Abraham Lincoln today is regarded by many worldwide including Nigerians as a great leader. This was not always the case, especially when he was in office. In his days as President of America, quite a number of Americans thought otherwise. Infact he was accused of all sort of evils that time eventually showed were false. Unfortunately he was assassinated I believe on one of such misconstrued grounds. Such allegations and accusations may have been popular at the time but the passage of time has revealed that such accusations were not only puerile but were clearly unfounded.
Centuries on the passage of time an x-ray of Lincoln 's leadership against the backdrop of posterity clearly point to a patriot and visionary leader.
Conversely, some leaders may have seemingly been popular for a season in their time but the passage of time revealed some other things that placed a big question mark not only on their leadership but even on their sanity. Adolf Hitler is good example.
History thus offers the greatest opportunity to pass a verdict on any leadership. To build our nation, it is my firm belief that we must develop the capacity of X-raying the activities our leaders not only when they are in office but more so when they are out of office, for then the import of their past activities begin to bear fruit. We can than past a verdict as a pointer and guide to others who may yet emerge as leaders.
To be quite honest, the battering of our national psyche as well as the mindless looting of our public treasury by unscrupulous and so- called leaders has seemingly turned us to perpetual cynics, critics and nay Sayers. The result is that we do not even actually bother to get the truth before we pass a verdict on people especially if they have the fortune of serving our nation in any capacity.
In fact once an allegation is made against anyone in a leadership position, no matter how baseless it may be, we are now disposed is hold it as truth such that even when the truth becomes obvious we tend to still crave to hold on the false allegation!
It is against this background I take another look at the tenure of former River State governor, Dr. Peter Odili who handed power to Sir Celestine Omehia before the supreme Court passed a verdict that decided other wise.
Some may say that time is yet too short to try look at the Odili administration with a view to hazard the verdict of history at this point in time. But a look at the past and a periscope into the future gives me the confidence to attempt to do so. I believe we do not have to wait for centuries before we can pass a verdict.
I happen to have come across a letter Dr. Peter Odili wrote to all the spiritual leaders as well as several community leaders in Rivers State pre-1999 Gubernatorial elections recently. The letters set me thinking of what verdict history will pass on the Odili administration. In that letter Odili set out a laudable agenda for himself and the State whilst requesting for support and prayers from the spiritual leaders for his candidature.
I do not intend to go into details for want of space but Odili clearly desired a better Rivers state according to the contents of the letter. And passionately so too.
An objective and dispassionate analysis of the agenda viewed against his eight year tenure in office interesting reveals that the agenda was generally fulfilled to the benefit of the state. In view of the foregoing one can safely assert that Odili delivered on the clearly laudable agenda for the state.
However set against the background of a post- rabidly corrupt, visionless and dictatorial rule pre-1999, with the attendant malaise of a poverty epidemic in our society, Nigerians became engulfed with unrealistic expectations at the dawn of democracy.
In any case such as s situation is not peculiar to Nigeria and to Rivers State in this case. It is common phenomenon in post-conflict environments. The result is that we generally want all problems solved at once but the unpalatable truth is that positive socio-economic change in fortunes from desperate poverty and decaying infrastructure takes a bit of time. Many find this reality hard to accept and it is quite understandable. However we must begin to take pragmatic and realistic view to issues in order to better the lot of our society.
To get a clear view on the verdict of history in the Odili administration in Rivers State , we must put aside partisanship, narrow mindedness and ignorance and put on the lenses of objectivity in looking at his tenure.
To begin with the benefit of the passage of time, Odili actually represented governance with a human face. He demonstrated leadership with a milk of human kindness. I dare say no one can gain say this fact.
Infact what many have quarreled with was his in born altitude of generosity but then history tells us that it is better to have a leader with a generous and humane spirit then one with a heart of stone, who is tight fisted, and selfish, with such a tendency or disposition glibly couched as “Prudence”.
A view at the activities of the Odili administration reveals that Odili has set the foundation for a greater Rivers State . Odili clearly set the pace in terms of good governance with human development content in Nigeria .
