Patrick Tagbo Oguejiofor
3 July 2008
Politics, Leadership and Development in Nigeria is a collection of twenty-four essays composed over a period of over 20 years by the renowned literary critic-turned politician, Dr. Ihechukwu Chiedozie Madubuike. These essays are the product of the author's sojourn into Nigeria's political waters. Having been a two time Hon Minister of Education and of Health in 1979 and 1995 respectively and currently romancing with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the essays are diverse, ranging from the health to educational issues; from political leadership to the economy, sharia controversy and our nascent democracy.
Also discussed are the Needs and Seeds Programmes, the federal character principle as well as the issues of social justice and equity.
Other areas covered by the book include local government administration, Igbos in Nigerian politics, institutional reforms and the problems of a plural society like Nigeria. In short, going through the book is like reading a Nigerian daily as the author practically traversed every nook and cranny of the numerous problems facing the Nigerian society today.
But, this time around, the scene is viewed from the kaleidoscopic view of a seasoned administrator, poet- politician, critic and elder statesman.
The author, through these essays, was able to pin point how our various ailments came about. His thoughts are echoed by the former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, in his foreword to the book. In his own words:
"Many political decisions are, more often than not, taken to satisfy the interest of those in power at the material time without due regards or consideration to the general welfare of the entire country. If only politicians could be more like scholars, subjecting issues to scientific rigorous debates and analysis before taking decisions, they would take more solutions and development-oriented decisions in the interest of the entire nation".
The above statement, in a nutshell, summarizes the legion of problems facing Nigerians. It is the author's view in this book that Nigeria has been a victim of many selfish leaders - leaders who put themselves first before the nation, leaders without foresight, unpatriotic charlatans parading as messiahs. The book could, therefore, be said to be not only a chronicle of the achievements and failures of the Nigerian State, but a wake-up call for Nigerians to face the task of nation-building more seriously.
The author laments the failures of leadership the way Chinua did in his The Trouble with Nigeria. While blaming unpatriotic Nigerians for our national woes, he says: "Nigerian politics has receded from the arena of public trust to the worship of private denizens and enthronement of mores and ethics. He adds that "we need to arrest the trend in order to equally checkmate the descent into insensate barbarism and revisionist social democracy."
Dr. Madubuike believes that the problems facing Nigeria are traceable to policies that are based on 'raw politics rather than hard facts and empirical evidence'.
Madubuike, like the fine critic he is, in the various chapters that make up the book, took a critical look at the various angles of Nigeria's crises of leadership and development endeavours. It is as if he is holing up mirrors for us to see ourselves as no aspect of our life was left out. He opines that for development to take place, there must be effective leadership and social justice. These, in his views, are the essential ingredients without which Nigeria will not step out of its delirium.
To quote the author again: "Nigeria's best days are still ahead of us. With an effective leader, we can write the next great chapter of this potentially great country and restore pride to all those who love it." The author did not stop at pointing out the problem and identifying the solution, he took time to identify some good leaders Nigerians have produced. He sees the likes of Dr. Michael Okpara, Akanu Ibiam, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Dr. Pius Okigbo as some of the best leaders the Igbos have produced.
he late Sardauna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Aminu Kano, Shehu Musa Yar'Ardua and Nnamdi Azikiwe are singled out for positive 'godfatherism'.
One major problem the author pointed as the bane of progress in Nigeria is the problem of religious intolerance. If we must move ahead as one nation, then 'we must all fight against a situation where religious intolerance becomes a Nigerian value... Nigerian religions must continue to foster the values of intra community and brotherly co-existence'.
Some of the essays were papers presented at events while others have been published in reputable journals and newspapers as opinion articles. Others were conference papers while some are making their first appearance in this publication.
The good thing is that all the essays are well researched and thought-provoking. They all bear semblance to this house called Nigeria that is threatening to fall. The good news is that there is a chance that the house will not collapse if we accept the author's diagnosis and apply his recommendation for a cure.
The book easily reminds one of the Book of Lamentation in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible. Some of the essays are live dirges, lamenting the tragedy that has befallen the Nigerian State, comparable to ancient Jerusalem after its fall. Each essay appears to be lamenting one misfortune or the other that has formed a clog in the nation's wheel of progress.
Like the Prophet Jeremiah in the Bible, the author enjoins those killing Nigeria through their selfish acts to stop and have a rethink. Madubuike is calling for national repentance and reconciliation. In the views of the author, for us as a people to conquer poverty, hunger and all forms of deprivations that are anti-development, active individual participation is required.
The book is not without a few errors. For example, in page xviii, the word 'foreword' was miss-spelt as 'foreward'. Also, in page 241, Honourable Justice (Mrs.) Roseline Ukeje (now retired) was mistakenly presented as a justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria rather than the Chief Judge of Federal High Court, a position she held until her recent retirement in January, 2008.
That notwithstanding, Politics, Leadership and Development in Nigeria is a collectors' item. Whether you are a civil servant, student, politician, soldier, technocrat, diplomatic, writer, business man, there is something to fascinate you in the book. The book is an electrifying collection. Every sentence is engaging to the last word. In all, Madubuike is calling on all stakeholders in Project Nigeria to join hands to make the project survive.
No doubt, the richness and depth of the essays are heavily influenced by the authors training in humanities, in education, philosophy and, of course, his romance with politics after he left the academia. On his reason for compiling the book, Madubuike says he writes in 'the hope that my writing will be read and that they can influence us for the better.' He also hopes hat the book could lead to better policies and a better Nigeria.
Madubuike has written and published several books within and outside Nigeria over the years. But Politics, Leadership and Development in Nigeria appear to be his Magnus opus. It is a book every literate Nigerian citizen must read.
TITLE: Politics, Leadership and Development in Nigeria
AUTHOR: Dr. Ihechukwu C. Madubuike
PUBLISHER: Roots Books & Journals Ltd, Abuja
PAGE EXTENT: 287
COVER PRICE: N2,500.00
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