PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan had two occasions last week to reassure Nigerians of the direction he is taking the country. The related events were to commemorate the country's 51st Independence Anniversary. The first occasion was the inter-denominational service at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, and the second, the independence lecture delivered by Professor Richard Dowden at the Foreign Ministry auditorium, also in Abuja. These occasions were auspicious moments for the president to reflect on the nation and his governance style. And in what seems to be a response to the critics of his administrative style, President Jonathan said that he was neither a General, nor a Pharaoh but that he could change the country without those traits as the mantle of leadership was in the hands of God. To emphasise his conviction, he noted that the country should build 'strong institutions' and not 'strong leaders'. Importantly, the president took a swipe at the politicians who, according to him, are the 'stumbling blocks' to the country's development agenda. He went further to wonder why his country men and women were denying him credit for governance output, when outsiders such as U.S. President Barack Obama and United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon were doing so.Like every other Nigerian, the President is, of course, entitled to express himself on issues of governance, whether or not these concern him directly. Reflections and self-criticism by leaders are welcome public ethics, especially in our clime where leaders carry on without being accountable to the people. But, President Jonathan missed the points at issue as far as governance goes. Today, the issues in our country are very clear 'they are about development and good governance. His comments seem to trivialise these matters. To address the need for strong institutions, the president was merely echoing President's Obama's Accra (Ghana) speech during his maiden visit to Africa in 2009. Without doubt, institution matters; but for sure, individuals are required to motivate and energise institutions. Thus, individuals do matter also. As is well known, institutions do not exist in a vacuum, but are inspired by leaders, and it is the leadership that animates an institution.Contemporary world history is replete with leaders who have turned things around for their countries, using the same institutions that have failed others, by means of determination and clear vision. For example, Winston Churchill, led Britain to victory in World War II, where Chamberlains' leadership before him had failed the country. Similarly, President Roosevelt of the United States also led his country in that global crisis and came out victorious. Beginning from Mao Tse Tung through to Jiang Zemin, China has emerged a global economic power to be reckoned with today, by virtue of the visions of its leadership. We could also point to Lee Kuan Yew's Singapore, Mahathir Mohamad's Malaysia and many more. The point is that they all made the difference on institutions, due to their personalities.The dexterity of the leader is important; and if the leadership is corrupt, the country would be corrupt. If the leadership is dynamic, the country would be dynamic. Nigerians are befuddled about the direction of the administration. They are asking: who is the president and where is he leading us to' It is not enough to say that God is in control, as every believer knows God does His wonders through the deeds of men and women. The president has told the country who he is not, but he should tell us, perhaps by deeds, who he is. What are we to expect from his administration' This question goes beyond good luck; it is about rising to the occasion, offering dynamic leadership and delivering public goods.The president seems baffled that he was receiving accolades from foreign leaders. On this score, he should care more about his rating by Nigerians than by foreigners. Nigerians are the ones who wear the shoes and know where they pinch. Is it not ominous when leading world powers pat our leaders in the back despite their obvious shortcoming' Ironically, despite the praises on the country's leadership, the UN still deemed it proper to move to Senegal, an international conference of the World Health Organisation earlier billed to hold in Nigeria, and the same institution has imposed a travel ban on its officials to the country. These actions speak volumes of the UN's assessment of the country.President Jonathan must seize the moment to enunciate a concrete vision, which must translate into a shared aspiration for all Nigerians. He garnered the goodwill of most Nigerians at the last general elections. Now, he should move quickly on issues of governance so as not to squander altogether, that goodwill.
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