To cultivate a set of leaders with legitimacy, it is necessary that the path to leadership be visibly opened to talented and qualified individuals of every race and ethnicity.”— Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. The above quote is spot on and frankly speaks to the Nigerian conundrum.
Leadership characteristics base on competence and capacity is panacea for unlocking Nigeria’s enterprise tendencies. Although, it is yet a distant illusion, we must ensure that entrusting public offices to capable hands become a top priority. The state of every nation is a reflection of its leadership. The height it attains, or the depth to which it sinks are determined by its leadership. Good leadership is prosperity, just as bad leadership is a total shred on a Nation. Therefore, the fate of every nation hangs on the leadership.
Whatever the leaders encourage grows. Perhaps Nigeria’s greatest undoing, leadership process is often considered along ethnic and religious lines. Wherein, electorates approve every requisites in a prospective candidate except merit, leaders deliver on self-centeredness, vague-vision, non-sacrificial and nepotism instead of societal advancement. It could be regarded as Nigeria’s staring leadership problems.
A former president once said, Nigeria is where it is today because of leadership of family, friends and acquaintances. A nation lags behind where merit is sacrificed on the altar of clannishness. America is seen as the most democratised nation today because, its leaders (past and present) envisioned it to its present state. Singapore became a developed nation because Lee Kuan Yew was vehement against nepotism.
He went for nothing other than the three Cs— character, competence and capacity. Nelson Mandela wasn’t a hero because he was once a prisoner. He was a hero because he sacrificed political interest and ambition for the betterment of South Africans. He ruled the multi-racial nation for a single tenure and declined quests for second term against the wishes of the citizens. In the wake of independence struggles, Indonesia and Malaysia were allies. They got their independence almost at the same time with Nigeria, but they are ways ahead sequel to good leadership system.
The (in)actions of incompetent leadership is more telling and the lethal effects bears forthwith; economy is on a standstill, insecurity and unemployment surges, and, the entire nation is plunged abyss. It is the testament of how Nigerians have underdeveloped Nigeria, a sufficient indication that the end to the Nation’s self-inflicted misery is yet in sight. As another transition era beckons, the way forward is building a process on the basis of merit, wherein, professionals and futurologists are allowed to turn prospects into reality. It must be voided of religious beliefs, ethnic tendencies, social or political affiliations. Candidates must be considered base on ability to deliver on a given mandate.
From time immemorial, Nigeria’s leadership Administration has been superlatively captured on falsehood. It predates independence and the British relegating power to certain ethnic folks without a proven wherewithal, rather, it was based on loyalty— Chinua Achebe (There was a country). However, to change the ugly trend, intellectuals must be sought aboard to define the mission, outline the vision, and commence the journey.
According to the wise saying; “you don’t allow a pilot to fly a
plane base on sentiment or other mundane considerations, he or she has to be qualified.” This brings us to the centre point of this piece. Dr Victor Adoji is a phenomenal whose antecedent is indisputably a contextual nick-of-time in the moment of our Nation’s history. The Kogi born global economist, unionist and banker is astoundingly a professional to be sought-after in saner societies. His profile is grits in wit and resourcefulness. Across a garland of interests and places, he has exhibited atypical prowess. And his foray into Nigeria’s political sphere is apt and timely.
ABRIDGED PPROFILE OF DR VICTOR ADOJI Dr Adoji hail from the Igala flank, in the Eastern part of Kogi state. He had his primary and secondary educations at St. Paul’s primary school and Federal Government College, Sokoto respectively. The avid lover of Education and self development holds various degrees from renowned institutions of learning across the globe such as; Diploma in project management from international Business management institute, Germany. Bsc in Economics, University of Jos. Four MBAs in corporate strategy, leadership and sustainability, Entrepreneurship and Business analytics. Five graduates (Masters) degrees in Economics, public administration, international Affairs, sociology, managerial psychology and social welfare.
He also bagged several non-credit certifications including special executive masters in project and strategic management (PSM) and special Executive Masters in International Business Law (IBL) both from London metropolitan Business School. Certifications in Risk management, Economics/International Business and Change Management, all from IBMI, Berlin. Dr Adoji holds masterclass certifications in Business Management and Leadership from the London Graduate School (LGS).
