On Governance & Management

Governance cannot work without proper management because the functions performed in governance are a subset of what managers do in business. Upon comparing a governor, as a typical prime government player, to a manager, who is the first chief entrepreneur in a business environment, it is seen that a governor is actually a manager who based, on the overall leadership style, may or may not have advisers. Both governors and managers perform the functions of planning, coordinating or controlling, organizing and leading- though at different levels and qualities.

 

They administer resources, delegate responsibilities, possess the powers to punish or reward, and should be accountable for budget implementation and state expenditures. They occupy hierarchical positions where several other persons who directly perform the documented and planned tasks report to them on a consistent basis. As such, both governors and managers coordinate the resources entrusted to them, distribute them as planned and monitor the work done with or by the resources that in the end, they may have good accounts of the entire assignments from the planning stages to closing stages, if it is presumed that they both have to report to the public electors and senior managers respectively. Ultimately, no governor or manager can be so called in the absence of manpower, machinery, materials, money and any other useful resource. Governance is serious management business and not some sort of formal entertainment.

But while both are administrators, they are not equal and cannot be the same. The active leadership style and approved laws of each nation determine their differences. For instance, democratic countries provide the pre-requisite qualifications for persons who may aspire for the office of state governor as electoral candidates and these are stated in their national constitutions. Once such persons satisfy the initial conditions provided in the constitution, it is assumed that they are competent and should be voted for even if they lack good managerial qualities. As such, while a manager can be relieved of power within the provisions of applicable contract terms by the same senior managers or stakeholders who conferred such authorities upon him/her, a governor cannot be dismissed by the exact persons who elected him/her into office. Rather, a governor will only relinquish power when his fellow government players approved in the constitution, whether judicial or legislative, see reasons to effect his/her impeachment...

Read the full article at Ventures Africa

When the Stakeholders of Future Lagos Met

When I first a received text message some time in November stating my nomination and invitation to attend the Lagos Youth Stakeholders Forum, I shrugged off the temptation to add it to my plans, knowing how tight time constraints would be on my schedule that week. Besides, I felt it was probably just another of those government initiatives that assemble youths to record their complaints and never do anything about it. But when the same SMS alerted my phone two more times, I had to read it more carefully. And then, I realized that though it was a programme sponsored by the Lagos State Government, it was co-sponsored and coordinated by the Afterschool Graduate Development Centre (AGDC), an organization chaired by Mrs Ibukun Awosika and managed by Mrs Detoun Ogwo. That was it. With paper magic, I squeezed out two and a half hours out of a cramped weekend schedule and planned to attend a portion of the whole event. So, when the young stakeholders in Lagos met with the Executive Governor, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, what did he say?

The Governor’s speech was very informative and interesting as he enlightened his audience with updates from the national frontiers. There were mixed questions, many of which could not be answered due to time constraints. I have taken time to put relevant chorused questions below each of the major points recorded.

“Job follows the economy as the night follows the day. Those who will drive the economy of the nation cannot be pre-existing companies. You cannot have twenty ExxonMobils or MTNs but you can have 20,000 massage parlours.”

Question: How will you tackle the problem of multiple taxing? Why should both Lagos and Ogun state governments tax companies along Ibafo? Should they also pay taxes to the federal government?

“The Nigerian economy has performed well to an extent in the areas of entertainment, downstream petroleum, banking, aviation, telecoms. But these areas are not labour intensive.”

Question: So what is the government doing to support indigenous private companies that are struggling to provide labour intensive opportunities? Dunlop folded up in Nigeria because of electricity. Lekki Toll Gate fare is too expensive for the average Nigerian who reportedly lives on less than one dollar a day. Can you tell us something we don't already know?

“The UAE has spent $53 billion this year alone on food importation. Nigerians, despite the fact that we travel to Dubai a lot have not participated in that exchange.”

Question: Good observation sir. How many Nigerians who are below the “fake” middle class of the economy that we have can afford the flight ticket to Dubai? Do you know there are graduates earning thirty thousand naira as their monthly salaries even in your state?

