In recruiting the next CEO of enterprise Nigeria, we the people (employer) of the CEO must recognise our innate powers ‘to hire and to fire’ ipso facto. We the people hold the aces and not the other way round. The politicians applying for the top job must be put at the station where they belong. They are being recruited to serve us and will not be imposed on us to be served. The cart must not be placed before the horse.
Published 21 hours ago on January 20, 2023By Tony Osakpamwan Agbons Tony-Agbons-20.01.23.jpg
It was nearly a year ago, I penned a literary piece, ‘The Office of the King of Nigeria’. The piece articulated some of the core competences and persona externalities required of the occupant of the ‘exalted’ office of ‘The King of Nigeria’. There was countless feedback for and against my advocacy, depositions, and postulations. A lot however has changed since then. The dynamics of our political landscape has shifted dramatically with much frenzy. The political parties have since conducted their primaries at all levels and flagbearers emerged. The ‘political premier league’ transfer season has been buzzing with the good, bad and ugly jostling for attention and prime position.
Worthy of note in this political season is the seeming high level of awareness by the citizenry. Citizen participation in the electoral process has witnessed a seismic trajectory from new voters’ registration, enlightenment, and engagement both online and offline. Another significant feature is the buy-in from the borderless Nigerian Youths. These youths, irrespective of their geographical locations globally, are coalescing, they are raising their shoulders, showing their chest, flexing their muscles, and standing up to be counted. Their involvement in this oncoming 2023 election is sending shivers down the spines of the ‘satanic ruiners’ who have been pressing down their necks and suffocating them. It is now “business unusual” because Nigerian youths have collectively decided they must breathe.
The youths have woken up to demand that which rightly belongs to them and rightly so. It was therefore with jubilation that the news of over 37 million youths (ages 18-34) on the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC register was received. Add that to the over 33 million middle age (35 – 49 years) citizens also in the register, then you will agree with me that this 2023 General election is Game! No ifs, no buts. A simple data analysis shows that this combined age bracket (18-34 and 35-49) make up over 70 million voters. They represent 75% of the total 93.4 million eligible registered voters for the 2023 elections in Nigeria. These no doubt are significant and relevant emerging statistics the old order is trying to drown with their usual noise and money sharing smoke screen!
The 2023 election is turning out to be a watershed and defining moment for Project Nigeria. It is panning out to be a ‘clash of the titans’ as well as a ‘battle for the soul and existential survival’ of our nation. To undermine it, is akin to a suicidal jump from a rocky cliff to the ocean depth. As Nigerians scan through the numerous choices in front of them, all eyes are on the top job, the Office of Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Corporation Nigeria – the President. This is not to downplay the adjuncts departments of State Governors, National and State Legislators as well as Local Government Areas.
Some members of these latter ‘departments’ above are part of the major problems bedevilling our country. Many of them have turned to ‘tin gods’, ‘imperial lords’ in ‘fiefdoms’ who bear the badge of ‘Your Excellency’ without being excellent in service delivery to those (the people) they are meant to serve. Instead of being servants of the people who elected them, these tin gods are the ones constantly served. Their plate is not what is being ‘cooked’ on this menu. That surely is a matter for another day. It is frequently posited that a people who do not understand their past or know their present cannot prepare for their tomorrow. Like it is often said in executive business management parlance, `those who don`t see the picture, cannot fit into the future`.
The pertinent questions for the business entity called Nigeria are viz: How did we get here? What is the current state of play? Where is it we are going? Perhaps some clear answers to these begging questions would suffice. You be the judge, based on empirical evidence all around us without a crystal ball. The business enterprise called Nigeria is failing. Some even say it has failed. The enterprise debt currently stands at over 70 Trillion Naira, and revenue receipts continue to dwindle. Budget deficit is at an all-time high and unemployment rate at 33% breaking point. 67% of the population is in multi-dimensional (absolute) poverty and insecurity prevails at unprecedented record levels.
The company called Nigeria is bleeding financially as a result of executive recklessness and profligacy. The entity is going bankrupt at the speed of light. The jury is out. The Chairman and Board of Directors urgently desire a competent CEO to take Corporation Nigeria out of the woods. What then are the potentates required for the position of CEO of Corporation Nigeria? The specifics are clear.
We take the first on the cards. The enterprise called Nigeria needs a qualified, mentally, and physically fit CEO. The job is a 24-hours-365-days role. A sick enterprise like Nigeria PLC cannot survive another four business years with a sick boss at the helm of affairs. Secondly, the enterprise requires a savvy Chief Executive Officer with requisite knowledge of the dynamics of a 21st century conglomerate. Third and perhaps the most important, is that the enterprise called Nigeria is in urgent need of a brand-new way of doing things. A failing/failed system like this will implode into oblivion soon (without sounding alarmist) if the current approach to its governance continues. The present approach of political patronage, mediocrity and the hatred for integrity, honesty, and decency must give way.
In recruiting the next CEO of enterprise Nigeria, we the people (employer) of the CEO must recognise our innate powers ‘to hire and to fire’ ipso facto. We the people hold the aces and not the other way round. The politicians applying for the top job must be put at the station where they belong. They are being recruited to serve us and will not be imposed on us to be served. The cart must not be placed before the horse. Power belongs to us the people. If se(elected) and a CEO fails to deliver, we the people have no choice than to kick him or her out in the next se(election) cycle. That is the beauty of democracy! The Power To Hire And Fire!!!
Also, we the owners of enterprise Nigeria reserve the eternal right to see, scrutinise and access the suitability of any aspiring candidate for the highest office in the land. Consequently, we warn without any ambiguity that whosever desires the plum job should be prepared ab initio on submission of their CV to present themselves for an interview whenever wherever by the Nigerian people. All applicants must be interrogated for the CEO job. Any attempt by an applicant to’ Emilokunize’, or ‘Experiencize’ the process by dodging Q&A will neither be tolerated nor accepted. Leadership is not by force. The se(election) and recruitment process remains sacrosanct.
As we move decisively into the business end of the current recruitment of a CEO for corporation Nigeria on 25th February 2023, it behoves on all of us to be thorough and circumspect. We must change the status quo. We cannot keep doing the same thing and expect a different result. Individually, we must do what we can such as collect our PVC (despite the delays/frustrations), talk to our undecided relatives and neighbours, forward that message on your phone to as many contacts and groups possible, because each additional vote counts in this se(election). The running of Nigeria PLC like all leading business organisations requires a persona with character, competence, and capacity. Let’s not look too far away, the candidate of choice is here and clear. He is a tried and tested hand full of vibe and gusto. So, take a bow Mr Peter Gregory Obi and team.
Dr Agbons is Lead Institute of Good Governance & Leadership @www.twin2.org
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