17th January 2025, NewsOrient, Opinion, Column, Governance And Development, News
By Emeka Nwosu, PhD.

A few days ago, the Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti, announced the appointment of Mr. Benson Ojeikere, an indigene of Edo State serving as a Permanent Secretary in the State`s Civil Service, as the new Head of Service. This decision has been widely received with joy across the nooks and crannies of Abia State and beyond. The gesture is seen as an unprecedented act of goodwill and nationalistic fervor in a country where nepotism, tribalism and clannishness have continued to define inter-ethnic relations.

Ojeikere was said to have served in Abia State during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) days in the 90s and was retained in the Civil Service after emerging as the best overall Corper of his set. He has over the years risen to the position of Director before the election of Otti in 2023 as the Governor. Under a merit-based system instituted by Otti, Mr. Ojeikere became a Permanent Secretary. And now the Head of Service of the entire government workforce in Abia State. It is also important to note that Ojeikere emerged after a competitive process.

With this heartwarming development, Otti has shown himself as a visionary and fair-minded leader who believes in merit, fairness and equity as the basic principles for building a better and progressive society. The appointment of Ojeikere is instructive and notable as it has sent a strong message to the nation that nepotism, clannishness and other primordial considerations do not have a place in the process of nation building.

Otti, with this appointment, has made a bold statement to the effect that the progression of anyone`s career in public service or life generally should not be determined by such mundane factors as tribe, religion or gender.

This is a big lesson for our country, Nigeria, where citizens at various levels have continued to face discrimination on the basis of State of origin, linguistic affiliations, religious and political differences and tribal considerations.

In the past, there were such flashes of good intentions in different parts of Nigeria. It would be recalled that a Northern Muslim, Alhaji Umoru Altine, was the Mayor of Enugu in pre-independence era. Mazi Mbonu Ojike, one of the nationalist leaders in Nigeria, held a similar position in Lagos within the period.
Again, in Lagos, under then Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, an Igbo, Ben Akabueze, held the all-important portfolio of Commissioner for Budget and Planning throughout Tinubu`s tenure. He so distinguished himself that he was sent to Abuja to serve as the Director General of Budget Office of the Federation during the Presidency of Muhammadu Buhari.

In the intervening years, what we have seen has been a relapse into tribal chauvinism, religious perfidy and political intolerance, with only lip service being paid to national unity and social integration. The truth of the matter is that Nigeria cannot realize its manifest destiny and take its rightful leadership role in the continent if it continues to practice and promote policies that are discriminatory and divisive at home.

For instance, the application of quota system in the education sector and civil service has done incalculable damage to the social fabric of the nation as the system has led to the retardation and asphyxiation of the career of otherwise brilliant students and civil servants. While it may be necessary to build an inclusive society where the vulnerable and minority are accommodated, merit must, however, be accorded a primary consideration. Meritocracy should never be allowed to be slaughtered on the altar of mediocrity.

Many of the developed and advanced countries in the world today did not attain greatness through the promotion of primitive policies. Rather, they paid critical attention to such factors as merit and innovation. Nigeria can do the same, starting from the Federal Government.
Otti has shown a very good example which should be emulated by other State Governments.

The States should refrain from running an insular system, but open up the space to accommodate other Nigerians with something tangible to offer irrespective of their ethnic or religious backgrounds. This is the sure way to build a united, progressive and functional society.

Dr. Nwosu, a Public Policy Analyst, writes from Umuahia.
Email: cdnwosu2@gmail.com

~ NewsOrient

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