There was, recently, an encounter between the Oyo State Governor, His Excellency Senator Abiola Ajimobi on the one hand and Students of the Ladoke Akintola University Of Technology, Ogbomosho (hereinafter, Lautech), on the other. This encounter centered on the protests of the students against the protracted shutting of their school, Lautech, for a lamentable eight (8) months. The encounter has succeeded in attracting varying reactions from Nigerians owing to what many referred to as uncharitable comments and reactions from the Governor and I wish to lend my voice to the issue.
Let me state prestissimo, that this write-up is neither aimed at the Governor personally nor to support the students and clear them of any wrongdoing in the encounter. This is because, the last I heard about the issue was that the case was being resolved and that Lautech would be reopened soon (may be already opened by the time you will be reading this) and as such, I would rather we allowed a sleeping dog lie. Also, let it be understood that the Ajimobi in the context of the topic is connotative of every average Nigerian leader and public officeholder.
Let me further declare that the video clips, supposedly published by Saharareporters, on the encounter which went viral on the social media and as such reached me, do not cover the full encounter to the very end hence my decision to let the sleeping dog lie on blame sharing in the real subject of the issue on ground. Also, a clip supposedly released by an aide to the governor, in a bid to defend his principal, appears to be doctored and ‘worked to the answer’. But all that is not my major concern here.
My bone of contention, as satirically captured in the above topic, is the attitude of an average Nigerian leader, politician, public officeholder and the ‘powers-that-be’ towards the plight of the masses. Ajimobi is not alone in this mess as majority of others would have acted in the same vein, if not worse. Reviewing a 3-minute-48-second video, I couldn’t help weeping (feeling sorry) for the country and I wish to clinically highlight the clip here in order to let-out some fears I nurse on the future of this country called Nigeria.
In the video, a link to which is enclosed herewith (http://saharareporters.com/videos/must-watch-oyo-state-governor-ajumobi-hassled-students-booed-jeered-and-humbled), Ajimobi asked the students, having been informed that the school had been shut for 8 months, and in a rather defensive manner, whether he was the one who shut the school. In his words, ‘se emi ni mo ti school yin ni? (Was I the one who shut your school?). What a question! Your Excellency Sir, as the governor of the state which lays claim to the school being a state-owned institution, the students know no other haven to run to but you.
Apparently Sir, your actions and/or inactions led to the shutting of the school. May I further remind his Excellency that where anything goes wrong in a state, the head/leader of the state takes all the blame just as he takes the glory, where the reverse is the case.
As if the foregoing was not enough, the governor broke a new ground in errors by defying the students and threatening them of his readiness to lie in waiting to counter possible violence from them. This he did in his words ‘t’obaje bi e se fe maa bami s’oro niyen, gbogbo nkan t’e ba fe se, e lo se e’ meaning (if this is how you choose to talk to me, then you can go ahead and do your worst). He further went ahead to say that if the students chose to resort to violence, they (we, in his words) shall be waiting (for them) and that his government would not condone any ‘nonsense’ from anybody. Nonsense, did I hear?
I was shocked to the marrows, watching an elected governor, flanked by heavily-armed security operatives, speak in this tone. Even a military dictator wouldn’t do worse.
But then, what agitated me was a question (I asked myself) into what could be running through the mind of the governor while speaking. Did he really think the students over-acted by staging a protest, after having had to stay hopelessly, at home, for eight (8) months? I mean eight months of their precious lives! What could he have meant by ‘we shall be waiting for you’? Could he really mean matching any possible violence, from the students, with militarisation? What would he gain if the students were killed? Could he have said/done same to his children? Is any of his children schooling in Nigeria? Too many questions than answers.
The man went on to say that he reckoned that the management of Lautech, the state government and many (state) government blacked funds hence the situation but decried the attitude of the students on account of which he threatened not to ”talk” to them anymore. He further stated that he was the ‘constituted authority’ in Oyo State and stated that not even his inability to pay salaries and other financial obligations would remove that authority.
Well, my dear ‘constituted’ governor Sir. May I remind you that respect is earned and not enforced? A teacher is so-called only as long as he/she teaches and a painter maintains that name only for as long as he paints. A governor therefore, only manages to maintain that name for as long as he governs. Where however, a governor decides to instill fear in the masses and threaten them, he ceases to be governor but assumes the post of a dictatorial tyrant. Would his Excellency have spoken like that during the electioneering campaign for his historical second term in office?
It leaves one maniacally bewildered to behold how some of our leaders reason, how they transform from that gentle, soft-spoken, humble friend of all to masters, playing thin-gods just between electioneering campaigns and their assumption of office. I recall vividly what the erstwhile governor of Lagos State did to students of Lagos State University when he refused to revisit his unilateral decision to hike the tuition fees in the institution by more than 1000% (from 25,000 to, up to about (340,000). All pleas then were to no avail. It took the loss of elections in the Ekiti gubernatorial polls, to an opposition, for the man to quickly make a U-turn. Why are our employees becoming our masters? How does a gardener you employed become your landlord all-of-a-sudden?
Like I said earlier, an aide to his Excellency uploaded a video showing how the matter was amicably resolved between his Excellency and the students, right there and then. But I say that, even as his video appeared to have been edited or doctored (if you care), it is understandable that the gentle man was trying to protect his job or, who knows, maybe to earn some pay rise. So, brother, no offence is taken.
I further heard that a child of his Excellency made some comments referring to the students as being rude (or something like that) but then I have decided never to join issues with a mere beneficiary of circumstance.
Let me drive home some points at this juncture, after an attempted surgical review of the subject of controversy.
That the future of the country appears gloomy if the leaders of tomorrow are subjected to this kind of treatment in the hands of people whoi should nurture, mentor and guide them.
That the future of the country appears gloomy if the leaders of tomorrow are subjected to this kind of treatment in the hands of people whoi should nurture, mentor and guide them.
That Positions of authority come with both obligations and privileges. One therefore, cannot enjoy the privileges and shy away from the obligations.
The masses remain the employers of their leaders and not the other way round. Where I belong, it is believed that a leader is actually a servant to his people.
This too shall pass. The ‘constituted authority’ for today will not be in a position to lay claims to that given a few years to come. No leader rules forever.
Some leaders in the past left legacies worthy of emulation. The Obafemi Awolowos, the Nelson Mandelas, the Kwame Nkrumahs, all of blessed memory, never talked to the masses in this fashion and the result is that we have refused to forget about them long after. Every man is but a subject of discussion after him, so what subject do you think you will be? A question for all.
Leaders in saner climes, places where many of the Nigerian leaders either studied, lived or visit often, will make no such mistakes. Why is it different here?
To conclude therefore, I posit as follows:
Nigerians need to urgently reverse the ugly master-servant relationship that exists between them and their leaders. This they can achieve by engaging the leaders more, constructively, by rejecting, refusing and protesting against, any ill-treatment, half-measure performance and/or outright failure on promises, with every legal means available.
We should also stop, forthwith, the unearned, unnecessary and misplaced accolades, praises and encomia which we shower on them for doing what we practically employ them for. Why should you dance in praise of your gardener, who you pay regularly, for doing his job?
Leaders need to really earn that name by being responsible and responsive to duty calls associated with their offices. They should respect the highest office in the land – the office of the citizen of the country and accord occupants of that office the deserved respect and stewardship. The citizens are the real constituted authorities.
The above done, we all will be better for it and the future will be bright, God willing.
I rest my case.
Lawal (Abdul)Fatai Abiodun
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