Stella Oduah: Round peg in round hole

When Stella Oduah was appointed Minister and assigned the Aviation portfolio, some critics and pessimists took rounds to malign and impugn her for no justifiable reason. They likened her to a square peg in a round hole. The misogynists and chauvinists among the army of her critics painted a more pitiful picture of her. I recall one of them describing her posting to the Ministry of Aviation as ‘misplaced’. They would have preferred the less visible ministry in charge of women affairs or social development.

Sincerely speaking, I understood their sentiments at that time, quite all right, after all, our aviation industry had been comatose for a very long time. At least, that much we were told. Another likely reason for their pessimism was the not-too-impressive performance of her kinswoman, Kema Chikwe, who held the office before her. Even though the little Kema did was not appreciated, especially by the press, I will not fail to credit her with the courage to disallow old and tired aircraft (coffins in the air) from flying in Nigeria. That bold decision reduced drastically the frequency of air crashes in the country.

It was always very scary reminiscing on the horrendous state of our airports before the ban of the aged aircraft by Chikwe. The Sosoliso crash that consumed lives of innocent students of Jesuits Layola College, Abuja was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. That crash, in which television evangelist Bimbo Olukoya lost her life turned the aviation industry into a doomed enterprise. Some people, at a point, had alleged that the frequent crashes were the handiwork of witches and wizards thirsty for blood. As puerile as the allegation was, some naïve persons still swallowed it hook, line and sinker. There was nothing like witchcraft or even necromancy involved. What was simply wrong was that the aviation industry was endemically sick and needed a surgical operation. That’s it.

The first sign that God was about to act came when some aircraft deemed to have outlived their usability were consigned to the scrap-yard by the regulatory agency. It was that singular decision that led to the demise of such airlines as Albarka, Sosoliso, Oriental, ADC, Triax, etc. Though it was a huge loss to their promoters and owners, it served the purpose for which it was taken: make our airspace safer.

Nigerians continued to pray for God to do something to salvage the situation. And it seems that God has answered that prayer by throwing up Stalla Oduah to head the cleaning team. Being an amazon, she hit the ground running in compliance with the directive given to them by President Goodluck Jonathan during their inauguration as ministers in 2011. Less than two years in office, she has proved her critics wrong by setting in motion a reformist agenda aimed at making Nigeria’s aviation industry one of the best in the world. Apart from reengineering the entire system by eliminating deadwood, she has as well established a formula for driving the industry through a very difficult terrain. What she is doing at the moment is unprecedented in the history of this country.

It is in appreciation of her tenacity, innovation and courage that I have devoted this column, which I had earlier planned to use for my birthday coming up tomorrow, to her – to celebrate her and stand up in her defence. Those who know me are already familiar with the fact that it is not in my character to praise people on the pages of newspaper. But I could not resist not doing it this time, since the criticism of this innocent, hardworking woman has gone unchecked. One of the functions of the media is to defend the weak and oppressed and give voice to the voiceless. I consider it appropriate performing that role through this piece. At least, it will enlighten the ignoramuses and place in proper perspective the commendable job this woman is doing.

What Oduah is doing, as I had said, is beyond description. She is focused and determined – with eyes set on attaining more difficult goals. Keen observers and social critics will have noticed the massive rehabilitation and remodelling going on in many airports across the country. Even a blind man can perceive the dramatic changes and innovations already put in place within a short time and at tremendous speed. The most visible one is the General Aviation Terminal (GAT) of the local wing of the Murtala Mohammed Airport, Lagos. In less than two years, the terminal has metamorphosed into a very exotic and imposing structure – a remarkable departure from the makeshift and decrepit condition in which it had been these past 20 years. Before the transformation, it was an eyesore to pass through the place. Apart from its disused state, it also housed several destitute persons and touts who converted the place into a peaceful haven. It was a very humiliating and heart-rending experience each time I passed through the terminal. But behold what has happened! The entire place now wears new look, with state-of the-art facilities adorning its inside – befitting of the largest black nation in the world.

The International Wing is also undergoing the same reconstruction and remodelling. I saw work going on each time I arrived from an overseas trip. Just last week, I arrived in the country from Brussels. One of our partners (a Belgian travelling in company with another friend from France) expressed surprise at what he described as “total rehabilitation”. According to him, the last time he arrived in the country –some four years ago – the airport was in a sorry state. He could not hold back his excitement at the attention the airport is getting at this time. He said something quite instructive before we drove out of the place. He said: “If other aspects of Nigeria’s development could receive this type of boost, then the sky is the limit.” I understood the curious slant the discussion was taking.

But what he said was true: Nigeria could be better if we do the proper things. There is no way Nigeria can become a global superpower without putting in place modern facilities that can drive the economy and make life worth-living for the citizenry and investors. We have been an independent nation for over 53 years, yet we cannot boast of eye-catching facilities that give other countries the prestige and acclaim they enjoy.

Eleven airports across the country are currently being remodelled to meet international standards. Even our own Sam Mbakwe Cargo Airport, Owerri, is being totally rebuilt. I could not believe what I saw after arriving in the airport from Lagos, from Senegal recently. Everything looked refreshingly clean and span. More structures are being built to make up for the years eaten by locusts. The state of the airport before the renovation works commenced was heartbreaking. In fact, it looked like a village hall –defeating the purpose for which the airport was established ab initio – yet it services an important segment of our nation’s economy. The number of passengers that use the Owerri Airport far outstrips its original capacity. It remains a very strategic airport in the eastern axis of Nigeria. Recall the role it played during the reconstruction of the Port Harcourt International Airport. It was a huge relief as it made up for the closed airport. Imagine what would have happened if the airport had not been built or was not operational at the time. This is why the planners of our national economy should wear their thinking caps and fashion proactive strategies on how to move Nigeria forward. Those used to the Owerri Airport knew it was built through the vision and dogged zeal of one man – the late Sam Onunaka Mbakwe (first civilian governor of old Imo State). He it was who mobilized the people of Imo (including some of us his close friends) to build the initial structures that today house the airport. So, it was a huge relief when the Federal Government remembered the place through the instrumentality of Minister Stella Oduah.

