ADEZE OJUKWU

New Jersey, USA

Wednesday, July 7, 2004

Former auditor-general, Chief (Dr) Vincent Azie had since his retirement last year maintained a stoic silence for personal reasons. But few weeks ago, he broke the silence when he delivered a keynote address at an Igbo forum under the aegis of the Pan-Igbo Foundation held in Dallas, United States of America (USA). Dr Azie held the audience in rapt attention as he expounded on the theme: Re-aligning our Economic, Political and Socio-Cultural Agenda: A Panacea for Economic and Political Empowerment. In a chat with ADEZE OJUKWU in Dallas, Texas, shortly after his resonating speech, Azie, a man of few words, spoke with characteristic candor but declined comments on the turbulent issues that led to his controversial removal as the nation’s auditor-general. Here are excerpts:

Q Can you highlight some of the major obstacles facing the Igbo as encapsulated in the theme of the PNF conference?

Many of these obstacles are fairly known. For instance there is a general feeling of disillusionment and frustration occasioned by failure leading to lethargy on the part of prominent Igbo already in good stead to continue any struggle. This lack of enthusiasm by many frontline personalities sometimes stems from apprehension over financial losses or benefits. The general state of insecurity is another crucial factor. Whether real or imagined, the pervasive and incessant violence incidences in the country have heightened political and economic instability in the country.

But more specifically, there is an increasing fear of a subterranean agenda geared towards excluding [Ndiigbo] from attaining political or economic excellence. The perception of the Igbo person by other compatriots is an ad-mixture of admiration and awe. These instigate them at every pedestal to strive for a head start even before the Igbo becomes conscious that he is being viewed as a threat. Unfortunately, the Igbo as a people lack a strong, supportive, dedicated pressure group. We undeniably have the least efficient strategy for group empowerment and pay no commendable attention to cultivating effective diplomacy. Informal interpersonal contact is highly stratified and restricted thereby limiting timely access to valuable, sensitive information that may prove useful to those in positions of authority.

The nation’s economic system is another issue. The adverse consequences of an ill -prepared or selectively executed national budget and policies are also part of this tragedy affecting the Igbo and indeed all other groups in the polity.

Q As the erstwhile auditor-general, what is the way forward?

First and foremost, change must start at the individual level before spreading to the rest of the society. Having said that, we all need to remain unshakably focused on the objectives desired and pursues them with the greatest vigour.

Economic realignment requires that business moguls and top-flight industrialists should pull their capital and human resources in a form of arrangement that would push them to the apex of the key sectors of the economy. For the Igbo, in particular, there should be a shift away from the molecular (one-man) business enterprises that render the entrepreneurs insignificant and therefore victims of any irrational economic policy.

In addition, the rules governing fair competition should be allowed to hold sway in any operating business environment, so that only viable units can survive. Any sinister manner or unorthodox method employed to eliminate competition should not be tolerated.

Any political platform on ground including its machinery/organs should be re-assessed, re-vitalized and generously funded to re-invigorate its modus operandi cum efficiency towards attaining the desired goal.

I also believe that we ought to mellow our republican tendencies so that an adopted political shelter would be able to accommodate very many thereby guaranteeing the numerical strength necessary for achieving success in a democracy.

Q What are your views on the current monetization policy?

Privatization is worthwhile in so far as it continues to be gradual, remains well guided, controlled and acknowledged by the stakeholders as transparent. It would result in tremendous savings in the long run and would also protect the public service from the embarrassing but obnoxious practices, which many public officers often resort to in order to gain financial advantage. Also the “Due Process” put in place by government is a very positive policy because apart from enhancing the realization of value for money from projects / contracts, it mellows the quantum of hatred built up against the auditor for making adverse observations in that regard.

Q How realistic is the agitation for an Igbo president in 2007 elections?

It is very realistic. But then it requires a lot planning and grassroots mobilization in order to carry every body along. Every individual should reappraise his egocentric characteristic using the principle of ranking and rating in order to determine when to bow to a superior profile. This will ease the emergence of the best candidate for a political or executive position.

