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My
encounter with president Olusegun Obasanjo & his cabinet.
Tonye
David-West, Jr., Ph.D
Ibnaija@yahoo.com
I was
privileged to be one of the special guests invited to a luncheon held in
honor of President Olusegun Obasanjo on his just concluded trip [October
27-31] to the United States where he held talks with US president
William Jefferson Clinton and with various members of the US Congress.
Indeed, the luncheon was "infested" with notables or what
Nigerians would call people of "timber & caliber" as it
was well attended.
There were legislators, lawyers, business people,
ambassadors, mayors [including the Nigerian mayor of a medium size US
city], high ranking officials from the US State Department and the
Department of Commerce, CEOs from oil companies, prominent Nigerians and
academicians alike. I had never seen such concentration of power and
intelligentsia lodged in one big hall.
As expected, security was tight and all the specially
invited guests had already been through a thorough FBI check prior to
the luncheon as we all submitted our pertinent information to the FBI
for scrutiny and approval. No sooner had the Nigerian and the US
national anthems been melodiously bellowed through the strategically
placed speakers and blessings offered for the mouth-watering, simmering
and aromatic entrees did they declare the occasion open.
For many Nigerians present at the luncheon [including
myself], it was a rare opportunity for a close-up with the personalities
who are leading our nation into the new millennium. The president was
graced by the very fair-skinned first lady, Stella who was beautifully
fitted in a red dress and wore a caressing smile. The president wore a
light blue "agbada" with a corresponding hat and with black
leather shoes. His countenance was undetermined but more on the
affirmative. It later dawned on me that he had been in the military all
his life and was used to maintaining an inelastic face. But it was
obvious that he was learning his new role as a democratic president very
quickly as we began to see evidence of diplomacy on his face as the
evening progressed.
As we mingled, many religiously sought his audience,
with their mouths pregnant with probing questions regarding the complex
and intricate web called Nigeria. Others were simply satisfied with a
"kodak" moment with Mr. President and the first lady who made
themselves readily available for such request. Yet many more were simply
content with a warm handshake and sharing of a smile with His
Excellency. He was very gracious as he exchanged pleasantries and warm
handshakes with the guests. In spite of the imprint of tedium on his
face owing to the rigors of a long and strenuous day, he had a loud
smile at this point as he and the first lady entertained the eager
stream of guests.
As I waited to meet Mr. president who was been
"mobbed" by well-wishers, supporters and eager hands much to
the chagrin of his visibly overwhelmed body guards, I was engaged in
discussions with Senator Chuba Okadigbo who is the chairman of the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He wore a simple "jumper"
with a traditional Igbo hat [red], a very tall and distinguished
gentleman. He was very friendly and we even exchanged business cards.
Our discussions got warmer upon his discovery that we were of the same
academic persuasion, we are both political scientists. Since admittedly,
I was a far more recent graduate of that discipline, he asked if certain
theories were still been emphasized or even taught "nowadays".
We shared some theoretical perspectives albeit without equivocation, he
might as well be a professor/mentor of mine as he was much older and
wiser and had bagged his Ph.D degree well before my time.
I seized the moment to ask a few pertinent questions
to this man who was president Shehu Shagari's political adviser and only
recently sought the senate presidency. I asked him why the National
Assembly seemed to be out of line and tune with the "program"
of setting the country aright with specific reference to the
anti-corruption bill sent to them by His Excellency? He indicated that
the National Assembly was perhaps, the most intricate political
institution in the country. "We are dealing with hundreds of
personalities here" he asserted as he reached for some light
refreshment of steamed shrimps and curried sauce being served on a shiny
silver tray by a neatly dressed tuxedo-wearing waiter who by his sheer
bulk might as well be a linebacker for an NFL team - the waiter
certainly missed his profession.
The senator further stated that the National Assembly
will with time get with the "program" as most of the stumbling
blocks have been removed anent the furniture allowance issue, the
accommodation issue, etc, and most of the legislators, if not all, have
already settled down and now ready for the "business of the
nation". I laughed inwardly and wondered why it took five months
for the legislators to be ready for the "business of the
nation". Perhaps, they should refund their salaries for the past
five months since they are just now getting ready for the "business
of the nations". What a travesty.
From the corner of my eyes, I could see that Mr.
