Mo Ibrahim Award: A lesson for Nigeria
In 2007, the former President of Mozambique Joachim Chisano won the maiden prize and in 2008, the former Botswana President Festus Mogae won. Interestingly, none of the three former presidents who were shortlisted for the award this year was found by the committee to meet the criteria. The candidates are: John Kuffour of Ghana, Thabo […]
In 2007, the former President of Mozambique Joachim Chisano won the maiden prize and in 2008, the former Botswana President Festus Mogae won. Interestingly, none of the three former presidents who were shortlisted for the award this year was found by the committee to meet the criteria. The candidates are: John Kuffour of Ghana, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria.
I believe the panelists did not decide to use the Nigerian factor modality. To me, the outcome of the proceeds is not a surprise because none of the leaders have the required leadership traits to receive the 5 million dollar price because leadership is more than just being at the helm of affairs. It requires the fear of God and dedication to service.
The funniest part of the issue, to me, is the inclusion of former president Olusegun Obasanjo as one of the contestants for the price. I do not know how well or bad the other contestants may be, but as long as I remain a Nigerian, I know that just as his groomed political son is following his footsteps; former president Obasanjo has nothing to be credited for.
As I read from an editorial of the Daily Trust and I quote, “The price, the organizers believe is meant to stimulate debate on good governance across sub-Saharan Africa and the world; provide objective criteria by which citizens can hold their governments to account; recognize achievement in African leadership and provide a practical way in which African leaders can build positive legacies on the continent when they have left office; and support aspiring leaders for the African continent”. In other words, it is a wake-up call on sitting African presidents to strive for good governance.
The aforementioned aims for the price, I believe, are rational and not beyond a committed leader of any African origin to possess. But left for me, institutionalizing such kind of leadership price here in Africa is uncalled for because we have so many problems ranging from diseases, drugs, crime, joblessness etc that needs urgent attention. Five million dollars is not small money. It will turn the lives of thousands of people if fully utilized. It is not as if I am trying to condemn the organizers of such a remarkable venture but in my humble opinion, such kind of money should be channeled to a project that would make a positive impact in the lives of the masses rather than enrich the lives of some few corrupt people who do all they can to enthrone themselves into positions through election rigging and also try to perpetrate themselves in power. It is in the best interest of the well-off to help empower those who are not as well-off to improve their lives.
The organizers should look for another means of utilizing such a huge amount of money rather than trying to enrich those that have demonstrated little or no positive impact in the lives of the governed.
Awards should not be given just because they have been instituted. The African region has been ill-served by some few incompetent, greedy and self-serving leaders who have done disservice to their respective country homes. These people are neither responsive to the needs of their people nor care for the problems that confront them. It does not matter whether it has to take years before any former African leader who certainly deserves such an award rises to claim it.
A case in hand is the Nigerian National Merit awards that is meant to honour Nigerians from different walks of life, who have offered outstanding and monumental achievements in their various callings, to the progress and benefit of their fatherland. Our National Merit awards should be awarded to deserving individuals who are worthy enough to be applauded. They should not just be offered to individuals because they are wealthy or in key positions as is always the case in Nigeria. A case in hand is the conferment of the Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR) to President Umaru Musa Yar’adua on the day he was assuming office. This typically illustrates how cheaply our awards have turned out to be.
The Mo Ibrahim prize will also serve as a message to former president Obasanjo to know how awards are supposed to be issued and not just because you find yourself in power, then you use your discretion to do whatever you want to do. It doesn’t matter if in a whole year, no single Nigerian is found worthy to receive an award as a result of lack of commitment to develop humanity in whatever capacity in his / her field of endeavour. The practice of issuing dozens of citizens who have done nothing worthy of national recognition and given high national titles merely for holding position that they do not merit, has done nothing but bastardized the entire process.
I recall sometimes early last year when the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi refused to accept the honor conferred on him. He gave cogent reasons and I quote him as saying “I do (refuse to take the title) because, as George Bernard Shaw noted: ‘our laws make law impossible; our liberties destroy all freedom; our property is organized robbery; our morality an impudent hypocrisy; our wisdom is administered by inexperienced or mal-experienced dupes; our power wielded by cowards and weaklings; and our honour false in all its points. I am an enemy of the existing order for good reasons.’
Citizens should be encouraged to strive hard in their chosen fields of endeavor to uplift the country and its people. Persons that are chosen for recognition must actually merit it. It shouldn’t be conferred on people that are not fit to hold public office. As expected, recipients of awards are supposed to be role models in our society not crooks. For as we all know, honor is attended upon goodness.
Kamaluddeen B.I. El-kalash wrote in from Abuja, [email protected]