Tinubu should form government of inclusivity, says Jake Epele

The Founder and Chief executive, TAF Africa Foundation, Jake Epele, also an advocate of good governance has called on President Bola Tinubu to uphold the principle of competence and character as he constitutes his cabinet even as he demands the inclusion of People Living With Disabilities in his government. He also delves into other sundry issues of national importance as he featured on Arise TV prograrmme.
Our Correspondent, David Lawani monitors the interview.

What is your impression of President Bola Tinubu’s government? How will you assess his geopolitical perspective to issue of inclusivity with people living with disabilities?

First, I was not expecting him to appoint persons living with disabilities as Special Assistants because our position is clear. We want a ministerial position. But at the same time, looking at the current appointment, just two women have been given appointments. I expect a minimum of three women to be appointed, so as to give them a sense of belonging.
But, however, it is a good place to start but I am expecting something bigger for persons living with disabilities.

What is your impression of the geopolitical arrangements of these appointments?

Really, I don’t care where you come from but so long as you can deliver, I am okay with it. I think truly the people he has so far appointed are competent. And that is what I feel Nigeria presently needs to succeed.
Although there is a need for equity and balancing of power in the geopolitical space yet we should be concerned about competence.

That is what is needed in this government so that Nigerians can feel the impact of this government. I don’t care whether you are from Maiduguri or Portharcourt but as long as you can deliver on good governance and what is expected of you.

Yes, that is what many Nigerians are demanding from this government. I am not saying that the standard should be lowered for PLWD.

There are people with disabilities who are competent and I believe the president wants to look towards that direction. The structure we have in place, if they don’t deliver, we can ask you to recall them. And we replace them with people who can match words with actions.

What do you have to say about the case of Adamawa speaker who is physically challenged yet has been given a chance?

Well, our focus is not just at the Federal level. We are also looking at the subnationals. I have spoken to, at least four governors and they have given me their words, that in their cabinet there will be one person with PLWD who will serve as a commissioner.

We are not looking at positions but we are looking for purpose, opportunities to serve. It is not just about the quest for a position to serve. But it should be seen that we have the capacity and ability to contribute to nation-building. That is our focus. And we must continue to push until this president becomes the first in the history of this nation to appoint a person with a disability as a Minister.

It is not about the individual but what we want to bring to the table. We are particular about having representation at the Federal Executive Council, FEC, meetings. It will change all the dynamics.

Kudos to our friend, the new speaker who has just been elected. We are looking forward to him doing a lot for us in Adamawa State. That is a good thing. That is the beginning of good things that will happen to the community of People Living With Disabilities.

How do you consider it that they found him fit and competent?

I am glad they found him competent and they elected him. We also have a governor with Albinism who is part of the disabilities community and has been elected as the Governor of Akwa Ibom State.
I am also told that we have an elected member in the Kwara State House of Assembly. But incidentally, he also has Albinism. The Adamawa State is a good place to start with. A person who is physically challenged and has been elected not on the basis of his disabilities but on the strength of his ability that he has to lead the House of Assembly in Adamawa State.

How would you react to the wake-up call that governance should be for the service of humanity, and not just for some set of people?

Governance should not be about what you see. It should be about what that person possesses. The content of the person’s intellectual strength. His ability to deliver and see the good in everybody. I will never subscribe to getting people into positions of authority out of compassion. It should be about the function and state of preparedness of the person.

The competence and character of the individual to promote and provide legacies that will uplift society for everyone. There are many of us who have the capacity and character to deliver if appointed a minister.
And that is why that opportunity must not be given to the community on mere compassion.

We want to contribute our quota positively to the development of this nation. This will afford us the opportunity to demystify the erroneous impression about the PWLD.

How are you coping with this issue of discrimination? Where is the place of inclusivity when there is outright discrimination against persons with challenges, and What advice would you give the president for him to take a critical look at these issues?

One by destroying the myth. That we cannot be appointed into an exalted office like that of the Minister. When you have a person with a disability, for instance, a woman, or a young person occupying a certain position, you have created a role model. You have created someone that will be able to mentor others to come into that same position.

And also you have demystified this erroneous impression that these people cannot do anything. For instance, not many people gave President Bola Tinubu a chance but with a few decisions that he has taken, some people are already having a change of mind.

So, appointing any of our members is not just trying to do us a favour but establishing a trend and a strategy that would demystify long-term notions that we cannot do anything until we are given a handout.

So giving us an appointment will set the tone for how the next generation treat persons with disabilities. Once that appointment is made, and the individual performs creditable well, you have created a niche.

I love this country because once you start churning out results, no one cares where you are coming from.
The colour of the result or success doesn’t change anything. It doesn’t say anything other than this person is a human being. So, once the appointment is made and the person shows proof of his stewardship, lives responsibly, and displays leadership skills, the rest will be history.

To change people’s beliefs, just speak the truth and that is all. Truth always demystifies any form of myth. When that appointment is made and that person performs, it will reduce discrimination to its barest minimum.

What is the nature of the cabinet you wish to see when it is fully put in place by Mr. President?

The number one criterion for hiring anybody is that such a person must show character and competence to lead. They must be people who represent the interest of the nation. Don’t make the mistake that your predecessors made by filling their cabinet without due consideration for character and competence.

That this person is from my place should be discouraged. Competence should be the first consideration. That is the way to go. Respect for geographical spread or federal character, and the inclusion of women is equally important.

So, you create a country that is a reflection of inclusivity; not only in the eyes of the international community but in the eyes of the people that you lead.
Have you seen that among the Special Advisers that are engaged?

I pray that some of them will display what they have shown the world in the recent time. I pray that many of them will not get involved in unnecessary rhetoric and try to give themselves a pass mark when they have not performed. I pray that they will be people trying to take criticism and turn it around for the good of the nation.

That is the best and surest way to show a good example to Nigerians.

Do you agree that the President is used to appointing special advisers to run his government because he did it in Lagos state when he was a governor? Will Nigerians be focused now more on these Advisers?

Just have ministers as required by law. But still maintaining Special Advisers will certainly transform into cabals. And this might slow down the pace of expectations from the people. It is exactly what we don’t want. It has happened in the previous administration. The leadership of this regime must pay attention to that. Don’t appoint people if you know you are not going to use them. It will be the deception of the highest order.

How will he contain the pressure from the party leaders considering they are the ones nominating these cabinet members?

I think that in my opinion, there is a Bola Tinubu that we have not seen. He has a mind of his own. You cannot force people on him especially when it is obvious that those people will not perform. You cannot. I don’t subscribe to it. And I don’t think he is that kind of person. But if he subscribes to that, then he is signing a contract for his failure. That is what he meant. That must not happen for the kind of economy we have. If you bring people who don’t have what it takes, to give us specific direction, to observe critical policies and merge them and bring a robust economy, then you are in trouble..

The President said he is going to implement Orosanye reports, what do you see to that?

Exactly! It is a good step in the right direction. He must look at the entire institutional structure. Are there some of them that do not need to exist? Are there ones that you need to collapse? And then bring them together? Many of these ministries are working at cross purposes. I won’t have the Ministry of Humanitarian and women affairs. No, it doesn’t make sense to me. And some of these ministries, statutorily are not supposed to be there. And we know it.