NIGERIANS VOTED A GENERAL, NOT A CONVERTED DEMOCRAT! BY S.KAZEEM

Dear President Muhammadu Buhari,

Sir, we understand the 'unfolding' that led to the inclusion of 'I AM A CONVERTED DEMOCRAT...' in a speech you delivered at the Chatham House, London, during the 2015 Presidential campaign. But should that take away the GENERAL in you...!

Sir, it is of utmost importance to remind you that 'NIGERIANS VOTED A GENERAL', not a converted democrat, because we needed one to save our country from perpetual retrogression, personified corruption, gross mismanagement, and from the 'anti-people' cabal. Sir, it is very pertinent for you to ACT RIGHT; set the records straight and PROSECUTE those retrogrades in your government.

Sir, your led government is hastily becoming unpopular and obviously loosing its grip. ACT NOW, because Nigerians have started revolting against your FAILURE to act like a GENERAL.

Sai Baba, IF YOU CHOOSE TO BE A CONVERTED DEMOCRAT, THEN, I WILL IMPLORE YOU TO BE LIKE THAT OF CHIEF OLUSEGUN OBASANJO. BUT REMAIN INCORRUPTIBLE.

NB: we remain resolute in our support for your administration, because it is our wish that your government succeed.

NIGERIANS VOTED A GENERAL!

Tweet at: @MrSteam_ 

OPEN LETTER TO GOV. AKINWUNMI AMBODE; AS UNAUTHORIZED DUMP SITES RETURNS.

Hitherto, I do like to acknowledge your efforts in consolidating on the achievements of your predecessor and in positioning the ‘center of excellence’ in a prestigious position among African countries that are steps ahead in human and infrastructural development. Sir, no doubt, daily sanitation in the central business district, government reserved areas and other high brow areas in the fastest growing cosmopolitan city in West Africa, Lagos, is of a high priority to the State. But unfortunately, under your watch, the rate of emergence of unauthorized dump sites in other parts of Lagos, to include the rural areas has increased to a disturbing number and calls for worry.

Sir, it is no gainsaying that your government inherited a clean and a prosperous Lagos, from your immediate predecessor. The clean Lagos we were all very proud of was a result of the 'over a decade' combined concerted efforts from the pioneer of the new Lagos master-plan and that of your immediate predecessor. Thus, it is of a great importance for your led government to take pragmatic steps, with the inclusions of all State agencies and government at all levels, to get rid of the rising rate of unauthorized dump sites in the city of Lagos. Even if this will require a reorientation of the people in the State, paying highway cleaners more and getting more personnel on Lagos roads, placing a fine on environmental law defaulters and maybe a change of leadership of the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA), if the later is necessary.

Sir, the rising rate of unauthorized ‘hazardous’ dump sites in the State denigrates your office, is bringing so much discomfort to the people and also cast a shadow on our pride as residents of Lagos. In all honesty, the time to save the people of the State from a possible outbreak of diseases is now and we all must put all hands on deck.

Sir, it is not hypothetical that tax payers in the State deserve to get a value for their hard earned money.

Best regards.

MA Sulaiman Kazeem

Tweet at: @MrSteam_

15/03/2017

OPEN LETTER TO GOVERNOR NASIRU EL-RUFAI; ON THE MASKED GENOCIDE AND MASS SLAUGHTER IN SOUTHERN KADUNA.

Sir, the ongoing masked genocide and mass slaughter in Southern Kaduna are worse problems facing the people in those communities, these are worse than the lack of government's presence, the abject poverty staring at their faces and even war. We need to understand why, but it is a great difficulty conveying human beings whose behavior seems to defy understanding, and are beyond belief.

Sir, it is quite true that nobody disbelieves that the mass killings by Fulani Herdsmen in Agatu - Benue State, Enugu State and other States happened, and that the massacres in Southern Kaduna happened and is still happening. What they have difficulty understanding is why its happening, and accepting notions that violate their own common sense understandings of the world.

Sir, there is a certain paradox, because sometimes one accepts very highly, seemingly original, profound theories, and sometimes the explanation is relatively simple. The actual explanations are threatening and unsettling to people. The notion that ordinary people would willfully butcher other people, torture them, including women and children, slaughter them, while the government of the day fail to protect them and their properties, is a very disturbing notion to people, particularly if they are looking upon people with whom they identify. So they seek explanations which are not really more comforting, but less threatening to them.

When religious and ethnic 'leaders' start encouraging their followers to protect themselves and fight back when attacked, then you will agree that Kaduna State is comfortably sitting on a KEG OF GUN POWDER that is waiting to explode. Sir, your administration and authorities empowered by law and with the responsibilities of providing security for the people must make concerted efforts to put a stop to the ongoing AGED masked genocide and massacre in Southern Kaduna. In other to save us from another ANARCHY in Nigeria.

