bornAfrican - The Convergence of Africana

Nigeria in October ‘07: Etteh vs. Okonja-Iweala

Posted October 23, 2007 · Bayo Orebiyi

I was in the shower this morning washing up to the tune of Sir Shina Peters‘s classic album “E jawo lapon ti oyo:” Part of the song goes like this:

…In Nigeria, there are women of Knowledge, African women get knowledge, they’re beautiful 90% of bribery & corruption caused by men 90% motor accidents caused by men…

This song brings me into perspective about some current news from Nigeria. And I remembered an argument I had with a female friend in which I opposed her stand that Nigeria would be better social-politically if more women are involved in top administrative governance of the country. I hate to think that Nigeria must be constituted of a much more percentage of iniquitous people, which is the reason why majority of our past and present leaders (irrespective of the sex) are or have been detrimental to progress.

Mrs. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh and Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala are two notable women who have been in most news from Nigeria in this month; they were both the first Speaker of House of Representatives and first Minister of Finance respectively. In my opinion, these two women exemplify the different sides of Nigerian politics and further support the notion that women can be as bad or good of a politician as men.

Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala held a reputable position at the World Bank before she joined President Obasanjo’s cabinet in mid 2003 for three years. Popular for helping Nigeria become debt free, Dr. Okonja-Iweala received nationwide applause for the good deeds she was doing while in office. When she was criticized for her initial salary which was much more than what the other ministers were being paid, she humbly opted to the standard salary even though she was hired under a UN scheme to repatriate Africa’s best brains which continued to pay her old salary, $240,000, in dollars. After her resignation, her time in office is now being referred to as good times. This month she has just been named a Director at World Bank.

On the other hand, Mrs. Patricia Olubunmi Etteh was made the Speaker of the house through an imperfect election. Most reports believe she was handpicked by Obasanjo to further protect and propagate the interest of the ruling party (PDP). Less than five months in office, Mrs. Etteh has been accused of appropriating the sum of N628 million to renovate her house and that of her deputy. Among other accusations, whether true or false, she had apparently tried to use Federal funds to purchase N98 million body massage machine. Mrs. Etteh has refused to resign despite numerous calls from notable Nigerians such as Wole Soyinka, Gani Fawehinmi. No matter how much of the accusations are false, she has proved to be morally bankrupt for not resigning as soon as the scandal broke.

There you have it. Two notable women in Nigerian politics at this present time, October 2007. One is an African pride; the other is looking like a national disgrace. Am I too fast with my judgment against the speaker of the house?

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