A Case For Square Pegs In Square Holes BY KENNEDY NSAN

“I did not inherit a State with 30 billion, and I also did not inherit an empty State. I inherited a State with great potentials; No society can truly be measured by the money in a treasury.”

-Governor Benedict Ayade

Governor Ayade Benedict of Cross River State is not from this planet if you ask me. His utterances seem at least to suggest so.

I have long hoped and prayed for a governor who understands that leadership is 99% inspiration and 1% perspiration. And listening to some of his utterances gives me great hope for a new Cross River.

I am an incurable optimist, and having come out from a Senator Liyel Imoke government that throughout its life-cycle complained of lack of funds to one that though doesn’t seem to have so much, yet issues out bold statements of hope, is something that excites me.

This is not in any way an indictment of the previous administration, but the emphasis on the need for this government to remain within the realm of giving hope to her citizens. That’s what a government should at least do for a hopeless people in need of hope!

I’m praying and hoping that these BOLD STATEMENTS are also translated into something tangible at whatever cost it may take.

We’re willing to give our full support and cooperation to it and pray that things work out as envisaged.

However, this government must seek to bring the right people into government and not rely on taking in only those who have godfathers who recommend them to man certain positions.

Just as His Excellency’s utterance show, he should seek to appoint people of character and competence, relevant exposure and experience to carry out government policy. He must not be the only one who knows everything; he must be willing to appoint people who know a thing or two and have the courage to sometimes disagree with his policy direction.

Experience has shown that such disagreements are healthy and can inject new thinking, ideas, etc, that can help the government. ‘Yes Men’, don’t add value to any government, their principal focus is their pockets and bank accounts.

In the course of my interactions in the social media space, I have the rare privileged of reading from great minds like Obasesam Okoi from Canada, Princewill Ojong Odidi from the USA, Ceejay Ojong from Abuja, Missang Oyama from Lagos, Venatius Ikem from Calabar, Jude Egbas from Lagos, etc; without being sentimental, these guys have great potentials and can be brought in to serve in any capacity that their experience and exposure can impact on the new government.

They are also other Cross Riverians all over the World doing great things. It behoves on Mr. Governor to look for them and ask them to come and serve their state in different capacities.

This should be an era of service and so we must not rely on local talents only to serve our state’s needs.

Kennedy Nsan writes from Abuja.

- by: Eno
- 9 years ago
It is such a delight to realize through his words that he is suited for the job of moving Cross River back to the light where it belongs.
Every state should have some one who offers such hope sincerely. With a good team, our dreams will be achieved. God bless and direct this government.
- by: Okor EFombruh
- 9 years ago
My brother Ken, with people like u, there is a place for objectivity even in the realm of criticism. I am not a Cross Riverian and never supported PDP as a protest against insensitivity, impunity and complacency as typified by the former governor of my State.With products like Ben Ayade, our hopes in good and responsive government under whatever platform is rekindled.I must confess without prejudice that Liyel Imoke was a t the verge of inciting ethnic strife and intolerance between Criss Riverians a
- by: Okor EFombruh
- 9 years ago
My brother Ken, with people like u, there is a place for objectivity even in the realm of criticism. I am not a Cross Riverian and never supported PDP as a protest against insensitivity, impunity and complacency as typified by the former governor of my State. With products like Ben Ayade, our hopes in good and responsive government under whatever platform is rekindled.I must confess without prejudice that Liyel Imoke was at the verge of inciting ethnic strife and intolerance between Cross Riverians and Akwa Ibomites living or having dealings in the State. While the former Governor was eating from the same plates with Akpabio and Jonathan, the duo that orchestrated the ceding of oil wells from Cross River to Akwa Ibom, he comes back to the state to consistently and persistently complain how Akwa Ibom has snatched oil wells belonging to CRS. This almost led to serious crisis as Cross Riverians became very hostile and unfriendly. Most of us suffered from figurative leprosy and were not clean enough to wine and dine with our long time friends even when we had nothing to do with whatever transactions took place in the high places. Imoke kept complaining bitterly of the penurious status of the State and the apathy increased proportionately. Today the same CRS that was alleged to be wallowing in self pity and abject poverty is ahead of every other states in terms of accelerated economic and infrastructural actionable blue prints under Governor Ben Ayade. The first day I watched Ayade unveil his programmes for the State, I asked myself “how is this man planning to execute these with the current financial status of the State?!” But as if the Governor read through my mind, he calmly explained how he was planning to realise his dreams for the State. Before Ayade took over, the last administration wittingly or unwittingly created serious unemployment whereat more than 10 Thousand people lost their means of livelihood. For the avoidance of doubt, Timber dealers were almost committing suicide daily, this is no speculations my brother. No matter what explanations were giving then, Ben Ayade has punctured such empty logic by using same seemingly helpless situations to the benefit of the State. All I pray for is that the almighty God gives him the strength to achieve his goals and plans for the State. Pls tell our Cross River brothers that WE did not take their oil wells.
- by: Ken Egbas
- 9 years ago
Brilliant piece as usual from Ken Nsan. The economy of the new cross river state that I see will not draw its credence from the resources under the ground, but what God deposited in all of us – human capacity. Dubai is what it is today because a leader sent for that point in time in their history looked inward. See where they are today. I have listened to Governor Ayade speak publicly. I have also had my private moments with him. I believe he can do it – take cross river to a place we have never been economically and industrially. I believe in him
- by: vina pius
- 9 years ago
Nicely said….. Every new govt is d beginning of new hope for d ppl. I jst pray he delivers cross river state has too much to av nothing.
- by: Peter, Esq
- 9 years ago
Well, the commentary is a good one and I hope people close to him will show him or let him read it. In your analysis however on (a-case-for-square-pegs-in-square-holds) the discuss, I expect to see questions/posers on the vast untapped potentials Cross River State holds and show how the wealth of experience the few you mentioned can help to steer all of these to ensure that the state reclaims that glory which it is known for. Cross River State, aside from being a great tourism potential state can also be an agricultural hub of the nation- considering how fertile our lands are. We are a beneficiary of REDD but that does not stop us from being benefactors of agricultural products. Again, industries have lost its bearing in Cross River State, including the Tourist sites which we hold proud of. I expect that in your analysis, all of these things are shown to his Excellency in your commentary so that he can see the need to eschew the idea of “godfatherism” and bring people of like minds who have the growth of Cross River state at heart. No doubt, people worked tirelessly to ensure he is returned as the Governor of the state but make him understand that compensation should not be at the expense of the entire “Crossriverians…” That is the much I can comment for now until when next I read another write up from you. Kudos!!!!! God bless Cross River State!!!! And God bless you!!!!
- by: Nwonna Ejorga
- 9 years ago
Your contention that the talking-heads that often engage in puerile buffoonery are somehow capable hands for appointments into Ayade’s cabinet is not only laughable but asinine. Without appearing snide may I ask on what basis did you arrive at this opinion? Or are you a paid hack?