Tag: pHONE

For Gbenga Omotoso

I believe the dialogue on the back page of The Nation last Thursday “Obasanjo meets Tukur “was your creation? If it’s not, then, OBJ deserves a medal for telling that Tukur the truth and nothing but the truth. From B.F. Odugbemi, Osun State

Obasanjo remains unshakeable in PDP and in politics. He said anybody that is not performing, elected or whatever, should resign. It is now clear to Tukur that, the wind of OBJ is blowing and anybody that dares him would be blown away. Tukur has forgotten that the President is a product of OBJ and the President cannot ignore him. The President and his cohort should resign honourably because the problem of PDP is the problem of Nigeria. From Hamza Ozi Momoh Dockyard Apapa Lagos.

Your ‘truly reliable source’ didn’t give you the full gist of what OBJ did. I also know someone who knows someone who was there. He said OBJ also performed one of those famous Egba songs: ‘Ohun e ri ewi. Ohun e ri, ero. Obasanjo seun e pe ko se e e!’ My source said he did this with his legendary scintillating circling dance steps with his flowing agbada almost hitting Tukur. He said although Tukur managed a wry smile, that was enough for the PDP Chair to know the conversation was over! I dey laugh o! Regards. From Olu.

Re-Obasanjo meeks Tukur. The meeting between the two was well covered. It was a moody and funny session. I give kudos to the coverage. From Lanre Oseni.

Your piece was up to par as usual. But, I didn’t know when you became a comedian but your ‘cracker’ could not crack my rib. From Emeka Onwujiobi.

The Super Eagles played well in the first-half but went to sleep in the second-half. They felt that they had won and relaxed their play. They must wake up in their remaining games or stand the risk of not qualifying to the second round. Anonymous.

How Obama took his second oath of office, notably, is instructive – one hand on legendary Abraham Lincoln’s Bible and the other on Tita NicMartin Luther King Jr’s. It’ll be wise for Obama and other leaders not only to lean on Bibles of his/their great worlds, but LEAN on their Jesus-God for daily strength/guidance. Anonymous.

For Dare Olatunji

Re-Obama: Retrorpect and prospect. God destined Obama to be in his present position. He further destined him for a second term, despite all odds. I am convinced he did not disappoint Americans and I am sure he won’t, this time, too. That is democracy in action rather than the money-baggism and thuggery tendencies. May we get there. Amen! From Lanre Oseni.

I appreciate your write up entitled Obama 2.0. You didn’t mention the killing of Osama bin Ladin as one of his achievements. May be you avoided it for security reasons. Thanks. From Dele Ajayi, Ado Ekiti.

Your Editorial on Cash trafficking failed to tell us what the law says on limits and punishment. If people are declaring hundreds of thousands of dollars in the first instance, even when they have more, then, something must be terribly wrong. You cannot take more than $10,000 in or out of America, the richest nation on earth, without going through the ‘pressing iron’. Sanusi has a lot to tell Nigerians on why our forex market has become such a huge casino. Anonymous.

Sir, I have just read your article. It was both fascinating and incisive. God bless you. From Adeniyi, Nasarawa.

Your column At Home and Abroad really inspired me. The story of Obama and some American-racial extremists has the same bearing with the Nigerian situation. Here, in Nigeria, it is not racial but ethnic dominance. It’s a crime for any minority ethnic group to aspire to produce the president or governor in Nigeria; any one who tries incurs the wrath of those who think it’s their birthright to rule Nigeria. This is why there is chaos everywhere in Nigeria because of bad governance and insecurity. But, one day, our story will change for good. From Andrew Ortesegbegi, Benue State.

Your Obama 2.0 was simply fantastic. How I wish you could see a good Nigerian leader on whom policy-based articles of this type can be replicated. You have done a good job. More ink to your pen. From Folabi Fayeun, Akure.

Mercifully, President Obama won the election for a second term, not on emotion or sentiment but on solid and verifiable performance. Somebody once said:“Where evidence is compelling, and overwhelming, conviction is inevitable.” Nigerian politicians and the electorate should be more analytically rigorous and less emotive, henceforth, for the benefit of the country. From Adegoke O. O, Ikhin, Edo State.

