The Nation Newspaper

Category: Comments

  • Comment

    Comment

    For Dare Olatunji

    At least, we have someone who can represent Nigeria, indeed, Africa in grammar competition. He is fun to be with anyday, anytime. Hon Patrick, keep up the good work. From Sada, Port-Harcourt.

    Thanks for waking up the Igodomigodo at last. We miss his explosive comments. From Kehinde Akinlade, Abeokuta

    Prof., tell your adopted brother, Patrick, to beware of platitudinous ponderosity in public discourse because it could be a concocted congency without momentum bombast (due apology to Candido). From Lanre Tunwon

    Your last article was the best that I had read since we started celebrating our 100 years of existence. May your pen never suffer any hiatus. From Anonymous

    Good day, Prof. All they did was debase our international image. They made us a laughing stock. Why? 2015! When we recently took over the routine chair of the United Nations Security Council which even Chad and Cape Verde had once occupied, it was wild celebrations in Abuja. They called it victory for President Jonathan’s foreign policy. I think they may soon rebase our power generating capacity so that run away industries can come back. From Olu.

    Re-Insights from a rebased economy. Perhaps our policy makers are rewriting the economics of the world where the index for underdevelopment will lead to economic leadership by Nigeria, then we would need to consult Adam Smith, Todaro, Keynes and others. I am not buying the rebased figure. From Lanre Oseni.

    Dare, it is an irony that The Nation, in which Asiwaju Tinubu has interest, was the first to fowl his call on journalists to apply “investigative knack” which he assessed “is gone”; courtesy Daily Sun of April 11, 2014, page 3. If you applied the knack in “Insights from a rebased economy” you would have been proactive in your derisive analysis of the “rebased economy”. All your areas of contention have no valid bases to disprove Okonjo-Iweala’s claims on the principle, which in general terms means infusion of new sources of revenue to improve the GDP. On the issue of dud power generation, most of the age-long manufacturing companies have found alternative sources to supplement the unsteady power supply. The railway is not completely down and there are alternative means for its services. The new agricultural programmes contributed N350m to the GDP. So, what was your negative hype all about? From Lai Ashadele.

    That your grammar in The Nation of 15-04-14 was very titanic. You have to simplify it for better understanding. From Mba

    Hon Obahiagbon, why is it that when you speak or write, it is always full of ambiguous words. To understand your view without the use of a dictionary is a problem.From Abiodun Moses, Port Harcourt

    Re-from himself the Igodomigodo; Patrick Obahiagbon is a rare gift to Nigeria; but, unfortunately, very few realised this. I am a northerner but my admiration for the ‘OGA of grammar’ never ceases. He makes my day any time. Please, how can I get his books ? If he has not written any, let him start now for he is a model to Nigerian youths and a challenge to them as well. From Pastor Adams, Lokoja.

    I will not like to call the piece, Insights from a debased economy, uneducated and too theoretical. But the fact remains that the author of this piece failed to take reality into consideration. An economic growth in the face of growing poverty is simply another Nigerian manipulation. We live by what we see which is increasing poverty and worsening infrastructure. Whatever else the economists say is just theory and fallacy. From Chris, Calabar

     

    For Segun Gbadegesin

    Sir, your paper is awash with goodwill for the APC. I’ve sent mine, and will be grateful if published. But it’s not as simple as people are writing. The only northerner we trust now is Buhari.At the same time, the only southerner who has grabbed the larger picture and has proven himself fully capable is Tinubu. Without any of them, very many will prefer to stick with the status quo and let the heavens fall. From Anonymous.

    My take in all this Boko Haram issue is that the blood of innocent Igbos slaughered by Kanuris in the 60s is now being answered by high heavens.The solution is apologise, seek restitution and collaborate with other parts of the nation to always bring the best hand in leadership, so that the illitrate masses of the North can be liberated.From Patrick

    I read your article on Still a question of structure. Your suggestions (regionalism & resource control) are potent enough to end corruption and insurgency in the country. Well done. Anonymous

    Segun, happy to read your article of April 18, 2014.Your last paragraph captured the Nigerian question in its fullness. Regionalism and six-zonal structures (now more often applied but absent in the Constitution). We have some level of autonomy to start real transformation of Nigeria even the often-misconstrued resource control will take a cue from regional and zonal autonomy. Every part of this lucky-but-mis-governed country has numerous resourses to tap. It’s not only oil. Most states in the North have more mineral and land resourses untapped. Those, like the Southeast, with less minerals, can tap their human resourses, like Israel, Switzerland, Japan, Britain and others. Please, use your medium to preach the good gospel, for peace and development. From Concerned Senior Citizen Harcourt

    Your comment and debate on structure. Your article was okay by all standards. As a Nigerian, my view on the matter is in support of true federalism. With this , everything will fall in place.

     

    For Gbenga Omotoso

    It’s really pitiable that our so-called leaders don’t know what to do at any time. GEJ should concentrate and stop politicking when the nation is in mourning. He is even bold to say he used money to buy the ticket. Well, non of them is worth leading us, because they nothing to offer. From Obiora, Abuja.

    Kwankwaso is no match to Mr President. When they were arming and teaching them wrong perception about life, didnt they know that it would hit back at them soonest. Governance cannot stop because of what some dubious people planted years back. Governance is for the living. From Dave, Abuja

    For God sake, unity not by force divide this country and let everybody be, but I assure you that judgement and vengeance must speak because of the innocent blood.Those sponsoring them the anger of the Almighty will never depart from their generation unborn. From Acceptance Akwa Ibom.

    Kwankwaso should respect the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. Chris. O

    It is a political disaster to read the claim by Mr. President that he gave cash to Kano delegates during the primaries

    Re: A commentator’s nightmare is vintage you, sir. But I don’t see any big deal in this rebasing of a thing because I don’t see how it will bring food to the table of impoverished Nigerians. People who cannot afford three meals or the teeming unemployed youths will not make any meaning of the rebasing as it does not impact positively on their lives. The Federal Government should tackle the serious security challenges and other social vices in the land. To me the rebasing is a sham and a mere distraction. Nigerians need the good things of life and a better living condition. Period! From Ojo A Ayodele Emure Ekiti

    Jonathan has nothing to offer again. He has failed Nigerians now that he has many shoes. He should just resigh and go. From Chris Apapa.

    Gbenga, sane governance will take off when we have a sane opposition. Your pay masters in their bid for power are prepared to bring down the roof over our heads not minding the means. From Fabian, Enugu.

    I support Kwankwaso. Most of the political challenges in Nigeria are fueled by the toxic reports & view points of some journalists. From John Mgbe, Owerri.

    Indeed, only a good follower who is humble enough to honour his superiors can make a good leader. How arrogant and presumptive for Kwankwaso to confront his Oga publicly.

    May God expose the secret behind Boko Haram. Amen! From Alex, Igando, Lagos.

    What a shame! A president’s open admission of ‘giving’ cash to delegates at a party primary election. It is a violation of electoral law. It’s a pity, our president admitted that he paid delegates to give him votes. Which word best describes the above. BRIBERy? or CORRUPTION? From Philip Akever-Kano

    It’s become obvious today that Mr Jonathan Goodluck is a politician and not a leader. With all due respect, our president does not seem to know what leadership is all about. I did not believe that he went to Kano for a political rally when the people were still weeping over the attack at Nyanya motor park. Each time l hear people say that the country is boiling because some people threatened to make it ungovernable for Jonathan, l just laugh. Can a father, whose enemies threatened to wipe out his entire household, sit with arms folded, allowing them to have their way so that he could attribute his doom, arising from his docility to those who want him eliminated? Can’t he put up a resistance to save his family if he is truly man? One day, Nigerians will know those who are the brain behind this insecurity that has become our brand of politics. From Ifeanyi O. Ifeanyichukwu, Abuja.

    It seems certain that there is a concerted, deliberate effort to debase Jonathan’s presidency by Fulani/Hausa leadership. Kwankwaso’s effontery in his disrespecful disposition toward the president of Nigeria would not have be tolerated if it has been the other way round. ‘What goes round comes around’ as they say; nemesis is the recoil of nature and some body will ultimately be the loser, definitely not Jonathan

    Gbenga, that is the million dollar question. When will politics give way for some governance? In your commentator’s nightmare. Just keep the fire in ur pen burning. Rev Okonkwo Robinson, Rumuagholu, P.H.

    Do you know that Jonathan is intelligent. He purposely doesn’t want to stop Boko Haram if not he would have called Americans into the matter. But he wants to leave them because 2015 election is close. He doesn’t want anybody in the North to come out and vote because of fear of Boko Haram. He thinks that in the Southeast and West he has people who will vote for him. And as for Kwankwaso, he should not even think of running for presidency because I have not seen what he has done for Kano. From Kassy Olisakwe

    Gbenga, please read the Federal Government’t reply to your last sentence on page 4 of same newspaper (THE NATION) and do a rejoinder. Thanks

     

    For Tunji Adegboyega

    Re: After the marathon fasting. That expectation from the church leaders against our ‘misrulers’ would not be achieved as long as the church/mosque leaders see the political rulers as august and special visitors, special worshippers. Do you know the politicians ‘ financial and material donations to those worshipping coffers? Inability to say it as it is in all ramifications, remains part of the reasons for Nigeria’s underdevelopment. Aluta continua. From Lanre Oseni.

    Tunji, compliments. No, I did not fast for Jonathan, nor his maladministration. In fact, I fasted that God will  (?) him. I don’t  know of my G.O. But we, also fasted 100 days in 1996, when there was no Jonathan or PDP. I hope 2015 will come quickly and Jonathan’s presidency will become history for the sake of our kids. Anonymous.

    Some of the so-called leaders in the churches today are the most fraudulent in terms of leadership. Imagine, some of them are flying jets, manage universities, still they cannot come together and look for a way forward. Instead, they have become the Federal Government spokespersons. Politicians will steal money and they will pray for them and collect their money. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos.

