A story was told of a grocery store owner whose only cow supplied the milk he sold to the small town where he lived. However, he left the cow to roam the village in the daytime in search of food. This meant that the cow occasionally wandered into people’s farms and graze on their crops. This led to several confrontations and complaints between the inhabitants of that town and the owner of the cow until he decided to sell it off. Suddenly there was no more fresh milk again at the grocery store. People began to complain and finally realized that the poor wondering cow was the source of their milk.
The story above validates the saying that you do not know the value of what you have until it’s taken away from you. Human nature is often given to criticisms rather than commendation. Our empathy and sympathy are short-lived and often directed at people we have an emotional attachment with only. The lack of national unity or the threat to national unity has polarized us and created a mindset that is bent on discrediting even the most professional persons saddled with the affairs of the state if they fail to play according to our dictates. National interest is often sacrificed at the altar of selfishness and greed regardless of the pain it will cause others. We are always quick to attack people especially when their strength and accomplishments intimidate us.
History is replete with people whose laudable efforts are never recognized and appreciated. People who have lived their lives in the shadows serving everyone and doing their bits to make nations succeed .
Some men have sacrificed their identities, families, and comfort for national service. The current Governor of CBN Federal Republic of Nigeria , Mr Godwin Emiefele is one of those rare sacrificial and yet unsung heroes. Nigeria has never experienced the level of professionalism that this gentleman has brought to bear on the nations banking sector.
Like the proverbial cow that does not know the importance of its tail until when it’s cut off, many Nigerians have failed to be fair to Mr. Emefiele whose silent achievements have not only led to the containment of widespread, coordinated, and sponsored economic sabotage throughout the country but is also been the sole reason why Nigeria’s economy is still resilient. No nation would have survived what is thrown at Nigeria by enemies of our shared values except for astute professionals like Emiefele whose only source of fulfillment lies in the battles they win for their country.
In recent times, Nigeria has come under different threats ranging from Covid -19 pandemic to fall in crude oil prices. Tackling grave economic threats like these require intelligence and patrotism and that is what the CBN under Emiefele are good at doing.
The CBN under the able leadership of Emiefele successfully neutralised the otherwise damning negative effects of Covid -19 on the economy, the CBN has ensured that Federal, States and Local governments remain afloat. The CBN has equally introduced numerous social welfare interventions targeted at Nigerians. In the manufacturing sector, the CBN remains the major stakeholder by making facilities available to manufacturers of essential commodities. These great feats are no doubt the handiwork of a highly professional CBN management under Emiefele.
Those who occasionally cast aspersions on CBN leadership are making a big mistake and like the little town, they might realize too late that the man saving and securing the economy was the person they failed to appreciate. Just like the proverbial cow, they might realize the importance of the tail that safeguards them from ‘flies’ only when the tail is cut off. This is a wake-up call to all well-meaning Nigerians that without the CBN under the able leadership of Mr Godwin Emiefele, Nigeria would have been a failed state as wished by our enemies. It is better to appreciate the brains behind Nigeria’s victory over her sabboteurs than to constitute any form of distraction. Siding with the enemy against your country is not just unpatriotic but also treasonable. Nigerians must note that the policies and reforms of the CBN are always shrouded in economic technicalities and must not be censored unnecessarily.
The CBN very often do not fancy the praise that comes with a job well done. The successes of the CBN are entirely tied to this professionally reserved nature. It will be unprofessional for the CBN to publicize their sucesses. This will distract national progress with attendant disastrous consequences for which CBN is not ready to dare.
We must remember that no country will ever grow amid economic sabbottage that slows down economic growth and scares investors.
Nigerians must appreciate the professional conduct of Mr. Emiefele and his team who are laying their lives for Nigeria.The high volume of direct foreign investment is a direct product of CBN untiring efforts.
History will be fair to Mr. Emiefele for his tireless efforts and his praises will be sung on the lips of all Nigerians for the great work he is doing for his country long after he exits office in dignity. That will be the best way to spur the relentless hero to greater achievements for Nigeria. The numerous achievements to his credit though not publicized are a clear testimony that Nigerians will ever be grateful for this man who has not just restored the economy , but is putting Nigeria on a steady positive trajectory.
Fidelis Fater is a public affairs commentator and convener of ACTION Nigeria (AN) Group.