In the area of education for instance, new schools were not only built, old ones were refurbished. He was the first to introduce free bussing scheme for school children. I am not as yet aware if any other state is doing same. In the area of tertiary education, his administration firm support ensured that the State's University became the 2 nd best in the whole nation during his tenure.
year tenure in office interesting reveals that the agenda was generally fulfilled to the benefit of the state. In view of the foregoing one can safely assert that Odili delivered on the clearly laudable agenda for the state.
However set against the background of a post- rabidly corrupt, visionless and dictatorial rule pre-1999, with the attendant malaise of a poverty epidemic in our society, Nigerians became engulfed with unrealistic expectations at the dawn of democracy.
In any case such as s situation is not peculiar to Nigeria and to Rivers State in this case. It is common phenomenon in post-conflict environments. The result is that we generally want all problems solved at once but the unpalatable truth is that positive socio-economic change in fortunes from desperate poverty and decaying infrastructure takes a bit of time. Many find this reality hard to accept and it is quite understandable. However we must begin to take pragmatic and realistic view to issues in order to better the lot of our society.
To get a clear view on the verdict of history in the Odili administration in Rivers State , we must put aside partisanship, narrow mindedness and ignorance and put on the lenses of objectivity in looking at his tenure.
To begin with the benefit of the passage of time, Odili actually represented governance with a human face. He demonstrated leadership with a milk of human kindness. I dare say no one can gain say this fact.
Infact what many have quarreled with was his in born altitude of generosity but then history tells us that it is better to have a leader with a generous and humane spirit then one with a heart of stone, who is tight fisted, and selfish, with such a tendency or disposition glibly couched as “Prudence”.
A view at the activities of the Odili administration reveals that Odili has set the foundation for a greater Rivers State . Odili clearly set the pace in terms of good governance with human development content in Nigeria .
In the area of education for instance, new schools were not only built, old ones were refurbished. He was the first to introduce free bussing scheme for school children. I am not as yet aware if any other state is doing same. In the area of tertiary education, his administration firm support ensured that the State's University became the 2 nd best in the whole nation during his tenure.
Against all odds Odili successfully turned Rivers State into the hub of Socio-economic as well as political activities not only in the South –south but are Nigeria at the height of his governance in the state. Today the state still maintains that position and the attendant economic benefits associated with it.
In the area of sports, Odili did not do less. His administration was the first to build a synthetic turf in all of Africa . The support he gave to football teams in the state, i.e Dolphins and Shark FC ensured that the teams got a pride of place in the Nigeria premier league as well as in continental titles. Infact at a point Dolphin FC won all the titles in the land. The commitment of Odili to sports development was so unparalleled that the African Sports Journalists Union had no alternative but to make him their patron. Even Confederation of African Football (CAF) awarded him a CAF medal of achievement in football development. Other sporting activities also benefited from the Odili magic such as Swimming and others.
In the area of road construction, Odili clearly did what Napoleon could not do so to say. The terrain of Rivers State is quite a challenge in road construction as any construction Engineer will agree but Odili courageously ensured that several strategic roads were constructed in the state such as the N11. 8b. Unity Road connecting Ogoni, Andoni and Opobo (ie three local governments). It is the biggest road project across upon water in the country.
The decision to acquire over N10Bn shares warehoused for the citizens point to a leader who desires a better future for his people.
In the area of healthcare, Odili set the pace nationwide. He introduced a free medical scheme for under six and over sixty citizens, free caesarian section for pregnant women, free treatment for first twenty four hours for accident victims etc.
To my mind looking at the activities of Odili in his days as governor of River State and the obvious future benefits that will accrue to the state as a result in the years to come, it is my firm conviction the verdict of history will be kind to Dr. Peter Odili.
The verdict of history will clearly be that of an astute leader, who as governor of Rivers State displayed clear insight, dashing courage and a humanitarian disposition in improving the lot of those God gave him the opportunity to serve.
Ogah Columba is the Editor – in- Chief of Dividend- the magazine for Local Government in Nigeria .
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