    When you hear church leaders asking their members to participate in politics, you had better scrutinise the motive. They are only saying that because that is how they can get on that gravy train of corruption that is euphemistically called ‘national cake’. How many of them can ask their church to pray that if their member will not rule with the fear of God, he or she should not get there? In fact, this may shock you; having a political office holder as a member is fast becoming a status symbol among some pastors. Corruption has eaten deep into the church; only God can save us. From Simon Oladapo, Ogbomoso.

    In spite of fasting and praying that our men of God keep organizing daily to avert constant killings of innocent citizens, instead of the killings abating, they continue. Has God deserted us because of our sins? Father forgive us and restore normalcy in Nigeria. What is happening now and then over insecurity lapses has become an embarrassment and made us a laughing stock in the comity of nations. From Gordon Chika Nnorom.

    T.J., can only continue to admire and appreciate you for essays every Sunday. ‘After the marathon fasting …’ hit the nail on the head. Anonymous.

    Thanks so much for sharing my view on the unpleasant attitudinal disposition and indictment of some ungrateful Nigerians over female ministers in President Jonathan’s cabinet. The reasons can be traced to envy, jealousy, complex and wickedness. Also because their wives are not as beautiful as the ministers. From Destiny.

  • Abduction: Gaskiya, its pure haram Gbemiga Olakunle

    The dust raised by the latest Abuja bomb – blast where more than 150 were reportedly killed with several people injured has not settled when the news of the abduction of about 130 female students in Borno State filtered in.

    The teenage students were reportedly abducted by the dreaded Islamist Sect Boko – Haram and the victims were being kept as sex – slaves. And the trauma that   these girls may be passing through and their respective families (especially their parents) can better be imagined.

    To say that law and order has broken down in that part of the country is saying the obvious fact. Apart from turning these young girls into their sex – slaves, there is the palpable fear that Boko – Haram may be forced to use them as human – shields in case of any air – raid or ground attack by the military.

    The protection and the well – being of these innocent girls who were under the protective custody and care of their parents and those of other ladies that were earlier abducted before this recent incidence should be a matter of serious concern and worry to well – meaning Nigerians and the government whose primary responsibility is to protect lives and properties of the citizens.

    Unfortunately instead of putting their acts together to address this security challenge that is fast spreading and getting worse, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)- the Ruling party is pointing accusing fingers at the Opposition – All Progressives Congress (APC).

    The innocent children should not be forced to pay for the sins of the officials who may be failing in their duty to perform their assigned responsibilities. Boko – Haram should not be allowed to be abducting our young girls (most of whom may be virgins).

    The Sect members should wait until they get to their own heaven before they may be rewarded with 7 or 70 virgins as a reward for their “martyrdom”. With the ease that the sect operates these days, President Goodluck Jonathan claims about two years ago that Boko – Haram Sect has penetrated every aspect of the nation’s security apparatus including his cabinet is further confirmed.

    Meanwhile, while our politicians are still bickering and trading blames over the worsening security situations, we want these unlawful captives in the captivity of Boko – Haram to be released as a matter of uttermost urgency. These unlawful captives include those innocent teenagers/young ladies and young men that the Boko – Haram has forcefully recruited into its own army.

    At least for once, our governments should rise up and prove that they are equal to this task of guarantying lives and properties of the citizens. Boko – Haram should know where to turn to if they want to satisfy their sexual orgies. They can award the ‘’contract’’ to commercial sex – workers and pay for their services. It is pure harm to turn innocent girls and unwilling ladies into their sex – slaves. Gaskiya, it is pure haram.

    We have started to rejoice when the Military broke the news of the purported rescue of about 107 girls that were earlier abducted earlier in the week. But our joy was cut short when the Principal of the affected school countered the news and maintained that the abducted girls are still in Boko – Haram captivity except those  who had miraculously escaped from the camp of the enemy. And this latest development has remained the position of the Borno State government and the authorities of the affected school. The pertinent question now remains, for how long will the majority of these innocent girls be allowed to stay in the den of Boko – Haram with the attendant abuses and all kinds of maltreatment?

    Gbemiga Olakunle, JP

    General Secretary, National Prayer Movement

    gbemigaolakunle@yahoo.co.uk

  • COMMENTS

    COMMENTS

    For Dare Olatunji

    I am delighted at your Tuesday’s back page treatise in The Nation about Hon Obahiagbon. We were colleagues at the House of Reps between 2003 and 2007. He was as interesting as being colourful. Looking forward to a possible reply from him to your piece which hopefully you will cause to be published. Yours too makes the heart ‘light’. From Hon Leo Awoyemi

    I am a regular reader of your column every Tuesday. I can claim that I am so fanatical and addicted to it, I don’t take my breakfast not until I have finished reading your articles every Tuesday but I nearly regretted reading today’s column entitled “To Patrick Obahiagbon From a Kindred Soul”, Apart from serious headache that I encountered when reading, I couldn’t comprehend even a line in the whole episode. Please next time try to come to our own level. From Pastor Esan Ajibola JP, the Obalowa of Ona-owa, Oke-Ayedun Ekiti,

    Your piece on Obahiagbon shows regrettably the loss of people’s voice in the National Assembly. We will definitely want him back as a senator to represent Edo South while Samson Osagie should hold his seat in the House. The two of them are vibrant and passionate on national issues. Dare you are also not lacking in high sounding words like Obahiagbon. Kudos! From Pastor Sam from Benin City

    I read your article last Tuesday’s The Nation with a mind of dexterity. This is annaximaness kind of English. Even Shakespeare would have loved to sit in your class. Thank God that the honourable member did not use the drum of his lexis to pull down the House of Reps complex. My humble appeal is that he should make his handout ready as soon as he finishes his talk each time, to enable us queue in his school of thought. From Sly Upoh, Calabar.

    Olatunji Dare has made my day by awakening my grammatical and oratory sensibility. Indeed, he has woken me from the neocolonial economic and esoteric depression forced on us by the uncanny, unwitty and blatantly callous regime at Abuja. For Obahiagbon, his early political transition from the hallowed chambers has denied the assemblage of oratory glamour, verbal acuity and intellectual competitiveness. From Baba Ejiga, Kaduna

    Sir I am won’t to believe that this piece “To Patrick Obahiagbon, from a kindred soul comes from you. Because I cannot make any meaning out of this write up. This is not your style. Do I have to consult the dictionary in order to understand it? Sir do come to our level, I have my respect for you sir. From Ojo A Ayodele, Emure Ekiti

    Please tell Honourable Patrick Obahiagbon to return to the house because I personally miss his big grammar. Let him please return, I love his sense of humor. From Noble, Port Harcourt.

    Sir, don’t you think we should install you as the new Igodomigodo. This write up is so well packaged and I believe you can hold forth while we await the grand master to finish his assignment in Edo State. Nice write up, kudos. From Austin

    Dear Prof, while the Entertainment lasted in the House, NEPA or whatever name it now bears, hardly allowed me to enjoy Igodomigodo. Like you, however, I equally miss the man the Comrade Governor put into incommunicado. From Temitope Vincent, Akure

    Dear Tunji, you made my day with your piece on the man I choose to describe as the grand commander of noble speech, whom we have really missed for too long. But I read Obahiagbon in almost every line of your work. We need more of such pieces. From Peter Betiang, Obudu, Cross River.

    Sir, what a way of identifying with Pat Obahiagbon. I was going to put the paper aside after the first paragraph until something told me that you were simply ‘impersonating’ Pat. From, Eyitayo Ogbonyomi, Kaduna.

    Sir, I was attracted to House of Reps for four years because of him. I bought a diary because of his uncontested verbalisation. He is my global grammar teacher. Those that went to grammar school are millions of miles behind him; did he attend the same school with K.O.Mbadiwe? Edo people should release him for national assignment. He is not for state consumption. From Hyrak Nlerum, Port Harcourt

    Your head and hair splitting but tintiltating write up in today’s The Nation newspaper is nothing short of a grammatical lexicon-poison!! Talk of dizzying heights!!! Even the addressee of that article would have a hard time digesting it let alone throwing up some of it in file at the Comrade Governor. I definitely don’t envy His Excellency in this situation. Permit me to plead that you rest your case on this lexicon poison on this one adventure and find other avenues to fraternize with your kindred spirit. This appeal is to ensure that your readers who do not wish to be lost in this lexicon wilderness continue to enjoy your lucid articles as of old. From Fayemi Olayinka.

    Dare, thank you for the resuscitative grammatical re- exposition of virulent lingual Obahiagbonism in your condemnation of Jonathanistic thrust in governance. Your position on that is the perceptive nature of your cranial digest and its experimental diagnostic competence or disgenuity; all falling within personalised configuration of the subject under diagnostic spectrum which is subjective under accepted international practices. Such a lens could be clouded by surrogatism or personally induced sky bound vicious hatred for the diagnosed human instrument in contentious aggravation of belied facts against the reviewed object to support reviewer’s agrarianly fertilized misrepresentation of his target-object. So much for that. And on Obahiagbon’s new job, how are his workers going to cope with his grammar; to make things work right? Oshiomhole and his sense of humor can be thrilling sometimes. From Lai Ashadele.

     

    For Segun Gbadegesin

    Thank you for your comment in the last page of The Nation dated 11/04/13 refers. Since the Nigeria Constitution will become due and lapse by 2015, I think our leaders’ focus should be working toward creating a new one rather than amending or attaching memorandum to it. By 2015, the present constitution becomes invalid, null and void. Thanks. From Anonymous

    Segun! Blame it on Richards Constitution of 1946 which put the entire North under one Caliphate but divided South into three with Lagos kept as British colony. Remember South was then one third of North to correct this we must insist on six or 12 zones each with veto power to remove any law that is inimical to it. best regards .From Prof A.E.Obot

    Sir, all I can appeal is that you please maintain your stand and tempo of this write-up. Ninety percent of the southerners at the conference are timid. They prefer to settle for the crumb. Imagine how the northerners speak! From Akinlayo. A. State of Osun.

