Opinion: Governance and Intellectuals!

Over time I have asked myself where are the intellectuals in Nigeria. I have asked myself these questions because today in Nigeria things do not seem to be working well. All over the country, most of the persons who are handling positions (appointments) are given based on friendship basis or compensation. But the real persons who are vested with the requisite knowledge are relegated or ignored due to the fact that most leaders are scared that intellectuals will argue with them or challenge their ideas if there are not towing professional line.

I remember, many years ago, intellectuals had so much authority in governance. They were often appointed in key government position. They acted in advisory positions and contributed meaningful towards the growth and development of the country. But today, the reverse is the case. Intellectuals are no where to be found. Rather, those who are charlatan are appointed due to friendship or party affiliation resulting to abysmal performance, putting the country or state as the case may be in a serious quagmire.

Today in Nigeria, governance has been de-mystified. People no longer have respect for political appointments anymore because of the way there are ran. It can be recalled that those days, appointments where given due to merit and competence. And by no standing could their advise be swayed away. They exerted great influence on key policy of government. They were the think tanks, intellectuals  planned for government, but that is not the case anymore in Nigeria. Governance has been ridiculed across the country.

In those days, you could tell the true worth of a government by the calibre of men and women in the cabinet. These men brought ideas to the table, they brought their experience to bear. And their ideas and words of wisdom could not be ignored. How many appointees today across the country can challenge their pay masters? How many? I repeat how many?

Talking about intellectuals, I mean men and women who have distinguished themselves in their various fields. People of content and character who are poised to work for the growth and development of the country. People who can use their expertise to shed light to very sailent issues in governance. Men and women who are not interested in what they can gain but what they can contribute.

The nation is currently experiencing very difficult times as a result of the dwindling price of crude oil in the international market, it is expected that at this very critical time, governors and other heads of government are to appoint very savvy intellectuals to help them run the affairs of government. Intellectuals who can argue and tell their principals the truth without being scared. Voices that are strong, who can pull weight and shake the economy, intellectuals who can proffer professional advise to the lingering problems in the nation. And not the belly and stomach politicians we have today who are only concerned with what they can loot and amass putting the government in bad light.

Governors and the President must purge their government of ill intelligent people. Professional writers, journalist, columnist should be hired to be part of government. Truth be told, the performance index of a good government can only be judged by good opinion writers. Heads of government must watch for these class of persons in the society who can use their creative writings to turn things for the better. These are the kind of individuals that are needed in our today’s governance and not persons with poor ideas.

Government too, must be willing and ready to listen to criticism. It is only when critics criticise a government that it does well and so heads of government must be ready to be criticised at all times. Critics are the true friends of a government and not the ones who praise sing and run around sycophantically bringing gossips to the table in order to get cheap favors.

In criticising government, criticism must be constructive and not geared towards causing tension. Critics must continue to engage government officials in serious and rigorous intellectual discourse. Government officials and those who are seen to be opposed of government must be given the opportunity to constantly engage themselves either through television appearances, article writing, radio programs or through the social media. It will go a long way in checking the excesses of government for the good of the society and nation.

Note: This article is just the writers opinion. It is not intended to spite any group of persons or individuals, state or government.