This is real and frown. The Southern Kaduna killings has taken a new dimension, that is capable of resulting to a national ethnic crises. Sir, the President Buhari led federal government have technically reduced Boko Haram from a large group who were killing in hundreds, bombing incessantly, and erecting their flags in communities, to a small nontechnical disgruntled group of devils. We can not contain another SOCIO-ETHNO-RELIGIOUS uprising from Southern Kaduna.

Sir, if you turn blind eye and deaf ears, and go about making soothing speeches, instead of taking pragmatic steps towards putting off the conflagration, INJUSTICE AND OTHER CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY in a State under your watch, then you are as guilty as those perpetrating the evils.

Thank you.

#SaveSouthernKaduna

MA Sulaiman Kazeem
Tweet at: @MrSteam_
02/02/17.

A Blunt and Counterproductive Travel Ban. By Mohamed El-Erian

A Blunt and Counterproductive Travel Ban

Mohamed El-Erian

FollowMohamed El-Erian

Chief Economic Advisor, Allianz;

Some bold and simple policies have merit; Friday’s executive order that temporarily bans the citizens of certain countries from coming to the U.S., and stops indefinitely the entry of Syrian refugees, is not one of them.

As designed and implemented, there are genuine doubts about the order’s effectiveness in meeting its stated objective of preventing terrorism. It also risks a lot of collateral damage and unintended consequences that ultimately could prove counterproductive and harmful to national security, the economy, and America’s moral authority, values and standing in the world. Even the order's merits as a domestic signal are in doubt, and it risks damaging the credibility and effectiveness of future policy initiatives from the White House. 

The travel ban is succinctly stated: “To protect the American people from terrorist attacks by foreign nationals admitted to the United States.” With immediate effect, it forbids entry for specified periods of time to citizens from seven countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen). 

But this is an extremely blunt approach to an important issue. Early reports on its application suggest that even long-time holders of multiyear visas for the U.S., together with green card holders and dual nationals, are are being refused entry at airports or being prevented from boarding planes destined for America. This includes people who have been living in the U.S. legally for many years, have been vetted, and are productive and integrated members of their local communities. Judging by Google, which stated that more than 100 of its employees traveling abroad are impacted by the order, it also covers tax-paying U.S.-based workers who productively contribute to national growth and, as of this weekend, were on business trips or holidays abroad. They may now be stranded.

It is not clear whether the travel ban also applies to those working at the international institutions that the U.S. hosts, including the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. The uncertainty is enough to stop some staff from traveling abroad on business, thereby reducing the effectiveness of these institutions. Then there are the students at U.S. educational institutions, some of whom are still in the process of returning for their new terms.

No wonder so many people from across the political spectrum are questioning the executive order -- and deploring its highly discriminatory nature and the related threats to what makes the U.S. so special and so admired. The ban risks undermining the U.S.'s moral authority, along with its standing and the respect it commands. In turn, this can undermine the credibility of President Donald Trump's administration, creating potential headwinds to the effectiveness of its future measures in a wide range of areas.

I suppose that some may feel that all this would be warranted if the ban can deliver on its objective. But here, too, there are problems.

Several people have already pointed out that none of the terrorist incidents suffered by the U.S. in recent times, including the horrible Sept. 11 attacks, were perpetuated by citizens from the seven designated countries. The ban could have other harmful consequences. Some have noted that it applies to people who fought alongside American troops in dangerous situations, and includes some who acted heroically, saving our men and women in uniform. This is but one of the adverse signals that the executive order transmits to the many supporters and fans of the U.S. living in the named countries.

I understand, and very much share, the desire to reduce terrorist risks. As currently designed and implemented, the travel ban is not a good way to do so.

This post originally appeared on Bloomberg View.

OPEN LETTER TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, ON POLICE HOSTILITY, EXTORTION AND BRUTALITY. BY S.KAZEEM