    Anybody who wants the present political structure which tends to arrest development among progressive Nigerians for the conservatives to meet up, is an enemy of the nation. Every nation of the Nigerian state should be given the constitutional right to develop at her own pace without being remotely controlled from Abuja. That is the beauty of a federal democracy. From Dr. A. E. Iheke, Aba, Abia State.

    Sir, we await your thesis. I will like you to look at the problem called Nigeria from Awolowo’s view that Nigeria is a mere geographical expression, because of mistake of 1914 and that of the visionary realist Major Gideon Orkar. From Fabian, Enugu.

     

    For Tunji Adegboyega

    Just read your satire on rebasing. The fact is that some of you in The Nation Newspaper, until death will never see anything good in your country, because a good number of you have become sadists because of what you will eat . God will surely judge. From Omot, Jnr.

    Why do we like propaganda in this country? Unemployment, kidnapping, all sorts of unpalatable stories are thriving in the country and the president is telling us that our economy is now the strongest in Africa. How did they arrive at that? I do not think a reasonable person will believe this government because when they see white they call it red. How do we even believe somebody who said 16 is greater than 19? The whole world is laughing at us but our leaders seem not to be bothered. Rebasing my foot! From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos.

    The day a man decides to deceive himself is the day he heads in the opposite direction of progress and accomplishments. We are being ruled by people who take pleasure in believing what they know is not true. That someone can allow his name to be mentioned in connection with that statistical nonsense is a pointer to the reality that these people have all lost a sense of value. God save Nigeria from these people who celebrate failure. From Simon Oladapo, Ogbomoso.

    You have said it all. There is no hope of survival for a child who fails in an examination but goes ahead to forge a result that he came first in the class. Someone said that failure properly perceived is an opportunity in disguise. Rather than letting the world know how helpless we are, our leaders keep hiding behind one finger by hawking the impression that an economy that is on life support like ours is doing pretty well. Self-deceit is the worst form of deceit. From Favour Ifeanyichukwu Jnr, Abuja.

    Re:’Okonjo-Iweala’s hour’ No matter how large or big a GDP is, it meant production and population only. And further, what type of production? Primary, secondary or tertiary? Ours that is large is primary, raw economic production of oil, agriculture and consumers of telecom. Then our poverty level? Abnormally high. Again, infrastructure? Exceptionally unbefitting. We should not be carried away with rebasing as our living standard remains poor. Corruption uncontrolled and manufacturing 15 percent! Where is that largest economy? Perhaps Madam Okonjo-Iweala has a magic that would turn our economy into growth! But where must she have kept such magic in her four-year economic coordination? From Lanre Oseni.

    Tunji, I sincerely want to know if you are not linked with Dare Olatunji, the satirist. Why do you want ‘Satellite Dish’ and not the common one? I misunderstood Dr Dare. You will be, too. Anonymous.

    ‘Diezani here, Diezani there, wetin dis Diezani do?’ (your column of March 30).The woman sef dey chop money o(Laughs). God bless you my brother. From Valentine Ojo, Abuja.

    Great satire on Diezani Alison-Madueke. With her and others in government having a frolicking time serving us, any wonder crude oil price is increasing, we are producing more barrels but less and less money is accounted for. That is government magic. All the billions approved each week for projects disappear into thin air. From H. Dee.

  • Comment

    Comment

    For Dare Olatunji

    I am delighted at your Tuesday’s back page treatise in The Nation about Hon Obahiagbon. We were colleagues at the House of Reps between 2003 and 2007. He was as interesting as being colourful. Looking forward to a possible reply from him to your piece which hopefully you will cause to be published. Yours too makes the heart ‘light’. From Hon Leo Awoyemi

    I am a regular reader of your column every Tuesday. I can claim that I am so fanatical and addicted to it, I don’t take my breakfast not until I have finished reading your articles every Tuesday but I nearly regretted reading today’s column entitled “To Patrick Obahiagbon From a Kindred Soul”, Apart from serious headache that I encountered when reading, I couldn’t comprehend even a line in the whole episode. Please next time try to come to our own level. From Pastor Esan Ajibola JP, the Obalowa of Ona-owa, Oke-Ayedun Ekiti,

    Your piece on Obahiagbon shows regrettably the loss of people’s voice in the National Assembly. We will definitely want him back as a senator to represent Edo South while Samson Osagie should hold his seat in the House. The two of them are vibrant and passionate on national issues. Dare you are also not lacking in high sounding words like Obahiagbon. Kudos! From Pastor Sam from Benin City

    I read your article last Tuesday’s The Nation with a mind of dexterity. This is annaximaness kind of English. Even Shakespeare would have loved to sit in your class. Thank God that the honourable member did not use the drum of his lexis to pull down the House of Reps complex. My humble appeal is that he should make his handout ready as soon as he finishes his talk each time, to enable us queue in his school of thought. From Sly Upoh, Calabar.

    Olatunji Dare has made my day by awakening my grammatical and oratory sensibility. Indeed, he has woken me from the neocolonial economic and esoteric depression forced on us by the uncanny, unwitty and blatantly callous regime at Abuja. For Obahiagbon, his early political transition from the hallowed chambers has denied the assemblage of oratory glamour, verbal acuity and intellectual competitiveness. From Baba Ejiga, Kaduna

    Sir I am won’t to believe that this piece “To Patrick Obahiagbon, from a kindred soul comes from you. Because I cannot make any meaning out of this write up. This is not your style. Do I have to consult the dictionary in order to understand it? Sir do come to our level, I have my respect for you sir. From Ojo A Ayodele, Emure Ekiti

    Please tell Honourable Patrick Obahiagbon to return to the house because I personally miss his big grammar. Let him please return, I love his sense of humor. From Noble, Port Harcourt.

    Sir, don’t you think we should install you as the new Igodomigodo. This write up is so well packaged and I believe you can hold forth while we await the grand master to finish his assignment in Edo State. Nice write up, kudos. From Austin

    Dear Prof, while the Entertainment lasted in the House, NEPA or whatever name it now bears, hardly allowed me to enjoy Igodomigodo. Like you, however, I equally miss the man the Comrade Governor put into incommunicado. From Temitope Vincent, Akure

    Dear Tunji, you made my day with your piece on the man I choose to describe as the grand commander of noble speech, whom we have really missed for too long. But I read Obahiagbon in almost every line of your work. We need more of such pieces. From Peter Betiang, Obudu, Cross River.

    Sir, what a way of identifying with Pat Obahiagbon. I was going to put the paper aside after the first paragraph until something told me that you were simply ‘impersonating’ Pat. From, Eyitayo Ogbonyomi, Kaduna.

    Sir, I was attracted to House of Reps for four years because of him. I bought a diary because of his uncontested verbalisation. He is my global grammar teacher. Those that went to grammar school are millions of miles behind him; did he attend the same school with K.O.Mbadiwe? Edo people should release him for national assignment. He is not for state consumption. From Hyrak Nlerum, Port Harcourt

    Your head and hair splitting but tintiltating write up in today’s The Nation newspaper is nothing short of a grammatical lexicon-poison!! Talk of dizzying heights!!! Even the addressee of that article would have a hard time digesting it let alone throwing up some of it in file at the Comrade Governor. I definitely don’t envy His Excellency in this situation. Permit me to plead that you rest your case on this lexicon poison on this one adventure and find other avenues to fraternize with your kindred spirit. This appeal is to ensure that your readers who do not wish to be lost in this lexicon wilderness continue to enjoy your lucid articles as of old. From Fayemi Olayinka.

    Dare, thank you for the resuscitative grammatical re- exposition of virulent lingual Obahiagbonism in your condemnation of Jonathanistic thrust in governance. Your position on that is the perceptive nature of your cranial digest and its experimental diagnostic competence or disgenuity; all falling within personalised configuration of the subject under diagnostic spectrum which is subjective under accepted international practices. Such a lens could be clouded by surrogatism or personally induced sky bound vicious hatred for the diagnosed human instrument in contentious aggravation of belied facts against the reviewed object to support reviewer’s agrarianly fertilized misrepresentation of his target-object. So much for that. And on Obahiagbon’s new job, how are his workers going to cope with his grammar; to make things work right? Oshiomhole and his sense of humor can be thrilling sometimes. From Lai Ashadele.

     

    For Segun Gbadegesin

    Thank you for your comment in the last page of The Nation dated 11/04/13 refers. Since the Nigeria Constitution will become due and lapse by 2015, I think our leaders’ focus should be working toward creating a new one rather than amending or attaching memorandum to it. By 2015, the present constitution becomes invalid, null and void. Thanks. From Anonymous

    Segun! Blame it on Richards Constitution of 1946 which put the entire North under one Caliphate but divided South into three with Lagos kept as British colony. Remember South was then one third of North to correct this we must insist on six or 12 zones each with veto power to remove any law that is inimical to it. best regards .From Prof A.E.Obot

    Sir, all I can appeal is that you please maintain your stand and tempo of this write-up. Ninety percent of the southerners at the conference are timid. They prefer to settle for the crumb. Imagine how the northerners speak! From Akinlayo. A. State of Osun.

    Anybody who wants the present political structure which tends to arrest development among progressive Nigerians for the conservatives to meet up, is an enemy of the nation. Every nation of the Nigerian state should be given the constitutional right to develop at her own pace without being remotely controlled from Abuja. That is the beauty of a federal democracy. From Dr. A. E. Iheke, Aba, Abia State.

    Sir, we await your thesis. I will like you to look at the problem called Nigeria from Awolowo’s view that Nigeria is a mere geographical expression, because of mistake of 1914 and that of the visionary realist Major Gideon Orkar. From Fabian, Enugu.

     

    For Tunji Adegboyega

    Just read your satire on rebasing. The fact is that some of you in The Nation Newspaper, until death will never see anything good in your country, because a good number of you have become sadists because of what you will eat . God will surely judge. From Omot, Jnr.

