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_

My Lord, Tell me Where to Keep your Bribe. A poem by Prof. Niyi Osundare.

My Lord, Tell me Where to Keep your Bribe.

A poem by Prof. Niyi Osundare.

My Lord
 Please tell me where to keep your bribe?

Do I drop it in your venerable chambers

   Or carry the heavy booty to your immaculate mansion



Shall I bury it in the capacious water tank

    In your well laundered backyard

Or will it breathe better in the septic tank

     Since money can deodorize the smelliest crime



Shall I haul it up the attic

    Between the ceiling and your lofty roof

Or shall I conjure the walls to open up

    And swallow this sudden bounty from your honest labour



Shall I give a billion to each of your paramours

    The black, the light, the Fanta-yellow

They will surely know how to keep the loot

     In places too remote for the sniffing dog



Or shall I use the particulars

     Of your anonymous maidservants and manservants

With their names on overflowing bank accounts

     While they famish like ownerless dogs



Shall I haul it all to your village

     In the valley behind seven mountains

Where potholes swallow up the hugest jeep

     And Penury leaves a scar on every house



My Lord

     It will take the fastest machine

Many, many days to count this booty; and lucky bank bosses

     May help themselves to a fraction of the loot

                   

My Lord

     Tell me where to keep your bribe?



 My Lord

     Tell me where to keep your bribe?



The “last hope of the common man”

     Has become the last bastion of the criminally rich

A terrible plague bestrides the land

     Besieged by rapacious judges and venal lawyers



Behind the antiquated wig

     And the slavish glove

The penguin gown and the obfuscating jargon

     Is a rot and riot whose stench is choking the land



Behind the rituals and roted rigmaroles

     Old antics connive with new tricks

Behind the prim-and-proper costumes of masquerades

      Corruption stands, naked, in its insolent impunity



For sale to the highest bidder

    Interlocutory and perpetual injunctions

Opulent criminals shop for pliant judges

     Protect the criminal, enshrine the crime



And Election Petition Tribunals

     Ah, bless those goldmines and bottomless booties!

Scoundrel vote-riggers romp to electoral victory

     All hail our buyable Bench and conniving Bar



A million dollars in Their Lordship’s bedroom

     A million euros in the parlor closet

Countless naira beneath the kitchen sink

     Our courts are fast running out of Ghana-must-go’s*



The “Temple of Justice”

     Is broken in every brick

The roof is roundly perforated

     By termites of graft



My Lord

     Tell me where to keep your bribe?



Judges doze in the courtroom

     Having spent all night, counting money and various “gifts”

And the Chief Justice looks on with tired eyes

     As Corruption usurps his gavel.



Crime pays in this country

     Corruption has its handsome rewards

Just one judgement sold to the richest bidder

     Will catapult Judge & Lawyer to the Billionaires’ Club



The Law, they say, is an ass

     Sometimes fast, sometimes slow

But the Law in Nigeria is a vulture

     Fat on the cash-and-carry carrion of murdered Conscience



Won gb’ebi f’alare

     Won gb’are f’elebi**

They kill our trust in the common good

     These Monsters of Mammon in their garish gowns



Unhappy the land

     Where jobbers are judges

Where Impunity walks the streets

     Like a large, invincible Demon



Come Sunday, they troop to the church

     Friday, they mouth their mantra in pious mosques

But they pervert Justice all week long

     And dig us deeper into the hellish hole



Nigeria is a huge corpse

     With milling maggots on its wretched hulk

They prey every day, they prey every night

     For the endless decomposition of our common soul



My Most Honourable Lord

     Just tell me where to keep your bribe.



*   Large, extremely tough bags used for carrying heavy cash in Nigeria



** They declare the innocent guilty

   They pronounce the guilty innocent 

OPEN LETTER TO SEN. AJIMOBI & OGBENI AREGBESOLA: LAUTECH TODAY. BY S. KAZEEM

OPEN LETTER TO SEN. AJIMOBI & OGBENI AREGBESOLA: LAUTECH TODAY.