President was free. I quickly said farewell to the senator and dashed
towards the president. But "lo and behold", there must have
been gold-medal winning Olympic sprinters in the room as two gentlemen
in flowing white "agbada" out-sprinted me, apparently
unencumbered by their attire, shaking his hand warmly and requesting to
take a picture.
As I waited, I saw Lt-Gen. Theophilus
Danjuma,
current defense minister and third in command in the junta of Gen.
Obasanjo ['76-'79], saying farewell to a young lady who had just taken a
picture with him and was thanking him profusely for the opportunity. I
went to him and introduced myself. I asked him,
"Are you Lt.Gen Theophilus Danjuma?"
"Yes, I am," he responded with a frail voice that grossly
undermined his military demeanor.
"Its a real pleasure to meet you sir, " I said. He shook
his head and obliged my handshake.
"How are you feeling?" I asked as there have been widely
scattered reports about his questionable health. He responded in the
affirmative as he withdrew his hand and placed both behind his back.
He looked frail but was quite humble and spoke very softly to the
point that I had to strain to hear his barely audible words.
"Your streamlining of the military seems to be very popular
with the Nigerian polity?" I said. He shook his head and said,
"Yes, its very popular and we intend to give Nigeria a very
professional military." We both paused for a few seconds as some
other guests stumbled between us in their frantic attempt to get the
attention of another minister.
"I heard that you are equipping the Airforce and the Navy with
very modern equipments."
"Yes, we will compliment our reduction in size with
state-of-the-art military hardware," he stated with his hands
still behind his back.
As the hall grew louder as everyone was engaged in
informal discussions with the dignitaries, I knew I would have to see an
Ear and Throat [ENT] doctor if I continued to strain my ears to hear the
inaudible words of the honorable minister, so I said farewell to him and
told him to take care of himself. I turned around to see whether Mr.
President was free, to no avail. He was now with a group of Nigerian
diplomats who seemed to be discussing official business with him.
Waiting behind the diplomats was a well-stocked group of autograph
seekers. It seemed that my chances of meeting Mr. President was fleeting
away with every ticking minute but patience was a virtue that ran like
river Niger through my veins. I held on.
I wondered away and looked for that bulky waiter to
get some steamed shrimps with its curried sauce and perhaps, something
to wash it down with. I found the waiter [his sheer bulk gave him away
amongst a group of same-tuxedo-wearing waiters] at the far end of the
large room [which has been well draped with the Nigerian and US flags]
refilling his tray. I went to him, he gave me one of those Pepsodent
smiles, I returned the same and got some steamed shrimps and curried
sauce headed for the table where drinks were being served.
As I joined the line, I recognized a gentleman who
bore the resemblance of Bola Ige, former governor of Oyo state and
current Minister of Power, Mines & Steele. "Are you Chief Bola
Ige?" I asked expectantly and he turned around and said,
"Yes" with a very lively voice that stood in sharp contrast to
that of his colleague, the Defense minister. He was wearing a very
simple light green "agbada", more of a cross between green and
purple. "I understand you are doing a great job in dealing with
those NEPA boys?" He laughed and said, "I believe the Nigerian
people deserve a better deal and I will make sure they get it." I
was very encouraged by his response and asked him what he thought about
privatizing NEPA or at least allowing viable alternatives? Again, his
response was very refreshing as he was of the opinion that monopoly was
partly responsible for the inefficiency of NEPA and that competition
will certainly "wake" them from their slumber as they will
lose business if they do not provide adequate services.
On the privatization of NEPA he indicated that if it
becomes a business venture then its survival will depend on profits and
if it does not make profit it will be scrapped, thus, the need for
improved services will be emphasized. The minister spoke eloquently on
the subject and indicated that he was bent on making life for Nigerians
a little easier. He asked when I was coming home to assist him in this
venture? And I responded, "At your beacon, sir." At this, we
both laughed profusely and I gave way to others seeking his audience.
I took my glass of wine and plate of steamed shrimps
and strolled the hall looking for Mr. President. I did not have to look
long and hard as one only needed to see where the most crowd was
gathered. As expected, he was still been "mobbed" and I knew
that my chances of a dialogue with him were vanishing with the northwind.
