RASHEED GBADAMOSI: Lessons I learnt from Ibb, Abdusalam Abubakar and Mobolaji Johnson

You became a commissioner at the age of 29 in 1974 when the then Lagos State governor, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson appointed you as Commissioner for Economic Development and Establishment, how did the appointment come about? Were you nominated by somebody?

I wasn’t nominated by anybody. In fact, the appointment came as a surprise. I was working as a manager in my father’s factory, Ikorodu Trading Company, when the phone suddenly rang. And when I said hello, and later inquired about the identity of the caller, it was then General Johnson who introduced himself and later informed me that he had appointed me as a member of his cabinet.

What was your experience like working with civil servants at that age, especially since some of the workers were much older than you?

I coped very well. I had the qualification and the experience in managing both human and material resources. Then, you must also not forget the fact that my late father, Chief Sule Gbadamosi was an astute politician and businessman. He was a close associate of the late Papa Obafemi Awolowo. Our house was always a beehive of activities. You can say that I started learning the ropes in the art of governance at a tender age.

When the appointment was announced, I was not afraid or perturbed by the fact that that will be my first time, and at that age to assume such position. My years as a commissioner were eventful. I enjoyed those years, and then if you know your onions, civil servants can’t mess you up.

What are your recollections of the cabinet exco meetings under Johnson’s leadership?

Governor Mobolaji Johnson was a wonderful administrator; a man of sound intellect and impeccable character. He was not brash like some military officers in his position. We always had robust debates. Johnson was not dictatorial. He allowed every member to make contributions. As a military ruler, the final decision rested with him, but Johnson would defer where there were superior arguments on a particular issue or state matter. He can be likened to a democrat in a military uniform. The cabinet had eminent Nigerians including the late Chief Adeniran Ogunsanya, Mrs. Kofoworola Pratt, Alhaji I.S. Adewale and others as members.

What were some of the challenges and achievements?

Challenges, whether you like it or not, are bound to confront you. It is normal. It is part of the processes that even help a system to thrive. Challenges came but we were able to deploy appropriate responses to surmount them. It was also during that period that massive infrastructural development began taking place. We embarked on road construction. Some of these roads include that of Badagry and Epe. All members of the cabinet liked me. They related with me like their own brother or even child. I was in the cabinet between 1974-1976.

What followed next?

I went back to family business. I was the one coordinating my father’s business with the headquarters in Ikorodu. We were using the premises of Ikorodu Trading Company as the coordinating centre.

I was there until when again I had to take another sabbatical leave – when General Ibrahim Babangida appointed me as the chairman of National Industrial Development Bank, NIDB. I was there for eight years. One particular incident I can’t ever forget is that the NIDB appointment came when I had just finished servicing a loan I took from the bank. While in the saddle, I ensured that working in tandem with other members of the board we were able to disburse funds that helped to promote the growth of many industries including small and medium scale enterprises.

How did you develop interest in the Arts? You are a renown Arts exponent, what is the genesis of the romance?

It all started when I was a student at Methodist Boys High School, Lagos. I had an English Language teacher who encouraged me to develop interest in reading books, especially literary works. I was in Form Three then. That was how I developed interests in Literature.

With your love for the Arts, why then did you read Economics in the university?

I only obeyed the wish of my father. He told me to go and read Economics. You ask why? His insistence, as he later revealed to me was the realization of the fact that my reading Economics would help our family business to grow. When I told him that I wanted to read Medicine, he told me that children of businessmen read something called Economics.

At 70, which moment would you describe as being the best in your life?

My best moment? That was the day I met my would-be wife, and the day I eventually married her. Another best moment in my life was the day I had my first child. And of course I can’t also forget the day I was appointed a Commissioner by Brigadier Mobolaji Johnson. That appointment was monumental. These three events I mentioned remain indelible in my heart even though there were other moments I can’t forget like the day I was appointed a Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

On the other hand, what is your worst moment?

That was the day I lost my father. It was a day I could never forget because my dad was everything to me. He died 20 years ago. He was my mentor. He gave the values that I apply to any existence. He taught me not only the nitty-gritty of business, but also the ethics, especially when you are into joint venture. On the day he died, he sent for me. He was staying in Ode-Remo, Ogun State then, but unfortunately due to my busy schedule I couldn’t leave Lagos immediately to keep the appointment.

