Mohammed Mainasara Usman
26 November 2008
opinion
Lagos — Adequately led, even a relatively small state can mobilize limited resources to achieve excellence in equal proportion to those with bigger resources.
Though Gombe State does not rank among the states that draw substantial federal subvention, it has attained a level of achievement that has become the envy of bigger states. Established just in 1996, Gombe State has put itself on the map within a relatively short time, especially since the Goje administration was destined to run the affairs of the state.
With a never-say die spirit, the Goje administration appears determined to accomplish goals which may appear too daunting or insurmountable in the eyes of those overwhelmed by pessimism. One recent example of the Goje administration's perseverance and determination was the successful completion of the Gombe State International Airport. Many pessimists did not probably give the project any chance of success as they did about other major initiatives of the Goje administration. In fact, many of his political opponents that criticize such projects do so because of the sheer desire to denigrate important initiatives ever embarked upon by the Goje Administration.
Most often, Goje's critics complain that his administration is pursuing over-ambitious projects. But as Benjamin Franklin pointed out "an idea is like a newborn baby; you don't know its value until it grows." In fact, most critics of the administration never gave the Gombe International Airport any chance of success but in their lifetime the project has come to fruition with the 2008 first hajj flight commencing from Gombe.
To succeed in life, we must overcome the fear of obstacles and critics, especially those who are essentially motivated by the mischievous desire to pull you down. But in the words of Earl Nightingale, "people with goals succeed because they know where they are going." Blinkered by prejudice, some critics judge you by their own standard of pessimism, always oppressed by the fear of the impossible. However, great achievers throughout history were those that attempted the impossible. In fact, Barack Obama would have got nowhere in his ambition to become President if he didn't dare.
Surely, the world belongs to those who dare. Despite its lean resources, the Goje administration has never been hindered by the fear of the impossible. According to Napoleon, "impossible exists in the dictionary of fools." The way the Goje administration is stubbornly determined to achieve its goals reminds one of the famous words of Voltaire, the French social critic who said: "Each player must accept the cards life deals him or her, but once they are in hand, he or she alone must decide how to play the cards in order to win the game."
Driven by a can-do-spirit, the Goje administration has set a record of performance that poses a challenge to other leaders. Success is not merely the availability of huge resources but the ability of the people to produce leaders with vision. Hajj operation is a significant issue in the life-of Muslim pilgrims, especially the inconveniences they suffer by traveling to other states to find planes to fly them to the holy land year after year. The construction of the Gombe International Airport now comes as a huge relief to the people of Gombe State. Apart from this periodic activity, airports are also important in promoting economic activities and development. Therefore, the significance of the Gombe International Airport goes beyond the conduct of hajj operations.
Good performance or the ability to produce results is the hallmark of effective leadership. From day one, the Goje administration has never let itself to be hampered by jaundiced critics who are always waiting eagerly to bring down every initiative the administration is determined to execute. If the administration had retreated from its set goals to satisfy incurable critics, it would probably have nothing to show for its performance. An any administration that succumbs to such blackmail runs the risk of playing into the hands of such critics who may then find the opportunity to accuse you of incompetence.
Without any fear of contradiction, once can assert that the Goje administration is restoring the confidence of northerners to believe in themselves by taking bold initiatives to change their fortunes. It is only in northern Nigeria where you hear critics say that a university project is not a priority for a state. Ironically, it is the same north that is complaining about the wide educational gap with the south.
If we have to wait until we have all the resources that we need to develop, then we shall never get where we want to be. Gombe State is not the richest state in the north but it is leading the way in terms of bold initiatives for development. In fact, many critics must have dismissed the airport initiative as another futile ambition until it became a success, which we are now celebrating.
With the Gombe State University successfully off the ground and giving its students the opportunity for higher education in an ever-competitive industry, the wisdom of Goje's vision is now catching on with many people. The maiden flight of 2008 hajj operation from the new Gombe International Airport has also wowed many critics who perceive failure in every effort. The ability to remain focused on the goals, despite the pessimism of critics, is the distinguishing feature of good leadership. Ever since it was elected into office, the Goje administration has proved its mettle by focusing on the development of its citizens. The Gombe International Airport is the latest example of what a goal-driven leadership can achieve. In fact, the best public relations is good performance and what else does the Goje administration have to be prove in terms of competence to bring the dividends of democracy to its people?
Usman wrote from Kaduna
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