BY CHIMA OBIEZE
The definitions of Leadership vary from the simple “Leadership is influential” to Incorporating Vision, Creativity, Tone/Agenda Setting, Inspiration and Tenacity. Often times, the terms Capacity, Competence and Character are used to describe and rate a Leader.
These 3C’s are axioms or truths that qualify a great leader. But these terms have become so rampant, that it’s been used by all and sundries. It now appears like an accolade or what it is referred to in the pidgin parlance as “hailing” to someone who is presumed a leader. No gainsaying that when definition and purpose is not known, abuse is inevitable.
What then is Capacity, Competence and Character?
Capacity is the combination of skill-set and volumes. It speaks to your ability and readiness to lead at higher levels of organizational and societal complexity. Great leaders are high capacity managers of the resources at their disposal.
Competence addresses the effectiveness and efficiency in using the skills required to deliver for your job.
Character is actually internal traits that align with integrity, empathy, courage, excellence and faithfulness.
Let’s juxtapose these 3C’s with His Excellency, Barr. (Dr.) Peter Ndubuisi Mbah. A Lawyer, Financial Analyst and Founder Pinnacle Oil and Gas Ltd. Mbah obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B Honours) Second Class Upper from the University of East London in the United Kingdom. Thereafter, he attended the Nigerian Law School and was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar. In 2004, he bagged the degree of Masters of Laws(LL.M) in Maritime Laws from the Lagos State University and has undergone various trainings, workshops and courses thereby building Capacity.
He is also a fellow of Certified Institute of Public Administration and Management(CIPM). Peter Mbah served as Chief of Staff and Commissioner for Finance to then Governor Chimaroke Nnamani where he garnered a wealth of firsthand experience in the area of Public Financial Management and Project Finance amongst others as he displayed high level of efficiency and effectiveness which speaks to his Competence.
He shattered the Capacity and Competence ceiling when he ventured into to the private sector and built Pinnacle Oil from scratch to a major player in the downstream oil sector. His Character is underpinned by his passion for excellence, integrity, corporate governance, a perpetual search for knowledge and undying passion for Education (Formal and Informal) as he said “Education is one of the best tools for poverty eradication cause it empowers the individual and provides key manpower needs for our state to develop”.
The Manifesto with the strong mantra- Tomorrow is here, mirrors the Capacity, Competence and Character of Barr. Peter Mbah. He came prepared and ready for governance as against learning on the job. A great leader is unveiled by vision and driven by a clear mission. Tomorrow is here(the manifesto), directly implies that forwardness, continuity and consolidation of the gains made by his soon to be predecessor (Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, the Executive Governor of Enugu State) is here with the Vision: ”to make Enugu one of the top 3 States in Nigeria in terms of Gross Domestic Product(GDP)- with a proposed growth from $4.4 Billion to $30Billion and achieve a zero percent rate in the poverty head count index.” and the Mission ”to deliver quality, people focused governance by making Enugu the preferred destination for investment, business, tourism and living “.
While manifestos, blueprints, developmental plans (ranging from Education to Health, Industrialization and Infrastructures) are applauded; the major bottlenecks are the Human Resource and Finance amongst other factors to drive them to accomplishments. Let’s take a look at the Human Resource strategies of Barr. Peter Mbah: engage in massive training and re-training of civil servants thereby enhancing their capabilities and abilities to deliver, thereby strengthening the public sector; deploy E-governance platforms as well as automate government services across the sectors thereby elevating the service level and timely payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities.
An x-ray of the Financial Models that would help in achieving Barr. Peter Mbah’s developmental agenda without increasing taxation shows- expanding the tax net without increasing the tax rates, a smart but lean government structure as well as blocking financial leakages. In addition, there is a smart plan in place to attract Private Sector Investors which include- Investment summit within 100 days in office, engaging innovative co-financing with the private sector, initiating a diaspora investment bond and securitization as well as working with banks and foreign financial institutions to attract funds.
His Excellency, Barr. (Dr.) Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, is bringing rare business, entrepreneurial, economic solutions and political experience to bear in governance of Enugu State. All these corroborate this headline that if Capacity, Competence and Character is a Person, the name Peter Ndubuisi Mbah would be amongst mentioned.
Indeed, tomorrow is here!
Rt. Hon. Barr. Chima Obieze.
Ezeagu Constituency,
Enugu State House of Assembly.
