Funmi Komolafe
1 December 2008
opinion
SINCE the redeployment of the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, Nigerians have spoken for or against it. What is real, however, is that Ribadu, the anti-corruption Czar, is no longer in charge of the agency.
Those who took over, swept away all the 'Ribadu boys'. One is not interested in the politics of these issues but, as someone who has some experience in covering the world of work, what one has seen in the last few months should bother anyone familiar with attitudes at work.
Ordinarily, one would have thought that the officers at EFCC are loyal to the Federal Republic of Nigeria and not to an individual, but those who took over from Ribadu do not think so. They were in a hurry to dispense with the services of these officers and deny the nation their expertise.
This action of Madam Faridah Waziri, the EFCC boss, reminds me of a story which a former Labour Minister, Dr. Samuel Osaigbovo Ogbemudia, told me in his office. He said he resumed on a new job and the gossips were at work. They came to tell him that Mr. X and Mrs. Y were loyal to the former boss and, therefore, could not be trusted. He was advised to do away with them, the way Mrs. Waziri has done away with the so-called Ribadu boys.
But Dr. Ogbemudia was wiser. He introduced what I would call the Ogbemudia formular. He called Mr. X and Mrs. Y and simply said: "I have been told you were loyal to the former boss. Now, what I want you to do is transfer that loyalty to me". He retained them and they remained loyal to him and the nation benefitted.
Although the Ribadu case has gone beyond that stage now, one has merely cited this so that public functionaries in particular can learn from this.
However, what necessitated this article is the way the system in Nigeria is 'rewarding' dedicated employees. A case that readily comes to mind is that of Dr. Timiebi Koripamo-Agary, then Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Labour, who had her property thrown out on the orders of the then 'Abuja landlord', Mallam Nasir El- Rufai.
Her belongings were thrown out at a time she was participating at an international conference where she represented Nigeria.
Formal and informal representations were made to El- Rufai not to eject Dr. Agary but he would not budge. Dr. Agary headed for the courts. For daring to go to the courts, Mallam El- Rufai vowed and indeed got Dr. Agary retired unceremoniously. For those who did not know, Dr. Agary was a dedicated civil servant who promoted dialogue between organised labour, private employers and government. She represented Nigeria brilliantly at several international fora, especially at the International Labour Organization.
Once on forceful retirement, she was jobless for months until President Yar'Adua, in his magnanimity and in the interest of justice, reinstated her. She finally retired from the Federal Civil Service as Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Information and Communications in August.
Like Dr. Agary, like Ribadu. The Federal Government's order that Mr. Ribadu's certificate of graduation be issued to him by the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS) is belated.
Ribadu has been Yesterday, it was Dr. Agary, today, it is Mallam Ribadu. This is a clear signal that people like Prof. Dora Akunyili, the rare gem who has distinguished herself, should watch their backs. They should begin to ask if it is really worth giving Nigeria so much dedication. Is Nigeria really worth one's total commitment? I won't even talk about whether Nigeria is worth dying for.
Comrade Governor Adams Oshiomhole is a firm believer in Nigeria worth dying for but with recent developments, I doubt if many would share his view.
However, those who humiliate others today should know that power is transient. A time there was in this country when Major Mustapha's words were laws. Before him, there was a silent but powerful Col. Omenka. Where are they now?
If we all remember that power is transient, we would be fair to one another and the nation would be the better for it.
Mrs Komolafe is an Assistant Editor with Vanguard Newspapers.
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