Following Muhammed Pate’s incredibly difficult decision to rescind his appointment as CEO of GAVI- Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunization and return home to serve his fatherland under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I wrote and published an article entitled: “Finding the Pate Within Us.” It was a piece in honour of a man who, in the face of grandeur and international acclaim, chose a different path leading him back to the very roots from which he had grown; it highlighted the significant personal sacrifice Mr Pate had made in placing Nigeria over and above his career goals and aspirations. How many Nigerian elites or technocrats would make such a call? I consider myself an ultra-patriotic Nigerian but faced with such an opportunity, my decision would not be anywhere near “incredibly difficult”. Evidently, Pate has risen above self. He has conquered the “me first syndrome” in most of us. It would not be out of place to say that his actions are synonymous with patriotism of a higher degree, nationalism, and personal sacrifice for the collective good.
It is, therefore, shocking to read articles on news platforms attempting to politicize that which is glaringly altruistic and in the national interest. These half-spirited attempts from a muted minority argue that the distinguished professor is not a politician and as such, is undeserving of the ministerial slot from his home state. Some contend that as a technocrat, he does not understand the political economy that defines the country’s health sector and may not be able to get the desired result if appointed as Minister of Health. They all surmise that politicians who have worked tirelessly for the ruling party’s victory in the last presidential election deserve to be compensated with ministerial slots, which is indeed not out of place. They also prefer someone who has worked internally with an understanding of the local dynamics, which is also not out of place. What is, however out of place is the thinking that Mr Pate’s eventual nomination and appointment as Minister will block the chances of compensation for the political class in his home state. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially when it is on record that President Bola Tinubu rewards loyalty and hard work.
For a man who decided, without a gun to his head, to decline an offer already accepted, Mr Pate is not the competition here; far from it. Perhaps, it is crucial that we understand the enormity of his sacrifice. Until that moment of decision came, Mr Pate was on course to assume office as CEO of GAVI – the Vaccine Alliance on 3 August 2023. In his words, upon acceptance of the offer then, he said “It will be my privilege to lead Gavi and continue to support countries to scale up critical routine immunization programmes, reach more zero-dose children, expand access to new vaccines, transform primary health care systems, and help fight outbreaks and future pandemics.” A privilege now directed towards Nigeria.
