My One-Time Favorite
Leadership looks like an easy task from afar, especially when you are not the one wearing the shoes. I have heard many people say things like, what's so difficult in ruling over people? After all they don't do the work all by themselves, theirs is to sit in the office and sign this and that. Funny 🤣 how this same people can't even be good leaders in their home yet they think ruling millions of people is quite easy. Most at times it is this same subordinate under the presidency that corrupts the system but then it will still be blamed on the president because the people choose him while he (the president) gives appointments to his ministers. So yes it is fair to still blame him for failure to protect her citizens.
Every country has had her fair share of good and bad leadership and my country is not left out. During the early 2000 when I was born, I grew up to know that the president of my country was his excellency Olusegu Obansanjo. Then I had little or no understanding about the government but what I knew was that every one was almost okay. People were even happy when he brought about the use of mobile phones in this part of the world so I just know little about his tenure.
But my one- time favorite of them all and till date of which I'm yet to see his kind take over Aso rock is none other but his excellency late president Mallam Umaru Musa Yar'Adua. A man of reputable honor, one that is fair and just. He understood that despite the fact we are of different tribes and cultures, Nigeria is still one big family. To some extent our nation enjoyed a certain level of peace. I clearly remembered 2007 up till his demise, here in the north it was safe to still be outside up till midnight. No fear of the unknown or whatsoever. My parents would let us play outside with other kids till it was 10 pm before they called us in to rest and this was the level of peace and security we enjoyed.
There were so many things my nation enjoyed during the late president Musa Yar'Adua's tenure such as; the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme. Before the initiation of this programme, it was said that peace was lacking in the Niger Delta area. I believe they were deprived of some certain benefits because due to the fact crude oil has taken over their land, they were unable to carry out some activities such as farming which affected them. But then the programme initiated a rehabilitation for militants which significantly reduced violence and restored oil production stability in the region. During his
reign, the price of PMS ( petroleum) was sold at 65 Naira.
Secondly, was the Rule of Law and Governance. He ensured to maintain high integrity by allowing the judiciary to operate without interference, upholding the rule of law and encouraging the EFCC ( Economic and Financial Crime Commission). Something a lot of presidents have failed to do he did it. Lastly, he became the first president in Nigeria to publicly declare his assets. Only a man that is true and fair would do what he did setting a high standard for transparency in government. It was only sad that his government never lasted as it should as he reigned for just three years before death snatched him away. May his soul continue to rest in peace. 🙏