Marian Wright Edelman's "Twenty-Five Lessons for Life" {Re: The Federal University of Otuoke, the Journey so far...
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Mobolaji Aluko
Apr 5, 2013, 6:19:34 PM4/5/13
to Rotimi Osunsan, Nigerian ID, NaijaPolitics e-Group, OmoOdua, naijaintellects, Ra'ayi, Yan Arewa, USAAfrica Dialogue
Mr. Rotimi Osunsan:
Yes, I will "let the readers form their own opinions on (our) postings concerning Otuoke".......that is your first posting on the subject, my reaction to it, your reaction to my reaction, and this my reaction to your reaction to my reaction.....
Moving on ....
Let me remind you that the first time that I EVER met you - almost 20 years ago now - you were running for President of Nigeria from Washington DC. The last time I read you running for something, a year or two ago now, was for Councillor (or so, House of Rep?), this time at home from Lagos State, with keen support from your long-time bosom and child-hood friend Chief Bode George.
So I continue to wish you well.........
I am sure you know Marian Wright Edelman, and her book "The Measure of Our Success: A Letter to My Children and Yours" ? Well, I will leave you and our readers her Twenty-Five Lessons for Life, as the gem that results from our otherwise un-interesting interlocution here:
1. There is no free lunch. Don't feel entitled to anything you don't sweat and
struggle for.
2. Set goals and work quietly and systematically towards them.
3. Assign yourself....[If you have already done all the work already assigned to
you, then assign yourself some work.]
4. Never work just for money or for power. They won't save your soul or help your
sleep at night.
5. Don;t be afraid of taking risks or of being criticized.[An anonymous sage said
"If you don't want to be criticized, don't say anything, do anything, or be
anything." So very true.......]
6. Take parenting and family life seriously and insist that those you work for and
who represent you do.
7. Remember that your wife is not your mother or your maid, but your partner and
friend.
8. Forming families is serious business.
9. Be honest. Struggle to live what you say and preach.
10. Remember and help America (or Nigeria, in our case) remember that the
fellowship of human beings is more important than the fellowship of race and
class and gender in a democratic society.
11. Sell the shadow for the substance. Don't confuse style with substance.
12. Never give up.
13. Be confident that you can make a difference.
14. Don't every stop learning and improving your mind, or you are going to be left
behind.
15. Don't be afraid of hard work or of teaching your children to work.
16. "Slow down and live."
17. Choose your friends carefully.
18. Be a can-do, will-try person.
19. [Try to] live in the present.
20. Use your political and economic power for the community and others less
fortunate
21. Listen for "the sound of the genuine" within yourself and others.
22. You are in charge of your own attitude.
23. Remember your roots, your history, and the forebears' shoulders on which
you stand
24. Be reliable. Be faithful. Finish what you start.
25. Always remember that you are never alone.
And there you have it. Please let's move on....
Bolaji Aluko
On Sat, Apr 6, 2013 at 2:01 AM, <rotimi_...@yahoo.com> wrote:
Dear Professor Aluko:
I will simply let the readers form their own opinions on my postings concerning Otuoke.
You definitely feel crossed by my postings on the subject matter. It should be noted, however, that I was more being concerned or protective of you because I will always love you as my neighbor.
Yes, indeed I was (am I still?) your neighbor, as I live close to Burtonsville, Maryland. We both live in the same County as former VP Abubakar Atiku and several other Nigerian looters, you know!
I am very sorry if I have projected ill-wills by punching straight at the points of truth as I know it. But that's me!
Those who know me would testify that I I speak my mind and the truth fearlessly.
I thought you knew I turned down a ministerial appointment offered by Gen. Abacha iin 1993 for the simple reason that I don't follow wrong marching orders very easily. I wouldn't even pretend and put my life and the security of my family in jeopardy. I politely said, no, but thanks.
I wish you had really followed that example for this Otuoke's peculiar mess. You may now have to run from one public relations scheme to another for the problems you didn't create! Honestly, is it really worth it?
If you didn't know that much about me by now, after all those years we'd been worshiping and chatting together on very broad issues, then I am sorry, you don't really know me.
My advocacy for truth, good governance and the defense of the people have no bounds. Being my neighbor, family friend etc. would not gag me from that responsibility. Those attributes by themselves do not make either of us responsible citizens.
Consider this: from whose wealth did you think Alams, Ibori, Tinubu and the others had stolen? Brother, it's the wealth of their neighbors, church and mosque fellow worshipers, families and friends. They did so very ruthlessly and shamelessly too!
In short our shared proximity, including neighborhood, church etc., has nothing to do with my opinion. They are never personal as you'd made them.
By now, you should also know that regardless, politically correct or not, I try very hard to speak the truth (ain't perfect!) no matter whose ox is gored.
I mentioned the Bayelsa hero or is it heroine (yours too, I suppose), Alams, indirectly even though he's a PDP colleague. I attack Jonathan's some policies that I dislike even though he's my revered president and Party boss. I love them no less and my criticisms or comments should be regarded as positive as possible. I try to be non-judgmental even though they may appear sometimes so.
I just thought Nigerians in our promised land deserve far much more than the mediocrity and direction-less, selfish leadership has provided.
The timing for the new universities was wrong; it is off but then those who derive extensive benefits from such a policy as those who exploit the gaps in our governance to enrich themselves, may never see, understand or appreciate the nonsense. To them, it's golden!
