Essential Ndubuisi
By Linus Chukwuma
Like everyone else, I celebrated the emergence of Dr. Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (NOI) as the first woman and first African to become World Trade Organization Director-General. With our confidence at low ebb following Trump’s administration refusal to endorse her, the announcement of her appointment became simultaneously astonishing, historic and hymned by many well respected newspapers in the world. It was a proud moment for Nigeria and Africa.
Okonjo-Iweala has always been known as a woman of many first. Her achievements should be a source of inspiration for women especially those who think gender is an alibi not to rise to the top of their chosen professions.
Reading the congratulatory message of Senator Uche Ekwunife to the former minister of finance I was held spellbound by every line in the message. Ekwunife who was elated, however, noted that Ngozi attained the enviable height through her personal accomplishments and devotion to her profession. I agreed.
But much like NOI has distinguished herself in her profession, Ekwunife is another woman whose achievements are enviable. The Senator has had an unblemished reputation in politics since she was first elected in 2007. I may be wrong, but no person can presently mention the five best and Performing Senators in the 9th Assembly without the woman known as Mother Theresa of our time on the top of the list.
The antecedents of Ekwunife who has made a good name for herself shows that she works effortlessly in every given opportunity. Little wonder, a Scottish crime writer, Val McDermid, says that for women to survive they had to be twice as good as guys.
It seems that, against prejudice too many women are breaking through the ranks of leadership. In the US, 84-15 vote approval by the US Senate had confirmed Janet Yellen the nation’s 78th treasury secretary- the first woman- to hold the position since the 232-history of the department.
Globally, competence ranks higher than gender in leadership. That is why women who have the needed qualities are excelling in politics, and other fields.
Anambra state will in the third quarter of this year witness another round of electioneering by candidates of different political parties. It will be another critical period to rewrite the wrongs of bad governance.
Do we want a new chapter or maintain the avoidable status quo?
The call for a new chapter explicitly represents the aspiration of Ekwunife whose range of leadership experience is awe-inspiring. The good news is, I have never had political exchange of ideas where her intellectual fecundity or tremendous grassroots support were questioned. —Ekwunife’s political philosophy is in tandem with the ideal governor Ndi Anambra wants.
Placing competence and capacity above sexism, the Chairman Senate Committee on Science and Technology remains the best person for the job. The Senator’s 9th empowerment programme is still resonating in the state. The state is in the trajectory where irrespective of gender, competent hands are entrusted with the affairs of leadership. And to buttress, the light of the Nation remains the only state in Nigeria with two women as Senators.
With vast majority of Ndi Anambra demanding a change of leadership status quo, and emergence of NOI, there are feelings of optimism that Ekwunife, beyond cynicism will emerge the next governor because she has the requisite knowledge to address the plethora of challenges facing our dear state, Anambra.
