|
Why Nigerian Organizations Hardly Perform
by Ejike Okpa II
Special to USAfricaonline.com
It is gladdening to see organizations we start succeed
in its chosen goals and objectives. However, considering certain
explained and vaguely understood traits, we have in most cases fallen short
of achieving our aims. This is not an indictment on anyone organization.
But instead, it is an overview intended to provoke proactive understanding
for those who have held themselves out as leaders to re-think the (un)productive
style and approach. No doubt we have seen measurable successes in
certain areas but it appears we have some distance to cover.
The following observations are some of the points that tend to undermine
our success despite considerable efforts in urging the horse to drink.
-
When joining an organization, we push our personality to the point that
it becomes irritable.
-
Always find fault with individuals in positions and will not discuss the
matter before them or the body but instead seek the ears of certain weak
characters and begin to cast doubts.
-
When we fail, become inactive and then devote time to talk about the organization
in negative manner.
-
When in a meeting always hold another meeting to draw attention to yourself
or be loud to the point that the session might be derailed.
-
If we cannot have our way in any situation threaten to resign and pull
others with us.
-
Talk about collective cooperation but never cooperate with anyone.
-
Always too busy to actively participate in any event.
-
Wants to hold a position but hardly understands what is needed in such
a position.
-
We do not have a good understanding of how non-profit works and how to
advance the cause of action for the organization to succeed. We have
a mentality of one degree fits all, and as a result refuse to embrace changes
necessary to move forward our organization.
-
We do not understand the overall goals and therefore is handicapped in
pushing the program of the organization.
-
Hardly attend meetings and when we do, like to draw regular attendants
back by asking questions and making comments that sets everybody and everything
back.
-
Elect to discuss matters of serious nature outside the regular forum and
make negative comments that weep up sentiment and cause confusion.
-
When decisions have been reached, go and carry on additional conference
call meeting to castigate aspersion and devalue individuals who championed
the passage of such decision even if the decision is good and was properly
debated and reached as a consensus.
-
Aspire to get all available benefits of the organization but hardly contribute
anything commensurate with what has been given.
While a good chunk of the observations may be duly questioned and or challenged,
the points raised mirrors the overall attitude to our organizations.
It is time we sought counseling and guidance in running non-profit organizations.
Certain set up standards are expected, and we not have properly fulfilled
those requirements. Our organizations all have Presidents, Chairmen
but hardly an Executive Director which is typically associated with non-profit
entities. Most of the organizations are not listed, the telephone
number is usually the number of the president and this changes as the president
is changed.
By proactively pursuing a good understanding of how to run the type
of organizations we clamor for, we will begin to see whether we really
need such organizations. In the alternative, we may just need a get-together
type forum where exchange of information and or ideas can occur without
the cumbersome responsibility of running one. It is some what a poor
reflection of the education we have that we have not been able to create
an organization of repute with all the holes plugged.
As we get older, it will not surprise me that most of these organizations
will vanish as our incoming generation hardly understand our moribund culture
that says you have to belong to a parochial entity. The efforts will
probably die with us as our traits when it comes to organization is not
one that anyone wants to inherit. The opinion on this particular
point is based on the fact that one hardly see Nigerians born in this country
participate in our activities. There are 60 year old Nigerian born
Americans but they hardly identify with us.
Okpa serves as Dallas business bureau chief for USAfrica
The Newspaper and The Black Business Journal. See index for other
reports by Okpa.
Back to:
USAfrica Homepage |
