Putting square pegs in square holes

While Nigerians await the realization of this assurance, it is pertinent to say that the principles of merit, competence and professionalism should guide these appointments yet to be made by the President. This will be a sure way of promoting good governance, excellence, good leadership and accountability in governance. There is no doubt that the […]

While Nigerians await the realization of this assurance, it is pertinent to say that the principles of merit, competence and professionalism should guide these appointments yet to be made by the President. This will be a sure way of promoting good governance, excellence, good leadership and accountability in governance.

There is no doubt that the gains associated with this “wisdom” are enormous. President Jonathan should be given some accolades in the application of this wisdom in some of the key appointments he has made since his administration. Take for instance the appointment of the Ministers of Finance Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Iweala; Agriculture, Dr Akinwumi Ayo Adesina and that of the former Minister of Power, Professor Barth Nnaji among others. These are first class technocrats and seasoned professionals whose competence and power of delivery are not in doubt.

Obviously their inclusion into the federal cabinet has brought reinvigoration, new ideas and focus in their respective ministries. Professor Barth Nnaji for instance, within the short time he served as power minister before his resignation, justified his inclusion into the cabinet. He was able to define a new direction for the power sector and drive President Jonathan’s Power Sector Road Map. The result of this positive effort is what the country is at the moment enjoying in terms of electricity supply. Power industry experts say the current power generation capacity of the country is over 4300 MW which is far better than less than 2500 MW in place when President Jonathan became President in 2010 following the death of former President Umaru Yaradua.

There is no doubt that the Agriculture Minister, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina since his appointment has laid a good foundation for higher degree of achievements in the Agricultural sector. His appointment which brought in direct interface between them and the Minister, which has resulted in government’s direct assistance to the farmers in terms of subsidy and financial benefits.

The country’s economy is improving and would continue to improve. President Jonathan acknowledged this fact. Thanks to the professional competence of Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Iweala, who is the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of Economy. Her inclusion in President Jonathan’s Cabinet has brought about a lot of orderliness and transparency in the management of the country’s financial and economic resources.

Given these testimonies of the result of putting a square peg in a square hole while making appointments into government positions, it would only be proper to continue in this right direction. This brings us back once again to the issue of filling up the existing vacancies by President Jonathan before the end of the year. Every effort should be made to ensure that only those who are qualified and are core professionals should be encouraged to head some of the existing positions either by appointments or through competitive interviews.

One of the government agencies whose Chief Executive Officer is yet to be replaced following the successful completion of the tenure of its former Chief Executive is the Federal Inland Revenue Service, (FIRS) which is the statutory creation of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (Establishment) Act 2007.

The Former Executive Chairman of FIRS was Mrs. Ifueko Omoigui-Okauru. She left the service on the 8th of April 2012 having served two terms as stipulated in the ACT establishing the FIRS. Since April till date her position has been occupied in an acting capacity by the Coordinating Director, Special Services of FIRS, Mr. Kabiru Mashi.

Mrs. Omoigui- Okauru was a good example of what professionalism could offer to the country. Apart from having the requisite training and exposure, having graduated with first class honours in Accountancy and later obtained a Master of Science in Management Science from the imperial College, University of London as a Commonwealth Scholar, her tenure was successful and productive to the nation. Two states are currently not represented at the Federal Executive Cabinet of President Jonathan. They are Kebbi and Enugu states. Also, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Power are yet to get substantive Ministers. The Ministers of state are currently supervising these Ministries. It is expected that President Jonathan will soon forward the names of the ministerial nominees from the two states to the Senate for confirmation.

Whoever these nominees would be, they must be professionals in their various fields who have been tested and found worthy. Politicians should not be allowed to hijack the positions. The president should live above sentiment while deciding on who takes over as the substantive Minister of Power. The person should be somebody who has all it takes to move the power sector forward and deliver on the government’s promise of providing stable electricity to the Nigerian people.

Aneke is a public affairs analyst based in Abuja