…must read for politicians who are restrained by zoning, other circumstances or those wishing to retire from active politics…
By Samuel Abasiekong-Abasiekong
“Politics is a profession; a serious, complicated and in its true sense, a noble one” – Dwight D. Eisenhower
Africa is a vast gallery of cerebral political actors, but each country in this continent is a dump site of politico-knowledgeable brains who put themselves in premature disused or bury this noble career in a shallow grave of no vision beyond their respective countries and walk into political oblivion which they usually themed as: “End of the road for my active involvement in politics”.
In all random sampling, Nigerian politicians’ behavioural tendencies suits the scope of continental analysis of capacity myopia which restrains them from practicing this noble profession beyond their shores.
Nigeria has chosen Democracy as its system of Government since May 29, 1999. And besides this, Nigeria is a signatory and member of hundred of international organizations which are Democracy enabled.
Except a handful of countries in the world, most nations the world over have Democracy as their system of Government. This means serious Nigerian politicians have at least 10 to 16 or more years of cognitive savoir faire in this social Science.
Thus 16 years of experience in politics and other credentials a Nigerian may possess, qualifies him for other political appoinments beyond Nigeria.
Majority of Nigerians drive their political dreams and service to the people on a “one-way” lane. And when they hit the road they are guided by a traditional political roadmap enabled with a local compass which shows them that the only political position a Nigerian can hold is to be a Councilor, Supervisory Councilor, Local Government Council Chairman, State House of Assembly Member, Commissioners, Board Member in a State, Party Exco Member, Member House of Representatives, Minister of the Federal Republic, National Party Exco Member, Federal Board Member, Senator of the Federal Republic and at best being the Governor of the State if the zoning is gracious to his dream
No, no, no, good people, it ought not to be so. The above offices shouldn’t be your “Politicking end of the road” but an elevator to for you to see international political windows.
Even when zoning or other political interests could restrains you from being the President of your country, you can annex an elastic to your country political limitations to pull out your service to the people through international organization such as the United Nations – UN
The United Nations has hundreds of agencies. I’m going to reel out few here for your considerations.
You can as well launch into regional politics. As a Nigerian you are not a persona non grata to be an emissary or diplomat of the Economic Organization of West African States – ECOWAS
Your earlier position as a State Chairman of the People Democratic Party – PDP or National Secretary of All Progressive Congress APC, plus other experiences and credentials you may have, are too much qualifications at entry point in any regional or international political contest.
Only few Nigerians think along this trajectory. If you feel you have exhausted all your political tallies in your State or country, get out from that cul-de-sac and go offshore.
Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, former Minister of Finance, sit atop the World Trade Organization – WTO as DG, Akinwumi Adesina former Minister of Agriculture in President Goodluck Jonathan administration is the 8th President of Africa Development Bank – AfDB. You can be the Secretary of World Health Organization – WHO.
While Nigerians have less than five citizens at the peak of echelon of organizations managing the world economy, politics and policies, most African countries have none or at best, they can boast of auxiliary staff and nothing serious.
The shorted sight is the African sight, which is health-invalid to pierce through the wall of impossibilities, limitations and complex impeding majority in dark skin.
There are several many other international organizations where your country Nigeria is signatory and member, but Nigerians who are most times over qualified show no interest in getting involved in what these organizations do, because of complex of inferiority.
When you are no more allowed to be Senator in your State, when you have reached the end of the road in your State politics etc, you can eye available high echelon vacancies in the following organizations: ICC, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, INMARSAT, INTELSAT, UNMIK, UNMOP, UNMOT, UNU, UPU, WCL, INTERPOL, IOC, ISO, ITU, MINURSO, NAM, AU, OPCW, OPEC, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNESCO, ECOWAS, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNICEF, UNIKOM, UNITAR, UNMIBH, ACP, AFDB, CCC, ECA, FAO, G-15, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, WTRO
There are many others, but for management of space and for consideration of your time to read this article, you can engage your search machine to find out yourself and at your convenience.
There’s no law saying Nigerians are too many in international organizations. While Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Akinwumi Adesina head WTO and AfDB respectively, you can head the INTERPOL and another heads ICC or FAO or ILO etc.
Politics is a profession, a serious and noble one at that, as stated by Dwight D. Eisenhower.
Exhausting your political rounds must not send you to your village to struggle for Village Headship.
Before Chief Olusegun Obasanjo became President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he wanted to be Secretary General of the United Nations – UN, but he lost it to an Egyptian diplomat, late Boutros Boutros Ghali who was very fluent in speaking and writing of English and French languages. That was an added advantage that gave Ghali victory over OBJ.
It’s understood that appoinments or elections into any agency of the United Nations is not a teaparty. You need recommendations and sponsorship from the State. Even at that, it’s still possible to get it done. If you have successfully lobbied people to become the Governor of your State, you can as well lobby the Presidency to endorse your candidacy to lead OPEC.
Recommendations, sponsorship and endorsements from the State is not your problem here. You can have them if you have once served your State or the Federal Government in flying colours. What you need here is your desire and sincere intent and purpose to serve humanity in that capacity.
I need an elevator such as the positions you have held so far to measure up with any Asian, Europeans or American etc in a high echelon of any available position in any international organization or agency of the UN someday and get elected. If foreign languages are entry points requirement, I speak, write, teach, interpret and translate French to English, English to French. I read and understand Spanish clearly, but not really fluent in speaking it as French and English languages; I have other credentials, I’m not less a human being because I’m an African.
You could have much better credentials than I do.
So why roaming the perimeter fence of local politics since 1999?
Why drawing the curtain over your political career because God is not gracious unto you this time around?
Why retiring from active politics because you have exhausted your tallies?
Oh man, cheer up, get up, catch up with international political windows
Samuel Abasiekong-Abasiekong is a Public Affairs Analyst, Books Author, Foreign Languages Interpreter/Translator
+234 8144640300