    Why do we like propaganda in this country? Unemployment, kidnapping, all sorts of unpalatable stories are thriving in the country and the president is telling us that our economy is now the strongest in Africa. How did they arrive at that? I do not think a reasonable person will believe this government because when they see white they call it red. How do we even believe somebody who said 16 is greater than 19? The whole world is laughing at us but our leaders seem not to be bothered. Rebasing my foot! From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos.

    The day a man decides to deceive himself is the day he heads in the opposite direction of progress and accomplishments. We are being ruled by people who take pleasure in believing what they know is not true. That someone can allow his name to be mentioned in connection with that statistical nonsense is a pointer to the reality that these people have all lost a sense of value. God save Nigeria from these people who celebrate failure. From Simon Oladapo, Ogbomoso.

    You have said it all. There is no hope of survival for a child who fails in an examination but goes ahead to forge a result that he came first in the class. Someone said that failure properly perceived is an opportunity in disguise. Rather than letting the world know how helpless we are, our leaders keep hiding behind one finger by hawking the impression that an economy that is on life support like ours is doing pretty well. Self-deceit is the worst form of deceit. From Favour Ifeanyichukwu Jnr, Abuja.

    Re:’Okonjo-Iweala’s hour’ No matter how large or big a GDP is, it meant production and population only. And further, what type of production? Primary, secondary or tertiary? Ours that is large is primary, raw economic production of oil, agriculture and consumers of telecom. Then our poverty level? Abnormally high. Again, infrastructure? Exceptionally unbefitting. We should not be carried away with rebasing as our living standard remains poor. Corruption uncontrolled and manufacturing 15 percent! Where is that largest economy? Perhaps Madam Okonjo-Iweala has a magic that would turn our economy into growth! But where must she have kept such magic in her four-year economic coordination? From Lanre Oseni.

    Tunji, I sincerely want to know if you are not linked with Dare Olatunji, the satirist. Why do you want ‘Satellite Dish’ and not the common one? I misunderstood Dr Dare. You will be, too. Anonymous.

    ‘Diezani here, Diezani there, wetin dis Diezani do?’ (your column of March 30).The woman sef dey chop money o(Laughs). God bless you my brother. From Valentine Ojo, Abuja.

    Great satire on Diezani Alison-Madueke. With her and others in government having a frolicking time serving us, any wonder crude oil price is increasing, we are producing more barrels but less and less money is accounted for. That is government magic. All the billions approved each week for projects disappear into thin air. From H. Dee.

  • Comment

    For Olatunji Dare

    The passing away of the legal icon G.O.K. Ajayi will be deeply mourned. By his loyalty, commitment, consistency, deep knowledge and refinement, he brought much dignity to his profession and race – the Yoruba! May his great soul rest in peace. Amen. From J. O. Omotosho.

    Every kobo pumped into agriculture is merely cosmetic. We feel nothing at the grassroots; it’s just an Abuja stuff. Anonymous.

    I think we should change our attitudes and believe the best for this country. Our attitude makes most government policies dead on arrival. Dr Adesina is a seasoned technocrat and so far he has the magic wand to transform the sector; let’s be optimistic for once. From Nonye.

    Dr Dare, I hate to confess, your predictions always come true. Please, did you find out that cassava bread was the main menu served the VIP Centenary Guests? From Tolu Mak.

    The Minister of Agriculture, like most so-called Diaspora, is full of bullshit. We have seen political rice, political cassava and now political wheat. Let them face what we have comparative advantage in. We still import beans, cows, goats etc. A visit to northern boarders will confirm this. Go to any major market in Abuja, it is difficult to get Ofada Rice or the so-called Ebony Rice, imported and bagged locally. The deceit should stop; the reality involves more than bow ties and theatrical gesticulation in the media. Dr Adesina is limited; he came from a foreign organisation with no specific plan for us but a systematic approach to delaying us. If government buys excess produce, the farming community will get new entrants. Why import fertilisers when all the raw materials are here. The market must be created; ban total importation of food, give a backing to the government buying the excess through legal means and funding through banks, thus, keeping public funds. We will see magic. From Cardinal O C Arogundade.

    Re-”The making of a boondoggle.” Whether or not the 1992 trial of a similar project failed, I think continuous trial on the same project is what Nigeria needs. One day, we’ll attain the required agricultural development. When you look at Minister Adeshina, the zeal, the focus and achievement target were always visibly written on his face. The earlier we give encouragement to serious minister(s), the better. Let us put them right by making growth suggestions. Succeeding in wheat production will be an agricultural enabler for Nigeria. From Lanre Oseni.

    When they want to deceive us, they cook up all this jazz! They know where the money is going. But I can assure only five per cent will get to farmers – with some luck. Trust me. From Anonymous.

    Dare, your peice is a naked fact. Would they realise this fact? And save us from another waste of resources. From Sam Okoronkwo.

    Dare, let me commend the repeat of your 1992 article in The Guardian on an unachieved dream of wheat production by Ibrahim Babangida’s military regime. We need such publications to help present leaders on why and how such projects failed at their first trials. Now you have provided the current minister with valueable information that would assist him in achieving the government’s objective. Let us assume that IBB’s programme failure was caused by his not having anything to lose because of his military status, your information have put the Minister of Agriculture, Adesina, on the spot. Nigerians watching how he would handle the programme henceforth. It is my hope that other media men who have such information, on past governments’ bungled projects that are being bandied by present governments, would borrow a leaf from “THE MAKING OF A BOONDOGGLE”. This is a proactive approach to bailing out Nigeria. From Lai Ashadele.

     

    For Gbenga Omotoso

    “A guide to dream jobs in Nigeria.” The truth and nothing but the truth in contemporary Nigeria. It is all fun reading your piece. However what is not funny is the fact that our attitude as Nigerians is the same. Can I apply for a job in any of your supposed decent states or party and get the job without knowing one big guy? From Kedi.

    Mr Gbenga, your piece was rib cracking. Thanks for making my day. From Henry Ekpe, Owerri, Imo State.

    I join you in blessing God who gives you the brain and wisdom. Your “A guide to dream jobs,” is instructive, witty, entertaining, a classical sword in the heart of conscienceless power mongers. Keep the flag flying. From Tayo.

    Re: “A guide to dream jobs”. I’m not surprised because, it can only come from a writer of your pedigree. The death of job seekers at the Immigration interview has given rise to a popular but funny cliche in our lexicon. It is called, Death for jobs. My worry about this cliche is: what wrong did President Jonathan do, in providing jobs for the next of kin of dead and injured job seekers? Would it have been better if he just consoled the living victims and the dead next of kin, and moved on like that. No. Good conscience demands that he provides a compensatory reward for the living victims, the dead and their relations. Human error cannot completely be wished away in human existence. Rather, its occurence or frequency should be minimised. When it occurs, any effort or gestures, aimed at soothing the effect of the calamity should be praised and not scorned!. Thank you. From Chukwuma Dioka.

    In his column, “Editorial Notebook”, in The Nation of Thursday, April 3, 2014 (back page) the editor of the paper, Gbenga Omotoso, wrote on how to resolve the unemployment crisis in Nigeria, under the title “A guide to dream jobs”. Anybody who thinks the article would assist him/her to get a job would be disappointed as the first part of the paper talked about how politicians and those looking for plum jobs in the government try to use all sorts of tricks to convince or deceive, through clever lobbying of government officials to land deserved or undeserved jobs. It was full of sarcasm that one could not help thinking and laughing at the same time – a possibility; since one could think and laugh, just as one could laugh and think, simultaneously. Anonymous.

    What I found the most intriguing is the second part which could easily be sub-titled “Death-For-Job”, as contained in the very last sentence of the piece. The writer said “many countries, including the industrial giants, who seem to have stopped thinking, I have just been told, are set to emulate what has been scorned here as “death-for-job”. This comment is one of the fallouts of the Immigration job debacle. Although you may not believe it, what this writer is saying, rather paradoxically, is that you must die in order to get a job! If you died as a result of the carelessness, stupidity and greed of officials who had invited you to a stadium or coliseum for a job examination, that job is already yours in triplicate after your death although you are no longer there to take it. The job, which is given to you posthumously, would be transferred to three members of your siblings or relatives. So, if you want to get three jobs in a fell-swoop, you must be ready to die while looking for a job, and your death would be as good as getting that job in triplicate. What a way to think! That is the import of the message. Thank you, Gbenga Omotoso, for this thought-provoking piece, although it forced me to gnash my teeth. From Prof Moses Akinola Makinde, FNAL, Ile-Ife.

     

    For Tunji Adegboyega

    Re: “Meet the common man at Tinubu’s birthday”. Congratulations to Tinubu at 62. May he live longer in peace, progress and successes (Ameen). He was a man of the people between 1994 and 1999 during Nigeria’s political logjam and political turbulence. To me, he loved common men. After his eight-year rule between 1999 and 2007 in Lagos, one expected him to deepen his love for the common man by picking any common man to become a senator. That way, the gap between the rich and the poor would be narrowing, if that was repeated by him and other powers in 15 succeeding regimes. Happy birthday to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu; and many happy returns (Ameen). From Lanre Oseni

    Dear Tunji, the BAT Colloquium is for the common man. Is President Jonathan a common man? The Holy Book says ‘don’t look for the ‘living’ among the ‘dead’ ! From Chukwuma Dioka, Owerri, Imo State.

    Even if the president was invited, he would have dodged the invitation because, if asked by journalists about the state of the nation, he would have mentioned his failed transformation agenda. If the president had gone to Asiwaju’s birthday and had seen the common man, he would have remembered his past and that would have been enough to make him sit right. As you said, let him obtain a copy of the video recording and watch in his office at Aso Rock and address the nation. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos.

    I am not a politician but you must be pig-headed to expect President Jonathan to attend Tinubu’s birthday. The APC who paid you to write will not perform up to PDP standard. Disappointed fan, Ebonyi State.