I had thought you'd say a flat No to such an offer of the VC of a wall-less university without a classroom! I was wrong. That's disappointing to say the least.
I told you so way back! I love you, man! Since Otuoke was here to stay (I opposed it!), I wrote you privately to offer my expertise in public management and public procurement as a consultant, of course, but hey, you ignored your neighbor!
My dear Professor, I was going to render some professional support to a fellow Diasporan so to make the best out of the messy situation. I guess you'd now totally reject (never to be considered) my noble offer now that we have engaged in this type of conversation, publicly or not.
Aha! Doing so would further clearly exhibit the general Nigerian flaw in which personal interests often supercede the common ones. We will be watching closely from henceforth!
Believe it or not, I'll cherish and dwell in your success as I hope you would mine. I am not fighting you, sir. The only fight left in me is to beat the status quo in emancipation of the good people of Nigeriam
However, you must decide on which side of the line you want to do battle. I am on the grounds doing just that - fighting for the people!
A lot of our folks congratulated me (did you?) when the US Government appointed me on the 2009 Presidential Inauguration Committee and the Chairman on the sub-committee for Contracting and Public Procurement.
Was the inauguration the best ever in the history of the United States of America? You bet!
I say this to indicate we must share our successes as a Diasporan constituency!
I was glad several Nigerians in the Diaspora were very proud as we all are of you, Mobolaji. We shall do our best to make your tenure a model success. I am not an exception!
Sir, let's try to act more maturely and stop reading negativism into every criticism.
Actually, sometimes I feel I should communicate my opinion to you privately but then as a stakeholder, I think the public should know my positions as well except if I figure such could be damaging to your person.
But then, you don't even have the time for private attention anymore while the Dame, the Minister and even the President are in tow constantly.
That's also surprising for a full American trained like you - every customer or stakeholder is equally important. Well, understandably, you had your undergraduate education outside of the United states. You must have missed the humanities classes!
Now, I see the difference!
At this point in time, I have no intention of visiting Otuoke except of course I have a business there. I don't wander about aimlessly. And for sure, if should ever do, I will fully provide for myself.
Your statement concerning the above brings the child in you to the fore, Bolaji. Like, "I'm mad with you, now you'd have to pay for your upkeep at Otuoke!" In fact, why should I bother to call you anyway? I can buy my own beers and wines.
I hope you are not expending public funds on "per diems" for those that parade themselves around the VC withoutb any purpose. Remember again, you shall be held accountable for every naira spent at Otuoke sooner or later and especially if the musical chairs end on you, brother!
Be careful! Beware of those who hail you sweetly, the Otueke Messiah, today: the same fools would be first to say, God forbid for the son of Aluko, crucify him! They may even cast the first stones. Again, God forbid!!
Once more, I wish you much success and pardon me if you're crossed.
My consulting services, almost unique, are still available for the consideration of the responsible official at the University and your blessing, of course.
A question: does every actions, including hiring of staff and consultants require the approval of the VC?
All said, you are surely entitled to your opinion about me. I am that I am; the son of man! I wish you more success.
Stay very blessed sir.
Regards to the family.
Rotimi Osunsan
LagosSent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: Mobolaji Aluko <alu...@gmail.com>Date: Fri, 5 Apr 2013 15:25:49 +0100To: Rotimi Osunsan<rotimi_...@yahoo.com>Cc: Nigerian ID<niger...@yahoogroups.com>; NaijaPolitics e-Group<NaijaP...@yahoogroups.com>; OmoOdua<Omo...@yahoogroups.com>; naijaintellects<naijain...@googlegroups.com>; Ra'ayi<Raay...@yahoogroups.com>; Yan Arewa<YanA...@yahoogroups.com>; USAAfrica Dialogue<USAAfric...