Every political system through the ages has a remarkable culture and this culture encompasses a total repertoire of human political actions, interactions, strategies and activities that occur within a certain political calendar. Each culture shares a reasonable degree of similarities and there are also points of divergence. This disparity is what makes politics thick and what has shaped the world since the days of Pluto. The way political candidates are received and perceived will be determined by the political culture of the place. My previous offerings on Udom Emmanuel when posted on the social media has been greeted with mixed reactions but there are a few striking questions that have been raised in those responses that has provoked my thoughts; Is he financially ready for the election? Can he 'consult' widely enough within the shortest possible time? Is he a generous man? Will the 'boys' benefits from his administration?
I summed up these disturbing questions into one and asked myself, how will Udom Emmanuel share the 'National (state) cake? The idea of sharing the national cake is not new to the Nigerian political lexicon. The national cake is a direct reference to the issue of
governance in public office. It refers to the commonwealth, how it is
managed and shared, as well as access to it by stakeholders of the
Project. It simply borders on simple revenue sharing mechanisms. It is what some experts have labeled as Resource Curse or the
Dutch Disease. In a simple term, it is defined as a syndrome where
exploitation of abundant natural resource exerts a negative drag on
long-term economic growth.
The concept of national cake is nothing very positive in my opinion. It affects the psyche of the people, especially concerning the issue of patriotism. An average American speaks of the American dream, just as the French talks about l’oeuvre nationale (national work). In Nigeria, nay, Akwa Ibom State, patriotism has given way to plundering and greed. The man who gets into politics sees it as a quick way to get money. As such, he must win at all cost. Where Americans have the American Dream and the French have l’oeuvre nationale (national work), we have “the national cake” and it is not for posterity
sake but for quick sharing on the basis of who gets theirs first.
How can Akwa Ibom be liberated from this level of thinking? We have to learn from history and a quick trip to the Netherlands will be instructive. The theory of the Dutch Disease (Resource Curse) was propounded by
economic scholars who painstakingly studied the negative development
pattern in most countries with huge resource endowments. They
discovered that while some countries were able to harness and make
judicious use of their potentialities to maximum benefit, others showed
growing resistance/immunity to the disease. According to the analysts,
the ‘disease’ was first noticed in the Netherlands in the 50’s when
abundant natural gas production brought rapid foreign revenue but
declining local productive sector.
However, countries like Norway, Australia, Chile, Canada and Botswana were able to break the yoke by turning their resource into maximum use. In particular, Norway
successfully mitigated the Resource curse and reinforced the belief that
the root cause of the disease was lack of strong institutions of
government, which are characterised by corruption in official circles,
among other critical vices that incapacitate a state. Thus, Norway and
a few other countries were able to successfully curb the Resource Curse
by building strong institutions that eliminate corruption and make sure
the oil revenues are ploughed back into the economy to create strong
productive base. Today, Norway is a trail blazer in ship building and
has invested heavily in education and educational institutions that have
become the engine of research.
The elections are here again in this part of the world and the negative precedence has given room for the mad rush of people to candidates with Ghana-must-go bags ready to share the goodies. The old war horses have assured that that there is a “national cake” to
be shared out between the various “stakeholders” — a cute word for Close political associates. That they, being good leaders, are out to “ensure” that everyone “gets a
fair share” of that national cake. The bit about sharing some imaginary cake is nonsense. In Akwa Ibom, the
average man knows that the national cake is, in fact, shared out not with the
people, but with politicians’ acolytes and briefcase businessmen.
You see, politics in this part of the world is a profession. And like all professions, it
requires investment and networking. To become the Big Man, one needs to buy-in fat, connected
businesspeople with fewer scruples than a speck of dust has. These
businesspeople contribute billions to the politician’s campaign.
They know that their payback will come when the paymaster becomes
the Governor, because that is when the eating will begin. In this scenario, how many people can benefit?
So will Udom Emmanuel share the money? Yes and No. No in the sense of having people line up the streets to get peanuts and then starve for 4 years. No in the sense of sharing money in a crude style to politicians at the expense of the people. So, wetin boys go chop? The 'boys' must be ready for a change for the better. They must know that Udom has a rich CV and tract record that speaks for him. That he is a
savvy , purpose-driven, value-maximizing, and
thoroughbred professional whose driving
force hinges on the fundamental need to make
a difference. His strides has had to wield no
magic wand other than his commitment to
excellence which derives its finer stuff from
hard work, dedication, and recourse to
endless prayers. Isn't this what Nigeria needs at
times like this? Courage, Tenacity, and
Patience. Having the courage to stand alone,
the tenacity to not succumb to pressure, and
the patience to keep fighting until
one wins the day--and sometimes being able to
do all three at the same time--is something one
will have to develop if he or she wants to be a true and
successful leader.
As an old boy of INSEAD, France, Columbia
Business School, USA, the Wharton
Business School, USA and the London
Business School, he will make the state economy be one of the fastest
growing emerging economies in Nigeria with a
real GDP growth averaging 10% annually, which is what we desperately need. The Godswill Akpabio administration has set a strong foundation with its putting in place key infrastructure. Next is for a visionary leader to drive the ship of state to economic prosperity, a man, like Udom Emmanuel versed with the workings of the financial system to pilot it to the next level. The priviledged few who have interacted with Mr Emmanuel know he has a desire to create a skilled youthful population. With this he will surely embark on vocational training, entrepreneurial
and skills acquisition scheme for graduates
along with the creation of Small Business Loan
Guarantee Scheme to create at least 100,000
new jobs every year, for the foreseeable
future. Isn't this what the 'boys' need?
With experience on the boards of Africa Finance
Corporation (AFC), Nigerian Interbanks
Settlement System (NIBSS), Zenith Bank UK and
Zenith Pension & Custodian, i see in Mr Udom Emmanuel one who will tap into and utilise the people's strong-minded
spirit of enterprise, industry, commerce, and
community. A man who with his experience and contacts, enter into Public Private Partnerships (PPP)
with both foreign and local investors to
achieve economic growth objectives. And as a man with firm roots, he will
partner with local councils as well as investors
to assist the development of markets. The next drive has to be industrilization and it requires planning and strategy, a proper drive for industrialization will ensure
that the problems of insecurity, unemployment
and education are solved.
When there is a plan to develop industries,
there will be the need to employ people, a
situation that mandates proper
training of youths with the appropriate skills
to be employed and be less interested in crime,
thereby helping to reduce the insecurity in the state.
Here is a God fearing, resolute, dedicated, competent, creative, visionary, efficient, highly adaptable,
disciplined, career minded performer, strategist and a richly experienced private
sector player. A man who is prepared and ready to mobilise all strata of the society. A man who doesnt feel insecure to assemble the best brains and experts
in the state. A man who will harness ideas from all and sundry
through public consultations and participation. There is more than enough in stock for the 'boys' to 'chop'.
Aniekeme Finbarr is a Broadcaster, writes from Uyo, +2348038158668
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