    It is good we celebrate achievers, irrespective of party affiliation. I wished some government officials attended the birthday and heard the plight of citizens; they believe all is well in Nigeria. Bola Tinubu should be associated with over his doggedness in politics and other sectors. He deserves the encomiums. From Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

    I just read your article on Tinubu’s birthday colloquium. Very nice piece. However, in the third column, as against ‘life’ in relation to President Jonathan’s absence, it ought to be ‘live’ as in live broadcast. All the best! From Ejiro, Jos.

    Some of you folks in The Nation should not take Nigerians for a ride. So, you expected the president to attend Tinubu’s birthday party? Does your conscience tell you that you are honest or doing a paid job? From Ene.

  • Comment

    Comment

    For Dare Olatunji

    Mr Tunji, what an article on former President Obasanjo, you made my day. “Obasanjo has changed” is a study case for our university dons. From Dr Jide Akinyemi, Ikole Ekiti

    On former President Obasanjo and his latest sartorial tastes, you’re spot-on. That piece would’ve been incomplete without that amiable lady, Bola. I had a personal encounter with her sometime ago when I went visiting Baba at his hilltop mansion with some clients. She was so hospitable that she insisted we take lunch while waiting for our turn to see the ex-president. And while she was at it, she did her duty without airs. A woman manifesting such nobility of character can go to any length to groom her man. Afterall, in this day and age, image seems to be everything. From Abayomi Adeniji, Esq.

    There is a new Obasanjo in town refers: Dear Olatunji Dare, by this adoption of your once-villified former President Obasanjo as your sartorial godfather and model, no one who enjoys THE NATION shall claim ignorance that Obasanjo’s sins have been forgiven. For the first time in his long life, the western press will rise to give him an excellent press. Welcome Obasanjo to APC. From Barrister Chima, Owerri

    I liked your article on former Predident Obasanjo. Your observation is right. Obasanjo is a man and leader that cannot be ignored, whether good or bad. Well done! From Dr. Adeagbo

    Being given to sartorial inelegance, I found your Tuesday, March 25 piece on former President Obasanjo’s new-found trendiness so compelling that I now wish to ‘transform’ my wardrobe as well. The piece was rich in subtle wit and humour, with a sprinkling of some prickly remarks for good measure. I have decided to make it my literary companion for a while. A masterpiece! From Bassey Itam Asuquo, Calabar

    Mr Dare, that was a funny but factual one on Obasanjo. His less-caring attitude towards his grooming in the past must have been because he was in military outfit most of his life. So, to him, what was prime in grooming was covering up what part should not be exposed of the body. And that was in tandem with his attitude of calling a spade what it is and nothing else on any issue; whatever it might be. The sudden change in his dressing mode could be linked to his wife’s influence. And, for a man of Obasanjo’s clout, it would take a strong willed, persuasive and respectful woman to influence a strong willed personality like Obasanjo. Apart from that, Obasanjo’s can of responsibilities has reduced drastically to accommodate such a “trivial” change; to atleast make “mama” happy and proud of him. Or could his caving in to “Mama’s” plea be linked to vegetable soup; as some would figure? Laugh! From Lai Ashadele

    Re-”There is a new Obasanjo-OBJ- in town”. “When someone is attaining the growth age, he fights a battle with cleverness and tactics”. If Obasanjo in recent time had receded into his shell, he knows what he’s watching, hence, his retreat! Obasanjo loves Nigeria’s unity and always wanted to contribute to topical issues that will to growth! On his new dressing mode, Obasanjo needs that because when one labours all the years, changing wardrobe is not a crime. But, I guess, Madam Bola OBJ does a good job. From Lanre Oseni.

    Baba is truely the best Nigerian and still believes in one Nigeria. Nobody will like to demolish a house he has suffered to build. I only pity Baba because he deserves more than what he’s geting. His critics were not fair to him. Where were they when Nigeria was on fire? How many of them think of Nigeria, not to talk of Africa? It’s high time Baba enjoyed the fruits of his labour, I wish him long life; salute to a rare General. From Lawal Rasheed, Ibadan.

     

    For Tunji Adegbaoyega

    Re: ‘Dem say, dem say governor’, (your column of March 31). A wonderful article as usual. But Tunji, one governor you have failed to add is the Akwa Ibom State Governor, Godswill Akpabio (although a performer unlike his colleague). From Dapo Lagos.

    Governor Dickson is working hard to carry everybody along to move Bayelsa forward, despite that some appointments made by the governor were unnecessary. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

    I know that no matter the punishment that the Seriake Dickson’s committee on rumour mongering may plan for the perceived offenders, the judiciary/courts will serve as redeemers for the same perceived offenders. This is a democracy. How will there not be ‘dem say, dem say’ where a First Lady was dashed the position of permanent secretary whereas she ought to have earned it! Dem say, dem say will continue where the same free-funded permanent secretary would not do the work! Dem say people want to know the practicability of permanent secretary who is eating without working! Dem say people, ride on o jare. Also, concerning your “Mr President remember January 2012”, I think Mr President was just sensitising Nigerians on what he has for us, and what suggestions we have to move Nigeria forward on the proposed fuel price hike. We are all glad that you reminded the President of January 2012 because ‘a word is enough for the wise’. We are all too sure that the era of fuel price increase is gone. Rather, we want to see the end of the fuel subsidy scam. From Lanre Oseni.

    Tunji, thank you for yet another good outing on March 17 titled: “Mr President, remember January 2.” It may interest you to know that NNPC is the reason our refineries may not work even at 50 per cent capacity! Government is using it as a conduit pipe. Anonymous

    I agree with you that Nigerians are not ready for high fuel prices. I ask: which class of Nigerians? The exploited, yes! Well, the whole truth is that the existing social system is based on exploitation. What is more, the exploited have the right to build a government of their choice. Thanks. From Amos Ejimonye, Kaduna.

    They have started oiling and assembling their rigging machinery. Very soon, they will begin to visit governors, chiefs, emirs with money in the name of consultations for 2015. The money is raised through phoney contracts, oil blocs, fuel subsidy, tax and import waivers awarded to some characters in the rigging machinery. That is where real rigging starts. I urge you editors (NGE) and journalists generally to remember how you people fought Gen. Abacha. Do the same to the PDP government’s misrule. Nigerians are ready to join in the fight; all we need is leadership and direction from the professionals, civil society groups and labour. From N. Ndubuisi.

    Tunji, you wrote well, your pen will never dry in Jesus’ name (Amen). Where is the SURE-P money to cushion the oil subsidy withdrawal? Nigerians are not feeling the impact of the so-called SURE-P funds. What went wrong? Time will tell. From Chika Nnorom.

  • COMMENTS

    COMMENTS

    For Olatunji Dare

    The Immigration bloodshed is a big national tragedy. For how long shall we continue to appoint incompetent people into high government offices in the name of politics? Abba Moro and his collaborators must not go unpunished. From Benson Nwobum,Kaduna

    Good morning sir, it is a great disaster. lndeed, why did the Immigration allow 520,000 candidates to apply for just 4,556 jobs. The ideal thing is to give the chances to just 5,000 appliicants in the country, but greed will not allow us. From Josephine lbi

    God bless you for speakìng my mìnd. May the souls of those who died during the shoddy exercise rest in peace and may God console their families. Since the minìster and the NIS boss have refused to resign on their own, President Goodluck Jonathan should sack them and make them refund ten-fold to each applicant the amount extorted from them. The Federal Government should also compensate the victims’ families by providing automatic employment to a member of each deceased’s family. From Reverend Abbayo Dogo , Kaduna.

    Your ‘’Our much-abused job seekers, again’’ was interesting. You did well in educating us and advising them. But my heart goes to the victims and sympathise with their families. I equally pity the mass of other candidates who ‘wasted’ their time, energy and resources. Yes, because in the final analysis, candidates of ministers, senators, representatives and others who did not even show up for the exercise would make the final list. The way politicians are recycling themselves in the services, ministries, departments and agencies does not leave room for the poor. This is dangerous. From Tope Vincent, Akure.

    What we need from government in a situation like this is mass employment for every applicant who applied and has the qualification. From Innocent Okede, Port-Harcourt

    Moro said what he said just to save his job. Let’s assume that some people went to the recruitment centre without applying for the job, is that the right thing to say by a minister of the Federal Republic. I expected him to apologise to the families of those who lost their loved ones. It also debunked the claims of the Minister of Finance that the government was creating jobs that don’t exist. From Gode Shehu, Jos

    It is most unfair to call out innocent citizens of Nigeria for an employment test only to send them to their early graves and turn around to blame them. Abba Moro should be made to pay for it. From David King, Uyo.

    Dare, there is no doubt the recruitment centre of Immigration Department, was a disaster. The Minister’s comment also was inconsiderate. But, in such circumstances, many people in his position usually misfire in their defence of the embarrassment unleashed on their offices. As a minister, he is a mere supervisor of the service. The administrative head of Immigration, who organised the recruitment exercise should bear the brunt; particularly with the hindsight of a similar scenario some years back. You too have a share of culpability on the issue. Perhaps a repeat of your piece of August 19, 2008, prior to the excercise, would have reduced the fatalities at the centres; if you were aware of the exercise ahead. However, families of the dead and injured should be well compensated. From Lai Ashadele.

    Dear sir, loss of lives at the Immigration job interview: May the souls of the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in perfect peace, amen. May God give the families of the dead, the fortitude to bear the great loss, amen. The Minister of Interior and the Comptroller General must carry this ‘can.’ For once, some people must be sanctioned for the great lapse in organisation and admnistration in Nigeria. The passing game must stop. However, every disaster or setback is an opportunity for us all to learn. Mistakes are opportunities for us to re-appraise our modus operandi and vivendi. Yes, blames will come, but the most important is to rise after each fall. To dwell only on blames will be missing the lessons of the disaster in this particular case — Crowd Control and Disaster Management.Thanks. From Chukwuma Dioka. Owerri, Imo State.

    Further research would prove that the list of those that “passed” the exam had long been compiled. Naturally, such “successful” candidates never bothered to turn up for that murderous test. From Don Julian.