@googlegroups.com>Subject: Re: ||NaijaObserver|| The Federal University of Otuoke, the Journey so far...Mr. Rotimi Osunsan:All I can say about you is that you have a fertile imagination, one that self-projects, and that you are a complete disappointment despite the fact that I have known you for a long time in the Washington DC area; we interact as family friends (even going to the same church at some point), etc. and yet you continue to conjure up ill-will.There is just something that gnaws you...and you must think that everybody is looking for a trough to feed at?I invite you ONCE AGAIN to come to Federal University, Otuoke...but NOT as university consultant Manager of projects.....In the time being, please print out the following Tables below, and please bring them with you while you come to ask your many POINTED questions, looking for scam......I shall watch you slink out of Otuoke in woman wrapper like you are fearing that I would!So when are you coming to Otuoke? Please be sure that you will pay your own way and pay your own hotel accommodation....and if I don't see you before the end of this year at Otuoke, shame on you! You can even come un-announced....And there you have it.Bolaji AlukoVice-ChancellorPS1: If you know the number of public officials - and financial officers - who come to "inspect" at Otuoke, you will be amazed....and I don't invite a SINGLE one of them, including the Minister of Information who self-invited - and can I say "NO?" I think they want to see what the President is spending the "national" money on....and we are always ready.PS2: I don't mind interrogations, but when you start to insinuate, I draw a line.....___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OTUOKE
SOME VITAL STATISTICS
NAME: Federal University Otuoke, Bayelsa State
DATE ESTABLISHED: February 2011
PROPRIETOR: Federal Government of Nigeria
SUPERVISING PARASTATAL: National Universities Commission/Federal Ministry of Education
OFFICIAL ADDRESS: Federal University Otuoke, PMB 126, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State
OFFICIAL WEBSITE & EMAIL ADDRESS: fuotuoke.edu.ng; f...@fuotuoke.edu.ng
INAUGURAL VICE-CHANCELLOR: Prof. Mobolaji Ebenezer Aluko (Professor of Chemical Engineering)
INAUGURAL REGISTRAR: Sir David Uzode Suowari
LAND SPACE OF UNIVERSITY: 200 Hectares of land in the outskirts of Otuoke
INAUGURAL FACULTIES: (1) Humanities & Social Sciences HSS (2) Science & Engineering SEG
INAUGURAL POPULATION OF STUDENTS: 282 Students (97 Females, 185 Males) (142 HSS, 140 SEG)
INAUGURAL FACULTY, DEPARTMENTS, UNITS, FACULTY & STUDENT POPULATIONS: See Table 1
FEDERAL BUDGET FIGURES: 2012 -N 1,069,382,745 2013 (Proposed) - N1,341,325,237 (See Table 2)
ONGOING CAPITAL PROJECTS FUNDERS: (1) TetFUND (2) Ministry of Environment/Ecological Fund (3) NDDC (4) Federal Ministry of Education/NUC (See Table 3)
ETF INTERVENTION: 2011 Intervention: N1.5 Billion (See Table 4)
MAJOR BANKING RELATIONS: (1) UBA – Federal Budget Personnel Account (2) Diamond Bank – Federal Budget Overhead Account (3) First Bank – TetFund Capital Account (4) Central Bank of Nigeria – Federal Budget Capital Account
MISSION OF THE UNIVERSITY: “The generation, dissemination, preservation, and application of knowledge”
VISION: “To gain and maintain a reputation as a world-class university that challenges all its students to achieve the highest levels of intellectual and personal growth, to promote sustainable development, as well as contribute purposeful and ethical service to the nation and Mankind.”
CORE VALUES: LIKES - Learning, Integrity, Knowledge, Excellence, Service
-------Table 1: CRITICAL INFORMATION INAUGURAL FACULTY, DEPARTMENTS, UNITS, FACULTY & STUDENT POPULATIONS
S/N
Faculty, Department and Unit Title
Academic
Staff
Student
Enrollment
Total
F
M
A
TOTAL ENROLLMENT
80
282
97
185
1
Faculty of Humanities & Social Science
38
142
57
85
2
Faculty of Science & Engineering
36
140
40
100
3
Library
6
0
0
0
B
BREAKDOWN BY FACULTY, BY DEPARTMENT & BY PROGRAM
1
Faculty of Humanities & Social Science
38
142
57
85
i. Department of Humanities
12
41
17
24
a. Department of English & Communication Studies
10
26
15
11
b. Department of History & International Relations
2
15
2
13
ii. Department of Social Sciences
19
101
40
61
a. Department of Accounting & Finance
5
39
18
21
b. Department of Economics & Development
5
14
9
5
c. Department of Sociology & Anthropology
4
17
5
12
d. Department of Political Science & Strategic Studies
5
31
8
23
iii. General Studies Unit
4
0
0
0
iv. Entrepreneurial & Skills Development Unit
3
0
0
0
2
Faculty of Science & Engineering
36
140
43
97
i. Department of Biological Sciences
11
52
24
28
a. Department of Biochemistry
3
24
8
16
b. Department of Microbiology
8
28
16
12
ii. Department of Chemical Sciences
6
17
8
9
a. Department of Chemistry
6
17
8
9
iii. Department Mathematical, Physical and Computer Sciences
13
71
11
60
a. Department of Mathematics with Statistics
4
11
1
10
b. Department of Computer Science & Informatics
3
42
7
35
c. Department of Physics with Electronics/Power
6
18
3
15
iv. Engineering & Technology Unit
6
0
0
0
3
Library
6
0
0
0
Table 2: FEDERAL BUDGET FIGURES FOR FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OTUOKE
S/N
ITEM
2011
2012
(approved)
Naira
2012
(released)
Naira
2013
(proposed)
Naira
1
Personnel
n.a.
694,382,745
579,154,591.57
915,120,655
(i) Consolidated
n.a.
575,648,807
-
792,708,815
(ii) Allowances & Social Contributions
n.a.
118,733,938
-
122,411,840
(a) Non-Regular Allowances
n.a.
46,717,654
-
23,323,238
(b) NHIS
n.a.
28,806,514
-
39,635,441
(c) Contributory Pension
n.a.
43,209,770
-
59,453,161
2
Overhead
n.a.
97,222,222
91,807,036.54
93,126,805
3
Capital
n.a.
277,777,778
159,935,904.00
333,077,777
Total
n.a.
