I want to say congrats to the former president for eventually getting a university degree. It’s just a pity that he got it at a time after he had ruled the country twice. Perharps, had he gotten it earlier, the country may have benefited from his experience in a higher institution. Albeit, I don’t think the receipt of a degree by a former president should have caused such inconvenience and suffering to the people of the state. The roads were blocked completely at major points in Victoria Island, Lagos on Wednesday, January 7, 2009 simply because Obasanjo was getting a Bachelor’s degree. What would happen when he got a Doctorate or if he became a professor. Bill Clinton became a visiting professor after his tenure as president of the United States of America and the Secret Service didn’t harass anybody either on or off the campus.
I really don’t understand why our leaders can’t bring themselves to be humble and empathize with the people. Why is power so intoxicating in Africa? Several hundreds or even thousands of road users had to go through near stand still traffic for hours just because a former president was receiving a Bachelors’ degree. It’s more amazing that the degree is in Theology which has one of its cardinal doctrines as Humility and Tolerance. I hope the former president would be able to practice what he has studied and may soon begin to preach. The article below was culled from The Punch.
The National Open University of Nigeria on Wednesday celebrated its maiden convocation with former President Olusegun Obasanjo refusing to speak to the press after collecting a certificate from the institution.
The former president, popularly called ‘Student Obasanjo’ by staff and students of the open university received his certificate from the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olagbemiro Jegede, amidst ovation from one of his predecessor Alhaji Shehu Shagari.
Present were the Vice-President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, the Senate President, Mr. David Mark and the Director-General, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, Mr. Koichiro Matsuura.
However, journalists, who had hoped that Obasanjo would grant them an interview on his stay in the university after the convocation, were disappointed as he refused all entreaties to answer even their congratulatory messages.
As soon as he walked out of the venue, journalists moved to his side, to comment, but rather than answer them, he walked up to Koichiro whom he had a little discussion with.
Though his security aides were civil, pleading with the press that they should give him some chance to discuss with the UNESCO boss, the former president who looked tired, jumped into his waiting sports utility vehicle.
Before he entered the black vehicle, he struggled to remove the academic gown, but when he could not, he called one of his aides to help him.
He hopped into the car after exchanging pleasantries with some of the dignitaries including the Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Aliyu Wammako and Chief Obafemi Olopade and left the venue.
Her daughter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo-Bello and his former Special Assistant on Media, Dr. Doyin Okupe, were some of the people that accompanied the former president to the convocation.
Earlier, while presenting his convocation speech, the vice-chancellor, had described Obasanjo as a hardworking student.
“As a student, Obasanjo vigorously pursued his studies on full time basis…He is a shinning example of how seriously a student should take his learning. Like everybody, he sat for all the examinations using anonymous matriculation numbers, and by our internal quality control and security-proof control measures, his papers were marked by different tutors located in some of our study centres including Damaturu, Minna and Yenagoa,” he said.
Jegede explained that nobody had a foreknowledge of the former president’s marks until all students’ marks were assembled and presented to the university senate for approval.
In his remarks, President Umaru Yar’Adua, who was represented by his deputy, expressed the Federal Government’s continued support for the open distance learning university.
According to him, education is a top priority in the seven-point agenda of the administration and as such, government will continue to inject funding to the university.
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I am encouraged that inspite of Objs age he still had a desire to further his education. By enrolling at the open university, he has given credibility t the school.
Congratulations
Oluyemi Adeosun
http://www.yemiadeosun.blgspot.com
i guess he should have become a professor instead of a soldier…..might have served the nation better that way, but who knows
now in my rss reader)))
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