    Thanks for your write-up. The agitation for Moro and NIS boss’ sack should be sustained because what they did is an insult to Nigerian intellectuals. From Osigbemhe,I.G.

    One other wicked thing that attends this type of exercise is that many who will be considered for the job would not have participated in the recruitment.They are on the ‘Executive List’.The majority of Nigerian ‘children’ are not cared for and the truth is that no country can be truly great if it does not care for its children. From Eseyin

    I just read your write-up on our much-abused job seekers again. Are you surprised at the verbal outburst of Abba Moro. Shame on this rudder-less government. From Anonymous

    What is the morality of the Interior Ministry taking money from applicants to consultant’s bankers instead of from the internally generated revenue of the ministry. Anonymous

    It is unthinkable in this computer, electronic, internet and online wonders. Nigeria’s blind, greedy, archaic and senseless leaders can gather over 700,000 applicants in about 15 stadia to write a test. It is sad, indeed. Anonymous

    The massacre of over l2 jobless Nigerians by the Nigeria lmmigration Service remains an embarrassment to Nigeria and points to the leadership’s inertia.The world’s fifth largest oil producing nation cannot find jobs for it’s people, because of pyschotic corruption. After the ‘talk shop’ what’s next? The political armaggedon is around the corner and it must come to pass! May their souls hunt their killers. Enough is Enough. From Chief Bobson Gbinije,Warri.

     

    For Gbenga Omotoso

    Splendid piece, sir. The crass insensivity and chilling imperiousnes of comments by President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and members of his administration are ridiculous and appalling to say the least. From Chike, Uyo

    The truth of the matter is that 85 percent of Nigerians are jobless.Madam Okonjo-Iweala and President Goodluck Jonthan are aware of this. But because we are living for politics, campaigsn and elections, our leaders are afraid of telling the truth. Unknown to Nigerians, the intimidating number of job-seekers that Saturday was only those with paper qualifications. If the opportunity was extended to all the youth, including those who are not graduates but are looking for jobs, we would have needed thrice Abuja Stadium in each state to accommodate them for such job recruitment. This is the mess PDP has plunged us into in the name of democracy. From Ifeanyi O. Ifeanyichukwu, Abuja.

    I read your write up”An extraordinary march” I dont know where the ship of the country will berth. Human live is like those of chickens or dogs. Who is ready to die for his or her country? So, if you cannot die for your country, who is ready to fight to protect it. America hardly jokes with its citizens, hence, they go the extra mile to defend their country. But in Nigeria we pass-by. The government is playing a game that terrifies the youth. Death is nothing to the president. May be scanty votes will mean much to him. Their game plan is do-or-die. I think the latter will eventually manifest. From Akinyemi J.A

    Abba Moro’s resignation or sack is not enough in other climes. Prosecutions will follow. But, in Nigeria, other considerations play out, mostly 2015. From Biodun, Bayelsa

    Your Editorial Notebook is an extraordinary stinging satire on this adminstration. But does the man and his inexperienced crew care? Only time will tell. From Frank Eghomien, Delta State.

    Maybe, we are expecting another month of rebirth, ahead. Anoymous

    Three jobs for the families of the NIS job tragedy, yes good ones. Help me ask the government:What of the families of the soldiers and policemen who lost their lives fighting Boko Haram? What is their fate? Anonymous

    Well done! Mr editor. I just finished reading your Editorial Notebook, entitled: “An extraordnary March.” I say more grease to your elbow. Plese find out from Mr S D Tapgun, Mr Abbah Moro, Mr David Paradang, the fate of the long-stagnated officers in NIS who have stayed over 17 years on one rank because they do not have additional qualification? What does the Civil Service Rule say concerning anyone who does not have additional qualification? Are they supposed to be stagnant? Would they not have used those vacancies to give tripple promotions to the officers? This is suicidal and the attention of the National Assembly/Presidency should be drawn to this for their probe, please. Anonymous

    Re-”An Extraordinary March.” You captured, excellently, the occurrences of March 2014. Maladministration in the country persists, only God would save ‘the People’. The various electricity distribution companies are yet to yield the expected/desirable results. Output is worsening than the then PHCN! So, who will liberate us from the clutches of suffering? Another gory tale is the loss of 19 lives at the Immigration Service recruitment. May Almighty God make them rest in peace, amen and lead Nigeria onto the right path, amen. From Lanre Oseni.

    “An extraordinary March’ is a month nobody is praying for again. However, I hope your joke is real, because with the quoted sum on offer, millions of Nigerians are ready to take the risk. I am especially prepared to save Nigerians from the dangers of Boko Haram. Where is the form? We are waiting. From Alhaji Hon Ade Corsim, Oshodi, Lagos.

     

    For Tunji Adegboyega

    Re: ‘Immigration of death’. In as much as I agree that people must be up and doing in their respective official capacities/responsibilities, it is apparent that beheading is not the solution to migraine. I disagree that every failure or error or accident must be penalisd with a sack, a forced resignation or dismissal except in cases of theft, fraud and glaring disobedience/non-compliance to rules. Death or and injury of some applicants for NIS jobs, quite unfortunate, I remain a minority who still admire the Immigration agency for at least advertising and seeking that tests must be written, insinuations that some would have been favoured ab initio notwithstanding. Where are other agencies, parastatals ,ministries, National Assembly, the judiciary and Aso Rock /Presidency? How have they been employing? By advertising? Man-know-man? Back door? Let us make suggestions to the NIS, police, army, etc. where mass recruitment may take place in future. If the manner of just wanting any government official to resign becomes a reality and if Moro should be made to resign, then, Okonjo-Iweala, and Mr. President must because that is the chain. From Lanre Oseni.

    Thanks for your speaking truth to power. The painful truth is that the authorities involved in this scam knew that they were not interested in giving anybody job. The reason for taking these young Nigerians to their early graves in the name of job recruitment was to extort money from them. The cabal must have calculated how much they would rake in by selling that falsehood to the desperate job seekers. Don’t forget that 2015 election is around the corner; politicians are scrambling for cash. From now on, I will keep my ears to the ground to know when the PDP-led Federal Government will organise another recruitment exercise so that I will go and die for three of my siblings who have been vegetating at home without jobs four years after graduation, to be given automatic employment. I love this country (apologies to Steve Nwosu). From Favour Ifeanyichukwu Jnr., Abuja.

    The very Nigerian strain of corruption is at the root of the NIS recruitment tragedy. The situation is made hopeless by the fact that those promising change are only nominally different . Jumbo pay highlights the moral bankruptcy of the legislative arm, and the fact that corruption is not just a PDP thing. It has become the vogue for a legislator to brag about helping constituents secure jobs that were never advertised. Such is the patronage that defines the Nigerian system and the odds against genuine job seekers. From Kuteyi R.R., Ondo.

    Let’s assume resignation is not in our dictionary, should the minister of interior and other people behind the Immigration recruitment stampede wouldn’t remain in office with what happened on March 15? They should have resigned honourably and apologised to Nigerians on the incident instead of waiting for Nigerians to tell them to resign. What a country! More than five hundred thousand people scrambling for only about 5,000 jobs, and paying a mandatory levy of N1,000 per person. What for? Collecting money from people looking for jobs? This is a clear indication that all is not well in job creation. We always believe in probe; let the government investigate the remote causes of the stampede and bring culprits to book, to serve as a deterrent to others who might intend to do the same thing tomorrow. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

    Job seekers are dying and the president, the father of the nation went to Namibia! Who do we turn to now? Our leaders have turned to AIDS threatening the existence of Nigerians. Let us stand up against this impunity, otherwise, one day this dangerous government will consume all of us one day. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapal, Lagos.

    Tunji, just imagine how many unemployed graduates would have been employed directly and indirectly if we refine our oil locally for local consumption and export. Then imagine how much each household spends on fuelling and maintaining generators. If they are able to refine oil locally and fix power supply to at least 85 percent, no one will talk of subsidy again. From Kabir Ayodeji, Ibadan.

     

  • Comment

    For Olatunji Dare

    The conference is a sham and all Nigerians know it. Many of the delegates are part of the cabal that ruined our nation. Only the African Union or United Nations can organise a true conference for Nigeria or a revolution will convene one very soon. From Sam Abba. Dekina, Kogi

    Please, give me All Progressives Party (APC)’s slot! Alhaji Lai Mohammed has told the Federal Government to wait till eternity, if it is waiting for APC to fill its slot at the National Conference. This means APC’s slot is going to be permanently vacant, till the end of the conference. Permit me to use this medium to appeal to the Federal Government to nominate me, so I can fill APC’s slot. I am making this call as a good and patrotic Nigerian, desirous to serve my fatherland – devoid of partisan interest. Thank you. From Chukwuma Dioka. Owerri, Imo State.

    The National Conference put together by President Goodluck Jonathan is a way forward for the nation now that leaders with integrity are in place. Yes, many of such have come and gone but this one is an exception. It’s time of sharing great ideas to reshape, restructure and transform Nigeria for the better. My prayer for the president is God’s wisdom to lead the people, and apply all useful ideas contributed for national dialogue. Conference chairman Justice ldris Kutigi is an elder statesman. With this conference, we are heading for the path of transformation. Support Dr Goodluck Jonathan, support national conferences. Thank you. Livingstõne Awoudu. Bukuma (agum).

    Re-”Preface to the National Conference.” The objective of this conference, if it has any direction, is to disorganise the system by a president who sees the need for power but lack the intuitiveness and insight on how to seek political authority from the citizens through democratic channel. From Haruna Ibrahim, Benin City.

    Apart from G.G.Darah, the list of delegates to the National Conference is a grandiloquent canonisation of political exclusivity and oppression calculated to gag the Urhobo nation by Uduaghan, Jonathan and their man Fridays. This dangerous political script must be condemned. So, Urhobo, the fifth largest in Nigeria and largest ethnic nationality in Delta, with qualified traditional rulers and protean professionals and others, couldn’t produce conference delegates? The political castration for 2015 is ongoing and wither goeth Urhobo? We must ‘RISE’ against this political apocalypse. From Bobson Gbinije, Warri.

