Ask the average Nigerian in the
present day Buhari-led Nigeria about Goodluck Jonathan and the answer comes out
– corruption. Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, erstwhile President of Nigeria and
members of his cabinet have been condemned to the waste bin of corruption by
their countrymen and women. Of all that Jonathan’s administration achieved,
many saw nothing but corruption. But while that may be so, the world sees them
through another lens. They also see the corruption, I believe, but beyond that,
they see also the positive side of their lives. By acts of Providence, some of
Jonathan’s cabinet members are being picked, one after another, for higher
service where worth is celebrated. Ms Arunma Oteh who served as Director-General
of Securities and Exchange Commission,
who barely escaped sanction in the hands
of lawmakers is appointed Vice President of World Bank. Mr Adesina who was
Jonathan’s Minister of Agriculture emerged as the new President of African
Development Bank. Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the unsung finance czar and
Coordinating Minister of Nigeria’s economy under Jonathan got appointed as
Chair of Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization (GAVI) funded by many
governments of the world, and as Senior Advisor to a 167-year old global
Investment Firm, Lazard. To crown it all, Jonathan himself recently got
appointed as the Head of a 33-nation Commonwealth Election Observer team to an
upcoming national election in Tanzania. This may not be unconnected with his
unique role of ensuring peace in Nigeria during the last Presidential election
in willingly conceding defeat to Buhari, an un-African act of statesmanship that have continued to
baffle many. President Buhari has himself acknowledged that on more than one
occasion to the chagrin of party bigots.
The lesson to learn here is that while
we should condemn acts of corruption and support impartial moves by the
authorities towards its eradication, we must also appreciate where our leaders
excel and promote it. We should not throw the baby out with the bath water.
Ita Literature congratulates Dr Jonathan and his able team members.
May God give them grace to excel in their new appointments.
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