OPEN LETTER TO THE INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE, ON POLICE HOSTILITY, EXTORTION AND BRUTALITY. Again, I have decided to express my concerns about the increasing rate of mindless hostility, shameful extortion and dreaded brutality by men of the Nigerian police. Lest I forget, let me give accolades to a very few among your men who have distinguished themselves in their services to our fatherland but unfortunately, their diligence on their job go unnoticed and un-celebrated by the day. This is due to the huge criticism and damaging remarks from the victims of these cruelties. Today, not only has 'OPEN' collection of bribe at check points – major bus stops, payment for bail and unlawful detention at police stations come to stay and unreported but it has become a thing of pride for the bad eggs among your men. They even go as far as ‘raiding’ innocent people returning from work and sometimes dispose them of their hard earned money and other valuables. Extortion by Policemen is aged and the victims are too many, but it can be stopped. Your men have brought so much disrepute to the Nigerian Police, so the bad eggs among them must be brought to book before it is too late. No doubt, Nigeria would have become an admirable place for all, had the mindless hostility and dreaded brutality by your men be on criminals and law defaulters but unfortunately their cruelties are on innocent tax payers who engage in lawful businesses and respect the rule of law. In-arguably, the aforementioned acts seem to have become embedded in the psyche of an average policeman whose desire for luxury is mind disturbing and have eventually got the number of bad eggs among your men to ‘cube square’ those who ‘serve and protect with integrity’. Sad, the senior officers among your men are products of these shameful reactants, and tend to encourage these among junior officers, all because a certain percentage of the ill gotten money also stops at their offices. It is no news that some mindless DPOs in the NPF are fond of replacing criminals in their custody with innocent people ‘raided’ on the streets, in exchange for huge sums of money. Sir, the cruelty of your men have resulted to an increased crime rate, loss of so many lives and property, and left so many innocent people handicapped. As a frantic opinion writer, it is pertinent for me to tell the other side of every story, in a curative manner that is devoid of sentiments and self aggrandizement. In affirmative of the aforesaid, let me say that the 'rotten state' of the NPF is an indication of a successive failed leadership, mindless corruption, crass impunity and a lack of political will to end this mess in the NPF. The plague in the NPF is curable and discipline can still be instilled in your men, only and only if your leadership can embark on a well funded strategic orientation and reorientation of your men, prosecute and get rid of the hardened bad eggs to a minimum and provide sustainable benefits and build confidence in the good ones. Sir, it is time to stop the ‘mental slavery’ among your men, it is pertinent to stop attaching your men as drivers to public office holders, hand bag carriers and maids to the wives of the rich. The time to stop your men from harassing other road users with their vans is now, the time to end selective arrest of offenders is now. Policeman should not be seen as friends to criminals, but rather they should be friends to law abiding citizens. In conclusion, let me say that the approach to restoring sanity and sanctity in the Nigeria police can not be achieved, if the salaries and other allowances of your men still get delayed or shortened by their senior colleagues, if your men are denied a conducive living environment and other benefits, if your men are denied of their training and retraining allowances, if their gratuities and pensions are being siphoned by their senior colleagues. So, it is very important for your office to also look into the rots among the ranks and files of the NPF, if your leadership desire to leave good legacies and is sincere with the much talked about ‘change begins with me’ slogan. AGAIN, I CAN ONLY EMPATHIZE WITH ALL VICTIMS OF POLICE HOSTILITY AND BRUTALITY, BECAUSE WHO DO YOU CALL WHEN YOU ARE BEING BRUTALIZED BY THE POLICE. Sad, it is "POLICE EVERYWHERE, JUSTICE NOWHERE". I see hope! Thank you. Sulaiman Kazeem 27 Jan, 2017.

LAUTECH CRISES; THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY. BY S.KAZEEM

LAUTECH CRISES; THE OTHER SIDE OF THE STORY.

Contrary to the opinions of a majority of LAUTECH stakeholders and my stance in previous open letters to the two official visitors, which puts them at the center of the blame game, this time, i have deemed it fit to redirect the focus of our cameras to the bloated leadership of the university which is infested with economic and financial fraud, corruption, true dereliction, abuse of power and mismanagement of resources.

If you look at great tertiary institutions, from the Premier University to Great Ife, you will see that most do not fail due inherent instability but because of internal weakness, corruption, embezzlement, mismanagement, and a failure to manifest the values and ideals they espouse. Truly, these are characteristics that exist everywhere to include tertiary institutions. What successful leadership do is keep them to a minimum because no one has ever eliminated any of those stuffs. Today, LAUTECH is dancing at the corridors of shame and ridicule as a result of the highlighted factors.

By the way, I would like to register my displeasure for the show of impunity and force by the Nigerian Police, during the students’ most recent 'protest for resumption'. Well, those guys in black uniforms are foremen and obey orders from their superiors who often times sits in their offices. Sad, instead of ‘answering their over 200 days prayers’, the owners State allowed the Nigerian Police to shoot tear gas at protesting students, who deemed it fit to express their displeasure for the ‘indefinite mid semester break’ and the industrial action by various unions on the campus, leaving some injured and arrested a few among them. Well, this is not coming as a surprise to me, something worse was done to us when we staged a protest demanding for tuition fee reversal among others.

Before I take on the aforementioned factors, let me give honor to whom honor is due, a reputable role model and a vice chancellor per excellence, Professor Sulaiman Gbadegesin. It is on record that the successes of the Sulaiman Kazeem led Students’ Union Government were built on the cordial relationship we had with the university Senate under his leadership.  Sadly, it is practically impossible to exempt this ‘foreman’ from the failed leadership of the university, even with the face lift he has given to the university campus, administrative buildings and the lecture theaters. Unfortunately, his leadership failed to pivot the politics to a balance, end economic and financial crimes and keep mismanagement in the university to a minimum.