But I kept hope alive. Not far from me was Jibril Aminu, former Minister
of Education. I went and greeted him and said that it was a pleasure
meeting him after hearing of him for years. He laughed and asked whom I
was and what I did for a living. I told him and he indicated that I was
wasting my time here, that I should be in Nigeria where my expertise was
most needed. He said, "Nigeria is becoming a place for better
living again. The sooner you come back the better it will be for you to
grab positions of significance as most states are looking for young and
energetic men like you to assume leadership positions." "I am
flattered by your comments, sir" I said. "It seems that this
administration is making changes that are affecting the lives of
Nigerians and I hope that it continues to tow this line, " I
continued. He concurred with me and asked for a business card and I
reached into my side pocket and provided one. He reciprocated the
gesture as I shook his hand violently but reverently and waved him
goodbye.
Next, I set my eyes on one of the few women in the
cabinet, the transportation minister. But from the look of things it
would have been more possible for a camel to pass through the eye of a
needle than for me to meet her as she was literally surrounded by the
women flock who guarded her jealously from the men who sought her
audience. It was even very difficult to catch a glimpse of the minister
as the women with their towering head-gears blocked every conceivable
space. One woman had her head-gear stacked so high that it hit the
doorpost and fell from her head as she made her entrance into the hall.
Needless to say she was utterly embarrassed as she warned other women
[with similar stacked up head-gears] who were coming after her to bend
down as they made it through the door to avoid same fate. This little
episode was indeed a show of its own and brought laughter to all. Excuse
my little detour, now back to the point. The women, who formed an
instant alliance, had plenty to say and the minister listened patiently
nodding periodically in a show of acquiescence of their plight. The
first lady, I later came to discover, was also standing with the
minister as the women shared their stories.
The kwara state governor, Gov. Muhammed Lawal was
free so I dashed towards him and introduced myself. He immediately asked
if I was from Kwara and I responded "no", but I announced to
him that I was a Nigerian and he said "but of course." I asked
him how things were in his state and he responded "we are
trying." I then commended him on his challenge of Maj-Gen. Adisa
[who was released along with Diya] whose land acquisitions he revoked. I
mentioned to him that it took courage to venture in those parameters and
I encouraged him to continue in this endeavor in the interest of equity
for all kwara citizens and residents. He appreciated my thoughts and I
yielded to others who in their eagerness to meet their governor almost
shoved me out of the hall.
The room was littered with FBI agents whom along with
their Nigerian counterparts provided adequate security for Mr. President
and his cabinet. As I waited my chance with Mr. President, I decided to
study the Nigerian security men and the ADC to His Excellency. The ADC
was a young officer of the rank of Major. He was in his full military
gear. He was quite friendly and mingled freely with the audience and
even ate to his stomach content. I watched him diligently as he helped
himself to the assorted refreshments that were being served, the steamed
shrimps and curried sauce, in particular, as he devoured them with
military precision and agility throwing all table manners to the wind or
"left them in the presidential jet" as a friend who later
mounted the "observation post" with me remarked jokingly.
The security men on their part wore suits [mostly
maroon in color] and were mainly young boys [of average heights] in
their mid-twenties. They maintained stiffed faces and never smiled even
when the moment called for it. They shielded Mr. President from the
guests and it was apparent that they were not used to this new amicable
approach where all had access to him. They could do very little as Mr.
President seemed to be thwarting their every efforts to shield him from
the guests at every opportune moment. They were not armed as by US law
they could not be. So they left their weapons on the presidential jet.
The FBI agents on the other hand, picked up the slack as they were
adequately armed with communication gadgets and handguns hoisted on
their belts and well concealed by their suits but for an agent who
unwittingly exposed his gun when he stretched to clear the path for Mr.
President.
I decided to approached one of the security men who
seemed to be taking a break [they seemed to be able to afford such
luxury as breaks as all in the room had been thoroughly screened prior
and further screened upon entrance into the hall] and asked him where he
was from?
"I am from the north" he stated as he shook my hand rather
reluctantly.
"North?"
"Yes, the north," he said.
"I see," I said as I tried to engage him in some type of
discourse.
"How long have you been on the president's security
team?" I asked.
"Since May 29th".
"Great, you must be doing a superb job then for you to join
him on foreign trips?" He smiled and said,
"Thank you sir." It was clear that I was not going to get
anywhere with the security agent so I elected to invite him to the
table to have a drink but he responded and said,
"I don't drink on the job, sir." At this, we both laughed
and I shook his hand and told him to take good care of himself and the
president.