Sir, exactly 130 days ago, i expressed my concerns, worries and fears for the future of my Alma-Mata, Ladoke Akintola University Of Technology, Ogbomoso, the ‘once upon a time’ Nigerian Universities Commissions - Best State University in Nigeria for two consecutive years, 2003 and 2004, and at that same time had the Best State University Vice Chancellor, but unfortunately, the ‘silent tone’ of the set of alphabets in that article failed to suspend the dust. Today, i have deemed it fit to burst the bubbles, redirect the camera lens of the Owner States to the deteriorating condition of their joint heritage, and hopefully to put a rest to its haphazard motion in the atmosphere of ridicule.

Sir, let me quickly remind you that, the Citadel of Learning – LAUTECH as fondly called, was formerly known as Oyo State University Of Technology but it was renamed after a prominent Ogbomoso indigene - Late Pa Samuel Ladoke Akintola – Interestingly, this was after the decision of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida led Military Government to split the Old Oyo State among others, into ‘Oyo State and Osun State’, on August 27, 1991. However, it is noteworthy to remind you that the need to establish Oyo State University Of Technology was seen by the Governing Council of the Polytechnic Ibadan in 1987, and achieved with great support from Governor Adetunji Olurin, the then military governor of Oyo State. He set up a committee that, in 1988, recommended the creation of the university. By March 13, 1990, Nigeria's federal military government accepted the state's request; the edict establishing Oyo State University of Technology was signed on April 23, 1990. Unfortunately, decades after the split, the vision to co-own the infrastructure and to share both assets and liabilities was hit by self serving and community based interests. And since the unfortunate collision of interests, the affairs of the school has not been the same, as it has witnessed a succession of fight for supremacy and power among the members of staff, and a recurring ownership crises among the stakeholders of the institution – even after the ruling of Chief Justice Of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher of the supreme court, sitting in Abuja on March 22, 2012, stating that within the provisions of Section 2 and 15 of the Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Law, 1990 (as amended), LAUTECH should remain a joint heritage of Oyo State and Osun State. Today, the ownership crises bedeviling the progress of the institution has degenerated to its base and the stakeholders of the university seem to have completely fall out of phase, with the failure of the Ogbeni Aregbesola led Osun State Government and his counterpart in Oyo State to satisfy their financial commitments to the jointly owned infrastructure – coercing the work force of the university to down their tools, stage violent protests over the ownership of the institution and float the hopes of the students to get back to class. Inarguably, this has been absorbed in history and would be told to generations to come.

Sir, the failure of Osun State Government to pay its due in the jointly owned infrastructure ought not to have been received with utter shock – when the State under Ogbeni Aregbesola’s watch is currently in a struggle to find its financial equilibrium, which has resulted to the part-payment of the civil servants salaries and allowances, even with a huge debt hanging on the neck of the State. Little should anyone wonder why a State in such a monumental financial mess, would be able to make financial contributions in a jointly owned infrastructure. However, let me say that, the inability of States to pay salaries after the slash of their monthly Federal Allocation is not peculiar to Oyo State and his counterpart in Osun State, but their inability to perform their social responsibility in an infrastructure that was founded by their forefathers and inherited by them, is saddening and pose a great danger to the future of both States.

Sir, if truly that critical situations requires critical approach, then the present situation demands that all concerned stakeholders in the University and those in the education sector come together to save the future of the institution from the insensitivity of the ‘official visitors’, now, before the future of the over 30,000 students in LAUTECH and those yet to come disappear into the thin air. Perhaps, the ownership crises impeding the growth of the University can finally be brought to rest either by collaboration or by compromise. But, if the both aforementioned conflict resolution approach fails to save the situation, then let the school be acquired and managed by the Federal Government – at least, the jobs of both Oyo State and Osun State indigenes in the university would be safe and the hope of the student populace to return to class, would be restored. No doubt, the former is the major force driving the power tussles among the members of staff and the ownership crises.

Sir, let me remind you that during the Oyo State gubernatorial election that brought you to power, my predecessor, President Adeniyi Idowu (ID Aluta), whom I served with as the Financial Secretary of the Students’ Union, and many others almost lost their studentship and even put their lives on the line, because of their support for your candidacy – even the Students’ Union was slammed with an indefinite suspension, all in a bid to ensure that the former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Alao Akala was cut-off from the affairs of LAUTECH, so as to usher in political stability between the owner States. Sad, after your emergence as Governor of Oyo State, the situation did not get better, aside from the reversal of the hiked tuition fee, which did not include the fresh students of that year. In addition, the President Sulaiman Kazeem (STEAM) Students’ Union led regime also did not underscore in its support for your administration and that of your counterpart in Osun State, all to ensure a progressive academic environment for better learning and growth. Except for when your government made an attempt to end the ‘Tuition Fee Part-payment’, which led to a protest. Again, all was to no avail.

