In Nigeria unfortunately, one stubborn problem that is stunting our progress is Parochialism.

Everything in this country is always been viewed through either ethnic, religion or gender lenses. And now there is a clannish coloration to everything.

Imagine how the name of Hadiza Bala Usman occupies our entire space from Tuesday to –today more than the “give me pure a water”. My last check showed me that her name was mentioned more than 2 Million times (that alone is a sign of blessing).

All the commentaries I sieved on her are not centered on her capacity and capability (though some thoughts go for that) but on the parochial excuses that have nothing to do with her ability.

The excuses are mostly on experience which many people claimed that she lacked.

But I have check my history books and saw that this country produced the most brilliant people who achieved excellent performances in their various call without prior or cognate experience and at a relatively younger age than Hadiza.

For example, Maitama Sule was a Federal Commissioner of Complaint at young age, Shagari became a Federal Minister at 35 years of age, and Adamu Ciroma headed CBN at 41. Also looking closer; Dimeji Bankole was a Speaker at 35 years, Sen. Nenadi Usman was a Commissioner at 26, and became a minister of finance at 40. Dr. Nurudeen from Jigawa was a Minister of Foreign affairs ll at 35 years.

And most of all, Murtala Mohd became the president of this country at 38 while Yakubu Gowon became at 35 years of age.

Whoever that came across Hadiza Bala will testifies that the woman is a brainy.

She has the capacity and mental agility to deliver on any assignment giving to her. She proved it many times, and she has proves it here in Kaduna as CoS, even though her stint is for a while, but her performance in Kaduna is unrivalled.

In developed nations, aptitude precedes any other thing first. But in our country sentiment trumps any other thing.

Even the claim that she doesn’t possessed a required skills and experience of the job is to me a lame one because she is not going to work alone as she would be there as almost an administrative figure head. There are experience bureaucrats that are there who will work together with her.

Also On-the-job training/experience (OJT) has proven to be the best method of acquiring skills and that is what we generally do in Nigeria.

Hameed Ali never had any experience of how Nigerian Custom works, but in his few months now he transforms the organization. In just a month he made about 8bn Naira revenue.

And one funny thing is among the complainers are womenfolk who always cry for Gender Mainstreaming.

For we Men, we rather choose people like Bode George and Architect Aminu Dabo to head NPA and stash away more than 100bn Naira to their pockets.

But one thing I know for sure, Hadiza Bala will deliver, she will transform the organization, and she will block so many leakages there, she will makes enemies because she will not be a party to any form of scam.

In her short stint as CoS to Kaduna State governor we have seen her capabilities.

I pray all her enemies will live long and see how NPA will become in the nearest future.

Mukhtar Garba Maigamo,

A Public Commentator, Conflict & Peace consultant lives in Kaduna. 08066792996

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