by Iyinoluwa Aboyeji

‘Iyin, can you hear me? This is Mrs. Ezekwesili.’

I was about to board a crowded muni bus in San Francisco when she called. Star struck, I wondered why Nigeria’s former minister of education and former vice president of the World Bank was calling my beaten Blackberry. Yes, she had promised to call so we could catch up and talk about my new project but I assumed she would ‘forget’ as people of her rank often do.

 

 

Not Mummy Oby, she did not forget.

 

 

‘Iyin, I think this is an excellent idea. It is very much needed. But you know we haven’t yet gotten to the level where e-learning is mainstream like that so you should start small and do a few pilots first.’

 

In the 30+ minutes that followed I got free of charge some of the best advice and insights I have received since I started thinking about the project that would later become fora.ng. Unlike the platitude of encouragement I was used to hearing from other mentors, her realism was refreshing. It was just what we needed.

 

 

You see, one lesson I will take to my grave from Mummy Oby’s life is the incredible value of a good reputation. In Abuja, where loyalty is ephemeral and one’s only social standing is a function of power, obscene prosperity (often illegally gained) or both, mummy Oby has managed the miracle of maintaining her influence without either. Over 7 years since she left the corridors of power without its usual trappings, Mummy Oby is still every bit as influential as she was as Madam Due Process; perhaps even more so now. If you ever need a living example of how much a good name is worth in gold, you need not look beyond. She is the standard.

 

Now I know, I am not the only young person who life has been heavily influenced by my interactions with Mrs Ezekwesili. We are legion. And for good reason.

Unlike many others at her level of political influence and experience, she doesn’t just blame young people for their ‘lack of preparedness’ or ‘willingness to sacrifice’. She doesn’t assume we are just complaining ‘children of anger’ or that we will come there to continue the stealing. Instead, she makes the time to mold us in her own example of integrity and selfless public service and she uses her influence to give us opportunities to lead and make her and our country proud.

 

 

Her good name, her intellectual honesty and her mentorship of several young Nigerians being prepared to change the course of this nation for good are the reasons why when she raises her voice to speak truth to power, Abuja quakes. Whenever she contends with the powers that be on behalf of the average Nigerian, spiritually or politically, things happen and they happen fast. Whether it is how much the National assembly costs, whether Senator Yerima deserves to wed and dump another 15 year old bride or how quickly the excess crude account and the nations foreign reserves have been emptied time and again, you can always believe that her piercing voice of conscience and reason will be for the interests of the common man.

 

 

I believe Nigeria needs more Mummy Obys to take an active role in grooming a new generation of ethical and knowledgeable young Nigerians in her path of leadership and public service.

 

 

I am writing this from the Niger Delta where I can already see worrying consequences of a generations of gods without god fathers, mentorless youth leaders who were only able to achieve their political influence by their ability to successfully employ wanton violence in wresting power from sit tight elders. These young men ignore advice and reject correction. They have neither the patience not the education to read and respond to long letters.

 

 

Without people like Mummy Oby dedicated to raising a new generation of young leaders that will follow her example of purpose and integrity, Nigeria will be overrun with another generation of young, brash and blood thirsty war lords whose foolishness will lead us to ruin and deepen our under development .

 

 

So, for a time like this, Obiageli Katryn Ezekwesili is an excellent idea. Nigeria needs her very much.

 

– Aboyeji is ran Canada’s largest college newspaper and is founder of Fora