The same transformation is being felt at the Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano; Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja; Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu; Calabar Airport; and five others. The quality of work, in addition to its swiftness, is quite amazing. I am sure by the time the entire reconstruction project is complete, Nigeria’s rating internationally will have risen in geometric progression.

I have always said it at different fora that we must work conscientiously to develop Nigeria. If every ministry works at the same pace, then we are in for a beautiful time. We have the capacity and resources to compete with any nation in the world. As an international traveller, I have visited over 200 airports across the globe since I was born; and this gives me a clearer picture of what obtains in the aviation industry worldwide. I am also a player in the industry having introduced the SLOK Air brand in Nigeria, which, unfortunately, was literally chased out of the country by then President Olusegun Obasanjo for reason(s) best known to him. So, I understand the nitty-gritty of the sector. Our original intention for founding SLOK Air was to introduce competition in the industry and contribute our little quota to national development. But that beautiful vision was truncated by one’s morbid desire.

Let me ask: Have you (the reader) ever visited the Dubai Airport of recent? It is an architectural masterpiece. The Emirate Terminal is out of this world. What of the Doha International Airport? Not to talk of JFK Airport, New York City and Chicago Airport – all in the United States – or Heathrow Airport (Terminal 5), London.

Why can’t we make our airports look as beautiful as those ones? And that is exactly what Oduah is trying to accomplish at a modest scale. If we continue at this rate, in another 5 years, Nigeria will rank among the best 10 in the aviation industry in the world.

Nonetheless, my worry is that some people have vowed to sabotage the wonderful works she is doing. Their reason is none other than she is, first, an Igbo and, then, a woman. Therefore, she must be pulled down. The ‘real’ people have described her effort as commendable. It is the envious, backward ones that criticize her. Nobody has come up with any rational argument why Oduah should not continue the good works she is doing.

Happily, many of those who use the airports have openly confessed their bewilderment at the total transformation that has taken place. In their view, the remodelling of the airports would place Nigeria on the global map and recast its image, which has been battered by corruption, ineptitude and backwardness.

If I may ask: what happened to the billions allocated to the Aviation Ministry before the emergence of the present administration? Probably, the money had been embezzled by the managers of the funds. How else can one describe the awful condition of many of the airports before the remodelling programme started?

As concerned citizens, it is high time we began asking questions about how our nation is run, and apportion blames where necessary. The level of profligacy in the land is mind-boggling. Trillions of naira are appropriated annually by the National Assembly, yet a chunk of it end up in private pockets, thereby leaving a majority of the people paupers. This is sheer wickedness! This is why I find it curious that some people should have the temerity to criticize a woman that has chosen to be different from the pack. What actually do they want to achieve? Do they prefer the old, unproductive years to the modern times of performance and results? They should come out boldly and state what their real intentions are, rather than masquerading under the veil of armchair criticism.

Something in me tells me that some of those criticizing the Minister must be fronting for those who felt that the reform would affect the underhand deals through which they milked our national resources dry.

Again, her critics are ignorant of the mandate given to her by the President to perform or be shipped out. There are some of the ministries doing very as well. Each has its own parameters of assessment.

It may be nice to mention the power sector here. This is one sector that has posed about the most intractable problem in spite of the stupendous investments by the government. The new Minister in the ministry, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, is already complaining of sabotage less than three months into his tenure. Who are the saboteurs and why are they against him or the nation? I used the word ‘nation’ here, because those working against the effort of the Federal Government to improve power supply all over the country are enemies of the state and should be treated as such. Why must we continue to grope in the dark when we have everything to make life better for all of us? Will it be out of place to infer that those against Oduah and Nebo, in whatever guises, are sworn enemies of Igbo? It is possible they have phobia for Igbo. It was in the same manner they frustrated Prof. Barth Nnaji, another Igbo, out of office. This was a man who gave his best to ensure steady power supply. It is on record that there was a significant improvement in power supply before he was forced out of office.

Today, power generation has plummeted from the over 5,600 megawatts we enjoyed in 2012 to as low as 2,900 megawatts in 2013. This has thrown the nation into distress. It is gladdening to note that there is a slight increase in power generation in the past five days, which the minister attributed to the rectification of a technical failure.

My advice to the critics of Stella Oduah and Prof. Chinedu Nebo is to bury their heads in shame and seek better things to engage their time and talents.

To Stella, I boldly say: Bravo! Keep up the tempo and history will judge you kindly in the end.

LAST-LINE

Tomorrow is my 53rd birthday. I thank God for his mercy and love upon me and my family these past tortuous years. I pray him to continue to bless and fortify me as I contribute my little quota to the development of our great nation. I pray him also to bless our country Nigeria, which currently immersed is in deep economic and political crises. I know at his time Nigeria will experience a new dawn.

I use this opportunity to thank all those who have stood by me (especially my family) and whom God has used to raise me to the present state of grace and fulfillment. It was not by might, but by his special grace that I am alive today.

I thank my readers for their support and love.

Happy birthday to me!