Of Igbinedion and big mistakes
By
WITHOUT much ado, I read with mild anger the write-up of one Sido Abulimen, a student, of Ambrose Ali University, Ekpoma on the person of the governor of Edo State, Chief Lucky Nosakhare Igbinedion on his decision to close down AAU and ban all existing associations and unions.
I am angry and really bleeding, not because, the governor is my bosom friend, or am I his admirer, but I feel that Bido was careless in his use of words describing Governor Igbinedion as the Hitler of our era.
Furthermore, he (Bido) was mostly engrossed with the governor’s shortcomings in his administration of the entire state as he hails from Edo State. But, I am one who is not bothered about activities in Edo State in general, but one who is concerned about the inhuman this supposed father is taking us (the Ekpoma student) through.
On October 15, 2000, his excellency ordered Ambrose Alli University shut. What was the reason this time? It was alleged that some group of boys had seized a Coca-cola truck load of soft drinks due to the company’s non-chalant attitude towards a promise made to build a Coca-cola village in the premises of the Ivory tower. The company did report this case to the governor who all the while has been looking for an opportunity to nail the institution’s coffin. Meanwhile the company is still making millions selling its soft drinks in the institution, though the entire town of Ekpoma has been in a deep slumber for the past four months going to its fifth month. It was the governor’s decision that AAU go to sleep for ninety due to what he called the "gross misdemeanour" of the Ekpoma students.
Already 130 days have passed, my governor, who often reminds one of Saddam Hussein is still stalking. What have the Ekpoma students really done this time? Why visit the sins of a few misinformed kids on more than fifty thousand innocent and eager souls yearning to learn.
As a governor, your words is law. How come you have forgotten all about reliability? Why introduce a case that must breed anger?
I am bleeding for I am aware that the governor has no other reasons to shut Ekpoma, than the fact that he wants Ambrose Alli (Rest in Peace, Papa) dream of this knowledge for advancement to die. He has reneged on his 90 day promise. It is even more disturbing to realise that he had opted to stick to his no father figure policy, visiting the sins of few on all. To this end I must say, no matter what, Ambrose Alli’s dream cannot die. There is no need not take you to the days when Ekpoma was known for only the notorious and nefarious activities.
It is even more painful, if one realises that the lame ducks in the State House of Assembly are all stooges to the authoritarian in civilian apparel. If not how does one explain a case where once you get to the state assembly and they realise that you have a grouse against the governor or that you an Ishan man fighting the Ekpoma cause you will be honourably asked to take your leave or face the music. Yes embarrassed. I feel it is about time the National Assembly’s Committee on Education waded in.
Another disturbing fact is the positioning of military men with tanks at the gates of the respected towers of the person of Ambrose Alli, a father that they just didn’t allow to stay. Why introduce this nasty and embarrassing situation? Who is fighting who? With time these men will supply the Ekpoma kids arms to wage a war against the government, just what the tyrant is waiting for to get a good grip to close down the institution permanently. We don’t want no education at gunpoint. To this end, I make bold to declare that Governor Igbinedion is still pushing the Ekpoma students.
I listened with horror at the words his political adviser chose for him to tarnish the image of Ekpoma and the Ekpoma students. That he was "tired at breeding criminals and louts as well as numbskulls" is a little too much. I must say, as far as I am concerned that the Ekpoma student is an intellectuals, no matter what they made you to believe. To this end, let them bring three undergraduates from Okada University and three from AAU, let us have debates on life, academics and society, or the sciences or Law. Let us see who are the mediocres and those driven by money.
Though I hate him with a passion, I must bring to the fore the feelings and prayers of every one I know in Edo State. Brother, the youths who are the bulwark of every game plan,believe you would end like Abacha.
To this end, I must say, no matter how long this man must torture us, the Ekpoma student is immune against-every aggression. We understand that tough times never last, but tough brothers will. One is even more disturbed that his high handedness has been extended to publishing vacancies in the Observer during the last days of February.
Moreover, sometimes I feel I ought not worry, too much for I had foreseen all these troubles when the institution was still known as Edo State University and noted same in my yet to be published book. Furthermore one can really see the governor’s machination from the onset when he successfully ousted Mr. Okosun, as speaker of the State Assembly . Governor Igbinedion has succeeded in making the principle of democracy a mere illusion which seems to only have the capacity of existence in one’s imagination. It will be more maddening to understand that Mr. Anthony Anenih, a one time respected man in the state is working hand in hand with him in killing the Ambrose Alli dream.
To this end, all the media in Edo State are owned by the Igbinedions. This accounts for the good press the governor is getting. But it is also true that, ‘he who wears the shoe, knows where it pinches.’ I am an affected one in the state.
That Edo State that he governs is ‘the heartbeat of the Nation’ is only an idea not the reality. Edo State is dead. That heart is not beating because the governor has killed it. He is suppressing and oppressing truth, but for how long? The battle is the Lord’s for even the crest of Ambrose Alli University and the colours of the school flag which are blue standing for royalty, and red, which symbolises power are evident that no one living can destroy this institution. For the school bears the star of King David, a shield, a sabre, a book (the bible) and a trumpet are all indications of knowledge for advancement. Those things representing the crest of AAU, have deeper meaning.
Furthermore, let me introduce to Nigerians the fact that it has even become impossible to talk of change from AAU for who is going to sell you a ‘transfer form,’ who will sign it? Nobody! Moreover it is killing to the Ekpoma student to know that the issue of resumption is in abeyance. Now that we have come to a head, one cannot explain or express how we abhor this governor’s face.
I must warn that my governor should abdicate himself from the upcoming purge set to wipe out all miscreants just as he so labeled us and our noble lecturers. Let me categorically state that we have been abased by this same man who is still preaching about developing this state. Where does development start from, the Ivory towers or the state house of assembly where his stooges are or the state house itself? I understand that if these were the kind of men Papa warned us about, then we are in really big trouble. The governor’s criticism has left many a student feeling embarrassed, abashed and low. He has left us sitting down at home as there is no job from the promises made by this present administration years before it came to power. Consequently, a case of arson can be brought against his excellency as nerves are getting frayed. The school is on fire literally; and I know he does care. I must say my dear governor is not very smart. Let him take a cue from his counterpart in Delta and Cross Rivers states. Governors James Ibori and Donald Duke pay bursary to their students as well as send goodwill messages to the students to encourage them, instead of fault finding. Yet is not far fetched to say that Ambrose Alli University is no worse than Delta State University, Abraka which only last semester kidnapped their V.C. and the school was not even closed down. Even the death of their registrar never had them sitting at home for a week, how much more, a five month closure of an institution in a democratic government, because some 15 boys had seized a Coca-Cola truck. Haba, please let us be reasonable.
Finally, since he has taken time bombarding Ekpoma, I have taken time bringing the ills of the governor to the fore. This is just a prelude to what I have for Nigerians about your adminstration. I am not the one to tell Nigerians the Ekpoma students’ fault. He has done that already.
Mr. Lucky Aguariavwodo wrote in from Ambrose Alli University Delta State