My Oga at the Top

Anyone who follows this column would have discovered a pattern that harps on time and time again on competence in the selection of those who direct our affairs across the sectors. Ideally, by virtue of an appointed position, it is expected that appointees possess the credentials and the passion, measured against a standard. Competence is acquired through information, training, experience andknowledge. Who appoints these people?

There is a minimum standard against which the competence and level of awareness of a top public official is measured. Isn’t there? When a leader falls short of expectations and becomes a laughing stock, then we really start to worry about the selection process. The saga of the interview granted to Channels Television by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Lagos State Commandant, Mr Obafaiye Shem that went viral in the social media has popped fresh questions as to the competence of those “at the top”. 

While the purpose of this piece is not to over flog the exhibition of Mr Shem’s ignorance, I believe that there are lessons to be learnt beyond the humiliation he is suffering in the hands of Nigeria’s tech savvy army of youths. Let’s start with the most crucial: the fact that “my oga at the top” is a sad reminder of how mediocrity in high places has cost us national development. No matter what, it is inexcusable for a public officer the level of Mr Shem, superintending a cosmopolitan city like Lagos, not to know the web address of his organisation. Even worse is the fact that he was ignorant of the fact that this is what he was coming to discuss at the interview. It is obvious that he may have a computer and Internet connectivity on his table in his office but has no use for it. He was not aware of any attempt to close down the fraudulent sites and could only tell us of the committee. We all know about the usefulness of committees, probes and reports!

Mr Shem’s only enthusiasm was to shower praises on his oga as a sign of loyalty. It is all scripted: you ask a state commissioner the progress recorded in his ministry and he would start by “His Excellency, the Governor...” You ask a minister and he’ll end up telling you about “His Excellency, Mr President...” Shem only prepared himself to go to the interview to tell the panel that his Oga at the top was responsible for fixing the problem, whatever the problem may be. This way he would not be stealing the limelight and reinforcing thereby his loyalty to his boss. 

Among the Nigerian youths, through whom the exposé gained momentum, there has been a pain-and-gain effect. For one, the undeniable energy and creativity in our youths were at their best. From songs to graphic arts to music videos, it is amazing what they did with the scenario in a matter of hours. “My Oga At The Top” branded T-shirts are now trendy. We have spotted corporate advertisement campaigns inspired by the subject. 

The downside is that the matter has just made all of us laugh. We laugh when we should be baying for blood. We should take note that we have been put on notice that we need to fight for our votes in 2015 and ensure that we have competence representing us. We need people who care and can put us back on track.

What is remarkable is that even the jobless, who are looking for work, think it is normal to pay to get a job. It is not a right to be created for us by the state. Our corruption is so normal that people do not know the difference.

For the record the official site of the NSCDC is WW.NSCDC that’s all!!! Kai we de suffer for Nigeria.