Leadership (Abuja)
17 December 2008
opinion
Since coming into office, President Umaru Yar'Adua, unlike past leaders has exhibited the most tactiness in the understanding of issues bothering the nation. While some are wont to criticize his speed, forgetting the enormosity of the problems he met on ground, yet it would be untrue to say that he lacks foresight and grasp of the myriads of problems facing the country.
He has exhibited with his actions in recent time that he knows the time to effect certain changes at particular times. His introduction of the Niger Delta ministry for instance only goes a long way in manifesting that he feels the pulse of the Niger Delta people and hence geared towards ameliorating the problem of the region. Same spirit it is believed he possesses for all regions and sectors of the nation.
With the dissolution, last week, of the Federal Executive Council by President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua, there is no hiding the fact that perhaps after the recomposition of the FEC, parastatals and agencies might be visited especially those whose heads have their tenure expired or fast expiring. The Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) may be amongst the first sets of targets as its comptroller General, Chukwurah Udeh gets set to bow out after discharging what Nigerians say is a meritorious service to the nation. No small thanks to him and his able lieutenants.
Naturally, it would have been that on Udeh's exit, his successor would have been a DCG, but if what happened at the Nigeria Customs, where an Assistant Comptroller General of Customs was selected to succeed erstwhile comptroller General, Buba Gyang, is anything to go by, then perhaps the lobbying which is said to be at its peak going on at the Villa for Udeh's succession may be understood. Apparently, aside capability, some bit of goodwill must come into play in this selection process.
However, if the Federal Character spirit is to be applied, it is being expected that the next Comptroller - General of Immigrations would come from the South-Western part of the country. But this must be at the benevolence of President Yar'Adua. Since the creation of the NIS, no officer of the South Western extraction has had the privilege of heading the NIS despite the avalanche of brilliant and distinguished officers, the region has produced. But except the President is disposed to making history and making one of the officers from the South-West the first NIS CG, it may be another era of patiently waiting for their turn. The likelihood however, exists if the co-joined tenure of other regions is put at par with the South-West's.
The Immigration Service has no doubt over the years positioned itself as an indispensable tool in nation building. No doubt that the Chukwuma Udeh -led management has brought reforms and policies which strengthened the Service. Today from a second-fiddle position, the NIS is today at the centre of major Immigration policies especially within Africa and the world at large. It never used to be the case.
It is the opinion of many a Nigerian that for the NIS to continue in its recent feats and perhaps even jump start to become amongst the best in terms of organization and productivity, there is the need for Udeh's successor to be a thorough-bred officer and administrator whose intellect must be sharp as to stand up to the various challenges confronting Immigration across the world.
Such an officer, it is argued must be thorough in terms of experience and approach to official duties. He or she must be seen to possess the finesse and right acumen needed for the task ahead. The choice must take cognisance of picking an impeccable and well tested officer who has no allegiance whatsoever to other nationality in terms of marriage or secondary citizenship, nor one whose security reports are condemnable as indeed some officers of the NIS and their immediate families at the top echelon of the Service have had issues of theft of luggages, fake visa racketeering etc on them. For instance the issue of the missing 47 luggage belonging to former first lady of Liberia on visit to Nigeria has remained an albatross that has refused to go away. Persons involved in this must be seen to be have been prosecuted for the integrity of the nation, as it would be an embarrassment to have such persons man our NIS if they are still in the Service that is. Also, worthy of note is the widely acclaimed juxtaposition of states of origin and ages by some of these officers as rampant in the top brass of the civil service for obvious reasons, just as there are reports of spouses of some of the chiefs of Immigration involved in negative brushes with authourities abroad. Indeed the search must be thorough.
An issue that has remained a subject of controversy is the transferees' syndrome in the paramilitary organs. Transferees are mainly civil servants who jumped into parastatals like the NIS without undergoing the basic and mandatory rudiments in terms of recruitment and training that comes with the job. The core-professionals are always at an advantage over transferees as it is said that having "climbed the ropes", they are knowledgeable and versed in all facets of the service. Their exposure to training keeps them at par with their counterparts across the world as having gone through the rudiments of the Service, they could stand on their own, knowing their onions and hence comfortably challenge others, just as they are fathomed with set operational rules and objectives.
Of the about 22 top management staff of the NIS, there is no gainsaying the fact that one of them will surely succeed Udeh.
First of the DCG's is Mrs. Rose Uzoma (NIM), DCG Operations. A core professional who enrolled into the service and rose through the ranks, her state of origin - Imo, may be her undoing as it is unlikely the said the Presidency will be disposed to having a CG from South-East region after late lady Nwizu and Udeh from the region called the shots. Said to be obedient and business minded, the levity with which she has carried her business at the operations directorate is one that has earned her commendations.
Enter Alhaji Aliyu Abdullahi, DCG, Finance Administration and Technical Services (FATTS). A civil servant who crossed into the NIS as a transferee, the Niger State born NIS Chief is said to be highly reserved and does not fancy becoming the henchman at the NIS headquarters for personal reasons. His state of origin Niger also, if the preference for the South-West is anything to go by, puts him at a disadvantage as to the leadership of the NIS.
Then comes Dr. Babajide Brown, MFR, DCG Investigation, Intelligence, Inspectorate and Enforcement Directorate of the NIS. Said to be highly respected amongst his peers and colleagues at the NIS for his brilliance and intellect, the Oyo State born core professional who grew up from the ranks to the top of the service is favored in terms of his region the South-West and activeness.
Said to have brought vibrancy and professionalism to his directorate, the best ACG (2002) and winner of various awards is indeed an asset to the NIS. This NIS chieftain is not known to be on the talking side, but like President Yar'Adua prefers to quietly do his job, creating impact and achieving results.
An enviable core professional, Dr. Brown's academic prowess just as his track record of achievements sells him good. Whether he possesses the "right strings" is the question the multi-award winning officer would be saddled with.
Mrs. Funke Davies is the ACG in charge of Kaduna Zone. A core professional from Ekiti State, she is also amongst the favoured in those reliably being tipped as Udeh's successor. The calm but articulate ACG is amongst those said to be engaged in high wire lobbying for the CG's seat. It is however, said that her affiliation in terms of marrying a foreigner may be her undoing as the question of dual citizenship arises.Nevertheless,she it is said to still stand a chance.
Added to the list is Mr. Bayo Akolade, ACG- passport. A transferee who hails from Kwara State, but since the scheming for succession started is alleged to have adopted Lagos to be in contention, is one also said to be engaged in high-wire lobbying to succeed Udeh.
The Kwara State born NIS chief is said to be the favourite of the outgoing CG and were the out-going CG to be allowed to select a successor, he would be the natural choice due to his affinity and loyalty to Udeh. But with his state of origin controversy, and some antecedents, he may have some convincing to do. Also said to be influential as a result of his position as head of the passport office, which he has used to further champion his cause, he may still become the next CG if he gets his 'backers' endorse him as he is heavily connected to those in the corridors of power.
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