Challenges before Acting SGF
Nigeria has had a chequered political history predicated by various administrations, characterized by confusing climate of forward - backward retardation pendulum since independence in 1960. However, the enthronement of the present administration of President Muhammadu Buhari made it clear to provide purposeful leadership for the good of all.
His holistic declaration to give Nigerians an effective service delivery and determination to transform the country to a better place with zero tolerance on corruption explained why he suspended the secretary to the government of the Federation Engr. Babachir David Lawan on Wednesday, 19th April, 2017 in order to pave way for a fact finding committee headed by the Vice President Yemi Osibanjo on corruption allegation. This gave birth to the emergence of Dr. Mrs. Habiba Muda Lawal, the most senior permanent secretary in the head of service to act in the capacity of the chief scribe of the Federation.
There are different types of leaders. While some are thrown up by the challenges of crisis, there are other leaders that lead not only in quiet times but also in very quiet ways. Generally, however, people are often more interested in the flamboyant demagogue than in the quiet and meticulous builder, mainly because of man’s inherent penchant for the dramatic. But on the whole, nothing great can be achieved without great men or women; and it is great issues that instigate controversies and call forth great minds to handle them. That is why the emergence of Dr. Mrs. Habiba Muda Lawal as the acting chief scribe of the federation provides a range of hope. She is a rare germ who stands out as an icon of administration - imbued with impeccable character. An altruistic and versatile administrator, she has seen the thick and thin of many fields in administration.
Though in acting capacity, Dr. Habiba Muda Lawal is now saddled with the responsibility to usher-in a new dawn of accountable leadership and governance in the office of the SGF.
It is expected that there will be a remarkable departure from the past where those entrusted with such enormous responsibilities have been found wanting and have compromised the fine legacies left behind by our founding fathers which incidentally, they are beneficiaries. In fact, radical departure from greed, self-serving and incompetence which characterized the past and has tied down majority of Nigerians in abject poverty to the consternation of the world despite abundance in natural and human resources. AbdullahiLawalDass,abdullahilawaldass@ gmail.com