    Your concise analysis of the preface to the National Conference captures what the outcome of the waste the president has become known for. My only regret is that the president is from an area that needs real answers to the national questions most. He has forgotten his yesterday and prefers to throw the future of children to the dogs. Anonymous

    Dare, Iseanjuna Vancouver is in Canada not Australia! Congrats for your column. From Prof.Tam.David West.

    Does this president know the difference between governance and politics? How will he combine insecurity, corruption, preparing for election and the National Conference. Every decision he takes is always about politics instead of governance. From Hamza Ozi Monoh Apapa Lagos.

    The confab and the jamboree, it is high time our leaders stopped deceiving us because we are not fools as they think. The national confab is a political campaign for the presidency come 2015. I may not be an adult but I know what is going on in this country Nigeria. From Stanley Anyamara, Umuaka, Imo State

    Re-”Preface to the National Conference.” Whatever the thoughts of people on cohesiveness, coincidences or/and insecurity in some locations are, they can be discussed. Let us give the dialogue a trial since majority favoured its emergence! From Lanre Oseni.

     

    For Tunji Adegboyega

    Re: “United against Nigerians.” Irrespective of Jonathan’s deficiencies in governing Nigerians, I am most disappointed in the APC finance commissioners joining in the fuel subsidy removal coup against the masses they have been selling ‘Change’ to. What is the change? As for the finance commissioners’ comments, Nigerians have answer to that. Nigerians are awaiting the usual pronouncement. Immediately it would be denounced and shall be instantly retracted! I don’t give fuel price hike a five per cent chance of success. No cause for worry. From Lanre Oseni.

    I feel there is nothing Nigerians can do over the self-centred and never-do-well leadership than to pray to God to give us good leaders in 2015, that would have the fear of God to deliver good governance and have the plight of the citizens at heart. We are the laughing stock in the international community, against the backdrop of how corruption has taken the centre-stage of governance rather than fighting the menace. Who are the people behind the subsidy? From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia.

    You should know by now that the only time these people disagree is when anyone among them out-steals the other. Make no mistake, the welfare and well-being of the masses of this country are the last thing on their minds and the least of their considerations. When the rich impoverishes the poor that the poor has nothing to eat, then the rich becomes the only thing left on the poor man’s menu list. From Simon Oladapo, Ogbomoso.

    Nigerians should not allow this visionless government to put the country on sale. Imagine, Nigeria is on fire and some unscrupulous elements are calling for subsidy removal and the president sits down in Abuja, pretending that all is well. The last fever of subsidy removal has not been cured and he wants to add another pain, again. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos.

    Dear sir, your worry is not unfounded. If the representatives of governors can undo what Nigerians have resolved to enjoy, then wait and witness the modern battle of Waterloo. I am convinced that the masses shall win. If they dislike democratic tenets, the mass of our people would help them kill democracy. This democracy shall be tested to know if it resides with the people or Judases. From Akin Malaolu.

  • Comment

    For Olatunji Dare

    The loathsome awards were Jonathan’s, given with an eye on 2015 elections. The award is not worth more than the paper on which it was written and the exercise a self-serving jamboree. From Ekwurumadu Veekay, Owerri

    Administration is what Nigerians need not spending millions. According to history, notable Nigerians laid down their lives fighting for justice. Those who died are supposed to be icons. What happened to our soldiers, policemen and Navy personnel who died for Nigeria without benèfits. The money being misused is or was supposed to be used in appreciating our past heros, whose families are still tormented because of uncleared or unpaid benefits. Nigerians are always on the receiving side. I would be happy if we wake up from our slumber, courtesy the late Sonny Okosun. From Benbosi, Abuja.

    In the advert announcing the recipients, Chioma Ajunwa was listed. The Chioma Ajunwa we know cheated with performance enhancing drugs and was banned from Olympics for two years. She went on to win a gold medal in long jump. Shortly after, she was caught doping again and banned from Olympics. In Nigeria, honesty is a good policy, winning is better or even best. If you can’t win honestly, cheat. She still gets feted in some sport competitions. A role model? From Dayo Adeleke

    Dare, does the fact that Nigeria is gravitating towards dissolution deny that she has been recognised as a nation by the entire world for a 100 years? Is it not worth celeberating that Nigeria’s horrendous differences in human components, which many countries cannot manage for half a century before disintegrating, Nigerians reasonably handled for a century? I could not imagine that you would condemn the centennial celeberations. You agreed that “No List Can Do Justice To All The Deserving” and yet you unleashed discordant condemnation over the skipping of some names in your “preferred” list. One should remember that an athlete wins a race after breasting the tape. Success of a journalist depends on his end-point wins; for his past is judged by his present. From Lai Ashadele.

    Your write-up is fine. That amalgam was not necessary. From emperical science, an amalgam is a very loose association between unidentical compounds. It is characterised by a very weak bond with almost no bond energy. We have simply been managing what is hard to manage. The experiment of 1904 by Britain has remained the cause of every Nigeria’s problem. We missed the opportunity to correct it before independence when the North refused to join in the sovereignty with the South. The opportunity of Aburi peaceful mediation to avert the civil war was yet the second chance lost. Now, the third chance (National Conference) is here. We should now be wiser, particularly with the obvious implications of what Boko Haram and its menace stand for. If the former USSR, Sudan and others could move apart for peace, why can’t we learn from that instead of depending on outside manipulations? From Engr. R. C. Akanaga

    That the Federal Government chose to honour every looter who has ever sat over our collective wealth, I don’t see an end to corruption in our country.GOD rescue Nigeria. I have not seen any commitment from the president and the military to combating the dangerous situation in the North, as the president who took an oath to protect the lives and properties of his people was busy givi ng awards while children were being slaughtered in Yobe State. Was the president celebrating terror or he felt unconcerned? Nigerians should beware. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos.

    President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the centenary awardees are blind-fellows on the plethora of implications,and endorsement of Nigeria’s fraudulent amalgamation. Nigeria’s failure is in sync with the calibre of past leaders who had nothing to offer than satisfy a kleptocratic aim via oligopolistic ethno-rivalry. From Offor Ubangha

    The list of those who deserve honour can never be complete. What of Prof. H. Nwosu? I think someone should draw up a list of dishonourable Nigerians ( leaders) as a contrast. Anonymous

     

    For Gbenga Omotoso

    He should go. How can you bite the finger that is feeding you? He is not diplomatic. I support Jonathan for his action. From Ernest Amanambu

    Re:“Bolaji Abdullahi: Politics floors service”

    One of the few who represented over 80 million non-partisan or card-carrying members of a political party in the Federal Republic of Peoples Democratic Party has been sacrificed for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s 2015 presidential ambition. It is obvious that good service delivery or merit has no place in this administration. Anonymous.

    President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was in Kano and the hurricane took Lamido Sanusi. He was in Kwara and the windstorm swept away Bolaji Abdullahi. Who knows where his eagle is heading next and which traditional leader he is going to consult before the next sack. It is sad! How long would we continue to lose it all; values, and no one is talking. Is there anyone worthy left in his cabinet? The breath of fresh air gone horribly stale. From Francis, Abuja.

    For as long as we maintain the status quo (ante) of unitarism, corruption, nepotism, hypocrisy, godfatherism, ethnicity, regionalism, lip-service, eye-service, federal character, quota system, injustice, inequity, pretence and others, for that long would we remain the same and far from greatness and egalitarianism. The Nigerian problem is not of leadership or followership, but mental. Let us examine our mental, not the mind, not the heart, not the will, not the body or soul, but the head. Anonymous

    Cynics are like the ostrich that buries its head in the sand believing no one can see it. Anonymous

    Certainly not, the President prefers those milking and sucking the country dry. Its unfortunate but the Nigerian electorate and not sycophants will have a day to decide Jonathan’s fate come February. Anonymous

    Sack who? Dr Jonathan is gradually descending to the basement of bad leadership. Who knows who or what he will sacrifice next to the all powerful gods of the Peoples Democratic Party? Perhaps the First Lady, for a new more westernised version! History is awash with records of men whose cold calculations in the win-at-all-cost game and longevity in power have ended woefully. God bless Nigeria. Anonymous

    Please leave Mr President, alone.You people are distracting him. Is he not the person that appointed Bolaji Abdullahi in the first place? His reason for sacking him may not be as you opined. I’ve not seen any administration that is transforming Nigeria like President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Please, comment on it. He has revived Rail Transport to avoid over-wearing our roads. He is reviving the aviation, agriculture, power, health and sports sectors. He is building roads in all states; are you not seeing them? All you’ll comment on is anything you know that will portray the President in bad light. Change. We love Nigeria! We love our President. From Comrade Oni

    Re: “Bolaji AbdullahiI: Politics floors service.” Those who think they are apolitical should desist from accepting political appointments in Nigeria or, better still, let’s keep mute when they are given the boot. From Ralphael J. Makurdi.

    Only cowards will attribute the Nations Cup victory to the Sports Minister. While well- meaning Nigerians will always give it to the President, again and again. From:Ehi

    Re: “Bolaji Abdullahi: Politics floors service: You spoke exactly my mind on the Minister’s sack. The man was a performer with results all over. He brought significant peace to sports which gave birth to growth and development. Nigerians should better forget any World Cup hope they harbour because the door has been opened for a jamboree in Brazil. From Dahunsi Cornelius, Lagos.

    Our president did not know or understand that governance is different from politics? His ambition to come back the second time as president is dearer to him than any individual performances or achievements. Let him continue playing to the gallery; we are not morons. Nigerians are watching! From Tobi Omo Oloopa,Akaka, Remo.

    If All Progrssives Congress like, let them register all Nigerians as their members. President Goodluck Jonathan will shock them come 2015: Annoymous

    Sacking a performer because he doesn’t belong to your party… Why did you appoint him in the first place? To get results? Everybody knows his track record, how can you justify it. Go ahead and appoint a mediocre as his replacement and see how we will be disgraced in this sporting year. From Abdul Zakari. Abuja.