1,069,382,745
830,897,532.11
1,341,325,237
Table 3: ONGOING CAPITAL PROJECTS: (1) ETF (2) MINISTRY OF ENVIRONMENT/ECOLOGICAL FUND (3) NDDC (4) FEDERAL MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
S/N
FUNDING AGENCY
DESCRIPTION
AMOUNT (NAIRA)
(approximate)
CONTRACTOR
PERIOD
COMMENT
1
TeTFund
Miscellaneous procurements, renovations and constructions on campus
N1.5 billion
Miscellaneous
2011 Intervention
See Table 4 for details
2
Ecological Fund
Provision of 1.6 million cubic meters of sand
N5 billion
Azikel Group of Companies
2012/2013
3
NDDC
Design and construction of Internal Road Networks, and Building of 500-bed hostel
N6 billion
(i) Jotonan;
(ii) One Plus
2013 Calendar Year
4
Federal Ministry of Education/NUC
New Construction of of (i) Library (ii) ICT Center (iii) Central Administration Building (iv) Faculty Buildings
N2 billion
Minno Engng;
Privitek Global Services;
Couduc Nig. Ltd;
Megastar Tech. Consultant
2013 calendar year
5
Bayelsa State Government
Completion of Staff Quarters on Academic Campus
Unknown
Unknown
2013 calendar year
Table 4: ETF 2011 INTERVENTION DEPLOYMENTS
BATCH
NUMBER
DESCRIPTION
AMOUNT (NAIRA)
(approximate)
COMMENT
1
Purchase of Vehicles
88,139,446.00
Eight vehicles (1 Prado Jeep, 2 Hiluxes, 2 Toyota Coaster Buses, 1 Water Tank, 1 Ambulance, 1 Peugeot Sedan) purchased on behalf of the university by the NUC/TetFund
2
Provision of funds for non-capital preparatory programs
50,000,000.00
Preparatory documentation, etc.
3
Miscellaneous Renovations, procurements, network systems and new constructions on campus & Consultancy
1,002,831,088.81
4
Miscellaneous Procurements
183,484,314.05
5
Miscellaneous Procurements
73,312,312.50
6
Miscellaneous Procurements & Renovations on campus
83,874,295.43
7
Environmental Impact Assessment & Masterplan Consultancy
18,358,543.21
TOTAL
1,500,000,000.00
Table 5: STUDENT RESIDENTIAL INFORMATION
S/N
Female Students
Male Students
Total
Comment
1
Resident in Student Hostel
90
103
193
Females – Housed in rented Hostel at Otuoke
Males – House in rented Hostel at Otuokpoti
2
Resident Off-University Residence
8
81
89
Total
98
184
282
3
Number of Different States of Origin*
14
18
19
*Common states (F,M): Abia (5,6), Akwa-Ibom (1,6), Anambra (7,8), Bayelsa (35,80), Cross-River (1,2), Delta (15,31), Ebonyi (1,2), Edo (3,7), Enugu (4,5), Imo (6,10), Ondo (2,1), Osun (1,1), Rivers (15,20)
*Male only – Ekiti (1), Lagos (1), Ogun (1), Benue (1), Kogi (2)
* Female only – Oyo (1)
On Fri, Apr 5, 2013 at 7:36 PM, <rotimi_...@yahoo.com> wrote:
I don't think Compro was started in 1964 but a few years before that:
1. I had friends who attended the school around 1962.
2. Dr. Dele Shobowale, an Ivy Leaguer, and a renowned journalist, was among the first HSC set at Compro, who attended the school after graduating Igbobi College in 1962, my senior.
3. I was accepted for the HSC program after sitting the HSC Entrance Exams in 1964 during my final year at Igbobi College and I know the school was already established and running before then.
In those days, schools were not established until they're ready to be operated as suc. There was no such thing as having a principal and staff for a wall-less school and university without a classroom. In short there was no funding for staff of a school that existed only on paper. It would have been a crime back then but unfortunately, it's the vogue today for government establishments - a fraud on the people so to say.
Why waste government funds on paying any VC and staff when the school was yet to establish a single classroom? It's a form of corruption, in my opinion.
To be honest, I admire Professor Aluko very much, but I'm not amused with all the unnecessary public relations going on. It makes me think there's something, yes, something fishy and smelly somewhere especially when the Minister of Information is on hand.
Remember, Nigerians are very creative corruption experts! In a nation where the Dame First Lady is again missing in action, the Minister of Information was busy hopping around in Otuoke. I suspect he must be chasing something up there given that Nigerian officials are constantly following the money.
But then, I get confused because my man, Professor Aluko, is in charge there and I refuse to imagine he would implicate his professionalism and indeed integrity for any sums of money.
The Professor should be careful and watch every moving objects around him as he shall be held responsible for any frauds and misappropriation at the federal university.
What are the costs of these public relations junkets at Otuoke? Why are they necessary?
To be sure, the Compro was fully constructed and running as an established school before the first Principal, staff and students were registered and never before. It made sense then and it makes sense now!
I hope most of us would not be shocked, including Professor Aluko, if the budgetary and appropriation accounting of the particular public relations-driven federal entity since inception of more than two years, is published and made available to the public!
You see, in Nigeria, the public never knows when it is being fleeced until way after the damage is done and damage controls are put in gears, including cross-dressing to beat the system.
I can never imagine and I mean it, that our own Professor Mobolaji would dream of dressing up as a woman to evade the law under any circumstances!
Did I mention, Nigerians are ingeniously creative on crimes and evasion of justice?
It's a damned place where leaders get away with even murders!
Aluko should watch it ....watch out!
Just my honest take!