 

For Segun Gbadegesin

Re-The national interest in education. I was moved by ‘What Nigeria fails to put into the education of her citizens, she cannot expect to get out of the economy’. One hopes the President, Vice President, Senate-President, Speaker, House of Representatives, Minister of Education and all the state Governors read the write-up and revamp their concerns on the state of public education; the decay and backwardness and reenforce the national interest in education. The nation must take interest in the education of its citizens; upon such rest national integration, development and productivity. The totality of education is of public interest; yet the totality of education needed not be funded by the public treasury.

Government, representing the public, must regulate, mobilise and provide an enabling environment for education of the citizens. Government may subsidise, pioneer and invest in public-private partnership for education. Certainly, private enterprise on education would be encouraged and promoted to reduce the financial burden and mitigate the inflexibility and slow responses associated with decisions of governments. Government shall supervise and regulate education based on feedback data-gathering. Basic syllabus and other standards should be decided by the government, subject to negotiation and affordability by citizens and the entrepreneurs.

It must know and share the responsibility for the standard of citizen-education. It is better to have citizens in control than finance education with taxes, royalties or booties and spoils, accruable from resources forcefully appropriated by governments. Nigerians do not have sufficient trust in governments, acclaimed to be corrupt, alienated and self serving. The problem in the present, is that government hijacked the responsibility for education as an excuse for misappropriation of public funds.

There are opportunities in other sectors for squandering our money; education is the least attractive. Government financing of education served the few in governments and their contractors much more than the citizens. Governments are not sincerely interested and are not committed to public education. They are not representing the citizens and the claim to public representation is false and a hypocrisy. The politicians bargained for power and short-changed the citizens because of pervasive ignorance, arrogance, rudeness and crudity. Education is the panacea. Good and empowering education would upset the status quo and would liberate the exploited citizens: milked sheep, goats and cows.

Governments are not going to embrace your sensitisation of the public on education. You need to mobilise the citizens to take their destiny into their hands and wrestle their education from the government. Let’s not look up to governments or rely on them for education that liberates and emancipates citizens. Governments and their contractors are not as stupid as we wrongly presume. They do not need your preaching. The masses need more than preaching, praying and fasting to be delivered. They need a Moses (Prophet) to lead, without the desperation, confusion and deception of Boko Haram. You may study the history of Western education from the Greek and Roman times to contemporary trends in education. Our national population and resources are sufficient to make contributions to the world. We need committed mobilisers who may not be in government as it were. Please, let us strategise. From Engr.A.I. Adewumi, Ilorin.

 

For Tunji Adegboyega

I have read through your ‘Osun: Two years on’ in The Nation on Sunday of January 27. Kindly send a copy to my mail. I believe it is a must-have document. Many thanks. From Geoffrey.

Sir, I agree with you totally with respect to the achievements made so far by Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. But I disagree that he should tone down his radicalism. You know it is good to have such radicals at home because of the radicals outside. I think it is good for Osun. Anonymous, The Polytechnic, Ibadan.

I am an Ijesha man trying to come back home some 37 years after in another part of the country. I am very happy with Ogbeni Aregbesola. But the uniforms were brought to Osogbo in trailers. Can’t these be sewn in Osun? Please praise and criticise when necessary. This will make the man not to lose focus. From Tona.

Re: ‘Osun: Two years on’, so far , with the ongoing two-carriage-roads in the state, I say kudos to Ogbeni Aregbesola. However, His Excellency should talk less, increase the pay of the OYES from N10,000 to N20,,, because N10,000 cannot take such workers home. That kind of pay could lead to inefficiency, low standard of living and, consequently, corrupt tendencies!. So, which problem have we solved? By the massive indebtedness of N40 billion that Ogbeni Aregbesola announced he inherited from his predecessor, how did he (Aregbesola) miraculously have a savings of N10billion? From Lanre.

Tunji, do you honestly think that for a state like Osun, it makes sense spending N3billion annually on free lunch for pupils? Can’t this money be injected into the agricultural revolution of the state? From Chijioke Uwasomba, OAU, Ile-Ife.

Honestly, people in Osun have now truly seen the difference between Oyinlola and Aregbesola. If there were to be a contest between the two, there may be surprises. Anonymous.

