By David Adenekan, NADECO USA’s Spokesperson
Indeed, one needs a certain level of heartlessness to be a politician in Nigeria. Imagine sharing copies of exercise book with a face value of #200 per copy to the electorates, with all sense of seriousness and fulfillment.
This is the show off, Mr. Chief of Staff (Gbajabiamila) is proudly performing. You could have as well sent the exercise books to each school in your constituency for better distribution.
Is the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, saying, this is how far the billions of naira for constituency project can go? Lagosians, must ask this very pertinent question. GBAM!
Suffice it to say, is this the best the ruling party, APC, could offer to the poor students in Lagos State?
Moreover, it is imperative to say the above narrative is in sharp contrast with what we saw during the Second Republic, when the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN), which was the ruling party in Lagos State, under the able, selfless and indefatigable leadership of Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande of blessed memory, provided free education for every student in Lagos State.
Yes, it was free education for all students, with a complete supply of free text books, note books and other school supplies for all students for a whole academic year.
It is also very important to say, that the writer of this piece was a beneficiary of this great dividend of democracy; a totally free education from 1980 to 1983 before the military boys struck and aborted the Second Republic.
Truth be told, many of today’s political leaders, including Femi Gbajabiamila, benefitted from the free education programme in Lagos State and that of the federal government. Femi Gbajabiamila graduated from the University of Lagos in 1983, when the tuition fee was free with a well-organized and highly subsidized federal government meal programme in all Nigeria Federal Universities.
How did I get this primary data? My family house was not too far from the University of Lagos (UNILAG), and I have cousins and nephews that attended the University of Lagos in the early eighties.
Anytime I visit them on campus, I will be given a meal voucher to get a free meal at the cafeteria. Hmmm, it was a big lunch or dinner with a quarter of a whole chicken in a big bowl, smiling on my face. Yes, this is an undeniable fact.
Prejudice apart and without mincing words, this is the best that sycophants, greedy, opportunists and self centered leaders like Femi Gbajabiamila could offer the poor students in Lagos State.
Hmmm, what a legacy and a moribund of democracy!
SHAMELESS PEOPLE!
Yes, social revolution is looming, except there is a deep sense of remorse and a right thinking mind in leadership.
Where did we get it wrong in this country?
Time will tell!