No doubt, one third of the global community operates democratic system of government. A system which bequeaths enormous power on the larger populace to elect their leaders in order to avoid autocratic system of government where few or an individual imposes themselves as leaders to the detriment of the majority. Indeed, democracy is good! It’s in democratic system that an individual who may not have intellectual and physical aptitude to challenge his or her leader, can have the guts to look straight into the eyes of a leader and express his or her feelings without bothering about the consequences.
It is in line with this communication over-head that I write, as an academic, politician and public affairs analyst with special interest in good governance in Africa and Nigeria in particular, on the ongoing hullabaloo surrounding the nomination of Honourable Mrs Stella Okotete as a minister of the Federal Republic. Okotete is a former national women leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), and the current executive director, Operation and Business Development of NEXIM Bank.
Of course, some political and public affairs analysts may be wondering why I concerned about the nomination of Mrs Okotete as a minister from Delta state. As Nigerian, I am passionate to see Nigeria join the league of developed nations. And this requires a lot of commitment and sacrifice both in infrastructure and human development. We need people of impeccable character with good intellectual and earthshaking agenda to help transform Nigeria.
So, to appoint Nigerians who do not possess the needed requirements to head sensitive government positions and especially as ministers, should not be ignored. Besides, the Freedom of Information Act gives me the right to express my opinion on any public issues in Nigeria. Moreover, as a public affairs analyst, I have all the right to torchlight on the character and capabilities of whoever that will be employed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu including Stella Okotete, whose issue presently is in the public domain.
Nigeria has gone through a lot in the hands of incompetent leaders who most times appear as saints only to become caustic with their policy formulation without taking into cognisance the future of Nigeria. They amass mindboggling wealth through public office while millions of Nigerians continue to languish in abject poverty. Thus, a position as sensitive as that of a minister should not be given to just anyone on the basis of political, tribal or religious inclinations. It should be given on the ground of professionalism, competency, and leadership capabilities.
So, I want to be blunt as a passionate citizen of Nigeria to appeal to President Tinubu to appoint only those with impeccable record as ministers. I also appeal to the sycophants staging protest and doing all sort of shenanigans against the confirmation of Mrs Stella Okotete not do things ignorantly but, to stage the protest in support of her based on her competency.
Honestly, Nigeria at the moment deserves the best, so since Stella Okotete is eminently qualified to be a minister, there shouldn’t be any need for anyone or group to blow her trumpet. Let her records and pedigree speak for her. I pity our dear country Nigeria and her citizens especially the disgruntled elements that don’t know their left or right allowing themselves to be used as tools for destruction and manipulation by some desperate politicians.
Thus, I urge all those operating in the name of pressure groups calling on the Senate not to confirm Mrs Okotete as Honourable Minister to do their research about Nigeria’s current state of affairs, as that will help them to know how important it will be if Nigeria is allowed to be piloted by capable hands.
Nevertheless, one may be right to ask if Mrs Okotete possesses the qualities to be appointed as a minister. Of course, she does. But, my major concern is the level at which our youths and some political observers that should watchdogs of the society are blowing the trumpet of some ministerial nominees without even knowing their background.
It’s evident that Stella Okotete possesses all the qualities to be a minister not just in Nigeria but even in the US.
Mrs Okotete had her secondary school education in Benin, Edo state and proceeded to College of Arts in Port Harcourt, Rivers state. She attended Benson Idahosa University in Edo state and went to Kebbi state NYSC Orientation camp after which she returned to Edo state to round off her mandatory national youth service. Mrs Okotete was APC national women leader and presently Executive Director NEXIM Bank.
There are concerns on how she will be able to overcome the quantum of petitions against her at the moment, given the tenacity of some people even from her immediate constituency who feel she doesn’t have what it takes to be a minister. There are petitions regarding her age declaration, NYSC discharge certificate, school certificate, masters degree, Code of Conduct Bureau declaration issue, among others that may crop up before her confirmation as a minister. But I am of the strong conviction that these cannot stop Okotete’s confirmation. In fact, I see her already as a confirmed Minister of the Federal Republic, being a special project in the hands of the Almighty.
So, as God and President Tinubu found her worthy to serve as a minister, I implore her to use her portfolio to ensure better Nigeria across board. As a former women leader, Okotete should ensure active women participation in Nigeria’s politics. The minister in-waiting should also deploy her wealth of experience from the banking sector to create conducive atmosphere for local industries’ participation in the global export and import arena to improve Nigeria’s foreign reserves.
Dr. Otukpa, a public affairs analyst, academic, politician and researcher in community and human management, writes from Otukpa, Ogbadigbo local government area, Benue state.