Rotimi Osunsan
LagosSent via BlackBerry by AT&TFrom: "Ibukunolu Alao Babajide" <i...@usa.net>Sender: NaijaO...@yahoogroups.comDate: Fri, 05 Apr 2013 15:08:21 +0300To: <NaijaO...@yahoogroups.com>; Nigerian ID<niger...@yahoogroups.com>; Valentine Ojo<elew...@gmail.com>ReplyTo: NaijaO...@yahoogroups.comCc: NaijaPolitics e-Group<NaijaP...@yahoogroups.com>; OmoOdua<Omo...@yahoogroups.com>; naijaintellects<naijain...@googlegroups.com>; Ra'ayi<Raay...@yahoogroups.com>; Yan Arewa<YanA...@yahoogroups.com>; Mobolaji ALUKO<alu...@gmail.com>; Qansy Salako<ka...@netzero.com>; Segun Olude<segun...@mac.com>; Tunji Timi Tola<rote...@yahoo.ca>; Adeniba Adepoyigi<adenibaa...@yahoo.com.au>; Amauche Ude<udeam...@yahoo.com>; Anthony Momah<az...@yahoo.com>; Emeka Ugwuonye<emekau...@aol.com>; Iyalaje<ogban...@yahoo.com>; Ola Kassim<olaka...@aol.com>; Olushola Fashedemi<ofash...@yahoo.com>; Pius Adesanmi<piusad...@yahoo.com>; Prince Dickson<pcdb...@yahoo.com>; Rufus Orindare<bato...@att.net>; Salihu Mustafa<salihu...@gmail.com>; Samuel Ayodele<enu...@aol.com>; Suji Kolawole<sujiko...@gmail.com>; Sylvester Idehen<ideh...@hotmail.com>; Tajudeen Raji<tr...@aol.com>; wale ojo lanre<waleoj...@yahoo.com>; Yakubu Usman<yakubu...@yahoo.com>Subject: ||NaijaObserver|| The Federal University of Otuoke, the Journey so far...
Dear friends,Compro was set up in 1964. It was part of some American aid package to Nigeria shortly after independence. That is why it was structured in many ways along American educational lines.I know who placed it in Aiyetoro!Cheers.IBK------ Original Message ------
Received: 04:26 PM EAT, 04/04/2013
From: Valentine Ojo <elew...@gmail.com>
Subject: [Spam] ||NaijaObserver|| Re: NigerianID | Re: The Federal University of Otuoke, the Journey so far...
Oga VC, please be careful not to choke on your 'belly-laugh'!
Whether you choose to move on or not, that's your choice.
Nigerians, we all know, hate it when you rub the BLUNT TRUTH in their noses.
That's when they want to 'move on'...
But to where...?
From nothing to more nothing...?
Sure, 'Let us move on, Mr. VC!'
As you wish, sir!
'PS: Did you really go to Compro? Really? Come on, what years were you there? You must have been one of the oldest in your class?' - Mobolaji Aluko <alu...@gmail.com>
Yes, Bolaji I 'really went to Compro...Really!' For my HSC only - among the first set - and I was ' one of the YOUNGEST in MY class'!
Any more of your rude Ekiti snide remarks...?
Do you now really want us to 'move on, Mr. VC'...?
Dr. Valentine OjoTall Timbers, MD
On Thu, Apr 4, 2013 at 9:04 AM, Mobolaji Aluko <alu...@gmail.com> wrote:
Oga Dokita Valentino Ojo:
I love it when you react to a ribbing! E ku ise!
Let us move on!
Bolaji AlukoHaving a belly laugh
PS: Did you really go to Compro? Really? Come on, what years were you there? You must have been one of the oldest in your class?
On Thu, Apr 4, 2013 at 1:50 PM, Valentine Ojo <elew...@gmail.com> wrote:
Dear VC Mobolaji Aluko:
I hope you too had a wonderful Easter!
'Now, I knew that you would be flattered by my mentioning your name - for the only way to change you is to stroke you...' - Mobolaji Aluko <alu...@gmail.com>
Well, you obviously got that all wrong.
You did not change me one bit, and neither did you stroke me! And truth be told, I was not one bit flattered by 'your mentioning my name'!
No, VC Bolaji, it is you and your Abuja sponsors, Jonathan, Maku, etc., who are the ones who desperately need your fragile egos stroked!
You obviously missed the high sarcasm embedded very deep in my 'I am indeed flattered'. Please re-read again the rest of my carefully -worded message to you...
So, it is you, Bolaji Aluko - 'more than most men (or women)' - who needs no change - because you are 'perfect' right...?
You really make me laugh, Bolaji! I am not your Wharf Snake, and I am not in his class, or to be compared in anyway to him!
Bolaji, if you were really intelligent, you would have quietly accepted my polite 'well done', say 'thank you', and shut up!
Now you blew it completely - I was merely being sarcastic!
What is being called a 'university' today by your motley gang is not half as well-equipped as the Comprehensive High School, Aiyetoro, that I attended in the '60s for my HSC!
And please watch that your video again - did you notice the outrageous 'command of the English language' exhibited by your best students...?
Again Bolaji, had you been really intelligent, you would have quietly accepted by left-handed complement to you, be grateful, say 'thank you', and shut up!
But as usual, you had to run your big Ekiti mouth at the wrong time, to the wrong person!
