General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida – The Man Of The Moment

In the last 48 of the 64 years of Nigeria’s independence, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, popularly addressed by Nigerians as IBB, has influenced and impacted on virtually every institution in the country, as a leader to reckon with, in the area of national development. Today marks the launching of his memoirs, which has been long awaited by Nigerians and other world leaders. The book was successfully launched and now available for all to read and understand the man – IBB, who, we are all looking forward to celebrate his 84th birthday on August 17 this year, by the Good Grace of God Almighty.

In discussing IBB, what stood as significant, was his transmutation to a Military President from day one of his assumption to office, it was a title no military leader in the country has ever held, but him. In a country with highly intelligent individuals, with inquisitive minds, who will always dig up deep to understand and interpret the actions of their leaders, the title became an immediate subject of various elucidations.

While some Nigerians saw the title as an initial “slip-up” in announcement during the take-off of a new regime, and was expected to be corrected after settling down, other Nigerians described the action as a deliberate move by IBB, to combine both the military dictatorship and the executive presidential powers, to dominate the entire political territory; still others saw the new title as IBB’s desire to evolve a new amalgamation of “Milito-democracy” to run the affairs of his government, which indeed, he actually implemented during the course of running the activities of his government, yet, other Nigerians saw the Military President title as a background to herald IBB’s idea of “a little to the right, and a little to the left”, which also manifested in the political parties he created during his transition program. Nonetheless, other Nigerians gave IBB the benefit of the doubt for adopting the Presidential title, as a new leadership innovation, which had no intents and purposes!

It was clear with IBB that his military career enhanced his performance and capacity as a President, he worked mutually well with all and sundry in the country’s diverse groups and tribes and gave emphasis to collective success, over individual achievements. Beyond physical bravery, the military experience equipped IBB in moral courage, in taking risks and making difficult and fast-paced decisions, timely and constructively. At no time during his reign did IBB procrastinate or dragged his feet on taking appropriate necessary and relevant actions on national issues, which saved him regrettable consequences, as we continue to witness in other subsequent governments. In his leadership style, IBB brought with him decisive focus, clear vision in assembling highly experienced professional Nigerians on board his government, concise communication mechanisms, which supported and validated the direction of his policies; and strong capacity to deal with challenging situations and changing environments and circumstances. He equally complemented his actions with his strong ability to bounce back from any setback, with a resounding re-launch towards problem solving. As a committed military Officer, IBB’s entire life is consumed in the military, no wonder, he was severally quoted saying that “you can take a soldier out of the military, but you cannot take the military out of a soldier.” Yet he operated his military regime with a tilt to democracy, and gave Nigerians ample opportunities to actively participate and contribute in major policies of his government.

IBB completed two terms in power (August 1985 – August 1993), before he “stepped aside”. As usual with every action taken by IBB, Nigerians gave interpretations to his “stepping aside” immediately after his announcement. Many interpreted the two words to mean “taking a break, to return soon”, others swore that IBB was not quitting the stage by mere declaration, arguing that his deliberate failure to use the familiar terminologies of “resignation or handing over” already derided his intention! He was compelled by Nigerians to defend his declaration, where he insisted that he simply borrowed the terminology of “stepping aside” from the military jargon, which he clarified to mean the same thing as quitting the stage at the appropriate time! And, of course, he justified his action by exiting the stage for good, as he assured. The only attempt IBB made to return to power, was during the 2007 elections, when he declared his intent to contest the Presidential ticket under his party, the PDP, this time around, as constitutionally allowed for every qualified Nigerian!

During the period of his reign, IBB provided visionary leadership, with focus on national and diplomatic developments and the establishment of national assets, which resulted in huge human resource advancement and job creation throughout the country. He left behind great legacies ever in the history of Nigeria, where most of the surviving key institutions and national assets operating as of today, are credited to his achievements in office.

In his commitment as a leader of the entire nation, not neglecting any section, IBB took great efforts to introduce the highly complex, controversial and emotive nomadic education program, which suffered huge set backs in the country and considered it a top priority program of his government, towards improving the survival skills of the nomads, to enable them raise their productivity, income and participation in the socio-economic development of the country, like every citizen of Nigeria. IBB’s action predicted the ugly consequences of negligence in the sector, which sadly subsequent governments relegated, and has now resulted in the current security crisis the country is struggling to ameliorate.

IBB was the sixth Military ruler and the 9th in the list of the 16 leaders of Nigeria. Although a military leader, IBB truly believes that the era of military intervention in Nigeria’s politics is long gone and is currently proud that the Nigerian military has stood firmly behind multiple democratic governments in this country since 1999, thus giving democracy the longest run since independence. IBB admitted that the nation is currently facing series of challenges, but expressed confidence and hope that collectively we will overcome these challenges and come out stronger and more progressive nation.

This piece is to congratulate General Ibrahim Babangida on the occasion of launching his memoirs – A JOURNEY IN SERVICE, an opportunity he provided to Nigerians and other well-wishers to access to his inner self for a complete history of his life, expressed in an honest disclosure. The turn-out on the occasion has displayed the role and legacy IBB has built on the shores of Nigeria and abroad. Who knows, from today, Nigerians may choose another name for him, to replace “Maradona”!!! .

– Bamalli, writes from Kaduna