VALUES AND GOVERNANCE

‘I am the farmers’ minister and that entails I must ensure that the business of agriculture is successful.’ Adesina

The above statement is a quote from an interview with Nigeria’s Agriculture Minister, Akinwumi Adesina, published on Guardian of Tuesday May 21, 2013. The statement tends to have summarized the intention of this title, which is the fact that people in government should possess values and be able to deliver value to the populace.

Governance has to do with governing. It is the act of exercising authority within a particular sector or geographical setting. People with the power to govern are either elected or appointed into such positions with a portfolio that defines what they should do.

Governance is about administration and leadership as it does not only create an opportunity to influence people through policies but also gives opportunity for ensuring the implementation of such policies through strategic projects.

Values have been described here as what is most important to us. We have also established that we cannot have value if we do not have values. It is the values we live by that motivate us to create value for the benefit of others.

We have also established that the process of rediscovering values should begin with leaders. It is when the followers see the leaders living by a set of values that they can key into them.

So in discussing values and governance, we consider what should be the values of the governor before we look at how to create value for the governed. The statement cited above shows that the minister probably has a sense of the point we are discussing.

When he says that he is the farmers’ minister, it connotes that he has the interest of the farmers in his heart, he is in office for the farmers, and he has the authority and mandate to meet the needs of the farmers. It connotes that he probably loves the farmers and therefore empathizes with them.

He then goes ahead to say that he must ensure that agriculture is successful. That means, considering my position and disposition, I must ensure that the farmers have the right policy to operate within, have access to mechanized farming, fertilizers, pest control measures, access to market as well as storage facilities. The question is: Is he doing these and more?

The first in the set of values for someone in governance position should be value for people. Man is the most valuable creation God made. Man is said to have been made in the image of God, therefore human being is an extension of God. If those in authority value people, they would understand that they are in authority to serve God in those people. They will treat people like they would want to treat God.

Another value is Love. This again is very critical. Love is mutual affection to other people. It is described in terms of acts of kindness, faithfulness, seeking peace as well as respect for other people. I have asked myself sometimes if we are really loved as citizens, because experiences in Nigeria tends to show that when people get into authority, they tend to think that finally they have escaped suffering, then they begin to treat those they are supposed to be leading with disdain.

 It should not be so. The person in leadership position should love the citizens and been seen to do so by the way he treats the citizens. Sharing a few bags of rice and money at special events is not a show of love. It is seeking popularity, especially for votes at the next election. Love is better experienced in the policies that promote respect for one another, care for the physically challenged, the elderly, the retired, children, the unemployed and any one seen to be vulnerable in the society.

Next value is service. This is the antidote to intimidation of citizens. The scenario is that everyone was at the same level, and then someone is chosen to go up and represent everyone. The person gets to the position and begins to take actions that intimidate others. The number of vehicles, police escort and siren that go with public officials are absolutely unnecessary. The way the escorts push people away from the road as though they are not valuable is deplorable. They are there to serve the nation. They are paid through the tax of others. They should recognize that and stop intimidating those they are supposed to be serving.

Honesty and transparency are values that must be embraced by those in authority everywhere. Either in public or private organizations, honesty and transparency makes processes easier and makes systems run smoothly. Corruption and impunity are in our system today because of high level dishonesty and secrecy that we operate by.
Another very important value is justice. When people suffer and do not get justice it shows a system that is run by unjust people. When just people run a system, they ensure people get justice as and when necessary.

The list can go on; however I must submit that those in authority are not from another universe. If they lack any value, it is because the society that produced them lacks such values.