By James Sunday, FCAI, MNIIA
No nation can rise above the quality of its administrative and political systems. In a democratic society, the administrative system is an offshoot of the political structure. When administrators are appointed through a faulty process that ignores merit, capacity, competence, integrity, character, and the right attitude and aptitude for the job, standards inevitably collapse.
Take our “Centre of Excellence”, the university system. Once the highest citadel of learning, it was a place of pride and aspiration. Parents dreamt of seeing their children graduate from university, and even greater was the joy when a child graduated as the best in their category. But today, falling standards have ushered in corruption, nepotism, ethnic bias, and religious bigotry into the system, toxins that have spread into our national life.
As the saying goes, “Garbage in, garbage out.” A system produces only what is processed through it. Any society where corruption thrives is the product of decayed standards. This decay breeds nepotism, ethnic and religious bigotry, and a disregard for merit and competence in appointments, promotions, and leadership.
Today, values have plummeted. Ethical standards, integrity, honour, all have eroded. These are the hallmarks of a corrupt system that tolerates mediocrity.
In the past, a professorial position was earned only after many years of teaching, research, and supervising academic work. It was not just a title. I recall when Dr. Bala Usman, of blessed memory, was interviewed by seasoned journalist Tony Iredia on why he refused the title of “Professor.” Dr. Bala said that to him, it had become like a chieftaincy title, something people sought for prestige rather than merit. He insisted it should be earned, a stance that made him unpopular in the system. Until his death, he remained “Dr. Bala Usman” despite having taught many who later earned the rank of professor through dedication and research. That was the academic standard then.
In the regimented services, once you were decorated as a Lieutenant (or its equivalent), you were an embodiment of military or security leadership. Advancement was based on rigorous training, character, moral standing, and high ethical standards. Promotions required passing prescribed examinations. Nepotism, ethnic bias, and religious bigotry had no place. But today, even at the point of enlistment, the rot is evident.
In the good old days, the military, security, intelligence, and civil service were led by men and women of proven competence, names like Generals Aguiyi Ironsi, Yakubu Gowon, Murtala Mohammed, Olusegun Obasanjo, Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Babangida, Sani Abacha, Shehu Yar’Adua, Theophilus Danjuma, Joshua Dogonyaro, Domkat Bali, Odumegwu Ojukwu, Alani Akinrinade, and many more. In the civil service, icons such as Adamu Fika, Adamu Chiroma, Ama Pepple, Olu Faleye, Rilwan Lukman, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Yayale Ahmed, and others upheld the highest standards.
Today, falling standards have led to situations where juniors are promoted above their seniors, forcing honourable men and women into premature retirement. Nepotism, bias, incompetence, and a disregard for merit have infected our professional and administrative systems.
It is time for a national rethink. We must restore standards, merit, competence, character, and aptitude if we want the next generation of leaders to inherit a system worthy of respect.
James Sunday, FCAI, MNIIA, CEO, Hallvive Media and Communications Limited, Abuja. Email: [email protected]
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