And this is what you get for it - I wasn't really overly impressed by your glorified secondary school called the FU Otueke! And my criticisms of Jonathan's mushroom universities still remain valid! You and your Minister of Information have not convinced me that Nigeria really needs these glorified secondary schools!
And there you have it! Have a great day Bolaji!
Dr. Valentine OjoTall Timbers, MD
On Thu, Apr 4, 2013 at 4:58 AM, Mobolaji Aluko <alu...@gmail.com> wrote:
Dr. Valentino Ojo:
Happy Easter - hope you had a good one!
Thanks for the encouragement - much appreciated.
Now, I knew that you would be flattered by my mentioning your name - for the only way to change you is to stroke you, and by my God, don't you more than most men (or women) need change?
And there you have it...have a lovely day!
Bolaji Aluko
On Thu, Apr 4, 2013 at 7:14 AM, Valentine Ojo <elew...@gmail.com> wrote:
'In the time being, I thought that I should share with you - and for your eyes only, with Dr. Val Ojo's included as eyes-witnesses - the following two videos of a recent visit (Monday, February 11, 2013) of Federal Minister of Information Labaran Maku to FU Otuoke campus and to our Skills Acquisition Center:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWYdJGbkE94
Tour of the FU Otuoke campushttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxNLDz_mR5U
Inspection of the Ongoing Construction of the Skills Acquisition Center'
VC Bolaji Aluko:
I am indeed flattered that you specifically wanted to draw the attention of 'Dr. Val Ojo's included as eyes-witness' to the videos testifying to your performance at the FU Otueke.
Since I am not the type of person to want to discourage any man in anyway he genuinely believes he is making his own contribution to 'nation building' - even if we may have different opinions of what 'nation-building' really means - allow me to say well done, and keep it up...
After all, the Alams, Bode Georges, Anenihs, et al of Nigeria are reaping fatter bonuses than people like you - for doing virtually NOTHING!
You at least have something to show for for efforts...
Well done once again, Mr. VC!
Dr. Valentine OjoTall Timbers, MD
On Thu, Mar 28, 2013 at 11:30 AM, Johnson Kolawole <jakol...@yahoo.com> wrote:
Prof Bolaji Aluko:
Yes, truly, truly seeing is believing. And in that case, your leadership efforts at Federal University of Otuoke are recognized and commended so far. Please, stay focused and be diligent in your endeavors. When the time comes, your antecedents would be judged accordingly. Just keep trying your best under any prevailing circumstances. That's all!
I'm quite impressed with what I saw through these video clips about the development actions at FUOtuoke.
Okun o Aba.
Ayan Kolawole
From: Mobolaji Aluko <alu...@gmail.com>
To: Yeye Rolling <yeyer...@yahoo.com>
Cc: NaijaPolitics e-Group <NaijaP...@yahoogroups.com>; "niger...@yahoogroups.com" <niger...@yahoogroups.com>; OmoOdua <Omo...@yahoogroups.com>; naijaintellects <naijain...@googlegroups.com>; Ra'ayi <Raay...@yahoogroups.com>; Yan Arewa <YanA...@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 4:48 PM
Subject: NigerianID | Re: Afenifere and new beginning
Rolling Yeye Femi Oyesanya:
Yes, iwo na, o ku ojo meta......how your body and business?
Moving on....
Yes, Awo's scientific socialism/welfarism was
- in "defence of the interest of Nigerians" (starting with Western Region over which he was Premier);- not at the "expense.of the rest of Nigeria"
as you put it.
With respect to Otuoke, yes, it is fraud-free period (for now), and it will be for a long time while some of your friends stay away from there.
In the time being, I thought that I should share with you - and for your eyes only, with Dr. Val Ojo's included as eyes-witnesses - the following two videos of a recent visit (Monday, February 11, 2013) of Federal Minister of Information Labaran Maku to FU Otuoke campus and to our Skills Acquisition Center:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWYdJGbkE94
Tour of the FU Otuoke campushttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxNLDz_mR5U
Inspection of the Ongoing Construction of the Skills Acquisition Center
They were recently uploaded onto YouTube, and a former student of mine at Howard University pointed them out to me just yesterday! :-)
Enjoy.....as you will notice, I always use you as a point of contact to update the Net about Otuoke activities, because you have an unusual interest in our affairs.
And there you have it.
Bolaji Aluko
On Wed, Mar 27, 2013 at 10:59 PM, Yeye Rolling <yeyer...@yahoo.com> wrote:
From: Yeye Rolling <yeyer...@yahoo.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 4:47 PM
Subject: Re: NigerianID | Re: Afenifere and new beginning
Professor:Eku Ojo meta and assumably fraud free Otueke (for now). So, in other words, Awolowo believed in "scientific socialism/welfarism" at the expense of the rest of Nigeria?
From: Mobolaji Aluko <alu...@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2013 4:00 PM
Subject: NigerianID | Re: Afenifere and new beginning
Federal Edosomwan alias Edo Degenerate Erg:Although I consider you a scum bag, you are not the only scum bag around, nor are you the only person reading the scum that you write.
So I will take time out to respond to you briefly, and return you to your meat freezer where you belong...
Yes, Awo is dead, and Zik and Sardauna, but so in the USA are Lincoln, and Kennedy, and Truman and Roosevelt, not to talk of George Washington, whose names are evoked periodically by those who consider them statesmen to be emulated in different ways. Ataturk is evoked in Turkey, Churchill in Great Britain, etc.
