Africa has again missed a moment of glory, which comes rarely anyway. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has announced that, based on its considerations, no winner has emerged this year.  Though other activities of the foundation are still due to hold at Dar es Salam, Tanzania, on November 14 and 15, there is probably no worthy leader of Africa deserving of the ultimate prize.

A proudly thoughtful initiative conceived by a communication mogul, Mo Ibrahim, to reward and encourage good governance in Africa, the prize money of $5million is given to the winner over five years and $200,000  annually for life. The prize is also for a deserving and worthy ex -leader who must have left office in the last three years.

On this year's resolution, the committee said: "The Mo Ibrahim  Foundation is committed to supporting great African leadership that will improve the economic and social prospects of the people of Africa. The foundation's focus is the promotion of good governance in Africa and the recognition of excellence in African leadership. The Prize Committee welcomed the progress made on governance in some African countries. This year, the Prize Committee has considered some credible candidates. However, after in-depth review, the Prize Committee could not select a winner."

The foundation may have put it mildly, but the truth is, true and committed leadership is gradually disappearing from the African soil. Same with improvements in status, in condition of living and infrastructural development of the continent. If you think the Prize Committee is wrong, consider the situations in Nigeria (Niger Delta, ASUU and Boko Haram), Guinea, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Niger Republic and why on earth leaders of these countries would qualify to win the prize three years after leaving office, if we use their current ratings as yardsticks tomorrow.

Again, reflect on the Mo Ibrahim Foundation's criteria vis a vis the realities in some of these African countries. Before the current temporary respite, Nigeria was recently held hostage by the Boko Haram sectarian crisis that left dead bodies littered all over their area of operations in Borno State. The Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta's onslaught and Joint Task Force's attempt to counter covert attacks on oil installations left many communities destroyed and the nation's cash cow derailed and drained. Then, the nation's universities were under lock and key for four months. Now, tell me how a leader, in this case, President Umaru Yar'Adua, who presided over these rot can win the Mo Ibrahim Prize for good governance? Or can anyone sincerely say there is improvement in the economic and social prospects (another criterion) of the governed in Nigeria.

The quest for democratic ethos in Guinea has cost that country hundreds of lives in the last few weeks. South Africa, which supposedly represents a model for a thriving democracy is lacking in good governance. Recently, protesters filed out on the streets to express their grievances in a country hoping to host the world next year: they showed that all is not well at home. The xenophobic attacks on fellow Africans is a blight on their credentials. Three years after leaving office, can anybody nominate Dadis Camara of Guinea or Jacob Zuma of South Africa or Umaru Yar'Adua  for the prize? Nor will the Foundation consider the candidacy of Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Robert Mugabe. These two can never qualify by any stretch of  imagination even if they vacate office honourably today.  Nor can there be a post-humous nomination of Omar Bongo of Gabon or Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo after they left their nations in tatters and entrenched a semblance of monarchy in the guise of democracy. By this time next year, it will be more than three years after ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo left office. Will you nominate him, after all that was known about his tenure elongation bid?

With perennial recurring of quandary and setback occasioned by visionless leadership on this continent, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation should be applauded for raising the bar of excellence and by not giving it to just anybody,  because it's another year and another round of nomination. Our leaders make a mockery of constitutional democracy. They make no pretence about the prospects of improving the social and economic circumstances of their people. This noble decision by the Foundation must be commended as it will give it more impetus, boost its image and give it more credibility.

From my mailbox

Re:Inde Dikko's Tough Luck in Customs

Is it possible to process the promotion of 1,151 from the time Dikko assumed office or was it done? Are you really sure his rise was not meteoric? From Assistant Comptroller in 2004 to CGC in 2009? Do you know how he got his MFR? What do you mean by sensitive positions? Who among his seniors has not done so or more? Why have revenue figures jerked up? What is the big deal about N44.5billion? Dawud, 07027704411

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Thanks Madam for your write-up on Abdullahi Dikko Inde, the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs. In the true character of Nigerians, your piece is an exposition of exactly a case of the exploitation of our differences as a people. It is just a distraction. Dikko should be allowed to face the challenges of transforming Customs through his welfare and capacity-building programmes. Remain blessed. Dangana Lot, Kano, 08033245433

Apology

A previous article entitled "Governor Sambo's Billboard Achievements" elicited a response from a correspondent published on September 11, 2009. We have since found out that his assertion is wrong and has no basis in truth.  We wish to state that we hold Governor Aliyu Akwe Doma and his family in high esteem and would do nothing to damage his hard-earned reputation. We equally express our unreserved apology to his son, Umar Aliyu whose name was mentioned in the said write-up.

-Editor