By the time I rounded off my work, it was already late in the night, so I decided to defer my trip till the following day, unfortunately, my dad passed away that same evening. It was around 12 midnight when my phone rang, and it was one of my siblings that had called to inform me of my dad’s death.

The following morning, I rushed to Ode-Remo, and I burst into tears when I was told that my dad had been waiting; that he wanted to see me at all cost. All my other siblings were there at his bedside, but I was told that he refused to say much saying that he would wait until I arrived. I believed he must have something to say, but unfortunately, he went away with it.

What is your message to the nation?

I love Nigeria. This nation is a country endowed with natural resources. My appeal is that we should show more love for one another. I’m shocked by the bloodletting, and series of crises that have now characterised our daily lives. In the years past, Nigeria was not like this. There was no discrimination or hatred. When I was growing up as a child, I mixed and interacted freely with children from other ethnic groups in my father’s factory at Ikorodu. But today, the situation is not like that again. Innocent lives are being lost to senseless killings. We must find a way to stop this. We need to show more love to one another. Human lives is sacred. We should stop the spilling of innocent blood. Let us all come together again in unity as like that of the olden days.

You were one of those people that served in that administration that midwifed the current democratic dispensation, how would you described your experience working with General Abdusalam Abubakar as the Minister for National Planning?

It was quite challenging. Apart from being a minister, I was also given the portfolio of overseeing Nigeria’s interest at OPEC’s headquarters in Vienna. I was always shuttling between Nigeria and Austria. General Abdusalam Abubakar was a thorough professional. No file stayed on his table till the following day. He treated letters and correspondences with dispatch. I would also like to say that he was lucky to have the late Vice-Admiral Mike Akhigbe as his deputy.

Akhigbe was the engine-room of that administration. He was not only a disciplinarian, but also a man of his words. He matched his words with action. A very bold officer, he was never afraid to express his views on any issue, and this was why he was nicknamed, “Fearless” by his other colleagues in the cabinet. The combination of Abdusalam Abubakar and the late Akhigbe working with other dedicated cabinet members was what I will call a superb team. This was one of the reasons why within such a short period of 11 months we were able to organize elections that ushered in democratic government in May 1999.

Some people have criticized your tenure as the chairman, Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency, PPPRA, saying that price of fuel, and other petroleum products were increased about six times within a period of four years, what is your reaction?

Throughout my years in public service, whatever decision I took were always in the best interest of the system and the nation. I remembered clearly that during the period you mentioned, Adams Oshiomhole who is now the governor of Edo State was the president of the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC. He led the nationwide strikes, but at the end of the day through dialogue we were able to resolve contending issues. I later became friend with Oshiomhole, even though we didn’t see eye to eye during that time.

Today, Oshiomhole is now a part of the system, he can see and appreciate what others who are not insiders can see. It is not as if some of these policies that some considered as anti-people are evolved to punish people. No. They were evolved to strengthen the system.

I was fortunate to have worked with many past Nigerian leaders including Johnson, Babangida, Abubakar, and Obasanjo, and I learnt a lot of lessons from them which have gone a long way to enrich my knowledge, wisdom and perception of life.

What are those lessons?

I learnt perseverance, endurance, efficiency and forthrightness. These are the key virtues you need to survive in personal life, public office as well as in business. These lessons have been of tremendous value to me.

What is your reaction to the proposed National Conference?

To me, any opportunity for us to talk is a welcome development. It is always better to talk and dialogue. In other parts of the world where challenges are being faced, dialogue is the tool that is always being adopted to find a lasting solution. It happened in the defunct Soviet Union. Even in the United States, they are talking with one another. Like they say, it is better to jaw-jaw than to war-war. With dialogue, we talk to one another as brothers in an environment and atmosphere devoid of bitterness and rancor. Nigeria is a great nation with a bright future. There should be no static situation in man’s affairs. It should be dynamic.

What is your advice to the nation’s leaders over the issue of 2015?

My advice is that they are already heating, but should not overheat the polity.

The Sun