Political economy and management expert, Prof. Pat Utomi, has said that the way to redeem Nigeria must begin with addressing dysfunctions at the sub-national level.
In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, Utomi noted that when the people mattered, the truly powerful stayed close to the people at the sub-national level.
“Sir Ahmadu Bello stayed as Premier in Kaduna and sent his deputy to Lagos to be Prime Minister. Development was majorly bottom-up from the regions,” he stated.
Utomi emphasised that the competition among the regions over which could bring industrialisation faster to their respective regions tells the story, recounting that “Okpara worked his egg-a-day development miracle in Enugu, as free education energised the West and Kaduna became the heart of textile manufacturing in West Africa.”
However, he lamented that the situation had changed, saying governors now do nothing and look to defect to whoever controls Abuja so they can stay out of jail for looting the treasury of those they were elected to lift up.
“Redemption for Nigeria has to begin with rediscovering how to clean up the dysfunctions at the sub-nationals,” he said, asserting that failing to re-elect most of the governors seeking second terms may be a good signal.
Utomi also noted that when people hire help, they check how fit the hired hands are for the job, disclosing that his wife sends every candidate seeking to work as domestic staff in their home for a health screening.
He questioned why Nigeria was not following the same path if the people were truly the masters.
He added that there was abundant evidence that Nigeria would be spared much grief if applicants for public office were required to undergo physical fitness, mental health, and character assessments.
