Accountability and Responsibility From
the Top:
The kind of re-branding we need
PART TWO (Conclusion)
By Oliver Mbamara
Incidentally
the type of irresponsibility and lack of accountability evident in
Nigeria’s financial sector cuts across other sectors of the country’s
leadership and management. It has to be pointed
out that an isolated effort to cleanse it will only bring about little if any success
to get the country out of the pit of leadership mismanagement
and the consequential socio-economic impasse. Every other sector of
leadership in Nigeria has to be addressed.
In March 2002, I wrote an article titled, “Investing in Nigeria (and
Africa): The security question,” in which I said the following:
“It is only upon a solid foundation of peace and security of life and
property that economic and political stability can be built to last. I
look forward to the day our leaders would make safety and security their
utmost priority for their country (not just around the leaders
themselves). Employ more policemen, arm and train them better, but above
all pay them well to attract more recruits and discourage bribery -
there are many young men and women wasting away, yet willing and able to
grab a police job anytime. It is said, 'the idle mind is the devils
workshop.' When the youths have no jobs after their education, they
easily accept an offer of a token fee to carry out violence and mayhem.
Our leaders have continued to ignore this obvious
equation.
A comfortable state of security (not necessarily a perfect state, for
that cannot be obtained on earth) will encourage the millions of
Africans abroad to find the confidence to come home and to invest in the
African economy. If we Africans can get to such level on our own, a lot
of improvement will follow. Other investors will find the confidence to
invest in Africa. That will provide more jobs, good roads,
infrastructures, and sustenance. And once again, the continent that once
led civilization will be on its feet.”
Just two months after the above article was published, the then
Inspector General of Police (IGP) set up what was then called the “Ghost
Squad.” I then followed with another article titled "Ghost Squad," How
realistic? In the same article, I said the following:
“The idea of a "Ghost Squad" has all the elements of a realistic
approach in the treatment of the malaise of corruption and
irresponsibility that has plagued the Nigerian society. It addresses one
of the main roots of the problem - lack of exemplary discipline and
accountability within the rank and file of government and law
enforcement (or peace maintenance) arms. To that end, this article calls
on other arms such as the Army, Customs, SSS, etc. to also instill a new
internal cleansing mechanism. For a crusade to be successful, it must
start from within, and then reach out. For a new secure Nigerian
society, all hands must be on deck, not just the Police Force.”
“However, the IGP and his men need some time. It would take perhaps a
couple of weeks or months for one to practically score the success or
failure of both the "Ghost Squad" and "Operation fire for fire." Things
will not get better overnight and the IGP must not relent in his zeal.
As we approach the 2003 elections, the real test for the 'new' Nigerian
Police Force is yet to come.”
Of course, the test came and sorry to say, the result? Failure! The IGP
was later exposed to have been involved in repeated bribery and to have
diverted Police money to his pocket while crime rates spiraled and
Police officers remained unpaid and unequipped. Was the IGP brought to
book to face consequence of his actions that led to many more people
dying for crimes that could have been avoided or for making the nation
suffer the negative effects of crime waves and an insecure society that
turned away investors? After about six months in prison, the IGP came
out to proudly proclaim that he “will be back.”
Lest we forget, about the time, Chief Bola Ige who was the Attorney
General of the federation was shot and killed in his home and till
today, the culprits have not been brought to book, just as many
otherwise solvable murders remain unsolved. Shouldn’t we be talking
about a re-branding (or re-orientating) of the Nigerian Police
(prosecution) and justice systems?
We need not forget the role of the legislature in allowing some of these
atrocities to go on while the average Nigerian
continues to suffer in poverty, insecurity, poor health, and without
basic amenities and infrastructures despite belonging to Africa’s
largest oil-producing country. Shouldn’t we be talking about a
re-branding (or re-orientating) of the Nigerian legislature?
In the end, re-branding maybe good for Nigeria, but it has to start from
the top. Why must the average Nigerian and those suffering at the bottom
be the ones to suffer the consequence of a mismanaged nation and yet be
the ones called upon first to make any sacrifice?
This is only my opinion.
BACK TO PART ONE
ABOUT
THE AUTHOR:Oliver O.
Mbamara, Esq., is a New York State Admin Judge. He is also a filmmaker, writer, poet, and playwright. For
more on Oliver Mbamara, please visit www.OliverMbamara.com
©September 2009 Oliver Mbamara
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