Firstly, we all must agree that corruption and mismanagement has reached an unacceptable level in our beloved LAUTECH. It has devoured the resources that could have been devoted to the growth and development of the university and impeded the proper carrying out of the university rules and penalize the honest and capable. Yes, I am open to a broader discuss, if need be but before that, allow me to drop a list of the sources of internally generated revenues of the university. Think about this, LAUTECH has an average of 30,000 undergraduate students, enrolls an average of 4,000 Pre-degree students in two folds a year, have an average of 15,000 Part-time registered students, have an average of 10,000 Masters Degree students, have an average of 10,000 MBA students, have an average of 10,000 PGD Students, students pays department and faculty dues and buy study materials at exorbitant amounts, LAUTECH is a beneficiary of ETF, international donations for research and educational development, LAUTECH ventures, matriculation and convocation dues, donations from corporate bodies and individuals, to mention a few pronounced ones. Now, you can make your findings on how much each student in each category pays for acceptance fee and for tuition and then do the mathematics.

However, in the event that the annual IGR is not enough to meet the needs of the university, then an amount far less than the subvention from the owners States should be perfectly enough. Please be reminded that the previous meeting between the two owners States was ended with a committee constituted to review the finances of the university. This is in phase with my stance that the visitors are also of the opinion that there is corruption and mismanagement in the university.

Yes, funding education is a social responsibility of the government but it gagging when the tertiary institution becomes a complete liability. Unfortunately, the ownership crises seem to have overshadowed the infractions in the leadership of the university. Sad, the said ownership tussle is being fueled by some self serving group of people who are hell bent on robbing Esau of his inheritance for Jacob. May posterity never forget us. However, it is in the best interest of the owners States and other stakeholders to reach a sincere collaboration.

Before I am found guilty of putting up a biased opinion or accused of attacking the leadership of the university, let me say that the owners States also failed to checkmate the leadership of the university and also in their moral and financial responsibilities to the university. At this juncture, the blame game has to stop and a sustainable solution must be proffered to the crises.

In conclusion, until the day the university management and the owners States meet at a round table to discuss how the students can return to class in a wink, I am going to do what I can, regardless of the cost to me, to speak against the awful corruption and mismanagement destroying my beloved Alma-mata and get the students back in classrooms.

Yes, we must set aside our divides and set the record straight because through the inevitable mismanagement of resources and goods at the disposal of the university, all forms of collectivism would eventually lead to tyranny and anarchy.

NB: The figures in paragraph 5 is subject to change.

Thank you.

Sulaiman Kazeem
LAUTECH Alumnus.
13-12-2016

ONDO GUBER; WHY ROTIMI AKEREDOLU (SAN) WON.

ONDO GUBER; WHY ROTIMI AKEREDOLU (SAN) WON.

The peculiarities of the sunshine State political aura, the dynamic magnitude and the changing directions of the just ended political race to occupy the most respected office in Alagbaka - Ondo State, were the reasons for my no-speculations and no-predictions stance. However, let me say that Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu's victory at the Ondo State gubernatorial polls did not get to me with any unpleasantness. Dear friends, please read a brief about the 3 major contenders and my submission just below each.

Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) – (PDP)

Eyitayo Jegede (SAN) was born in Owo LGA of Ondo State. In 1983, he bagged a Degree in Law from the University Of Lagos and qualified as a lawyer in 1984.  In 1992, he was appointed a Notary Public and in the space of less than 10 years was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

In 2009, he was appointed as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Ondo State. In 2012 and 2016, Eyitayo won the governorship primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party back to back. In 2016, it is noteworthy to say that Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim was the Alimodu sheriff PDP national leadership governorship candidate. But, after a fiercely contested legal battle, the Appeal Court pronounced Mr. Jegede as the authentic gubernatorial flag bearer of the PDP. He pulled 150,380 votes at the polls.

Objectively, permit me to refer to Mr. Eyitayo as the GAME CHANGER in the just concluded Ondo State governorship elections. Indeed, he was the game changer but he was also the most destabilized candidate in the polls. Well, his drawbacks in the race must be credited to the outgoing Gov. Olusegun Mimiko and the fractures in the national leadership of his party. Sad, he was reintroduced into the race at the eleventh hour but could still become the first runner up. No doubt, he was loved by many and enjoyed the support of party loyalists. Perhaps, he could have won if he had no legal battles to fight, if the outgoing governor had evenly distributed his infrastructural development program in the State, if the outgoing Governor is not owing the work force a backlog of salaries and if he does not come from the same constituency as the outgoing governor of the State. In brevity, he won the battle but lost the fight.

Barr. Olurotimi Akeredolu (SAN) - (APC)

Olurotimi Akeredolu was born on 21 July 1956 in Owo Local government Area of Ondo State. In 1977, he graduated from University Of Ife and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1978. Akeredolu was appointed Attorney General of Ondo State from 1997–1999. In 1998 he became a Senior Advocate of Nigeria. He was Chairman of the Legal Aid Council (2005–2006). On 28 July 2012, Akeredolu became the ACN flag-bearer for the Ondo State governorship polls in 2013. On September 3, 2016, in a controversial primary election that rocked the ruling party, Akeredolu won the ticket to represent the APC at the 2016 governorship elections.