    As for the sports minister, he cannot eat his cake and have it. Hence, he has refused to be a man. Anonymous.

    The sack of Bolaji Abdullahi is another stigma on the leadership style of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. There are so many corrupt, inept and non-performing ministers in the President’s cabinent. That the President can sack a minister who has performed creditably shows that he has a penchant for recognising petty politics and deceit instead of performance. I congratulate Mallam Abdullahi and he should not be deterred. At least, he left with his head unbowed. I am not suprised that the Nigerian State is in this parlous state . The country is vested with a leader who does not know how to tackle the numerous challenges facing it. And to make things worse, he is surrounded by corrupt and sycophantic ministers and aides, who are only out to fill their pockets. The President still believes that Nigerians are having the best of times. The centennary celebration and the National Conference are a sham. This President cannot deliver period! From Ojo A Ayodele, Emure Ekiti

    Sir, your tabloid is always biased. What is the big deal about Bolaji Abdullahi being relieved of his post? Other ministers were dropped and new ones appointed. So, Mallam’s sack cannot make Nigeria cease to exist. You can comment on a more important issue, please.Anonymous

    The President will use his own hand and politics of vengeance to scatter his government. Maturity counts a lot in politics; that a hard workig minister of sports was romancing with another party chieftain does not warrant his removal. Politics is about persuasion not vengeance. The earlier the President understands the meaning of politics very well the better for him. From Hamza Ozi Momoh Apapa Lagos.

     

    For Tunji Adegboyega

    Dear Tunji, your ‘Of threats and Boko Haram’ was beautiful. But you called the emergency areas northwest instead of northeast. I believe this was inadvertent, though. Well done. From Temitope Vincent, Akure.

    The military cannot wipe out the sect. It is only the Sultan and Northern Muslim elders that will stop them. But it is getting late. From Solomon U.C. Okezie.

    Jonathan decided to go ahead with his so-called centenary celebrations despite the aversion of majority of Nigerians to it. What’s more? It even came at a time tens of children were murdered in their deep sleep in a boarding schoolroom (some of whom might become leaders who will not only contribute to the growth of their country, but play vital roles in reshaping the world for good). The question for Jonathan is: would the Queen he honoured and all those foreign dignitaries he invited have continued with the celebrations if that incident had taken place in their countries? So sad, our kind of leaders! Anonymous.

    Thanks for your write-up. I’m already weeping. Do we really have a government in place? One day we shall know who those criminals are and their mentors. Anonymous.

    In seeking a solution to the Boko Haram crisis, campaign against the politicisation of the issue is long overdue. This is where conscientious journalists of your type are especially called to duty. From Kuteyi, R.R.,Ondo.

    Re: Of threats and Boko Haram: As of now, no one had pin-pointed what Boko Haramists want. No matter what they want, their attacks and violent destructions at will should be treated as a war situation before it spreads to more than the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa! At least it once skeletally spread to Bauchi, Kaduna, Jos and Kano and were not as constant and ferocious as the three earlier mentioned states. Perhaps those states pumped part of their security votes into it in addition to the Federal Government’s. Why is that axis of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa not abating? Now, it’s not ethnic and it’s not government-seeking to rule the country (otherwise killing children could not have been an ingredient to achieve). Then, by inference, past governments in those three states might have reneged on some pledges made to the insurgents as hired election thugs. Secondly, they have hiding places at the borders. From Lanre.

    How many soldiers do we have in the country? How many policemen do we have? How many Air Force men do we have? How many Naval men do we have? Nigeria’s total population is 167million. If the total military we have is about 600,000, then a military man defends 300 Nigerians. Secondly, how many personalities/traditional rulers, heads of the military, Aso Rock, politicians get preference? So, in actual terms, ordinary Nigerians have a 1:500 defence support. Where will you get the adequate military to comb the nooks and crannies of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno axis? Thirdly, are we, as at today, not supposed to have installed circuit cameras in the towns, villages and bushes of Nigeria? Finally, can’t government recruit a total of two million soldiers, three million policemen, one million Air Force men and 500,000 naval men for Nigerians? The resources are there but no leader ants to reduce his status. From Lanre Oseni.

    I have not seen any commitment from the president or the military to combat this dangerous situation in the north. The president that swore an oath to protect the lives and property of his people was busy giving awards while children were being slaughtered in Yobe State. Was the president celebrating terror? Or he felt unconcerned? Nigerians should beware … From Hamza Ozi, Momoh, Apapa, Lagos.

     

  • ‘Mr Consultant’ Otunba Alfred Gbodimowo goes home

    ‘Mr Consultant’ Otunba Alfred Gbodimowo goes home

    One of Nigeria’s best brains and the doyen of Management consultancy in the country Otunba Alfred Sunday Olugbuyi Godimowo who died on January 17, this year, is to be buried today in his home town Odosenlu Alaro in Ogun State.

    Born on May 23, 1948 at Odosenlu-Alaro, to the family of Jeremiah and Emily Gbodimowo, young Alfred distinguished himself right from the primary school where he emerged as a child prodigy, always coming home every term with a report card showing him in the first position in his class. He was consistent, never second, always first.

    But tragedy first struck ten years after his birth, when Pa Jeremiah passed away. Faced with no tangible means to feed her family and upkeep the young Alfred at school, some members of the family suggested to his mother to allow him to drop out of school and start an apprenticeship course in a craft such as masonry. Those who recognized his potentials would have none of it and they rallied round his mother and ensured that he continued his education.

    Upon attainment of his First School Leaving Certificate in 1960, he sat for and gained admission to the prestigious Ijebu Ode Grammar School but had barely settled down in 1961 when another tragedy struck; his mother died and it seemed the world had come to an end for him. He found it difficult to return to school but, thanks to the philanthropic spirit of an Englishman – Mr. Andrewartha who was the school’s Vice Principal cum English teacher, he was soon to find his way back to school. Mr. Andrewartha personally drove to Odosenlu to trace Alfred, gave him an assurance that he would pay his fees pending the time a permanent solution would be found and brought him back to school with him. It was thereafter that the school authorities arranged a Western Region scholarship for him.

    This saw him through to Form 5 when he sat for the West African School Certificate examinations in 1965. The school was also instrumental to arranging another scholarship for him, this time from a philanthropic old boy – Alhaji Omotayo Omoowo, which enabled him to pursue the Higher School course between 1966 and 167.

    He was an excellent student at Ijebu Ode Grammar School where he was always in the top three positions from Form 1 to Form 5. He always carted away prizes in Latin, Mathematics and physical science subjects during the annual prize giving ceremonies. His academic records at Ijebu Ode Grammar remain unbeatable to date. He was the first student ever to record aggregate 7 at the West African School Certificate examinations in 1965. He also achieved another outstanding record with 4As at the Cambridge Higher School Certificate in 1967. He was a member of the Chess Club; his mastery of the game was unrivalled, he was indeed the chess master!

    It was during his time in JOGS that he met many of his closest friends such as Dr. Oye Eribake and Deacon (Engr.) Olusola Oduko. At JOGS, he was an easy-going and affable teenager who was well liked by both his mates and his seniors. In his final year at school, he was the prefect of Odomosu House with responsibility of superintending over 120 students.

    After he graduated from JOGS in 1967, and much to everyone’s bewilderment, he jettisoned his ambition to pursue a career in engineering and enrolled with a British accountancy firm called Peat Marwick Cassleton Elliot & Co. The Brits in charge of Peat Marwick realized they had discovered a gem of inestimable value and sought immediately to invest in their new-found talent by sending him to England to obtain his professional qualifications.

    On arriving in London in 1969, he started his accountancy training with Josolyne Layton Bennet & Co and by 1970, he delivered an all-time great performance at the Intermediate Examination of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales (ICAEW) where he bagged four awards. This was repeated in 1972 when he turned out a second outstanding performance at the Part II examination of the ICAEW.

    For his unparalleled achievements between 1970 and 1972, he was crowned as the Best Student in the whole of the Commonwealth, a landmark that brought immense pride to his family, his alma mater, and his country. His record of achievement continued into 1975, when he was certified by one of the oldest Royal Charters – The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants. Furthermore, his culture of academic excellence was enshrined when he became a Fellow of ICAEW in 1979. After qualifying as a Chartered Accountant with distinction, he proceeded to join the audit firm of Peat Marwick Mitchell as an Audit Senior. The firm later became KPMG, the largest, most prestigious audit, accountancy, and tax advisory firm in the world

    By 1976, he heeded the clarion call that emanated from post-Civil War Nigeria, for all its sons and daughters to come back home and help rebuild the country. Dutifully, he joined the Nigerian division of KPMG, which was headed then by the former Minister of Finance, Chief Anthony Ani, and the late Otunba Adedoyin Ogunde. Together with his colleagues, they built KPMG Nigeria into the largest, most prestigious accounting, tax, and consulting practice in West Africa.

    Alfred, or ASG as he was fondly called by colleagues, developed his expertise in the new, and fast growing management consulting practice. He started off as a charge consulting, then later became a supervising consultant, and finally became the Managing Partner of KPMG Consulting where he served until 2004 when he went on to become the Executive Chairman of PMAO Consulting, which later grew into PM Global Consulting.

    His name was a door-opener throughout the length and breadth of the land because he was held in highest regard as the doyen of Management Consultancy in Nigeria. He was elected President of the Institute of Management Consultants in Nigeria (IMCON) in November 2008 and remained in that position until he answered the home call on 17 January, 2014. On his 60th birthday, he was metaphorically renamed as “Mr. Consultant” as his friends and family cheered him on and celebrated his achievements.

    A philanthropist, especially in his home town, Alfred and his wife supported many who were in need and this earned him the love and respect of many including the paramount ruler of Odosenlu Alaro Oba Shafi Sule who bestowed upon him the illustrious title of Otunba Fimogboye.

    He is survived by his wife – Oluyemisi and children.