MINISTER of Finance, Mrs. Kemi
Adeosun has been in the eyes of the storm over her exemption certificate from
the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). As a result, pressures have persisted calling
for her response or immediate removal from office by President Muhammadu Buhari
over forgery.
From arguments in some quarters, the NYSC exemption certificate
Adeosun presented wouldn’t have been genuinely issued at such a time she was
below the stipulated age for exemption among other complex issues and the
criticsthereforetagged it fake, and demanded for her prosecution like others
facing corruption charges. The federal government consequently, ordered a
thorough investigation by the relevant bodies.
No doubt, the calls for
investigations are a step in the right direction but for her distractions or removal
from office, the timing is precariously wide of the mark. A finance minister
that may rarely be sleeping at nights due to the sensitive nature of her job
and the ministry that is the brainbox of the economy deserve no distraction as
frivolous as theNYSC exemption issues. If the forgery is substantiated by the
investigations, it is condemnable but inadequate to constitute distractions
while she is in office. Professionally, the portfolio requires optimum
concentration.
The alleged forgery ideallyshouldhave
been dealt with during her screening by the Senate and not while engaged with
sensitive responsibilities for the nation, hence, a pre-appointment issue. The
essence of screening is to deal with such subtle issues prior to assigning portfolios
and responsibilities to nominees. And irrefutably, the office of finance
minister is all-encompassingthat any distractions may cost the nation enormously,
and therefore irrational to expect such an official to abandon her duties to be
running after who signed or who didn't sign the exemption certificate for her.
Most likely, the uproars, asking Adeosun to divide her concentration over mere
NYSC certificate are not abreast of challenges the portfolio demands or
possibly want the economy crumbled at all costs.
The most absurd in the story is that
the controversy wasn’t thatshe falsely claimed to have participated in the
scheme, as she rightly admitted that she didn’t and the certificate equally
indicated so but probably from a purported wrong source. Assuming the certification
is related to her professional career or even as low as secondary school
certificate, the hullabaloos will make good sense. Inarguably, the nation presently
cannot afford to be ascribingsuch importance to trivial issues at the detriment
of economic growth. Finance minister is not an office that can be subjected to
partisanship or frolicsome issues. Again, it will be height of expensive jokes
to fire Adeosun over mere NYSC exemption certification and notice later that an
international organization hired her as witnessed in the past.
At this critical time of
restructuring with its concomitant effects, what the populaces should focus
attention on is the minister’s competence which is not in doubt. Adeosun is evidently
sound and dependable. Unequivocally, she knows her onions. Nigerians should
rather celebrate such a proficient figure,expediently fetched to fill the
vacuum Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwealla left and high standard set during her tenure
which convincingly shows that Nigerian women are up and doing, and can truly,
productively manage key responsibilities and compete with, if not surpass
counterparts around the world.
By implications, whatever be the case
should wait till after her office except where issuesare related to abuse of
office. Crimes do not have expiry dates. At the moment, paramount to the nation
is people-oriented policies that can impact positively on the vulnerable masses
languishing in penury. Government should pragmatically focus on issues that can
eradicate poverty andprotracted miseries. Any other things can wait except
looting, diversion of public funds and insecurity. Gradually, we will get to
other corrupt practices like NYSC certification, claiming attendance while
absent even during lectures, acquiring driver's licenses without practical
training, admissions without JAMB's outlined scores, among others that have thrived
fantastically over the years in the country.
An occupant of a house on inferno
doesn’t go after rats, says an adage. This is the appropriate illustration of
the controversy. Citizens are restless, looking forward to see costs of living
become affordable and healthcare facilities available particularly to the helplessratios. Masses want to see radical job
creations that can cater for over 100,000 graduates that pass out yearly from
152accredited universities across the nation. People earnestly look forward to
a highly stimulated and friendly economy that can boost small-and-medium-scale
enterprises (SMEs). These should be the focal points of those in governments alongside
oppositions, and not on frivolities or inconsequentialities.
From experiences, political parties
will always reign and fizzle away some day. National Party of Nigeria (NPN),
Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP), Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) among others in
their time brawled and reigned. Lastly, they all disappeared. But Nigeria
remains. Hitherto, PDPreigned, cruisedclosely two decades but presently peeping
from afar. Thus, politics must be friendly, impactful and chivalrous. Allotting
enormous time and energy onmere NYSC exemption certificate; not even a
discharge certificate which implies that the holder at least, reconnoitered new
environs, attempted how to climb trees or mountains, or ran with luggage on the
head, leaves much to be desired especially without putting the sensitive nature
of the office in questioninto consideration for national interest.
For example, some years ago, the then
President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton had a messy episode,grievous
and sufficient for his impeachment but Americans prudently, objectively disregarded
it in their best interests and moved on. That is nationalism in reality.
Frankly-speaking, the do-or-die politics in Nigeria is indeed worrisome and
despicable. Thus, while opposition, scheming and politicking are encouraged as conventional
norms for universal suffrage, the interest of the nation must essentially,
always be given its rightful prominent position.
Umegboro is a public affairs analyst and Associate of The Chartered
Institute of Arbitrators (United Kingdom) -07057101974-sms only
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