Sir, electoral lessons were supposed to have been learned from the sensitivity of LAUTECH and the importance of this heritage to the indigenes of both States. After all, the former Governor of Oyo State, Otunba Alao Akala lost his re-election bid, major credit to the dispute between him, the joint forces of Stakeholders in LAUTECH and the teaming population of aggrieved LAUTECH Students. Unfortunately, it seems that no lesson was learned – or should we submit that it is because yourself and your Osun State counterpart would not be running for a third term in Office. Even at that, should you and he be less concerned about the fate of your political party at the next polls, knowing fully well that, your party candidate stands to be hit by criticism for your own failure to act accordingly on LAUTECH issues. Well, just like many Ex-Governor turned Senator, either or both of you may decide to contest for Senatorial district in the next elections – then and then, I strongly hope that the electorates would read your dossiers aloud at the polls.

In fairness, this open letter would be incomplete without reminiscing over the day, the sunrise, the occasion, the event that witnessed the influx of great men and women into Ogbomosoland, probably, a sunrise like that of the August 28, 2012 is witnessed ones in many decades, not just in Ogbomosoland alone but in many other places in the globe – the day Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was appointed the Chancellor of my Alma Mata, not only was it inevitable for the two official visitors to be in attendance but it was also a one in a life time opportunity for the students and the Ogbomoso indigenes to see the faces of proud sons and daughters of Yorubaland. Thereafter, the former Lagos State Governor and APC National Leader was expected to bring his administrative ingenuity and vast experience in public management to bear on the running of the institution, and reposition it to meet the standard of its peers all over the world – sad, instead of the much ‘expected’ in the joint heritage, the reverse is conspicuously the case. One does not expect the Chancellor to fund the university from his wallet, but it was expected that his support in all ramification would take the university from where it was to greater heights. Today, our expectations from that glamorous occasion that filled the aura with so much joy are nothing but a mirage. What can we do, than to appeal to Asiwaju BAT to come to the aid of the helpless students, by making moves that would at least end the ongoing industrial action in the university and return the students to class. After all, the giant footprints of Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola who became the first Chancellor in January 1991 still stand the test of time.

Sir, lest I forget, let me categorically say that many of the setbacks suffered by the Students’ Union of the institution was as a result of the fight for power and supremacy among the members of staffs, particularly, those overseeing the affairs of the students and their activities. Well, those who are guilty of the said allegation should search their conscience and retrace their steps, in other to forestall ‘a year in – year out’ leadership deficiency in the Students’ Union and probably a repeat of the previous act of post elections vandalism. Let it be told that renaming of tertiary institutions to that of political figures, like it was recently done in Osun State, and also that ‘partial privatization’ of public elementary schools in other to reposition the responsibility of the government in the education sector on profit driven individuals, as recently done in Oyo State are not the ways to go in the case of LAUTECH, but rather, providing the adequate subvention needed to run the institution, this would make the university function well and also to attain its maximum potentials. Well, let me prepare the minds of the students that considering the ‘inactive’ state of the Students’ Union, the owner States would make attempt to increase the tuition, in other to reduce their financial commitment in the university. By then, the student populace would have to either ‘hold on’ or ‘let go’.

In conclusion, it has been absorbed in history that during your ‘official visiting’ to LAUTECH, the tertiary institution has done worse than ever – in infrastructural development, payment of salaries and allowances, in maintaining harmony among the organs of the university, and in the choice of Prof. Wale Omole as the Pro Chancellor and many others in the University’s management position but it is not too late for you to run like a Cheetah, in other to make every remaining second count. Sir, be reminded that man shall be remembered for his actions and inactions.

Restore our Excellency, Integrity and Service, before it is too late.

Thank you.

