Our Goal is to Banish Poverty, Unite Nigerians
Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa of New Nigeria Group
To many, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa’s foray into politics came as a surprise. For the greater part of his life, Ohuabunwa has been associated more with corporate Nigeria where he has played leading and, at times, pace-setting roles, than outright political advocacy. That is not to suggest that he has been completely insulated from, say, quasi-political engagements. Yet, these have been more in line with either professional demands or developmental economics than outright political advocacy and perhaps, running for election. Among these quasi-political positions, four stand out: the leadership of his professional group, the Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN), membership of the SURE-P programme of the Jonathan Administration, memberships of the Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC), the Presidential Steering Committee on the Global Economic Crisis and chairmanship of the Nigeria Economic Summit Group, NESG.
Yet, considered to many to be one of his most remarkable achievements was when, as managing director/chief executive of Pfizer, he led his team to undertake the first management buy-out (MBO) of a company in Nigeria. This unassuming corporate icon who has fought battles on and off the boardrooms and succeeded is also very outspoken especially on matters of transparency, corporate governance and spiritual wellbeing.
Today, he is engaged in a different battle altogether, on a turf that is not simply slippery but treacherously unpredictable: to collaborate with like minds to rescue Nigeria from drift, poverty and loss of hope; to usher in a new era of prosperity that strengthens the vulnerable, motivates the visionary and recognises the qualities that bond the constituent units of Nigeria together. This is no doubt a herculean battle. But as he criss-crosses the length and breadth of Nigeria, he appears the more convinced that, like his uncompromising Christian ethos, this is one fight that is worth all the physical, financial and spiritual arsenal that he can muster. The interview, conducted by Associate Editor Simeon Ogoegbulem, a compelling read reveals the essential Sam Ohuabunwa.
Transition to Politics
I have been actively involved in national development efforts from my days as Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) Ikeja Chairman, Nigerian Employers’ Consultative Assembly (NECA) President, Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) Chairman etc. I was involved in fashioning out the VISION 2010 and VISION 2020 National Strategic plans. I was in the National Political Reform Conference of 2005.
I have served in several public sector boards and task forces. I have served in a number of Presidential committees, particularly the Presidential Advisory Committee (PAC), the Presidential Steering Committee on the Global Economic Crisis and the Presidential Committee on Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Program (SURE-P). I have played similar roles in my State. The truth is that I have played politics from the advisory, advocate and supportive angles, providing thought leadership and hoping that all the advice, proposals and ideas (many documented in books) would be faithfully implemented. After endlessly waiting while the overall performance of the Country continues to decline, that has motivated us to enter the ring to seek opportunity to implement what we have been advising others and which seem very difficult for them to implement. Though not actively involved in partisan or competitive politics, I am very familiar with Nigeria political terrain from Pre- Independence till date.
New Nigeria Group (NNG)
The NNG is a non-partisan political group, that is formed to share the VISION of a NEW NIGERIA- A Nation that will transform from a third world to a first world inhabited by happy and contented Citizens who live at peace with each other. The group is being planted in the thirty states of Nigeria to raise the hope of Nigerians that that Country they have always wished and prayed for is not only possible but that it is imminent. We are sharing the message of HOPE around the Country encouraging Nigerians not to despair that SALVATION is on the way. It is gladdening to us that many Nigerians- old and particularly the young who seem to have given up on Nigeria are reviving their hope. It is a great feeling. Will it turn into a political party? Only Time will tell
What NNG Is Bringing to Governance?
Nigeria is in deficit of LEADERS with the right competence, character & courage to lead a multi-ethnic Country to Economic Prosperity and National Cohesion. Since independence, not much effort has been made to transform Nigeria from a Country to a NATION. Many groups in Nigeria, from the North to the South, from the East to the West are hurting and it is our cardinal objective to HEAL the Wounds, unite the People in word and deed, and then instigate a massive ramp up of economic productivity that will quickly take us out of joblessness and poverty into a developed Nation with vastly improved standard of living.
Consultations & Reception
I have been to 29 states at the last count consulting and sharing the vision of a NEW NIGERIA. The reception has been very exciting. Many Nigerians warmly identify with the vision and wish it could come tomorrow. My findings so far is that most Nigerians want the same thing- A Nation where they can live happily without fear, work and do business without discrimination, where Justice, equity and fair play reign supreme. I have not met anyone or any group that wants to cheat other people and none wants to be cheated either.
Many of the Critical Stakeholders we have consulted with are impressed with our profile and think that Nigeria requires fresh and capable hands to steer it away from the current economic doldrums and social disequilibrium. All they ask is: WILL THEY LET YOU? And my answer is that God rules in the affairs of Men and when the time comes for His will to be done, it gets done, despite any human opposition.
Poor Development?