Re:’Thank you, Deacon Ositelu’ and ‘Well done, worthy cops’ (The Nation on Sunday of January 13). I appreciate you for showing gratitude to the late Deacon Ayo Ositelu. His name rang a bell in my secondary and tertiary education years (1974-1986). He was a popular, simple man. May his soul rest in peace (Amen). In your first paragraph, you mentioned 70 years on April 6 and in the second-to-the-last paragraph, you said it was March, please correct as appropriate. Secondly, sometimes, some of those policemen impress. I agree. From Lanre Oseni.

Sir, you too should help groom journalists that would speak truth to power and change Nigeria; and thanks for recognising those cops. From Feyi Akeeb Kareem.

Ayo Ositelu passed on on January 9, 2013, not December 9. Printer’s devil? From Ayo Ojeniyi.

 

For Gbenga Omotoso

 

It is a shame for Obasanjo to unveil the statue of our great late Chief Bola Ige in Osun State. From Sola Iyand

Gbenga, thanks for all the news. Of all the stories, I like the one reflecting Sanusi’s views on spending 70 kobo out of each naira to pay wages. The man spoke the truth, nothing but the truth. Gbenga, would you believe that some civil servants who worked with Sir Ahmadu Bello in the then Northern Region have remodeled their ages just to remain in service to benefit from the bogus salaries/allowances? If Sanusi were to mention these people, they would ask for his head. Anonymous

Hate him or you like him Obasanjo remains the most influential politician in the country. But as influential as he is, he is also the most criticised ex-leader. For him to have accepted to unveil the statue of the late Bola Ige is very disgracing to the family of the late minister. He should have covered his face while unveiling it. History will judge sooner or later. From Hamza Ozi Momoh Apapa Docyard Lagos

You are not a good student of history. Ige was murdered while still serving as the justice minister and not after resigning as contained in your piece of today. Anonymous

We are grateful to God for not allowing Obasanjo to tamper our Constitution and elongate his tenure. As for the assassinated former attorney-general Bola Ige, who resigned as minister in Obasanjo’s cabinet before they kill him, why our security agents unable to fish out his killers. From Simmie Jones O., PTD . Aba unit

Sir, are you sure chief Bola Ige was murdered after resigning from the Obasanjo led administration? Anonymous

Wonders would never cease. I blame those who arranged the mess as they lack sense of history as well as encouraging evil doers. Rip bola Ige. Your killers would face God if they above men. From Nurudeen Gasali.

What a wonderful commentator u are Gbenga! “Here is the news” is a classic. I have read it with relish. Keep writing. But I wonder if the rich and powerful are hearing! From Rev. Fr. Paschal Opara, Ciwa, PortHarcourt.

We are educated to a significant level here in Nigeria. Educated people are supposed to be rational in the way they think and do things. It would be irrational and an unwarranted conclusion to infringe on Obasanjo’s moral freedom in the statesman assignment he did in Orile-Owu. Let us not allow commonsense to govern our rationality. From Ukor, Makurdi

The unveiling of the late Chief Bola Ige’s statue is just normal thing as far as the killers will never be apprehended. Anonymous

I believe Obasanjo must have prayed for forgiveness from Bola Ige. May he be forgiven and free from the den of hell. Who killed Bola Ige ? From Peter Ajadi, Ibadan

Thank you for your write-up titled “Obasanjo : From Ghana to Osun”. Please allow Baba to rest. Chief Bola Ige or no Chief Bola Ige. Nemesis will speak for all of us. God bless you sir. From Pastor Nseobong Brown

Re: Obasanjo: From Ghana to Osun. No one understands why Obasanjo was often misunderstood. I like the man because he hardly talks but when he chooses to, he would hardly be faulted after Hues and Cries. He should be respected rather than being embarrassed. From Lanre Oseni

“Obasanjo: From Ghana to Osun”. The third term agenda man does not have any conscience! Would it be proper for him playing the second fiddle? Time will definitely tell! Ride on chief. From Adeosun, Oshogbo

Ebora Owu, Obasanjo has no conscience; he knows that no matter what, the dead always stay dumb. Anonymous

 

For Olatunji Dare

 

“The Shame of our prisons” with a bleeding heart. One thing is certain: this inhuman and lawless act cannot go on forever! Sooner than later, there will be an end to the insanity in the land! From Olufolake, Lagos.