On Sunday, 27 November 2016, he was declared winner of the keenly contested Ondo State gubernatorial elections by pulling 244,842 votes at the polls.

Akeredolu’s campaign witnessed one of the worst hit in the history of Ondo State governorship polls. He was not supported by the ranks of his party in the southwest, to include the party’s national leader and Governors. One of sources reported that Aketi’s campaign materials and other forms of inducements were even rejected by the Ondo people and many party members. Well, i am of the opinion that his chances of winning the election got a boast, after Mr. President’s visit to the State and after the court verdict that brought the rancor in the major opposition party to standstill. Not only that Mr. Akeredolu hails from a less populated LGA is Ondo State and but his close rival is also from his LGA. A factor that was capable of thwarting his emergence at the polls. No doubt, he is expected to collapse the wall of rivalry between him and notable people in the southwest wing of his party, and then build bridges of harmonious relationship with all.

Chief Olusola Alexander Oke - (AD)

Chief Olusola Alexander Oke was born on 7 April 1956 in Ilaje LGA of Ondo State. In 1986, he bagged a degree in Law from University Of Ife and was called to the Nigerian bar in 1987. In 1991, he was made Local Government Legal Adviser of the SDP and was a member of Board of Internal Revenue in Ondo State from 1991-1992. In 1992, he was elected a member, Federal House of Representatives representing Ilaje/Ese-odo federal constituency. In 1996, he became the Secretary of the NBA, Okitipupa Branch. Between 1997 and year 2000, he was the chairman of NBA, Okitipupa Branch. He was a member of the National Executive Committee of NBA from 1997 - 2000. In 2000, he was appointed into the pioneer NDDC. In 2004, he was appointed Executive Chairman of OSOPADEC. He was the National Legal Adviser of the PDP between 2008 and 2012. He was appointed the Chairman of the Federal Polytechnic Bida in 2009 and also appointed Chairman, National Steel Raw Materials Exploration Agency between 2009 and 2011.

In 2012, he was a governorship candidate in Ondo State. In 2016, Chief Olusola Oke contested for the APC governorship ticket but he lost. Later, he decamped to the AD and was the party’s governorship candidate. He pulled 126,889 votes at the polls.

Not only that Chief Olusola Oke enjoyed the support of many social media strategists but his  public declaration of interest and other campaign rallies witnessed the largest crowd during the Ondo State gubernatorial elections. In addition, he is from one of the most populated LGAs in the State and was expected to maximize this advantage. One should not bother why such a large followership was unable to coast him to victory because we live in a society where a larger population of political rallies attendees and social media overloads don’t vote or were not eligible voters. Well, i must say that his decision to leave the APC for a party that is almost defunct is heroic and legendary but to some it is an abuse of party supremacy.

He gave a good fight with good boxing gloves but the rectangular ring and the referee dictates the winner. Considering the infractions in the Ondo State APC, Chief Oke’s campaigns enjoyed undaunted supports from aggrieved members of the APC in Ondo State.

NB: In-arguably, no election is flawless but it is believed that the just concluded guber election was not conspicuously rigged. Rather, it is the most monetized election in the history of the State. Hey, the 3 major political parties in the race are very guilty of this allegation.

#Dibo ko’sebe.

Congratulations, Governor-Elect Olurotimi Akeredolu
May your leadership bring good tidings to the Sunshine State. Amen

Twitter & Instagram: @MrSteam_

OPEN LETTER TO OGBENI AREGBESOLA: LAUTECH JOINT OWNERSHIP CRISES. BY S. Kazeem

OPEN LETTER TO OGBENI AREGBESOLA: LAUTECH JOINT OWNERSHIP CRISES.

Sir, again I have choose to address the lingering ownership crises in our jointly owned infrastructure, Ladoke Akintola University Of Technology, Ogbomoso, Oyo State. But before i begin, let me say that I have choose this medium of communication, not to seek undeserved popularity and personal benefits or to score unwarranted political points but for interests driven by a quest to see the students back in their various lecture theaters and for the overall development in an institution, where i am a registered Alumnus. Sir, in-arguably, the ownership crises took a new turn when people with questionable characters became members of the university governing council and later became an household debate when one of your predecessors saw the need for a State owned University in Osun State and then took the lead to establish Osun State University. It is noteworthy that these awakened the then leadership of Oyo State to see the need for a State owned University and burst the impending rivalry.