“I have often asked myself, with things so difficult, would I have chosen prostitution instead of practising as a nurse? Where is the sense of dignity?”

Question: Very well sir. We have often asked ourselves, “Do our grey-haired leaders think we are dull or what is the explanation for someone embezzling public funds to the tune of billions going to jail for 6months? Who cannot do that?

“Your pains get to me and I am ready to do something about it. I love our Ofada rice. The rice we eat here in Nigeria is 5-12 years old in storage. The Asians eat the fresh rice, which is why they can eat it with chopsticks. I do not see why government cannot create and implement policies that regulate the importation of rice and encourage the consumption of our locally cropped Ofada rice and the likes.”

Question: It is good that you love Ofada rice and want us to be planting and eating it. Please, how we get the “intelligent” people in Abuja to understand this? How to we interpret this to them since it offers no financial rewards to the loot-rich portion of high class economy?

Will Senator Ajimobi get a Double?

The ancient city of Ibadan has been the capital of the pace setter state for a long time now. Since the time of patriots such as Chief Obafemi Awolowo, the town called Ibadan has remained the most influential of all towns in Oyo State. Without doubts, it is clear that none other is ready yet to claim this position from Ibadan except if the city, being the largest in West Africa will itself finally be made a new state. However, that citizenry welcomed idea is yet to obtain adequate attention at the federal arm of the Nigerian government. As such, it is still unlikely that Ibadan will stop being the capital of Oyo state.

The recently concluded elections have witnessed many changes among which are a more fairly regulated electoral standard, greater participation of the elite citizens and the transfer of power from a leading political party to a diversity of revolutionary parties. And in Oyo state, these changes have been felt and enjoyed. The residents of Ibadan are particularly ecstatic about the change that seems to have originated from Lagos and is now spreading towards other states in the South West region of Nigeria.

But as old as Oyo state is, our fledgling democratic leadership is yet to witness the existence of a particular governor in office for two successive terms. They have always had a cause to leave the position or be voted out by the people. Historical records further show that since the time of late patriots such as Obefemi Awolowo and Ladoke Akintola, one period of tenure and a few years has been the maximum time spent by any governor who lived in Oyo state during his tenure.

And so, a newly generated rumour has gained wings about this peculiar event. The core Ibadan people, having an eye for history, claim that the city has the culture of vomiting its leader once one tenure has elapsed. This claim which has been the talk of the town over the years has recently evolved into an adage. So, when the former governor, Otunba Alao Akala, asked to be re-elected through votes, many of the opposing Ibadan locals simply said it was impossible for the city to house the same governor twice; the adage was quick to prove the claim valid.

But one would wonder if the change that has heralded the newly elected (but yet-to-be installed) governor of Oyo state, Mr Abiola Ajimobi, would also see him through a second term in office. When asked by a radio presenter during a live interview, the governor said he would be ready to leave the office after serving for four years (or one term). However, we know that in Nigeria, it hardly happens that a governor who has performed well or even fairly while in office will sincerely refuse to contest for a second tenure in office. Axiomatically, every governor wishes to have a re-go at the prestigious position.

So, I submit that Senator Abiola Ajimobi will desire to be re-elected into the office of the executive governor of Oyo state after his first tenure. However, my take on whether or not he will achieve it and prove wrong the aged superstitious Ibadan belief of no second-tenure depends on two factors. One, he must be of good character. And by good character, he is expected to relate with the people of Oyo state as a privileged servant. This also implies that unlike his predecessor, he must not be generally perceived by his state’s residents as an orally impolite leader. In other words, he must think before he talks and demonstrate a heart of service at every simple opportunity.

Secondly, Mr Governor must readily show a sense of development and a mind of innovation. His touches must change Ibadan’s outlook and solve the most common or prevalent problems of the entire state before the end-of-term bells starts jingling. Idling at the tenure’s beginning and getting busy towards its end insinuates that the leader wants to play a fast one on his followers. Readily, he must carry along the public and imbibe the culture of “let us” rather than “I am”. I believe that these actions and continual eagerness to show governmental transparency and accountability will not only transform Oyo state but also earn him a first time second tenure and prove wrong the jinxing adage.