened and passed prior to Senate approval. A country like Nigeria needs that.
In future, we expect to see the results of the ‘contestants’ pasted on notice boards. This will encourage those who know that they do not have what it takes not to even apply in the first instance. It would also expose the motive of those who were eager to fight Oronsaye’s bid to do a pre-nomination test for candidates to ensure that only the best take the final test in the first instance. The Civil Service Commission’s opposition to changing the rules within the game is good but its motive for doing so cannot be altruistic. Time again will tell.
As it stands, it would appear that the new entrants came not fully on merit and except they can improve should not hope to be re-appointed in four year’s time. There is no way they can meet the performance indices on the scores that earned them this appointment. This too is as good as the decision to extend the new tenure system to extra-ministerial agencies and departments. This blocks the way for those who may not possess the qualification for mainstream appointment to lobby their way into the agencies to sit tight. The train of reform usually leaves casualties on the old tracks.
In spite of the rut within the university system, this country produces a huge chunk of graduates from all fields most of who genuinely earned distinctions and are bubbling with ideas that could transform the nation. Some are lucky to make it abroad and shine as Nigerians but then their expertise is lost to the nation. We must change this. Some of them would find expression if the dead woods in the civil service are eased out to make room for young blood. It is a lesson of history we must learn and a sacrifice we must make at some point.
Oronsaye appears not just interested in pushing policies; he thinks on his feet, re-evaluates and changes positions where necessary. He blocks loopholes. In my opinion, we need more of his type in different areas of our moribund society if we must leapfrog and join the league of true nations. This is why I truly support his reform process and hope that all Nigerians of goodwill would do.