Sulaiman Kazeem

Twitter: @MrSteam_

17/10/2016 

OPEN LETTER TO MR. VICE PRESIDENT, ON THE ARREST OF CORRUPT JUDGES. BY S. KAZEEM

Dear Prof Oluyemi Oluleke Osinbajo (SAN) OPEN LETTER TO MR. VICE PRESIDENT, ON THE ARREST OF CORRUPT JUDGES. Firstly, let me use this opportunity to salute your courage in discharging your constitutional duties diligently, even amidst the fight for power and supremacy between the ranks and files in your political party, the crises in the National Assembly and the rivalry between our Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the cabals who seem to have successfully taken full control of the aura surrounding Mr. President, this was also attested to by Mrs Aisha Muhammadu Buhari. In addition, we hope that as Nigerians begin preparations to meet at the next general polls, in a blink, the Goose will be separated from the Gander, after the rainfall that brought them together. Even, when there is a popular saying that "what is good for the Goose, is also good for the Gander". Sir, as a Senior Advocate Of Nigeria with an enviable resume and dossier, Nigerians see you as a sound mind who understands our Judicial institution to its bits. Hence, you will agree that the blindfold of 'Lady Justice' represents objectivity, and that justice is or should be meted out objectively, without fear or favour, regardless of money, wealth, fame, power, or identity; blind justice and impartiality. Sir, if Justitia is with the sword in one hand and the scale in the other, then, it must be told that corrupt judges in our Judiciary are an embarrassment to the allegorical personification of the moral force in global judicial systems. Sir, let me say that the unprecedented shift of the face-plate beneath the corruption embedded foundation of the Nigerian Bar Association and in the unholy relationship between them and corrupt Nigerian politicians was long overdue but would have continued, if the incumbent administration had not taken drastic steps to revive the lost glory and re-position our Judiciary. Sir, A FRACTION OF THE PUBLIC WHO DISAGREE WITH THE ARREST OF CORRUPT JUDGES AND THEIR ALLIES, who denigrated the hopes of the oppressed and sell justice on the platter of gold to oppressors, CAN GO AND KISS THE SUN. However, i can assure you that those in support of this decision are more than those against it. Sir, i strongly believe that this bold step will rid the NBA of corrupt Judges, restore hope and our Justice system will never remain the same, when the shake currently is over. Sir, the fight against corrupt Judges and others is a welcome development and also a collective one for us all. For posterity sake, we must do everything within the ambit of the law to prosecute corrupt Judges and other culprits and also to restore dignity in the judiciary, for this will straighten our democracy and return sovereignty to the people. After all, the judiciary is believed to be the last hope of the masses and so must remain sacred. Sir, just the other day, i listened to Olisa Agbakoba (SAN) on Television, he accused the President Buhari led government of shielding corrupt Generals in the Nigerian Army, particularly, those who were penned in the Cash-Arms deal and other various corrupt offense against humanity. So, please bring the attention of Mr. President to this red flag, because Nigerians are running out of patience. Sir, before i submit, let me use this medium to implore you not to align with any interest that will hurt the Yoruba people and our Leader, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Yes, Yorubas are liberal people and we don't want to fight, yet by Jingo, if we do, let me assure you that we have got the ship, we have got the men-valiant and we have got the money and the necessary resources. In Limitation, I See The Infinite. Best regards. Sulaiman Kazeem Twitter: @MrSteam_ 13/10/2016.

Justice; Kidnapped And Hostage. By S. Kazeem

Justice has been kidnapped by our corrupt politicians and taken hostage by 'wigged' Rogues on Bench, who are holders of the Gavel and controls courtrooms, but people with different views have the absolute right to disagree with me. Today, the 'common sense' in my concerns became indisputable when it became evident that court verdicts has lost its integrity completely and eventually got served or purchased across the counter by highest bidders.

Sadly, the reality of the mindless corruption among 'Wigged' Rogues at the Nigerian Bar Association is shameful, mind bugging and should be condemned to its bits. These Rogues encourages public office holders to abuse office and assure them of protection. In-arguably, the anti-corruption movement of the incumbent administration will take a new turn, if corruption among 'rogues on Wigs' is brought to its minimum, by then, Justice and sanity can return to our Judiciary and our corrupt politicians would then have nowhere to seek for protection or to seek a soft landing.

Dear friends, you may not be in phase with the recent arrests of the said corrupt Judges or other corruption related issues, but let it sink in our Medulla that 'democracy means nothing, in the absence of strong anti-graft agencies and a 'corrupt-free' judicial institution'.

Twitter: @MrSteam_