Gambari as I know him

May 18

12:33 2020

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BY LEKAN FADINA

The aim of this piece is to congratulate, share my views on the man we both have mutual respect for each other for our interest in development matters and offer my humble advice to him on his new assignment as the Chief of Staff to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

I have known Prof. Ambassador Ibrahim Agboola Gambari for almost three decades; I used to know him like any other person you meet in the course of the journey of life.

My closer acquaintance with him started around the early part of 2003 when a decision was taken by the advisory board of the Centre for Investment, Sustainable Development, Management and Environment (CIME) with Prof. Thomas Adeoye Lambo as chairman and distinguished Nigerians and foreigners as members to invite Prof. Gambari as the Guest Speaker at the 3rd CISME distinguished guest lecturer November 2003. I was mandated as the executive director of the centre to implement this decision.

I had a discussion with one of my mentors late Prof. Gabriel O. Olusanya who was also the chairman of academic committee, he gave me the contact of Prof. Gambari and advised me to discuss with him and explain to him about the template set by Professor O.O Akinkugbe and Jubril Aminu who were previous speakers in the lecture series.

I was able to get him on the phone and he told me that I should get back to him within the week so that he can confirm if he would be able to accept the invitation.

He called me after four days and suggested that in order to facilitate our plans, he introduced me to one of his friends who lived in one of the government residential areas. He became our contact and anytime I felt worried because of the delay that we may not be able to keep to the schedule there is always a soothing comment from Professor Gambari “don’t worry it will happen” I got a call from Prof. Gambari few days before the event assuring me that he would be at the event at least half an hour before the event.

He kept to his words; he gave a beautiful, thought provoking lecture on “Nigeria Development Issues” in which he postulated on the challenges, opportunities and the future perspectives.

The CISME 3rd distinguished lecture also witnessed the conferment and presentations of fellowhsips to four distinguished Nigerians: Professor Thomas AdeoyeLambo, Prof. O.O Akinkugbe, Prof. Umaru Shehu, Prof. Gabriel O. Olusanya and A.C. I Mbanefor.

The event opened a new vista in our relationship which has remained till today. We have shared experience and benefited from each other in advancing sustainable development and knowledge as the heart of development.

He is cool, calculated, humble, respectable, highly cerebral and focus. He is a well groomed diplomat, teacher, former minister, researcher and international civil servant.

He is widely known, respected within the diplomatic and international community for his outstanding performances. He is an outstanding scholar who has delivered many papers on various topics. He has spoken in different fora about international relations, Nigeria unity, harnessing Nigeria great potentials, diversification of Nigeria economy, cultural diversity, religion and authority.

He believed that every Nigeria has the right as the other person and as such respect for one’s right and maintenance of a disciplined society. He frowned at the abuse of public office and to him service to humanity is the greatest service of man.

He believed that leaders must show by examples and deal with the people with fairness. He believes in conversation, sharing knowledge and intellectual discourse as instrument of involving participation from the bottom of the pyramid.

He believes that Nigeria must take proper place in Africa and play key role in the Africa continental free trade which he sees as the next frontier of development.

Nigeria to him should move from potential to reality as the leader in all aspect of development. To him we must make a paradigm shift in the Nigeria project through knowledge and technology, shaping policies and actions that address specific challenges and gaps impacting investors, enterprises, human capital and society.

Professor Gambari like two secretary-general of the United Nations– Bouhtrous Ghali and Kofi Annan, both Africans that there “there cannot be development without peace and durable peace without sustainable development” (Late Boutrous Ghali) and Late Kofi Annan “There would neither peace nor development without respect for human rights and democracy”.

On education, he is disciple of “education for survival and competitiveness in a globalised world where education for peace, for citizenship, entrepreneurship and job creation rather than education for government unemployment alone”. In this regard he believes that there is need for a new educational curriculum that emphasis technology, science, digitalization, innovation, peace and nation building. He shares Nelson Mandela’s “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world”.

On private sector, he holds the view that the private sector has a pivotal role to play in bringing about development, sustainable development, sustainable peace and human security. He believes that “the true business of business is to stay in business while the public sector is expected to enact sound policies and law to support the enduring interest of the business.Business leaders must be actively involved in the processes that promote an environment conducive to development, peace, security and violent-free world.

Professor Gambari has mentored many especially those in the fields of international relations, diplomacy, peace and strategic studies. He takes delight in helping to build confidence and engage in conversation as to their road to professionalism.

Professor Gambari brings into his new assignmentImpressive record of service to Nigeria, the United Nations and humanity. He is a valuable recourse that can help to advance development knowledge and sustainable livelihood. In short, he should use the resources available to him to advance the course of the society.

He has wide network of contacts and friends that can be useful to him in his assignment. Professor Gambari is a man of simple disposition and taste that has attained many recognitions and received numerous awards. He has a lot of challenges especially with the COVID-19, the executive/legislative relationship, the high unemployment, insecurity, the economy, the price of oil, the Almajiri, the high rate of poverty and a loss of expectation.

I strongly believe that he is well prepared and can wither through the development path. Professor Gambari’s track record shows that he has done well and should use his experience to improve lot of the Nigerians.

My advice as a brother and friend is that people expect so much from you. My late father advised me “You must excel to the extent that those who oppose you, will turn round and praise you for your efforts” :“when two brothers enter a room and they come out smiling, then they have failed to tell each other the truth”.

You have made your name, have a global reputation and respect which you must protect. The challenge to you and your team is to leave footprint on the sand of time it can be done.

History and posterity are waiting to record your performances; I pray to God that you will finish well. However, remember that leadership means that you must carry everyone along, let Nigeria buy into the President’s vision of raising the bar and making the society better than you merit.