Sir, the ownership crises rocking LAUTECH is not the first of its kind and so the decision of your led government to pull out from the ownership of LAUTECH will not be historical. Sir, let me remind you that Adekunle Ajasin University was first established as Obafemi Awolowo University in March 1982 by the government of the old Ondo State. The immediately succeeding military government of Navy Commodore Michael Bamidele Otiko changed its name to Ondo State University in 1985. Its relocation to Akungba Akoko in the new Ondo State became imperative in 1999, following the creation of a new state out of the old Ondo three years earlier in October 1996. The bill backing the relocation was signed into law by the then Governor of the State, Chief Adebayo Adefarati, in November 1999, and that prompted the movement of a crop of workers from the old site in Ado-Ekiti to Akungba Akoko on 1 December 1999. The bill for yet another name change, this time to Adekunle Ajasin University, in order to immortalise the late Governor Ajasin, was signed into law by Governor Adefarati in 2004 following the demise of the former. The amended and subsisting statute of the University was signed into law in November 2007 by yet another governor, the former Governor Olusegun Agagu. In these circumstances, it can rightly be said that while the history of AAUA started in 1982, its relocation on 5 November 1999 marked the beginning of the second phase of its history now in its present location, Akungba Akoko. Sir, the decision of the Ekiti people to pull out of the ownership of the old Ondo State University brought about the need for University of Ado-Ekiti, now known as Ekiti State University. Sir, Ekiti State University which was founded in about two decades ago has now surpassed the former in almost all ramifications.

Sir, it is no gain saying that LAUTECH has experienced lack of funding for technology and research works. Sir, the university health center has degraded to a shameful state, forcing the student to patronize quack medical practitioners and unregistered chemist shops for medications and treatments. Sir, the university Library has been reduced to nothing but a museum, where only old editions of ‘dusty’ books can be found. Sir, universities like LAUTECH, Ogbomoso where old study materials and archaic syllabus are used by ‘incompetent’ lecturers can never compete with its contemporaries and be ranked among the best. Sir, instead of impacting sustainable knowledge in the students, many LAUTECH lecturers are more interested in extorting the students, while some embrace satisfying their sexual desires, in the absence of monetary gains. Sir, let me bring it to your notice that study materials are being sold at exorbitant prices, while the hapless students still have to contribute to buy writing materials and at times gifts for lecturers. Sir, LAUTECH was primarily established for the sons and daughters of the less privileged people in the owner States, so the current high tuition and other fees which was as a result of your failure to play your financial roles does not conform with the reasons for establishing the school. Sir, in recent times, no creativity or invention has been credited to the university, aside from a few that has been credited to incredible alumnus of the university. Sir, the moral and academic standards of the university has fallen far below excellence and might be unable to attain greatness in less than a decade, if your led government refuse to ‘take a bow’ and leave the stage, now that the ovation is loudest.

Sir, in my opinion, it is pertinent for Osun State to secure a good negotiation that will retain a good number of Osun State people in the LAUTECH work force after the disengagement, make plans to absorb the remaining work force population into various Osun State owned tertiary institutions, commissions and ministries. Sir, Osun State can make attempts to reach an agreement that will enable a considerable population of Osun State indigenes seeking admission in LAUTECH to be granted, with its Oyo State counterpart, then go ahead to pull out from the joint ownership of LAUTECH. Sir, LAUTECH infrastructures in Osun State can be converted to use for Osun State University, while the Osun State work force there can be retained and some in Ogbomoso can be added. This decision will enable Osun State to give Osun State University more support meant to be driven to LAUTECH, and in return make the school one of the best in the country.

Sir, why should a good tertiary education be exclusive to sons and daughters of the rich? Sir, why should LAUTECH continue to keep the poor in poverty?. Tertiary institutions in low-IGR and low FAAC States across Nigeria, specifically in those States dominated by poor civil servants, lack resources that are standards at private tertiary institution — things like a well equipped health center, well equipped library, cafeterias with good meals and healthy environment, and a well equipped sport center — and this has a real impact on the potential of the students.

Sir, the decision of Osun State not to make adequate provisions for LAUTECH has resulted to a failed system and poor human capital development in the university. Sir, this has resulted to decayed and uncompleted infrastructures in the tertiary institution, high tuition and other exorbitant fees in the public tertiary institution — increasing the number of drop-outs and perhaps social vices, incessant strike actions as a result of non-payment of workers salaries and allowances. In-arguably, the affected people are of the belief that it is a deliberate sabotage, aimed at collapsing the standard of the university and drive the level of illiteracy in the State upward.

Sir, aside the ‘perceived’ corruption and mismanagement in the tertiary institution which probably led to the decision of constituting a committee to look into the university's finance, the owner State governments has repeated failed in their promise to improve the standard of education and make the university affordable for all and sundry. Sir, yes, ignorance is more expensive but we can make good education at all levels more affordable for all, and secure our place in the league of great nations. Sir, we hold a strong believe that Oyo State is capable of financing the university, if the State become the sole owner.

Sir, we can bridge this gap and collapse the ownership crises rocking the university. Sir, Osun State should let go of its stake in LAUTECH and then focus on the numerous tertiary institutions in the State of the Virtue.

Sir, no doubt, Osun State is going through a critical time and lacks the financial capacity to co-own the university. Sir, this is understandable, considering the huge debt the State has been submerged for close to half a decade. Sir, the university must be adequately funded, if we truly mean well for the future of the students who have been left floating. Sir, time they say is no one’s friend, so we must make hay why the sunshine.

