The cliche ” round peg in round hole” found a personification in the appointment of Dr. Betta Edu as the Honourable Minister, Humanitarian and Poverty Alleviation. Now, this is not about Politics, or one of those sycophantic vituperation, but an emerging soft-power to take up a big and challenging role and deliver beyond patronage. The mention of Poverty brings chills to the spine of any Nigerian leader because beyond any other governance expectations, Poverty seems to be the most stubborn to mitigate. How come a youngster was deployed to face what the “veterans” failed to subdue?
Well, the answer lies not in the age or length of time spent in the corridor of power but on demonstrated and not theoretical Competences and abilities. A diligent student of history and politics would agree that while in the face of Electioneering cross-bullying, there is a mutual fault-finding between all political parties, however, certain star assets can be spotted without prejudice. One of such star asset in the camp of the APC was Dr. Betta Edu.
No one that followed the Electioneering campaigns of the President, H.E. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, would fail to Notice the unique social-interface and grassroots acumen of Betta Edu. She transversed the entire landscape of Nigeria, hitting the interlands, from a Fulani “ruga”, to homesteads in Southwest, making contacts with the dwellers of Plateau highlands, she knows how to connect with people; women and Youths especially. This quality stretches in value beyond party politics. She’s a n
National Asset.
Talking about being a National Asset, the take-home from the recently held UNGA events took the potential and recognition of Betta Edu a knot higher. Mr Martin Griffith, the UN Under-General-Secretary for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator at the high-level side event was quoted with the following accolades for Dr. Betta Edu “ I’m proud of Dr. Betta, She is a new force of Nature that we have in the Humanitarian Community, and in the World. She’s gonna leave us no choices, no freedom. She’s gonna make us work hard”. This only mean one thing; She’s not just a national asset but a global asset. The eyes of the world is already set on her.
If there is any time the Youths has a golden chance to shine and make impact, the time is now. Before now, the chances of the youths in political leadership positions, though loudly sung, has a near-failure possibility. But with the qualities and Virtues in this Young but knowledgeable and agile representative of the youths in the person of Dr. Betta Edu, the doors for better quota for youths in governance is about to be widely opened.
We can wish the best as she settles down to turn around the poverty tag hanging on the beautiful name of Nigeria from red to green. But we can do better by joining her to articulate far-reaching and sustainability poverty mitigating initiatives and innovations. In all, the youths of Nigeria will line up to cheer to succeed. This is what is obtainable in the global North. This is what we will do.
Wishing you the very best Hon. Minister Dr. Betta Edu, our able Ambassador.
Article By:
Temidayo Kingheart, National Publicity Secretary, Betta Edu New Media Centre – BENMC.
Approved By:
Yusuf Raul, National Coordinator, Betta Edu New Media Centre – BENMC.
