Ex-Power Minister: Indiscipline, Not Corruption, Is Nigeria's Core Challenge
A former Minister of State for Power, Goody Jedy-Agba, has declared that Nigeria's fundamental issue is not corruption but indiscipline, emphasizing that disciplined handling of public resources would significantly curb graft in the nation.
Jedy-Agba made these remarks in Abuja during the exclusive signing of his memoir, Grace Unspeakable, where he reflected on his life journey, leadership experiences, and insights from public service. According to him, many governance failures in Nigeria arise from public officials' inability to exercise discipline in managing public funds and responsibilities.
Discipline as the Antidote to Graft
He stated: "Our problem in Nigeria is not corruption. Our problem is indiscipline. If you are disciplined enough to know that you should not tamper with public funds, you will not tamper with public funds. If you are given money to do something, do that thing. Don't syphon it for personal use. Take that public money and use it to make progress for society."
Jedy-Agba also urged Nigerians to cease glorifying ill-gotten wealth, saying, "Today we celebrate thieves and rogues. Once we see a rich person, we don't care how the money was made, but you can make money from hard work instead of stealing. You can still give your best without being corrupt."
Mentorship and Personal Values
On leadership and personal values, the former minister highlighted the importance of mentorship and moral guidance in shaping character. "I came from a peasant community. My parents and my community taught me that if you work hard, you will reap the reward. Those lessons moulded me," he said.
He explained that he wrote the memoir to share experiences that shaped his life and inspire younger generations to pursue integrity, resilience, and hard work. Jedy-Agba described wisdom as a priceless asset, stating, "Wisdom is a gift from above. If you have wisdom, it is an asset beyond quantification. It makes you brilliant, exposed, and God-fearing."
Resilience and Healthcare Insights
Recounting a near-death experience that nearly led to arm amputation, he credited faith, courage, and seeking a second medical opinion for his recovery. "When I got to the hospital, the doctor said he was going to amputate my arm. I was 56 years old then, and it would have affected me psychologically. When I later sought treatment in Germany, I realised the importance of having a second opinion and having the fighting spirit. If I didn't have that determination, I would have lost my arm," he shared.
Jedy-Agba expressed concerns about Nigeria's healthcare system, noting inadequate diagnostic capacity, and commented on the power sector's potential for improvement despite challenges. He stressed the need for consistent investment and payment for gas supply to power generation companies, saying, "There is hope in the power sector. The problem I hear now is that they don't have gas because the gas producers were not paid. If you pay for gas, they will give you gas and you generate power. That is the basic thing."
Mentorship and Moral Direction
He acknowledged the role of mentorship in his life, particularly from Alhaji Hassan Hadeja, who helped shape his values and discipline. "Mentorship is key. People helped mould me into the person I became. Those lessons prepared me for leadership roles," he added.
In his remarks, the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice-President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, said the memoir arrives at a time when Nigeria needs strong moral direction. He stated, "This is what Nigeria requires at this point in time when our moral compass is neither here nor there and people see wealth and glamour as the ultimate goal."
Hadejia praised Jedy-Agba for maintaining integrity throughout his public service career, noting, "When you see someone who had all the opportunities in high office but maintained his decorum and focused on service, that is something that should be celebrated." He added that the book would serve as an important guide for younger Nigerians, highlighting the author's humility and connection to his roots.