Please which minister is in charge of prisons? Where are the gifts sent by churches? Anonymous

Despite the fact that Onitsha prison was rated among the best, I wept and had nightmare for weeks. Thanks for your write-up on the state of Kuje prisons. May God bless you. From Ogo Oranu, Awka.

I read your write-up on “The shame of our prisons” in The Nation today and I must say that the write-up throws up so many questions in my mind. Foremost is, am I being a simple minded to believe the Federal Government can easily set up a panel of judges to go across the 36 states of the federation and hear cases in the prisons for those awaiting trial and discharge and acquit those who are innocent or that were indeed guilty but have probably served the time and over for their crime? Can’t the National Assembly establish punitive laws to deal with whatever agency is found culpable in ensuring that swift hearing of cases becomes a norm? What am I missing? From Timi Egbuson

Dare, it is worst at Kirikiri prison such that it is rated the second worst prison in the world after the prison in Islamabad. The irony is that our leaders who loot our common patrimony do not ever do time in such prisons they use their loot to circumvent the law and pervert justice. With such leaders as we have to recover thesoul of nation is herculean task. Anonymous.

Your piece titled ‘The shame of our prisons’ portray the dehumanizing and parlous conditions of our prisons the very corrective and reformative purpose it is meant to serve has been negated we now have a prison that now churns out ex convicts who are more notorious hardened and more criminally inclined no thanks to the tougher treatment meted out to them, it is really a shame. From Ojo A. Ayodele, Emure Ekiti

Re: The shame of our prisons. Conditions of our Prisons had been discussed many times at different fora as well as at various workshops and thought by now, the NIGERIAN Prisons would have been improved. Alas! the same corruption would not allow for reformation as at today. In civilised societies, prisons are reformative while they are punitive in Nigeria. But for how long shall we move along, with International Best Practices? Kill Corruption and get everything right! Authorities, reading the above titled, should act fast by rapidly improving Nigeria’s prison conditions. From Lanre Oseni.

Dear Mr. Dare, your article titled “The shame of our prisons“ contained severely misleading assertions. Kuje prison was founded in the late 80s, hence it is not possible for the inmates on awaiting trial to have been incarcerated for upwards of 20 years. Similarly, congestion can only be eliminated when the courts and judges stop adjourning cases and be less corrupt. Meanwhile, convicted inmates go to schools in prison, acquire skills, etc. Anonymous.

You are only biased on Saraki issues because you are South-West, even those who hated him like you and your sponsored know well that Oloye did well for Kwarans. Anonymous.

And whoever eats of his plate and drink from his cup and turns against him will die violently. Each time he is ill people die. Have you bordered to ask. Why? Too many rumors that many people were relieved when he eventually died. In death rumor continued about mode of burial. Anonymous.

Dare, you got an important fact wrong in your column. In the 1979 Presidential election to be declared a winner a candidate must secure a majority of the popular vote plus at least 25% of the votes cast in 2/3 of all the states in the country. This is different from how you stated the regulation in your column. Thank you. From Bode Segun.

Re: A farewell to two legends. Dr. Dare struck the point when he said ‘…yet when he died, Kwara State went into deep mourning….’ The fact is that majority of Kwarans jubilated in joyous mood when Saraki died just like when Abacha died or when news of Okar’s coup first filtered into the air in 1991. Reason being that ‘those who did not fall in line in Saraki’s lifetime were actually humiliated and hounded out of the system not only in Kwara. Ask Vera Ifudu of NTA fame. Dr. Dare, I suggest your caption should have been “A Farewell to a legend and a Vagabond” after reading your column. Please be more at home than abroad. All the same, you still make my day after reading any of your columns, even from your Guardian days. From Ben Obateka., Offa Garage, Ilorin.