At last, I saw my chance to meet Mr. President and I seized it
emphatically.
"Your Excellency, welcome to the US" I said as I got his
attention.
"Thank you, my son". "Who are you?" he asked. I
introduced myself and he immediately asked if I knew or was related to
certain personalities in Nigeria.
"What do you do here and why is such a young vibrant fellow
like you not home?" he asked with a steady smile on his face.
"I will be home this minute if you appoint me as a political
adviser or to a ministerial position. I might even leave this hall
with you and ask for my belongings to be shipped later." He
laughed and those who overheard our discussions laughed as well.
"You have scored a very good point with your sense of humor.
We need that in Abuja."
"Thank you sir. I must commend you on the fine job you are
doing as president, especially the probing of past misdeeds and the
retirement of political military officers. I will have you know that
your anti-corruption campaign is most welcomed and we are very pleased
at your resolve."
"Thank you my son, its only God who can see us through this
critical moment of our country's history. We must all pray for
Nigeria, we have a long way to go." He stated as the security men
kept on shielding more people who were now interested in our little
impromptu discourse.
"Do you think that Nigeria will be granted a permanent seat in
the United Nations as being sought by your administration?" I
wanted to get in as many questions as possible within the short period
of time.
"O, yes, Nigeria is the only country in Africa which can have
a permanent seat. South Africa has good credentials but they have not
been as active as we have been in international affairs. As a
political scientist yourself, you know of our peacekeeping roles in
West Africa and the world beyond." He said as the first lady who
had been mingling with others joined him.
"The Niger Delta, my home region, has been a hotbed for your
administration..."
"O' yes, the Niger Delta," he said, interrupting me.
"I can assure you that we are doing our best to address the
deep-seated issues in that region and my administration will do
everything possible to alleviate the plight of the people of that
region. The suffering there is untold." At this point, I knew I
could not continue as I must yield to others who sought his audience
veraciously but not before I gave him my business card and requested
and was granted a "kodak" moment with him.
"Thank you your Excellency for your time. You have been very
gracious. I hope to see you in Abuja soon." He laughed and shook
my hand spirited as the MC begged the attention of everyone. All along
and through my encounters with these personalities, my video camera
operated by a trusted hand rolled on.
After a few housekeeping issues were addressed, the
president was given an opportunity to address the guests. He thanked the
organizers of the occasion and those who had made their stay a very
rollicking one. He thanked the Igbo dance group which orchestrated a
most energy-sapping "Arowchukwu" traditional dance which
challenged the wits of the FBI agents as they were clueless and were
apparently confused as to whether to protect the president from the
"raging" war dancers or to enjoy the moment. They finally took
a clue from their Nigerian counterparts who were at ease as they enjoyed
the dance knowing fully well that the dancers, with their rubber knives
and spears [they were not allowed to bring in real knives and spears as
otherwise would have been the case] meant no harm. He then said the next
person he wanted to thank was his wife. "This woman tells me what
to eat and drink, tells me what to wear, tells me when to sleep, tells
me when to get up and yet she says I am the boss." There were
thunderous laughters and some got up and applauded. The first lady
smiled at the humor of her husband.
The president then went to his speech which is
summarized thus---
*We must stamp out corruption in our society
*We must bring back responsible government
*We are all about accountability
*We must seek debt relief
*We will restore our good name
*We will make Nigeria safe for investors
*We must overhaul our ministries and agencies
*We must professionalize our armed forces
*We will deal with crime like never before
*Our unity cannot be compromised
*Our role in Africa must be emphasized
*NIGERIA SHALL BE GREAT AGAIN
Undoubtedly, I had a rollicking time with the
president and his team and a renewed faith in our government to bring
about the needed changes in our society and foster accountability. His
resolve seemed unquestionable and unflappable. Never before has a
Nigerian president been that candid about the state of affairs in the
country. I hope that the president is not deterred in his efforts to
make Nigeria great again.
There is hope if only this administration will
maintain its resolve and prosecute the noble goal of responsible
governance. There is really hope for the polity and Nigeria shall be
GREAT AGAIN.
Tonye David-West, Jr., Ph.D
Political Scientist
USA
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