I am sorry to reiterate the obvious facts that Nigeria has no reason to be at this level of development 61 years after independence. The main reason is Deficit in LEADERSHIP. Related and deriving from this is lack of a UNITING VISION and the inability to form a COHESIVE NATION. Only enlightened, Visionary, Self-less Competent leaders with integrity and courage can drive Nigeria to its manifest destiny as the Leader of Africa and hope of the black race.
Nigeria Poor Country?
Yes, it is so, because of low productivity, GDP growth that is chronically below population growth resulting in low per capita income resulting in low purchasing power and reduced consumer demand, which further depresses employment and continues the negative spiral- further poverty.
But it was not meant to be so and actually it should not be so if we had the right and competent leadership that understands how wealth is created.
Poor Nations are not condemned to borrowing. They largely work their way out of Poverty by inviting investments (domestic and foreign). These investments create businesses & projects. The Businesses create JOBS. Jobs create WEALTH and wealth drives away poverty. That is what we will do if we get the opportunity, not to borrow perpetually.
Igbo Marginalisation
It is real and evident to the blind. We had hoped that Nigeria would have forgiven the Igbo for whatever they did in the 1966- 1970 era. Indeed, there seemed to have been initial acts of forgiveness and integration that culminated in the choice of Arc Alex Ekwueme to become vice president (VP) in 1979. Somehow, thereafter the animosity seemed to return with apparently greater vehemence. A couple of government policies since 1999 have been decidedly discriminatory against the South East and the Igbo and which reached its zenith in the last couple of years. It is difficult to understand why this is happening to a people who are making extraordinary sacrifices for the development of the Nation in all ramifications. The greatest area of this marginalisation is in the apparent reluctance of certain forces in Nigeria to allow the South East or the Igbo to provide the President for Nigeria. Since 1999, Nigeria has been applying the zoning concept in sharing and allocating political positions but now it is the turn of the South East, they are now trying to repudiate this concept. I just hope and pray that such forces will relent if they truly love the unity of this Nation. The Nigerian President of South East extraction will help to heal this Country as it will indicate full re-integration of the Igbo and the final closure of the civil war chapter.
Experiences in “Wired To Lead”
Yes, those 22 experiences in that book indicate a preparation and readiness to assume such a high responsibility. It gives credence to my balanced upbringing and exposure that have prepared me for the role. But indeed, it is from my earlier book- NIGERIA: NEED FOR THE EVOLUTION OF A NEW NATION published in 2010 that the Vision and motivation seem to come from. I wrote that book as my vision for A NEW NATION that will be globally competitive where the citizens will live a high quality of life in unity, peace and contentment. At that time, it was as if I wrote the book for other people to implement. Now I know the vision was given to me to run with and bring to fruition. That is exactly what the mission is all about.
Agitations
Well, it is a pity that some of our leaders seem patently unable to realise that the growing agitations by ethnic nationalities is a symptom of a festering disease. Every Union must be mutually beneficial to the constituents. No one will like to opt out of a relationship that is profitable. The truth is that many parts of Nigeria feel they have been unjustly treated from the North to the South. Some feel like marginalised, some feel they are bearing all the burden and others are taking all the benefits. Some of these feelings of injustice may be perceived or real. But they exist and ignoring them will not stop them. Proscribing them or arresting their leaders may not solve the problem. For me the sustainable solution will come from bringing all these ethnic groups to a round table and finding out how to take care of their complaints. That is the call for the Nigerian political leaders. Personally, I believe that most of the ethnic nationalities will want to continue to be part of a big Country – Nigeria if the Country is rearranged and governed in a manner that creates equity and fair play for all. A nation that works for All
Pfizer MBO
Well, my training in Pfizer rising from the lowly position of Pharmaceutical Sales Representative to become Chairman/ CEO and Regional Manager for West Africa in 15 years prepared me. I had been sent to the best global business schools and had become familiar with big ticket business re-engineering and issues of mergers and acquisition. But I had no inkling that I would be required to practice what I had theoretical knowledge about. But God helped us to rise up to the occasion
We changed the Name from PFIZER PRODUCTS PLC to NEIMETH INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS PLC to honour a past President of Pfizer International, Mr Robert Neimeth, who cut his management teeth in Nigeria in the 60s and loved Nigeria and Africa. We also wanted to continue to give the company an international image.
Age and Leadership
Yes, age can be an issue. But what is most important is health. Many young people are not healthy and a couple of older people are healthy. Leading Nigeria requires maturity and a person who has HEALTHY BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT.
Those who know me, know that I may be 70 but I have the energy of a 40 year old. Like Caleb in the Bible who said that at 85, he still had the strength he had at 40, so is my case. Again, when we look around the World, some of the great leaders like Joe Biden, Ronald Reagan, Donald Trump, Nelson Mandela etc became Presidents at a fairly advanced age and they performed creditably