Critics of Obasanjo are half baked intellectuals parading the fourth estate, not only limited but unappreciative. Baba Na Baba, he is recognized worldwide by those with discerning ability, Kennedy was assassinated, so also Bola Ige who was Obasanjo’s friend for many years. A man of honour, Obj. From Cardinal Wole of Sinners Assembly, Abuja

Sir, you are wrong to assert that Chief Bola Ige was murdered after resigning from the Obasanjo administration. He was actually killed as a serving Minister of Justice in the former’s Government. From Rotimi Shitan, Akute

The issue concerning the death of our dear uncle Bola Ige and the unveiling of his statue by Obasanjo is to be left to God who pronounces vengeance in Psalm 94. At the appropriate time, God will take vengeance. From Tope Ekundayo, Ilare Ijesa , Osun state

The piece: “Here is the news “is a beautiful rendition of Prof. Soyinka’s narrative expertise of “Stream of Unconsciousness”. Every one of the issues raised is a reminder of the worthlessness of our system, the rottenness of the integrity of The Nigerian leadership, and the hopelessness that a national respite may be around the corner for the raped nation! From B. Somade-Idowu

Re: Here is the news. If importation of other cement-brands would be competitive enough, to force down the local ones by Dangote and Ibeto, let it be! By now, price of cement should not exceed N1000. With all the Ibetos, Makurdis, Gbokos, Obajanas, we should be happy now. Converse is the case. Let there be Oligopoly! Personally, I appreciate the donation efforts of Dangote, Adenuga, Jim Ovia and many others. Sanusi Lamido has human right to express himself even though he was said to have been misquoted on the need to ‘fire’ 70 per cent of civil servant. Lucky Igbinedion would lie low now and know both good and bad governance as well as which is better if Igbinedion University had been poorly run by its administrators! Both Boko-Haram and Kidnapping thrive because those caught were/are being treated with Kid gloves. Mrs Alakija may be said to have struck on luck and/or an opportunity through God. How many of them with Oil Blocs know about Oil? None, but that is Nigeria for us. From Lanre Oseni

 

For Segun Gbadegesin

 

Re: Moving Oke-Ogun forward. Undisputable, no development-minded person would not be moved by your narration of the need for unity among indigenes, community people and governments at large. It should be a past that we totally rely on irresponsible governments. Rather, the indigenes and communities should brace up in unity and develop Oke-ogun in Oyo state. Your nationalistic tendency is highly valued and appreciated. Whoever loves growth for his community like you and me, will continue to progress, Ameen. From Lanre Oseni.

Thanks for that wonderful piece on Oke- Ogun. The greatest problem with Oke-Ogun is lack of sacrificial leadership coupled with mutual but senseless suspicion. Unless the so called can look beyond personal interests and work together it will be difficult for the area to free itself from neo-colonialism. From Remi Adegbola Ibadan

Thanks for your exposition on Oke-Ogun. It is highly inspiring. I wish to know more about the convention, possible links and may be the communiqué. Best regards sir. From Dr. Owoyele Jimoh in TASUED, Ijebu-Ode.

 

For Tunji Adegboyega

 

I want to believe your write-up titled ‘Let Sambo have his N14bn palace’ is all irony. I couldn’t help but laugh in disdain on the mindset of our political climate. From F.O.

Tunji, considering your antecedent, I would want to know if your write-up of today (December 16) is for real or a satire. Please respond to enable me know the direction of my comments. … I am relieved. No further comment. Thanks. Anonymous.

Tunji, your article on the N14bn palace did not please your fans. Disappointed indeed. Anonymous.

Tunji, your article, “Let Sambo have his N14bn palace” is nauseating and bereft of a sense of responsibility to the suffering Nigerians who toil for this nation and cannot get their pension. Many have died without enjoying the results of their sweat; yet, the country has N9bn to spend building a palace for the Vice President. You will some day pay back all the monies you have been hired for to write such articles in the name of being a columnist. You even have the effrontery to condemn Senator Smart Adeyermi for standing with the National Assembly not to appropriate additional fund for the project. You gave several stupid reasons why the VP deserves such a palace, one of which is to befit his image. Why can’t you suggest he should go and live in the moon and operate from there? Anonymous.

Please tell Smart that N10bn can build 200 quality duplexes plus infrastructure. Anonymous.

RE: ‘Like Oliver Twist, Jega wants more’ (your column of December 9 refers). Personally, I do not see anything wrong if the CBN, ASUU and the judiciary sought for/are seeking and are near being given or given autonomy. Jega’s case becomes Oliver Twist’s only if the public objectively assessed that the powers being sought for and assumed given are considered abused! This however hasn’t occurred. Anyone cleared/rejected by INEC can be ratified by the Supreme Court directly. But let us all always be open-minded in burning but would-be-useful issues. From Lanre Oseni.

