Failure Indices And A Nations Development

I was having one of our “developing the nation” chats with some friends recently and we all as usual, wanting to be positive about things, focused on the positive intent of our leaders and sort of got lost in the scenario that intent was the same as result. Intent is not the same as result, and if we keep making this simple mind-set mistake, we stand the risk of being in the same spot, if not reversing, in the years to come. None of us as Nigerians want this.
The issue of failure indices as a definite marker of development needs to be embraced by us Africans. Our failure to “fail” those who have not “passed” will lead us nowhere fast.

As a person may do well in degrees and we say he is trying; we need to embrace the mentality that he or she may also be failing in degrees; from woeful to partial fail. But please, let us stop making excuses for our friends, by calling a fail a partial pass. A troubled developing country like ours cannot afford that luxury.

Whilst the need for development can be emotional, its actualisation is a rational, practical, non-emotional and incremental issue.
Let’s look at our situation and events as they unfold. The use of failure indices as markers is not about a particular person or persons, it is not about positions held, it is not about religion, ethnicity or any other bias creating or divisive elements. It is about citizens taking their destiny in their own hands, and indeed being part of the total governance system.

In assessing any situation or plan, one can
(1) Analyse it before the event (the rhetoric, the plans, the promises etc)
(2) Analyse it during the pre implementation and implementation stages ( the policies formulated, the organs of implementation formed and mobilised, the steps taken and indeed the body language etc),
(3) Analyse and assess when the situation is actually realised and the plan is delivered, assess how it touches us individually and collectively in real time and in real life. Not hype, not propaganda!

Having followed the events of my dear country Nigeria for many years now ( I’m 53 years young now), I write this little piece based solely on patriotism and the desire to see that the life we live begins, in real terms, to change for the better. We are certainly not where we should be, and absolutely not where we hoped to be. On that I believe we can all agree.

We must as part of a “Total Governance” phenomenon begin to actively encourage our leaders at all levels, not to simply oversee stagnation and distribute poverty and not to only ‘talk the talk’, but indeed ‘walk the talk’ and lead by example.

Now, if we as citizens are to hold our representatives in Government to account, which of the 3 stages mentioned above would be wise for us to hold on to as a simple and uncomplicated way of assessing our leadership. In my humble view we should focus on the 3rd option. It amazes me that in some states, people are re-elected even after owing months of salary and having really not delivered any tangible, sustainable and life changing developments. I really hope that it is not a question of us having the Leadership we deserve, but rather that we may have the leadership that we do not deserve. So keep score Nigerians, democracy is a powerful tool.

Now back to the 3 stages of analysis detailed above,
(a) I leave the first to politicians, strategists and great analysers of public discours;, a field day can be had by them as they educate us and expend a substantial amount of intellectual rigour. I praise them and thank them for their invaluable contributions.

(b) I also leave the second to social critics, monitoring and evaluation specialists and observers of social change and reporters of same. They represent a vital and significant segment of society and their contributions are also invaluable, I praise them.

I am reminded that the radical that proposes change is just as important as the conservative that opposes it, it is in this dynamic (amongst numerous others ) that meaningful change comes. So I am by no means saying that the first two stages are unimportant, they are critical. But I myself, speaking as a simple member of the 150plus million citizens club of Nigeria, advise that we should focus on the uncomplicated “Failure Indices” system of analysis.

We should not base our analyses on spin, neither should we base it on what it sounds like. We should not base it on biases and prejudices, nor on sentiment, religion or ethnicity. We really cannot afford to base it on these parameters anymore.

We should base it on how it affects us collectively, what we see in real terms and how that affects our lives directly. In short, we should base our judgment on what has been delivered, how our lives are changed, hopefully for the better and what the quality of our life is.

For example, if my student is preparing for his examinations, it would be unwise of me, no matter how much I like him, to assume he has passed. I should assist him fully, but the fact remains that until he has passed, I cannot say he has passed, and indeed I cannot (based on so many previous disappointments) give him the benefit of the doubt. Until the results are evident, I cannot say he has passed.

Now you may say, that’s a hard cold blooded stance to take, but I say based on the terrible state Nigeria now finds itself ( due to decades of waste), I cannot give anyone the benefit of the doubt, even as I contribute and help, I need them to deliver. Whilst you try to deliver we can be friends, no problem, we can work together, no problem, but my brother and sister, until it is evident that you have delivered, you have failed. So please let me feel you, see you and see a brighter future.

I am reminded of what we learnt early in life, that there is only one way to do things, and that is the right way. It is in the light of this that I am convinced that for a developing country like ours we should insist on the best; policy and action wise, from our leaders.

So when do we use the failure indices score chart? I say we use it until the public servant has passed. Whilst of course we all help the said public servant to indeed pass, we must not be stragglers or a stumbling block to the progress of our great Country. We must be patriots who are willing to sacrifice for our father land.

We must stop clapping for promissory announcements, stop cheering for turning of the sod, stop applauding the planting of flowers at a roundabout, stop undue ovation for what is a person’s duty, especially if that person has taken up the challenge to work for us willingly.

As a Nation, to grow, certain things must be in place,
– the rule of law and security
– a sustainable and affordable economy
– an environment of ideas and innovation, and
– a mindset that nurtures development.

Our collective mindset is in dire need of re-orientation. We cannot continue to think and have the mind set we have and hope to get out of the woods. It is that unacceptable mindset that has brought us to where we are now, it must change.

So to all elected and selected representatives of our dear government and Country, I really want to give you a pass mark, I really do, so please help me to pass you, please deliver. But until then my dearest brother and sister, you have failed o.

God give you the strength and wisdom to pass our collective test. I am sure you can and I am sure Nigerians will partner you in salvaging our beloved country.

Dr. Aderemi Desalu mni
Strategic Health and Development Consultant.