Place service ahead of political appointments, Olurode advises leaders

Place service ahead of political appointments, Olurode advises leaders

A professor of sociology, Lai Olurode, has advised President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other elected state governors to consider certain factors in nominating those to serve in their governments.

One the factors he enumerated in a statement is the readiness to serve.

He said political appointments should not be given to those driven by desperate desire for the perquisites and fame that such positions confer on occupants.

“There must be a burning desire that recognises that Nigeria is in an emergency in all spheres and that life needs to be restored to all sectors. Good governance is indeed an imperative,” he stated.

Professor Olurode, a former lecturer at the University of Lagos, said a measurement instrument should be designed to assist elected officials at all cadres to capture previous contributions to service either in the private or public sector.

He also said, “Secondly, health conditions of nominees are important. This is where age of appointees becomey relevant.

“In key sectors that are critical to development in the third world, such as education, works, health, department and rural transformation, young people in their thirties or forties should be searched for.

“The cut-off age for sectors that are the life wire of the economy should be about 55. Of course, we recognise that there may be individuals who are outside this age bracket but are savvy and healthy. An allowance can be made for such exceptional cases.”

The professor stressed the need for gender balance, just as he added that appointees must represent and reflect Nigeria’s diversities, ethno-religipus complexity.

“This would enable all Nigerians to have confidence in the new governments at all levels. This would also promote synergy between state and society. A non inclusive government cannot work in present day Nigeria,” he warned
Olurode urged the new government to stay away from the temptations of winners take all which could only breed unnecessary rivalry and run the government down mentality.

He said, “Those who could not make the list of political appointees and rightly believe they had played significant roles in putting the government in place should realise that service to society or state is elastic and the objective can be met in or out of government circles.

“Political party members, campaign managers among other social groups shouldn’t mount too much pressure on members of the new governments. They should concede some breathing space to them to enable them to think through policy documents that are central to good governance.
He said Nigerians should emulate the late Alhaju Lateef Jakande, Chief Bisi Akande and Governor Nasir El-Rufai whose attitude to governance is one of service.