Each Igbo man and woman should strive to sustain the already flourishing inter-personal relationship cultivated over the years thereby oiling the trust that Nigerians from other groups have in us as a people which could be converted to advantage at any opportune time. We should also not hesitate to seek legal redress, whether as individuals, state governments or in fact socio-cultural organization, against any constitutional breach, which would have adverse effect on our people. The media should also maintain its watchdog duties by exposing glaring cases of injustice, inequity and lack of fair play in the polity pointing out that right ideals if sustained, remain sine-qua-non to peace and peaceful co-existence between the multi-ethnic nationalities in a united Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Q Do you subscribe to the view that Nigeria is jinxed, considering the country’s track record of corruption and poor leadership.

Neither the country nor its people are jinxed. What we have is a cabal or a cartel of greedy leaders who employ the instruments of power for self-aggrandizement and self-enrichment. The ideal is that those who control the instruments of state power must behave rationally and responsibly, keeping the machinery of governance functioning in the best interest of the citizenry while ensuring that equity and fair play prevail even in circumstances where they have vested interests. Nevertheless the country requires patience in order for the principles of best practices and governance to evolve.

Q Nigerians are eager to know who Dr Azie is. What influenced your character and lifestyle?

I was born on 21^st January 1945 to the beloved Patriarch of the Azie family Nathan and his most amiable wife Gladys (both deceased) and natives of Eziowelle in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra state.

I started schooling early at age 5 and was at the C.M.S. central school, Onitsha from January 1950 - December 1958, passing the first school leaving certificate examination with distinction.

After that, I proceeded to the famous Dennis Memorial Grammar School also at Onitsha and spent the next 7 years (1959 - 1965) finishing the then West African School Certificate examination in Division one grade (1963) and the Cambridge Higher School Certificate examination passing all the 3 subjects offered at principal grade.

After a brief dint as a tutor in Prince Secondary Commercial Institute Onitsha, I gained admission to the Department of Accounting, University of Lagos. However, I was compelled by family concern about personal safety due to the unstable political climate to transfer to the University of Nigeria.

In 1973, I completed the undergraduate degree program passing out in Upper 2^nd class division in and was part of the history-making pioneers of the National Youth Service Corps (1973 / 74). Over time I enrolled and became an alumnus also of both the London School of Economics and the Enugu State University of Technology undertaking post-graduate studies in Accounting and Business Administration respectively.

Q Can you give a brief overview of your professional experience?

My professional career commenced on 1^st July 1974 when I joined the office of the Auditor-General for the Federation on as Auditor Grade 2 and rose through the ranks attaining the post of Director of Audit on 10^th October 1995. Eventually I was appointed acting Auditor-General for the Federation of Nigeria from 13^th August 2002 - 12^th February 2003 a post I held until my retirement on 2^nd October 2003. While in active service, I undertook

Routine audit assignments in various ministries, extra-ministerial departments, agencies and commissions, audited many Nigerian diplomatic missions worldwide. At various times, I served in the following capacities namely thus:

· Facilitator for auditing to the Visitation Panel to the University of Lagos-1986.

· Special Assistant to the Sole Administrator of the Nigerian Labour Congress (1987 / 88).

· Member of the Task Force on Personnel Audit in the Federal Public Service (1996).

· Member of the Investigating Committee on the N.E.M.A. Warehouse Fire Incident 2001.

· Member of the Committee on the Assets and Liabilities of the defunct political parties - NRC and SDP (1994).

· Member of the Investigating Committee on the Accounts of the National Council for Women Societies.

· Associate Member - Association of National Accountants of Nigeria.

· Member - Institute of Management Consultants of Nigeria.

Q You obviously had a very enviable track record. But given the circumstances of your exit from public service, do you regret some of your actions?

I will not want to comment on this for now. But suffice it to mean that I loved my job. I have had to travel extensively to almost all the continents either on official duties or privately. Indeed, I enjoyed my career and the opportunity to serve my country and community. This has also fetched me tremendous support and commendations. I was honoured in September 2002 by Bradley University U.S.A. with an honorary doctorate degree in Public Finance. Not too long ago, I was conferred with the chieftaincy title of OHAMADIKE 1 of AKOKWA.

Of course you witnessed the latest award ceremony on May 8, in Sheraton Hotel, Dallas, Texas, when I was honoured by Pan-Ndi Igbo Foundation USA for Integrity, Probity and Transparency in public service and outstanding public service.