So those who accuse others of us of evoking Awo as an evidence of deification are talking absolute rubbish. There is ABSOLUTELY no other statesman outside of Awo who in Nigeria has put his political thoughts of nation-building on paper, in a coherent, scientific and consistent manner, and not just thoughts, but in a brief shining moment spanning four years (1954-1959) put those thoughts into action and transformed the Western Region in a manner that we still see its effects even today.
That is why those of us who believe in his scientific socialism/welfarism as adapted to Nigeria will continue to evoke his name, and modify his thoughts as found necessary. His cap and glasses are evocative, but his thoughts on paper and in action are even more so.
Yep....
And there you have it.
Bolaji Aluko
PS: I was a member of ARG before I became a Vice-Chancellor at Otuoke, and remain so. So you can jump into a lake over that, but guessing that you might know how to swim, I trust that you will come out alive if you were not foolish enough to jump into a lake of man-eating and hungry crocodiles.
---------------------eRg wrote..Country People,
Na Wa O! Bolaji Aluko a member of ARG? Bayelsa people have been conned again. They thought they bought a professor to help build a national education edifice in Otuoke but he's ended up with a dirty local politics on a tribal scale.
Hmmm... I feel like smashing that Awo's cap and glasses to smithereens. You all should go and get a life. Awolowo is DEAD, same to his ethnic idealogical politics so move on and do something both useful and needful. Majority of you or your children shall end up marrying Igbo/Ijaw/Edo/Hausa women, and here you are talking about Awo like Jesus Christ. No doubt the geezer was good in his time of the 60's that have elapsed, but we are now in 21st century when Igbo and Ijaw owns more than half of Lagos.
Phew! I feel better now after venting my frustration with a people that have refused to move forward in life, keep reminiscing of the good old days of Awolowo. Listen up, Moses was cool but Joshua was cooler and he took the people into the promise land.
Awo is DEAD, so are Zik and Sardauna. Only eRG lives!eRG"God gives, Man hoards and Satan steals" - eRG's Father
From: Mobolaji Aluko <alukome@...>
Sent: Wednesday, 27 March 2013, 8:35
Subject: Afenifere and new beginning
Yinka, Yinka:
Every move is a "re-positioning" - of just Awo's cap and glasses? Where is the new ideological expression - with pen on paper?
Hun.... oro di hun! :-)
And there you have it....
Bolaji AlukoMember, ARG
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Afenifere and new beginningWritten by Yinka Oladoyinbo-Akure Tuesday, 26 March 2013 00:00
The pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere held a reunion meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, where estranged members gathered to chart the way forward, YINKA OLADOYINBO writes on the crisis and the peace move.
THE crisis that has engulfed the pan-Yoruba group, Afenifere for many years seems to be gradually coming to an end with the returning to the fold by the young elements in the group, who left about five years ago to form the Afenifere Renewal Group (ARG). The formation of the ARG marked the peak of a crisis that had been rocking the apex Yoruba body for sometime with some notable leaders of the body backing the new group.
The likes of Yinka Odumakin, Jimi Agbaje, Wale Oshun, Ayo Afolabi among others, broke away from the original Afenifere and ensured that the ARG continued to perform as the youth wing of the group. The argument of the leaders that supported the new group, particularly, the then factional leader of Afenifere, Chief Ayo Fasanmi, was that there was the need for the young ones in the group to be encouraged to grow and contribute to the development of the Yoruba nation in particular and the country in general.
However, the leadership of the main Afenifere did not support the move as the Pa Rueben Fasoranti-led group believed it was an attempt by some political leaders to hijack the group and use it for their personal and selfish interest.
The emergence of Fasoranti as the leader of the apex body had generated some arguments with a faction of the group believing that it was wrong to make the Octogenarian the leader of the group after the demise of Late Chief Abraham Adesanya in 2008. But after an extensive deliberation on the issue, majority of the leaders of the group met in Ijebu-Igbo (Ogun State) in November 2008 and confirmed Fasoranti as the leader of the group. However, the first group to react to the emergence of the Akure-born Yoruba leader was the ARG, which believed that it was wrong for a leader of Afenifere to emerge without the contribution of the ARG. The ARG argued that a part of a group could not claim to be the whole, as the Afenifere was not complete without the ARG.
The Wale Oshun-led ARG claimed there was no consultation before the emergence of Fasonranti. The group had in a statement entitled: “Afenifere: It’s renewal time!�, jointly signed by Hon. Wale Oshun and Mr. Yinka Odumakin, described the proposed Ijebu-Igbo meeting and ratification of Fasoranti as “a recipe for another round of sabre-rattling, factional squabbles and abandoning the vision of the founding fathers of Afenifere for personal quarrels, inward-throwing of punches and open rounds of acrimony.
“It is a weather-beaten path that has substantially distracted from confronting the challenges facing the Yoruba nation. We must put on record that the late leader of Afenifere, Senator Abraham Adesanya, spent the last five years of his active life resolving internal disputes among his followers till he collapsed in the middle of the crisis and never recovered.
“To resume that line of action six months after his death, would appear to us as dancing on the grave of Adesanya, whose last earthly regret, was not leaving one united Afenifere behind, like Awolowo and Ajasin did. For us in the Afenifere Renewal Group, it is a big tragedy that while a Barrack Obama was able to spend just two years to mobilise America for change, we spent the last eight years of our lives settling crisis,� the Afenifere Renewal Group stated.