He has undertaken several studies and trainings in reputable local and international, professional and academic institutions which include but not limited to Pan African University, University of Pennsylvania, Wharton University, Yale University, University of Edinburgh, University of Virginia, Oxford university, Harvard University, the world Bank, the IMF and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG). He is a Doctoral degree (PhD) holder on credit Management from Panama University, Doctoral degree in Business Administration (DBA) on leadership, corporate governance and people management, from Leeds Beckett University UK, Post Doctoral degree; a DBA (Honoris causa) in project management from the commonwealth university in liaison with London Graduate school, UK. Just recently, he bagged another PhD in Economics from the university of Nigeria Nsukka where he reportedly broke a jinx with a climax that has never been reached in the last 37 years.
He is expected to take up the VC’s award later this year. Victor Adoji is also a member of several professional bodies. He is a fellow, institute of credit Administration (FICA) and a British certified credit fellowship (ICCF). Fellow, chartered institute of public management of Nigeria. fellow, American Academy of project management (FAAPM). A certified procurement & project management specialist (CPPMS), and a master, project manager (MPM). He is a member, Nigerian Economic society (NES), Nigerian institute of management (NIM), Institute of Chartered Economists of Nigeria (ICEN) and, a member of Institute for transformative thoughts and learning (ITTL)- an America based institute.
Adoji is a faculty member at the institute of Credit Administration of Nigeria (ICA)- the only institution recognized Nationwide as professional credit management body dedicated to the provision of micro and macro credit management education, award of qualifications to specialists, skill development, capacity building, everyday management of trade, financial and business credits in Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world. Adoji’s public sector related skills/trainings/proficiencies include; Oxford university- from poverty to prosperity.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)- The challenges of global poverty. Harvard university- Entrepreneurship in emerging economies. Tudelft institute- Rethink the city: New approaches to global and local urban challenge. IIMBX Bangalore- infrastructural development, PPPs and regulation. Princeton University- making government work in hard places. Berkeley university of California- solving public policy problems. SDG Academy (World Bank)- Industrial policy in the 21st century: the challenge for Africa. Victor AAdoji is a renowned consultant in various strategic atmospheres including; policy and strategy development and expert advise, innovation, Enterprise support, international studies, international benchmarking research. Marketing, communications, branding and publishing management.
The Igala born phenomenal had worked in several places including but not limited to manufacturing and media industries before joining Zenith Bank in the year 2000 where he served meritoriously for almost two decades. He resigned on a duty call to fatherland and joined politics in 2018, contested for the senatorial post (Kogi East senatorial districts) and pulled one of the sanest votes in history- 131,171, in less than four months. He is a silent achiever, a trailblazer known for his “social contract manifestos.” His love for humanity as well as his invaluable contributions in the society has endeared him to many. He is an advocate of youths and women’s inclusiveness; a capacity he has since demonstrated through innovations and reforms among the youths in Kogi East senatorial districts and beyond.
The academia is also an avid agent of global reforms and his academic impact has since positioned him for both National and international assignment. No one understands the problem of Africa more than the Africans, so said professor Lumumba. What is therefore in deficit is a truth dispelled of feelings and emotion. At some point, since the return of Democracy in 1999, Nigeria has experienced a handful professionals in her realms of leadership. Their inputs are not just the moral tenacity for this piece, it remains a generational reference point. For instance; Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, a global finance expert is a professional whose expertise was sought in 2003. She was a two time minister of finance, a once coordinating minister of Economy, and now, Director General, world Trade Organisations (WTO). While serving in the former capacities, there were viral records of achievements to her credit, and prior to her appointment as WTO boss, she became the first female and African occupant of such revered position. Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, an economics expert, former Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria now, Anambra state governor elect is also an intellectual of note.
Professor Babagana Umaru Zulum, a former University Dean, now the governor of Borno state is also an attestation of facts. He is radically changing narratives in the North Eastern state amidst deepened security challenges. It is on record that Borno state is haven to the second most deadly terrorist groups in the world- Boko-Haram (Global terrorism index). Dr Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom state, among others is a leader of unequal stride. He has so far open the economy of the south-southern state to the world.
He was recently rated among one hundred emerging leaders in Africa- UK financial times. On a final note; Nigeria’s socioeconomic predicament calls for an absolute measure through good leadership who will act in the best interests of the Nation, to consecrate existing norms in obsolete.
A leadership who will look inward and tap into the Nation’s underlying natural endowments and create wealth, trickle down positive values through decisive efforts, integrity and honesty, increase citizens’ enterprise morale, trust and effective communications, and in nutshell, help regain the Nation’s glorious days as the giant of Africa. Dr Victor Adoji is a professional, an enigma in class of the aforementioned individuals.
Accepting his hands of fellowship will shape the future for good.
JOHN PAUL. 07038729622. (SMS only