THE FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL CRISES COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER HANDLED IF.....
Prof Kate Omenugha
By Emma Asie
A professor of mass communication and former Commissioner for Basic Education in Anambra state, Prof Kate Omenugha, has opined that the on going fuel subsidy removal crises in the country could have been better handled and even averted if the President had displayed emotional intelligence and empathy in communication
She gave the opinion while expousing the theme "Effective Communication as a tool for good governance, an Appraisal of the Fuel subsidy removal crises" on Political Heat, a Public Affairs program on Alpha Radio 106.5FM anchored by Emma Asiegbunam (Mr E on the Mic).
Prof Kate Omenugha further stated that for communication to be effective, it ought to be "clear, concise, correct, complete emphatic and direct" and that communication without proper actionable feedback is incomplete and ineffectual.
The erudite lecturer lamented that the way Mr President "flippantly" announced such a very sensitive policy on his inaugural address, gave room for the current crises being witnessed and the panic in the polity. She opined that he could have done some proper consultations with relevant stakeholders and put other measures in place before making the announcement. She also faulted the timing and according to her, he could given hints on the removal so as to prepare the minds of the citizens who are yearning for the renewed hope he promised in his campaigns.
Responding to a caller who insisted that the announcement came at a proper time, Prof Omenugha disagreed, affirming that the announcement did not guage the prevailing mood of the country. She stressed that emotional intelligence and empathy could have prevented the crises while achieving the same results (removal of fuel subsidy).
Prof Kate Omenugha also talked on gender participation in politics and asserted that women should seek for equity rather than just equality in politics. In her own words "Equity is more effective than just equality. While equality gives a level playing field for all participants, equity recognizes the peculiarities of the participants which may be treated as an advantage or disadvantage and addressed accordingly". She called on political parties and stakeholders to recognize the peculiarities of women as a gender and use that as guides to involving them in politics. She praised the Soludo administration for living far and above the popular "30% affirmation" call by assigning lots of portfolios to women in his administration including Transport, Finance, Justice, Education and Budget and Planning. She urged other state governors to emulate him and stressed that Nigerians should focus more on developments and issues at states level than on the centre for effective engagement.
You may watch the Live stream of the program interview via this Facebook link
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088686260445&mibextid=ZbWKwL