Sir, it is my objective opinion that Osun State Government, under your leadership should hold the Bull by its horn, and put the whirling wind rocking the future of over 30,000 undergraduates and thousands of Graduate students who have deemed it fit to advance their professional and academic career, to a calm. Sir, this decision must not be misconceived as cowardice or retrogressive but rather it should be seen as the best way to go, since the center no longer hold. Yes, we must deal with the fear of what will be told about why Osun State under your leadership withdrew from the joint ownership of LAUTECH but we should be more concerned about the future of the institution. Sir, it is not a parasite-host relationship but the refusal of Osun State to do the needful will lead to the death of both the parasite and the host.
Sir, we all must face these facts — and change this disparity. Sir, devoid of sentiments or our financial capacities, we all deserve a good education and the necessary knowledge to compete with others.

Sir, we must stop the pretense that all is well with our joint heritage and deal with our self denial that the present state of LAUTECH is not pitiable. Sir, we must face the current situation headlong and put this lingering crises to a rest. Sir, let me reiterate that the failure or success of your administration to act accordingly in salvaging the ‘nose diving’ LAUTECH ship, will be absorbed in history and told to generation yet unborn. Sir, it is in my opinion that you leave a legacy that will stand the test of time.

Best regards.

Yours sincerely
Sulaiman Kazeem
LAUTECH Alumnus.
23/11/2016.

Nigerian Youths and Idiocy. By S.Kazeem

Dear Friends, not only that a country where Youths write cover-stories in defense for corrupt politicians & selfish businessmen can never grow but a country with insensitive leaders as role models to a majority of her youths is definitely heading for self destruction and chaos.

Your idiotic and blind praises for the President Muhammadu Buhari led government is nauseating, undignified and can not help the government to achieve its fantastic campaign promises to; reduce fuel price to N45 per liter, provide free education at all level, pay 23million Nigerians 5,000 monthly, increase minimum wage and place every graduate in salary for extra 1 year after their youth service, one free meal (to include fruits) daily, for public primary school pupils, revive all our refinery in the first one year in office and build more to produce more for our domestic consumption, crush Boko Haram in the first 3 months in office, create three million Jobs per year, stop the importation of refined products and stabilizing the Naira, make the economy one of the fastest-growing emerging economies in the world with a real GDP growth averaging 10% annually, create an empowerment scheme to employ 740,000 graduates across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, State and community policing, ban on all government officials from seeking medical care abroad, revive the Ajaokuta steel company, special incentives to facilitate the education of the girl child, just to mention a few.

Well, it seem to many that the present administration has made few remarkable strides in the fight against corruption but more than many seem to disagree. Unfortunately, it is conspicuously clear that the said government is definitely not doing well in delivering its campaign promises, at the moment.

Thumbs up, if you are doing it for the money or|and recognition but a very big shame on you and those who raised you, if you are doing it for charity or for the fun.

Stop it, if its for the fun, rather join those who mean well for this nation by helping to identify the areas of weaknesses and failures of the incumbent government and probably proffer solutions.

Twitter: @MrSteam_

Americans have decided; It is TRUMP. By S. Kazeem

Americans have decided; It is TRUMP.

While the silent majority of American population, to include Blacks and other eligible voters 'stood and stood and stood' with Donald Trump Junior, expressing their undaunted support and determination to vote him at the polls; the minority, particularly those who do not have a voting right and don't reside in the US were busy making passes at the Republican Presidential candidate for POTUS, on all social platforms and in the print media. Even at that, President-Elect Donald Trump and his supporters refused to be swayed or discouraged, occupying the White House was their goal.

Just as Nigerians decided at the 2015 Presidential Polls, Americans have also decided to vote in a candidate of their choice. In other words, Face your own business, and let them deal with it or live with it.

THERE IS NO NEED TO PANIC, NO COUNTRY CAN EXIST IN ISOLATION, not even the United States Of America. President-Elect Donald Trump is an individual, and not supreme to the Office of the President Of the United States. Hopefully, world leaders would cut his excesses to size.

History would have been made in the US, had Sen. Hillary Clinton and her teaming supporters won at the polls, but i must agree that they fought a very good fight. Respect!

Congratulations, President-Elect Donald Trump.
#MakeAmericaGreatAgain

Twitter: @MrSteam_

Nigerian public schools keeps the poor in poverty. By S. Kazeem

Nigerian public schools keeps the poor in poverty.

Why should a good elementary education be exclusive to rich kids? Elementary schools in low-income neighborhoods across Nigeria, specifically in communities dominated by the poor, lack resources that are standard at wealthier schools — things like musical instruments, new books, healthy school lunches and soccer fields — and this has a real impact on the potential of students.

