I’ve Done My Best For Nigeria, Okonjo Iweala Rules Out Working With Buhari

Dr Iweala said this on Aljazeera TV programme, The Stream on Monday, while responding to question on the likelihood of her coming back serve again under the current government.

Iweala had worked with former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan for a combined period of seven years.

According to her, it will be proper to allow those presently managing Nigeria’s economy to continue to give their best in providing solutions to the country’s current economic crisis, noting that she has contributed her best to the nation.

“I served my country for seven years and it was a great honour. The second time was very tough but it is still an honour,” she said.

“I am not the only person who is a repository of knowledge. There are other people who can equally try their hands in running the economy.

“It was an honour and a privilege to be able to serve my country twice as finance minister. The finance minister is one of the toughest jobs you can have in any country.

“I think whether a man or woman, the average lifespan of finance minister is about two years. And it was Gordon Brown, former prime minister of the UK, who told me that he had actually calculated it. Because as a finance minister, no one likes you because you are in the business of saying ‘No’ to even your boss; it’s a very difficult position.

“There’s a lot to contend with, and then when you are a woman some people may see it as this person is wielding power. In some societies, the idea of a woman having so much power is not really acceptable. So that gender element can set in.

“And for me, it was so interesting because I never saw myself as wielding power; I wish I had seen myself as wielding power. I never felt it; all I thought of was the responsibilities of the job, not of power. Planning every day to make sure things happened the right way for the country.”

She said that having a firm control over the rate of inflation in addition to ensuring a stable exchange rate should be the priority of African governments. She expressed regrets that the economic gains recorded in Africa have started to erode in the last two to three years.

She however expressed optimism that Nigeria would come out of its present economic recession stronger, as the country is blessed with vibrant individuals.

“I spent my time, I have contributed the best I could for the country, I think it is still one of the most interesting countries in the world, and it would be better to leave those who are managing it now to say what they will do,” she said.

“All I can say is that they have solutions; people in the country should not lose hope. Nigeria is a vibrant country; I love it so much and I know that it will come out of this strong.

“I am not a typical politician. I went in as a technocrat. I think on the continent we have seen a period when the economy was doing well. In the last two years we have been experiencing challenges. We need to focus on the basics, which are macro-economics. You must get the fundamentals, like having a stable exchange rate and having inflation under control.

“I will advise young people not to wait for employment. They should create jobs to employ six people or more. During my time in government, we had a programme called You Win designed to support young entrepreneurs. The whole idea was to have a business plan competition.

“The idea was that they should create jobs. And each, created nine to 10 jobs. The World Bank did an evaluation of it and found it good. I do believe that the government should come in. We started a peer-to-peer mentoring. Now, one of the things I want to say is that creating employment is not only about struggles, it is about managing success,” she added.