What happens when national leaders lose touch with reality?
One of the possible scenarios can be found published in the Guardian newspaper, specifically via some statements credited to two high-powered government officials.
First, excerpts from the Finance Minister, Dr Mansur Muhtar:
“There was a lot of negative reports from the local media and these in turn shaped what the Western media and investors think about the country…
“The public seemed not to be giving enough credit to government for what was being achieved…
“The government’s efforts are not being given enough recognition and coupled with the enormity of the challenges not being appreciated… there’s exaggerated pessimism in the local media.”
Echoing the Finance minster, the Minister of Information and Communications, Prof. Dora Akunyili, added:
“Human trafficking and child abuse as some of the negative attitudes that have brought shame to Nigeria from the international community”.
The minsters have indeed raised important issues, however their assessments seem off-point given the presence of other more potent problems in the society.
However, what is ironic is that their statements have given strong credence to the need to change from the present autocracy-like, top-heavy, Abuja-directed governance to one that genuinely strives to build connection with the grassroots.
The various arms of government must get their heads out of the clouds and come down to the level of the people. That way, there wouldn’t be any misrepresentation in the press, and it becomes easier to proffer solutions to social problems like child abuse and human trafficking.
The key words here are connection and relationships.
Can those in government say they are connected to, and have genuine relationships with, the people they govern? I don’t think so.
Until the gap between the governed and the government is bridged, Nigerians can expect to read more heretic statements, the kind credited to Muhtar and Akunyili.
Related: Akin has more thoughts on this matter on his blog, Nigeria: Ministers’ perception of bad image, check it out.
PS:
This photo speaks volumes to the extent of disconnect that exists between the government and the people. The flooded road is a federal highway (Apapa-Oshodi Expressway, Lagos) connecting the two major seaports in the country to the hinterland. It is not an exaggeration to say this is one of the most strategic roads in Nigeria. Must it be in this state?
Hello Imnakoya,
Thanks for the mention to my blog.
In fact, if I were to be co-opted into the embellish the government image scheme, I could contend that the vehicles were amphibious all-terrain vehicles which means they could drive on all roads.
More so, since we are not in the desert why should roads be dry?
But like you say, it is about connection and relationships, I was already too long ahead with basic competence.
Regards,
Akin
July 2, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Thanks Imnakoya for posting this. First I find it strange that people in power (in Nigeria) will announce that they have done so much for the country and the people that dwell therein but you wont find them giving us examples of what these achievements are. Dora Akunyili should rate her performance so far as Minister of Communication and Information and honestly rate her achievements so far (comparing it to her NAFDAC days).
Nigerians I repeat again and again are not fools. We are not buying all the nonsense talk for we live in the real mcoy of a country and like the picture above shows, we face the harsh realities daily.
The Federal Government of Nigeria should take stock. THEY ARE LOSING IT. I hear of an area of Nigeria that has broken away and now have their own international passport (what is this all about and when do we have breakaway states that the government cannot do anything about?). IS NIGERIA NOT HEADING TOWARDS TOTAL ANARCHY?
I HONESTLY FEAR FOR NIGERIA. The picture looks very grim and our President (do we really have one) is way out of it. These national leaders have not just lost touch, they have no intention to stay in touch with the people, even right from before they assumed office. They are in politics and government FOR THEIR OWN SELFISH ENDS., and for this they will always frustrate any well meaning person that joins their government. There are many ways of frustrating these people e.g Frustrate them into self exile (Ribadu), Frustrate them into insignificance (Bankole), Frustrate them into never even considering to join (???).
What now can ever change these dinosauric selfish, loudsounding, people fooling, dishonest people? lol!!!
July 2, 2009 at 12:32 pm
One more point and very important, for how could I miss it out:
BALANCE SCORE CARDS, FOR GOVERMENTAL APPRAISALS, EITHER ON SELF LEVEL e.g. FASHOLA, or GROUP LEVEL e.g. each Parastatals.
HIGHLY NEEDED IF WE WANT TO MAKE THE RIGHT NOISES, POINT PEOPLE IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION OR AT LEAST LET PEOPLE KNOW WHAT IS EXPECTED OF THEM BEFORE ELECTION 2011.
July 2, 2009 at 12:36 pm
As usual, I keep wanting to gag Nigerian officials and/or keep them as far away from microphones.
Nobody but this government should shoulder the blame for Nigeria’s problems. After all most of the officials have been in ‘power’ in one capacity or the other for decades.
Human trafficking – oh really? Well then what has this administration done to prevent the occurrence and prevent the factors that foster it?
Local media – although Akunyili recently claimed to have no knowledge of the ‘brown envelopes’ that many a journalist receives, to blame the press for Nigeria’s bad reputation is laughable at best. No offense, but Western publications do not need to read our newspapers. They get their information from Akunyili’s office. It is not hard to do.
As to whether these officials are connected to the real world, well, unfortunately they are connected to the money they ‘have’ and that allows them to take off whenever necessary. They don’t have to drive the road pictured above and as such feel no need to take the initiative and improve it and other federal highways that are death traps.
Until the average person decides that we are no longer willing to ignore the inadequacies of those ‘elected’ into office to take care of things, these ‘representatives of the people’ will continue to say things that make little sense and do much less than we expect.
Nice post. have a great week.
July 6, 2009 at 6:39 am
I’m commenting less and less because I am seeing more and more…
July 11, 2009 at 12:11 pm
Chxta — what do you mean … “I am seeing more and more…”????
July 14, 2009 at 3:10 pm
I work in the media nowadays…
July 16, 2009 at 6:57 pm