In addition, why should a good tertiary education be exclusive to the rich? State and Federal Government budgets so low for education and human capital development — resulting to decayed and uncompleted infrastructures in public tertiary institutions, high tuition and other exorbitant fees in public tertiary institutions — increasing the number of drop-outs and perhaps social vices, incessant strike actions as a result of non-payment of workers salaries and allowances. In-arguably, many Nigerians are of the belief that it is a deliberate sabotage, aimed at collapsing the education sector and to continue to pave ways for private universities to flourish.

No doubt, aside the corruption and mismanagement in public tertiary institutions, the Nigerian government has repeated failed in its promise to improve the standard of education and make it affordable for all and sundry. Ignorance is more expensive but we can make good education at all levels more affordable for all, and secure our place in the league of great nations.

Till today, i see the disparity every day in my neighborhood and the after effects of both 'a good education and the other' among family and friends.

We must face these facts — and change this disparity. Devoid of sentiments or our financial capacities, we all deserve a good education and the necessary knowledge to compete with others.

My afterthought 1:

First, poverty and limited school budget should not be hindrance to getting good education - Yes, it's harder but it's possible through hard work and determination.

Second, aside from taxes, buoyant parents can augment their children's school budget through donation, while Alumnus can do the same for the school they graduated.

We, the average citizens should solve the problem. We can't rely on politicians.

My afterthought 2:

Not only do public schools keeps the poor in poverty, through lack of government funding among others but also, finding qualified teachers to handle after school studies, low parental involvement in the study process of a child and allowing young people to join neighborhood gangs has been identified as the key reason for this educational decay and disparity.

Protect a child, Help a child.

My afterthought 3:

I am of the believe that we can begin the process of closing prisons and rehabilitating many damaged young people, only when we start opening schools where good education is affordable to all. This is a long term plan and would require the sincerity of parents too, but it will eventually be beneficial to our country.

Many troubled nations are those who failed to educate their young people and also invest in human capital development. A population dominated by uneducated young people can never grow or succeed.

Invest in Education, Secure the future.

My afterthought 4:

If our children are not in classrooms, how would they learn. And if they are not learning, how would they end up. The skills they learn today will prepare them for college and career readiness. An educated young person is a potential leader and has the tendencies of becoming successful in his/her field of pursuit. 

Social vices, militancy and terrorism among other forms of criminality can not be exempted from an uneducated population.

We need to open up schools that believe in all children and young people. A country with so many underprivileged young people struggling to survive must make good education a priority.

We must replace the impossibilities that has been imposed on underprivileged young people, by hope and purpose.

The revolution in Education must begin now, else Nigeria is heading for a bigger catastrophe than we have ever had.

Educate a child, Save a child!

Twitter: @MrSteam_

Against All Odds; Americans blew the TRUMPet. By S. Kazeem

Against All Odds; Americans blew the TRUMPet The world is becoming completely insane, overwhelmingly sentimental and totally emotional. Our electoral decisions no longer reflect the expected sanity that is seen in human societies, we turn deaf ears to matters arising and make a mockery of ourselves and our generations yet to come. In underdeveloped nations, decisions at the polls are highly influenced by 'Stomach Infrastructure, ethno-religious sentiments, political identities and more', but in developed countries, it is a different ball game, it is most often driven by 'Racism, color, development, bigotry, government policies and more'.

In Nigeria, despite the campaigns of calumny and mudslinging by the then ruling political party and numerous allegations that bothers on the eligibility of the APC Presidential candidate to contest at the 2015 Elections, on the 28 March, the Nigerian majority met at the polls and voted General Muhammadu Buhari - APC. Believe me, considering the weight of those allegations and mudslinging on the APC candidate, the party was suppose to be vanquished, but as 'nature', damage control and the Nigerian majority would have it, he won with a landslide victory. Today, the same drama repeated itself at the just concluded American Presidential Elections - Mr. Donald J. Trump was accused of almost everything that is absurd and inhumane, the allegations were all substantiated with many evidences, and the allegations were enough to disqualify him or give Sen. Hillary Clinton a smooth ride to the White House. But President-Elect Donald Trump was allowed to stay in course and his support base unexpectedly became larger after winning his party's primaries and eventually he won the election. Again, in a sane society, considering the political dramas that we all saw during the campaigns, President-Elect Donald Trump should not have won but no one reserve the right to decide on who Americans should vote. It's an American issue, and thus it was their decision to make. Political insanity is worse in poor nations, the monster called poverty is their colonial masters and it has denied the people of the right to mental health. Until it is dealt with, the monster remains the Boss. Dear friends, i know many of you feels uneasy with the outcome of the election but it is very important that you mind your own businesses, like fixing the economy and dealing with poverty. Allow the Americans to deal with their choice or live with it, after all, every man should be responsible for the consequences of his decisions. Let the insanity continue, there is nowhere to hide. If you are not insane, then you need to relocate to another planet. In an insane society, candidates with the baddest bashing most often win elections. Twitter: @MrSteam_