For Gbenga Omotoso

 

I will rather not comment on the Ribadu report. I disagree on your conclusions on the Wammako flogging of PHCN manager. In fact, I believe Wammako should flog more people in the company including its management. I, as a Nigerian, appreciate Wammako. From Fola Aiyegbusi.

At Oronsaye’s age he should not allow himself to be consumed by lipservice and loyalty to government intrigues and petroleum mafias. He has started another inglorious journey like his ill-fated public service reforms that were greeted with controversy. As for Wamakko, the PHCN manager should document his evidences to prosecute him after his exit from office. From Samuel Ikechuku, Ozoro

I am reluctant to comment on what Prof. Chinua Achebe said in his book on Chief Awolowo. He should consult the Obafemi Awolowo Universityn (OAU) library and read what the Biafran architect wrote in his book – EMEKA. Awolowo was never indicted. From Adeyitayo Ogunleye, Ondo State

I think Dr. Saraki did his best politically. In the cause of discharging an upright professional duty during the 1983 elections, in the defunct Kwara, my late father, then a DPO at Isanlu, Kabba, a volatile area, impressed the late Oloye and he wanted to know the dedicated officer. They never met here on earth. Good night, the quintessential Oloye of the Ilorin people. May Allah grant you Aljanah Fidausi, Amen. From Dan. Idakwo

Abubakar Saraki was still relevant even at 79. What a great man! All Nigerians should see him as a mentor and a great leader. From Hon. Emma Itodo JP. Otukpo, Benue State

Who takes over from the late Saraki, considering the political battle to finish in the last election between Bukola and his late father. From Nuh, Oyo State

Thanks for your write-up. Let me say this; it is not easy to fight the cabal in the oil sector because they are the ones who bankroll elections and you know what it means to fight such a cabal. Anonymous

Re: Intrigues, rage in high places: That Ribadu’s report was rubbished by Oronsaye’s unguided action should not surprise a discerning mind. The President is the harbinger of the mess. Oronsaye and others were deliberately planted to protect the interest of treasury looters in the oil industry and PDP. One would have expected someone of Oronsaye’s calibre to behave better. The clique will never allow light into darkness. That is the presidency and its ilk for you. Pure double standard and corruption in high places! What a shame! From Pastor Odunmbaku

If Ribadu had learnt any lesson from the wise saying that ‘once bitten, twice shy’, he could have dodged the embarrassment he is facing following his acceptance of an assignment carefully designed by the government that seems to be more corrupt than the word to pull the wool over the eyes of Nigerians. He should have learnt that, in the land, where majority of the people are incurably corrupt, fighting the monster is like signing one’s death warrant. Since they forced him out of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as the chairman, haven’t we seen the ‘successes’ his successors have recorded in the fight against corruption, especially when the elite class is involved? We know that there was a time when the name of that commission sent shivers down the spine of wealthy crooks. From Ifeanyi O. Ifeanyichukwu

If plea bargaining had been used instead of insisting on a conventional trial for oil marketers, the money recovered would have been able to pay marketers for the importation of PMS and avoid the current scarcity, which may be a ploy to have fuel subsidy completely removed. Refusing to swear in Justice Ifeoma Jombo-Ofo because of her state of origin is a form of discrimination and the Constitution which is superior to any other law or policy protects her against rejection. The reason the Constitution appears so bad is our failure to obey it. Even if we produce the best possible Constitution, it will only be as good as our willingness to abide by it. Wamakko’s behaviour was unbecoming but if Osigwe decides on legal action he must be ready to explain the issue of the money which may not be in his best interest. Anonymous

 

For Olatunji Dare

 

Sir, it is quite unfortunate you are communicating to an audience which knows very little about how a standard university should be run. The pseudo-intellectual exercise that culminated into the selection of the least-qualified candidate, Prof. Ambali, is a sordid and unfortunate one. But an average Nigerian (especially students) believes change is change, even at the expense of merit. Should you need a comprehensive report on the selection, I will give you one. From Ishowo Lateef, Ilorin

Your election post-mortem left out the demographic shift in the USnited States as the icing on the cake that gave Obama the stunning victory. From John Makurdi

