Former Governor Donald Duke Says “Shortage of Idea And Not Money” Is The Problem With Nigeria

A former Governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, has said shortage of idea and not shortage of money is the problem of Nigeria.

Duke, who identified personal and collective visions as essential requirements for leading a state, said many governors in the country lacked them.

A statement on Sunday quoted Duke as saying this in Lagos at the 11th edition of the LEX Annual Lecture series.

The lecture, with the theme, ‘Making states work,’ was organised by LEX, a full-service commercial and litigation law firm, to stimulate debate on the strategies for making states in the country more efficient, self-reliant and sustainable.

Duke said, “The challenge of dysfunctional states in Nigeria goes beyond finance.

“One of the most essential factors in making states work is the framing of a personal vision and a collective vision for the state, which remains a missing component amongst many Nigerian governors.

“We are losing the essence of the federating units in Nigeria. As a leader, having a vision is essential but having a collective vision for the people is key.”

Duke added that it was regrettable that “in Nigeria, there are no consequences for doing the right things neither are there consequences for doing wrong.”

Also speaking at the event were a former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi; President of Council, the Nigerian Stock Exchange, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; Prof. Chidi Odinkalu of the Africa Programme on the Open Society Justice Initiative; and the Executive Director, Corporate & Sovereign Ratings, Agusto & Co., Mr. Isaac Babatunde.

Agreeing with Duke, Obi said governors needed clear visions to be able to engineer development in their states.

“The vision must be clear, that way, the leader can drive the state to success. The reason for most failure is the absence of a plan,” Obi said.