Retired Captain Aliyu Umar and the Leadership we Are Missing.

While I was on an extended visit to Nigeria between 2015 and 2016, I wrote his name down as one of the few forthright Nigerians deserving of an important public office and one I will not hesitate to offer an appointment, specifically, Minister of Interior, should a miracle happen and I am the President of Nigeria, even if it is for one day. On the same list, I jotted down the names of Samson Itodo, Tilewa Adebayo, Dr. Emeka Ekenga, and Ismail Igaka. It took me a year and six months of continuous observations of their works and pronouncements in public places to identify with them emotionally.

I picked the five Nigerians, not because they are educated, but because they are deep, forthright, honest, intelligent, and emotionally connected to the issues they talk about and care about.

My main goal in social media is policy statements, writing what the leadership can read and easily adapt to and work with. My focus is not exclusively on writing public policy statements, but also, on identifying with people of noble virtues, and knowing who is who among Nigerian politicians, technocrats, as well as my friends and family members in social media. I want to know is fit for public offices and the appropriate office. It was in that context that I fell in love with the five Nigerians on the list, while I was in Nigeria.

Most often, I write and take a stand on some daunting national issues happening in Nigeria at any given time. I do so, especially when I am not on the ground to take action or in the position to deal directly with the people who are in the position to take action. And that's why I write. On the other hand, if I am home in Nigeria, it is imprudence on my part to engage in writing about the same people who I should be talking to directly. So, my approach has always been to seek out the leadership where they are and participate in what they do.

And that was how I became a conference and seminar jockey at Abuja, beginning in 2008. Invited or not, I will get in, or gate-crash. "Oga, your name is not among the invited guests or registered participants." I know. "Okay, take this guest pass." Thank you. And I will work in. You can't look at me standing before you at the front of your desk and turn me away.

I wanted to know what the political leaders and leaders of business and industries are discussing or talking about on how to grow our GDP or move Nigeria forward economically. I figure it is easier and faster for me to penetrate them via conferences and seminars than opinionating. And most often, my opinion or question normally turns out to be the highlight of the conference.

A good example was the "2016 IGP Annual Police Lawyers Conference / Inauguration of the NBA Police Lawyers Forum and Award Night." The Chief Justice of the Abuja High Court was around as well as the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association at the time, Barrister Augustine Alegeh. The Chief Justice rehearsed my comment during the Q&A, focused on how to eliminate the animosity between the members of the Police Force and the civil society. Surprisingly, the comment was the highlight of the event and the summary of the news carried by the NTA about the conference the following evening.

And that was how I became emotionally and intellectually connected with the five names on the list. And that is why I gate-crash conferences and seminars. I am not on the run and I am not in exile. My involvement or opinionating is more than making my voice heard. It is about having my imprint on the ground on how to move Nigeria forward. And I have done that successfully on most national issues.

For instance, I went back to school to study for the LLM programs in Energy and Environmental Law and policy because of what I observed at two of the conferences that I attended in Nigeria in 2008 and 2009.

One of the conferences was organized by the House of Representative Sub-Committee on Oil Producing Areas. The second was organized by the Nigerian Energy Commission (NEC) and the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC).

I wasn't comfortable with the poor representation of the Niger Delta and the hostile environment at the first conference. In a similar vein, I wasn't comfortable with the poor quality of papers and presentations from the speakers who came from NERC. In addition, there was disagreement between the gentleman from NEC and some of the delegates from NERC over the disbursement and spending of public funds. It was disgusting.

So, I went back to the US to do dual graduate degree programs in law: LLM in Energy and LLM in the Laws of Natural Resources and Environmental Law and Policy (oil and gas, and mining). Please, don't ask me why I didn't get a job or work at NERC or NEC since my graduation in 2011. That's a story for another day.

Anyway, when I got back to the States, news came that all the top guys who represented NERC at that conference were sent to prison without trial on the order of the late President Yar Adua on the allegation of squandering public funds. I saw it coming. Observing them at the conference throughout that day, I knew they were not up to the task. So, I was not surprised at all that they were bundled into prison.

In a nutshell, I am not one of those living overseas that Nigerian-home-based commentators and political leaders are wont to categorize as hiding in the comfort of their own home in America and using social media and the internet to foment trouble at home. Not me, I am not a social or political activist. I am a public policy wonk, interested in making Nigeria a great nation and a happy place to live in by using my brainpower. I am not writing because I know how to use the English Language. I write because I know the issue, the problem, and the answer to the problem better than those who are in the position to address the issue, and the problem, and proffer a solution.

I am more interested in an idea-based revolution than one with guns. Some people strive to make a change through protests and placards. While others do it via writing, strategic engagements, and deliberation. So, you can have Booker T Washington and you can also have Marcus Garvey at the same time. Also, you can have Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr simultaneously. As long as the struggle is defined for the helpless individuals in our midst, it is okay. The mechanics for meeting the ends are irrelevant. It's about knowing who you are and building your niche to do the public good.

Finally, it takes enlightenment to know the enlightened leadership traits to discern quality leadership in others. Watching the video playing below, you will agree with me that my views of Aliyu Umar in 2016, even though I have not met him, were not in error. He is forthright, articulate, brilliant, and thought-provoking. And God willing, I am confident that the two of us will partner or pair up to work for Nigeria one day.

By the way, Tilewa Adebayo is a lady (advanced in age) and I would not have had any problem appointing her as my Foreign Affairs Minister. She exudes a powerful presence, aura, and dignity. I love her. Anyway, Nigeria is never short of great minds; all that is required is for someone in leadership positions to find them and recommend them for leadership positions.