Thanks, for the master piece. I believe if Nigerians can put religious, tribal and cultural sentiments aside during election, we will get there soon. From Muhammed Gafar, Ilorin

Dear Dare, your analysis on the appointment of the Vice-Chancellor in the University of Ilorin ìs a graphic account of how to be a Vice-Chancellor without giving consideration to merit and excellence. Apart from Prof. Afolabi Toye, at the inception of the university who was then the Vice-Chancellor, others from Prof. Ibrahin Oba till date went through selection processes which had ethnic and religious colouration. In those days, the appointment of Vice- Chancellors was not necessarily from the university where one served or was serving as everything was on merit. I remember my years at ABU when Dr. Bala Usman of the blessed memory in the History Department was to be given a professorial chair in 1977, he rejected the offer on the excuse that he had not publìshed enough in the Journal of African History and in the Journal of Historical Society of Nigeria or any reasonable research. It is a different ball game these days. The National Universities Commission (NUC) should address this important issue and make a Nigerian university rank among the first 100 in the world. From Chief Apelogun, Ilesha

What a compelling and insightful analytical piece on the US eletion. The result may, indeed, be a wake-up call on the actual position on preferences and realities in that beautiful democracy. From Tayo Lawal, LSG Information & Strategy

Re: Election USA: The election has come and gone but the great lesson is that it was devoid of rigging in any form – police, soldiers, security forces, electoral officers and all related agencies were not used to scuttle the wishes of the people, despite the fierce debate and robust campaigns by the candidates. More significant was the absence of thugs/thuggery of any nature. The political parties must learn to play the game according to the rules. Election must be won on action not on incumbency syndrome or use of force by the ruling party. There was no corruption in any form. Nigerians are matured enough to have credible elections devoid of syndicated results. All electoral agencies must not be at the mercy of the president. 2015 must be better organised and based on party/individual performances. God bless Nigeria. From Pastor Odunmbaku.

Re: Election USA: a post-mortem. Despite the attributes or lack of such, the election was interesting and worth watching and learning from! If my country displays such, politically, we would be at peace and we would bother less about who wins or who loses. Antithetical, ACN is going to the Election Tribunal on Ondo election results, clearly declared. Must people win through the court all the time rather than by the people? From Lanre Oseni

I was shocked to see that the American electoral system is organised in such a way that even if you win the popular vote, you could still lose the election if the other candidate gets the “exclusive” electoral college votes. This scenario played out when Bush beat Al Gore in the past. I do not see what is democratic about a few people’s votes being superior to those of millions of others. What happened to minority will have their say and the majority will have their way. In my opinion, this system is open to manipulation. If what they say about America’s Presidents being handpicked by a clique at meetings in the Bohemian Grove is true, then the electoral college system might just be the vessel used to ensure victory for the clique’s candidate. Anonymous

 

For Segun Gbadegesin

 

Dr. Olusola Saraki, no doubt, loved his people and his people did not fail to reciprocate the gesture. It was a mutual relationship from the beginnig to the end. May his gentle soul rest in peace. Anonymous

My point exactly on the constant and personalised attacks on Gen. Muhammadu Buhari by Doyin Okupe. Okupe forgets the President’s mandate derives from Nigerians and his insults on opposition leaders could make Nigerians swing their votes in the next election. Nobody becomes great attacking others. Dr. Doyin Okupe has no business in a decent administration like Jonathan’s. S.T.Zimughan, CEO, Dr.Goodluck Jonathan Forum for Global Peace. Anonymous

Re: The Lam effect. We will greatly miss the late Lam Adesina. I hope people will be committed and kind-hearted to earn the kind of encomiums being poured on the late Lam when they depart to the great beyond. May Lam’s soul rest in peace, ameen. From Lanre Oseni

I have been very uncomfortable with the views of most journalists on some sensitive national and constitutional issues like the death penalty as it concerns killing and corruption. Please, we have a Constitution and it should be sacrosant and we all know that corruption is the worst enemy of the Nigerian society. Please, let us stop pretending about this and being emotional about crime and its consequences. And when one is a victim, he/she cries to the high heavens. So, I support Governor Adams Oshiomhole and the ACF on their stands. From Ken Nwanguma, Imo State