With the Buhari experience, it is indubitable that Nigerians must place a high premium on education -- not just certificate – in choosing their leaders. The cost of electing leaders who do not have the intellectual grit to understand and handle matters is far too high.
Coronavirus (COVID-19), an exorable doom, threatens life on
the planet. It is exorable because it is conquerable. This explains why world
leaders are taking the charge to combat this ominous apocalypse. It is a time
for leadership from the fore-end; a time when citizens must hear their leaders
speak to them; see them take action, making assurances and fulfilling those
promises. The counsel, consolation and firm statement of a leader is imperative
at this moment.
In Canada, Justin Trudeau, prime minister, despite being in
self-isolation and his wife battling the virus after contracting it at a
conference in the UK, is leading the fight against this dreaded disease from
the fore. He is providing regular updates of the efforts of his government to
roll back this scourge, listening and speaking to citizens.
In a popular broadcast on March 13, Justin spoke to citizens
of Canada announcing measures to relieve the financial stress brought on by the
pandemic on Canadians.
“We do not want any Canadian to have to worry about whether
or not they’re going to be able to pay their rent, whether or not they’re going
to be able to buy groceries, or care for their kids or elderly family members.
We need to make sure that Canadians have the options and the ability to follow the
best public health advice and keep themselves safe,” he said.
In the UK, Boris Johnson, prime minister, leads the struggle
against coronavirus. He provides updates, alongside health experts, on the
measures his government is taking to tackle the spread of the disease. And in
the US, Donald Trump is not shying away from speaking to Americans on the
virus.
As a matter of fact, President Muhammadu Buhari’s lapses are
often easily dismissed by his supporters or by Nigerians who do not know
better. Some of them say, ‘’ Why must the president speak when the minister of
health and the NCDC DG are already doing that?” This is a contemptible
rationalisation of incompetence. Are they suggesting the president lacks the
capacitance to understand the issues?’’
Really, I surmise the president has been walled off the
‘’candid cameras’’ over the years by his handlers – not just now – because he
lacks the intellectual propensity to understand and discuss incisive issues.
The last presidential media chat he held was in 2015 and it was a woeful
outing. Also, his non-choreographed media interviews have been abysmal to say
the least.
The truth is the unfiltered Buhari is a vacuously gaffing
one. On October 14, 2016, standing beside Angela Merkel, German chancellor,
Buhari said his wife, Aisha, ‘’belonged in the kitchen and the other room’’,
when he was asked to comment on the first lady’s criticism of his government.
On April 18, 2018, at the Commonwealth Business Forum in
London, the president said the young citizens of the country he leads are lazy.
“More than 60 per cent of the population is below 30, a lot
of them haven’t been to school and they are claiming that Nigeria is an oil
producing country, therefore, they should sit and do nothing, and get housing,
healthcare, education free,” he said during a panel appearance with world
leaders at the forum.
In a February 2016 interview with UK Telegraph, Buhari
dropped another clanger. He said the young citizens of his country have a knack
for criminality and should not be granted asylum in the UK.
With the Buhari experience, it is indubitable that Nigerians
must place a high premium on education -- not just certificate – in choosing
their leaders. The cost of electing leaders who do not have the intellectual
grit to understand and handle matters is far too high.
The senate has asked the president to speak to citizens on
this threat, and Nigerians are also asking the president to speak to them. This
is an abnormality. Citizens must not beg to hear from their president. But
because it is Buhari involved here, we have to beg and even excuse the crass
inefficiency and vacuity.
Perhaps, the president is still trying to get a hang of it.
I think he has ‘’capable handlers’’ who can break it down to him in ABC.
Mr President, speak to your citizens. The words of a leader
are more resounding and assuring than the blandishment of proxies.
PS: Let’s follow all health protocol has advised by the
NCDC.
• Wash your hands regularly with soap under running water.
• Cover your mouth and nose properly with handkerchief or
tissue paper when sneezing and/or coughing. You may also cough into your elbow
if a handkerchief is not available.
• Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of
respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
• Avoid self-medication, report to the nearest health
facility when you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms.
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