How to Build your Capacity For Future Relevance

Condoleeza Rice, one of the most powerful and popular American Secretary of State, was an ordinary girl who was born at a time that racism and segregation was the law in Birmingham, Alabama "Condi" and her mother, Angelena, were determined that racism would not chart their future.

Condoleeza decided as early as age 15, when she graduated from high school, to influence her world. As a black young woman, she resolved that black is not synonymous with lack, and it does not need to be white, in order to be right. At age nineteen, she received her bachelor's degree and went on to earn a doctorate.

By the time she was twenty-six, Condi was an Assistant Professor at Stanford University. Twelve years later, she became the first female, non white, and youngest person to serve as Stanford's Provost.

When her future, which she dreamt of at age seven, finally arrived, Condoleeza did not have to send her tesume to the White House. She was rather invited to serve in George Bush's cabinet, as Secretary of State. To the consternation of her nation, Condi turned down the offer. Why? She knew her worth. She knew that when you are loaded, you will definitely be needed. Bush persisted in his demand. Condoleeza saw her opportunity.. She would only serve on one condition: Mrica should be one of the centerpiece of America foreign policy. Bush succumbed. He could not afford not to have precious Condi as condiment for his government.

Just before the Obama Phenomenon, a CNN reporter sought to know from Barbara Bush, the American first Lady, who the likely candidate to succeed her husband could be. Barbara Bush did not think twice it would be Condoleeza Rice.

Ngozi Iweala was an ordinary girl from a remote village in Eastern Nig~ria. She groomed herself unnoticed. When Olusegun Obasanjo, Nigerian Executive President, wanted a Joseph to manage excess crude oil money and liberate the Nation from age long internal and international debt, he went looking for Ngozi Iweala. She did not apply for the job. When she finally agreed to be the Finance Minister, it was on her own terms. She was to be chairman of the Nation's Economic and Fiscal planning. She must be free to choose her own team. She was to be encumbered by bureacratic bottle neck. Obansanjo succumbed and fix her remuneration in foreign currency. Ngozi surrounded herself with economic egg heads like Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and Obiageli Ekwesile. Federal Character dictum was suspended by a nation that was thirsty in the midst of ocean. Within three years, Ngozi did what none has done in the economic life of Nigeria. National debt was forgiven by London and Paris Club. Nigerian banks ranked among the most capitalized in the world. The economy leaped.

When Ngozi was reassigned to Foreign Ministry portfolio, the capital market sneezed. Nigerian foreign partners stood on edge. Three months later, Ngozi resigned. Why? Her condition for accepting to serve was violated by the President. She was no longer to remain as Chairman of National Economic Planning. Nigerian government lost a gem to the waiting arms of World Bank in New York. Dr. Ngozi Iweala became the first female non white, Managing Director of the World Bank. She pulled her team mate Dr Obiageli Ekwesile with her. Oby became the first female World Bank Vice President for Africa.

When Barack Hussein Obama entered Harvard Law School in late 1988, no one in particular took note of the 27 year old black young man, with any futuristic implication. At the end of his first year, he was selected, based on his grades and a writing competition, as an editor of the prestigious Harvard Law Review.