This year, no prize for African leaders

By Ruona Agbroko
October 19, 2009 10:51PMT

Following the sharply divided opinions after this year's Nobel Peace Prize, it seems to be a season of award controversies as, just three editions on, the organisers of the renowned Ibrahim Prize for Achievement in African Leadership seem to have found no leaders worthy of the $5 million prize money.
Aimed at celebrating good governance in Africa, the winner of the Achievement in African Leadership prize gets $5 million over 10 years and $200,000 annually for life.

What Nigerians think
Some Nigerians have reacted to the development, with Pat Utomi, a presidential candidate in Nigeria's 2007 elections describing it as ‘a sad drift of leadership on the continent'.
Speaking to NEXT by telephone, Mr. Utomi said "I think it's a good thing that they keep the bar high, and not just give the prizes because another year has come around. First generation African leaders like [Julius] Nyerere, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa and Awolowo were people who made a great deal of personal sacrifices for the good of their communities. You see less of that on the horizon in Africa in recent years."
Professor Remi Anifowoshe, former Head of the Political Science Department at the University of Lagos, told NEXT he was not caught unawares by the announcement, which was broadcast worldwide yesterday afternoon.

"Some African leaders had no regard for constitutionalism; their attitude to the opposition was unbecoming and the level of poverty under them increased. Based on this award, it means that from east to west, north, south, none of them deserve it," he said.

A "narrow pool"
The prize is awarded to a democratically elected former African heads of state who have left office in the past three years.
Mr. Utomi said this condition significantly narrowed eligibility.
"The fact that the prize limits itself to people in power makes it very challenging because not too many people are in power for the right reasons and act in a way that will make them get that prize. You have a very small pool. The most important leadership contributions in my view, in Africa have been from people who are not in politics, not in government; who are in civil society, or the academia."

Dean of the Department of Political Science at the University of Lagos, Professor Kayode Soremekun, told NEXT that the "sit-tight" habit of African leaders might have inadvertently disqualified them.
"Probably, what it means is that the entire continent is one landscape of bad governance. The fact that it is awarded to former presidents might be the reason there was no winner, he said.
"If they were clowning, they would have given it to Babangida," Mr. Soremekun deadpanned.

Lessons in leadership
Moshood Erubami of the Transition Monitoring Group, a coalition of 63 human rights and civil society organisations, says there are lessons to be learned from the situation.
"The message is that when these leaders are in power, they should make sure they create discernible positive change in the life of their people. So when next they are considered, those positive indicators will speak for them."
Professor Soremekun however believes that the prize comes with mixed blessings.
"What it means is that there is a barometer measuring the pressure of good leadership. At least, there is an incentive now. But this incentive in itself is like a backhand compliment because nobody gives any prize for good leadership in Europe, or Asia. It could be assumed that Africa is a laggard in this regard."
For Mr. Utomi there may yet be a silver lining. "There is the dearth of shame among the elite here, so if this will inspire some people about a generational sense of shame, maybe it will serve us well that we didn't get a prize winner this year," he said.

*Photo by www.moibrahimfoundation.com