Since then, the two groups had carried on independently with Fasoranti as the recognised leader of Afenifere, while the young elements also continued to perform under the auspices of the ARG, signaling a sharp division among the leaders of the Yoruba race. The division was also evident along party lines as the ARG was in support of the Action Congress of Nigeria ACN), while the Fasoranti-led Afenifere at a time was in support of the Democratic Peoples Alliance (DPA) and later the Social Democratic Mega Party (SDMP).
The division again came to the fore in the build up to the governorship election in Ondo State when Afenifere threw its weight behind the state governor and the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Dr. Olusegun Mimiko against the candidate of the ACN, which has Chief Bisi Akande as its national chairman. The development made Akande to attack the leadership of the group, calling them “political jobbers and beggars�.
However, a few months after the episode, the centre seems to be holding again within the group that has been representing the Yoruba race in the national discussions in recent times. A peace meeting was held in Akure, where the major actors in the groups that had not met for many years, gathered to seek the way forward. Present at the meeting were leaders of the ARG like Odumakin and Agbaje, while people like Senator Iyiola Omisore, Dayo Adeyeye, Gbola Adetunji, among others also sat among sunc figures as Pa Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Olu Falae, Bashorun Sehinde Arogbofa, Supo Shonibare, Akin Onigbinde, Segun Ojo and Otunba Gbenga Daniel to chart the way forward. The atmosphere at the Akure home of Fasoranti was that of excitement and joy as the people gathered to show that they had sheathed their swords and were ready to work together again in the interest of the race.
Welcoming them back home Fasoranti said, “The primary motive of the reunion is to move the group forward. There is no a better time for the group to come together than this period when the South- West region and the nation as a whole desire better leadership. I want you more than before to join us fully in moving Afenifere forward. Loyalty, honesty, sacrifice, love for the people and respect for one another are some of the hallmarks of our political association. These were some of the qualities that the leaders of the Alliance for Democracy, who found themselves in elected offices, lacked that almost led to the demise of our great association. Now that you are back, we want you to strengthen those virtues I have enumerated, which earned us the respect of the people.�
The octogenarian also called on members of the other faction to “forget the past and join in strengthening the group with open minds to serve like great leaders.� He however commended some loyalists of the group who stood with the body during the trying periods, saying “they are the heroes of today; they were victimised and humiliated, denied and deprived but they remain unshaken.�
Also speaking, Arogbofa, who is the General Secretary of the group, said the return of the people would further strengthen the group and reposition it for better performance.
To further demonstrate the renewed unity in the group, Odumakin that was hitherto not recognised by the Fasoranti led Afenifere as the National publicity Secretary came up with a statement on the meeting explaining in details the deliberations and the outcome of the Akure meeting. The statement said the group had resolved to intensify the campaign for true federalism. According to him, now that the people have come together again, effort will be made to ensure that major issues affecting the nation are tackled.
The communiqué signed by Odumakin on the next line of actions of Afenifere read, “To intensify the campaign for the restructuring of Nigeria into a true Federation where every region would have the necessary autonomy to determine their affairs without prejudice to the unity of the country;
“To create a conducive environment for the best and the brightest to play roles in leadership and raise the bar in terms of quality representation for our people.
“Finally, meeting encourages our people not to give up hope in the midst of the many adversities in the country or surrender to the culture of fear that is spreading in the land but be vigilant at all times.�
The meeting noted that the crises that had rocked the group had negatively affected development in the southwest region of the country. It further observed that, “The crises in Afenifere in recent years has robbed Yorubaland of its most potent and irreplaceable ideological and leadership training ground and in the process opened the region to politics without values.Secondly that “This has led to a big vacuum in the progressive vanguard of the Yoruba people; and has therefore “given rise to a proliferation of organisations as division multiplies problems�.
The group therefore resolved to among other things, “work assiduously to warehouse all progressives forces who are committed to Afenifere values under its banner and resume the historic duty of the Awolowo political establishment; It also resolved “to reposition Afenifere to meet the challenges facing the Yoruba people in particular and Nigerians in general; to build internal solidarity within the Yoruba Nation and network with groups who share similar aspirations across Nigeria towards rebuilding a country that works for its citizens; To strengthen the group’s effectiveness in restoring time tested values on integrity in public life, accountable leadership and service to the people by their leaders as against the pervasive selfishness and opportunism defining our public space at the moment; To galvanise the people to demand a paradigm shift in our polity and rebuild our failed institutions so that our best moments will not continue to be in the past; to intensify the campaign for the restructuring of Nigeria into a true Federation where every region would have the necessary autonomy to determine their affairs without prejudice to the unity of the country; To create a conducive environment for the best and the brightest to play roles in leadership and raise the bar in terms of quality representation for our people.�
The meeting however had a word of encouragement for the people of the region urging them “not to give up hope in the midst of the many adversities in the country or surrender to the culture of fear that is spreading in the land but be vigilant at all times�.
No doubt that the move to bring together the warring factions in the Afenifere was in the interest of the region as it would enable the Yoruba race speak with one voice again and regain its lost glory when it comes to contributing to national discussions. However efforts should be made to ensure that those still outside are brought under same roof for total unity to be achieved.
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