Recent speech at the APC Road Map Summit of Dr. Oby Ezekwesili had served as inspiration and hope for a new Nigeria. The author of this article expressed his thoughts about Dr. Oby Ezekwesili. He believes she is the best candidate to become next Nigerian president. He assumes that Dr. Oby Ezekwesili is a rare patriotic leader. He asks to put aside our ethnic and partisan politics and embrace such a person. In his opinion, none of the aspiring presidential candidates possess the knowledge, experience, strength, passion, patriotism, character, and judgment needed for a change in the leadership of our nation like Ezekwesili. She is perfect to be Nigeria’s first woman president. He provides a list of proofs: •Ezekwesili is the Senior Economic Advisor for Africa Economic Development Policy Initiative Open Society Foundation. In this capacity, she is the senior advisor to a number of economy reforming Presidents of African countries and their cabinets on their economic development strategy, policies, and implementation. •A former Vice-President of the World Bank, Ezekwesili had served in various capacities in Obasanjo administration as Minister of Education, Minister of Minerals, and Presidential Aide in charge of Public Procurement Reforms. •Ezekwesili’s address at the APC summit was an inconvenient truth. She has chosen a perfect place to deliver a stirring message. She has been a dignified and honest critic of the government and our political system. She has spoken eloquently about the problems of our country and proffered solutions. •Ezekwesili is not just a Nigerian, she’s a special talent, well-educated with experience rooted in reform backgrounds with specialized training, lengthy resumes and increasingly elective experience. •Concerning the issues that faced our nation, Ezekwesili has become a spokesperson or a “surrogate representative” if you will, for all Nigerians. Her belief in the social, political, and economic equality shaped her thoughts and speeches. •Ezekwesili boils with passion and this is evidenced in all her speeches, and could hardly stay quiet. She has been a catalyst of fiery controversial speeches on our economy, political arrangement, the ruling elite class, government’s malfeasance and profligacy. She feels consumed with her mission. •She possess a magnetic temperament and wiring. Like a magnet, she repels some but attracts a huge following. She possess a strong sense of justice. This hunger of justice drives her – and it shows in her speeches. She feels dissatisfied with anything but action. As a doer, she doesn’t want people to merely talk but act. •Ezekwesili as Nigeria’s first woman president would provide experience and impetus for a new group of reformers. Nigeria needs a president who understands that her responsibility is to articulate a vision and encourage others to achieve same, a president who holds herself and those around her to the highest ethical standards, a president who can lift our spirits, and make us believe again that our country needs every one of us to get involved, and a president who appeals to the hopes of those who still believe in Nigeria, and those around the world who still believe that Nigeria is the giant of Africa. Her speech to the APC could be summarized as follows: Leadership means discomfort. If you’re going to be an effective leader, you must live outside your comfort zone. Leadership means dissatisfaction. Dissatisfaction is a tool that moves us to greater things and higher ground. Leadership means disruption. The status quo is never the goal of a leader. Disruption is our constant companion. In Dr. Oby Ezekwesili, “A great prophet has risen up among us,” and God has visited his people.”
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 12:19:04 +0000