Fact: I can hear some people are already
singing requiem for Obaseki; others are practicing the dirge; the drumbeats of
victory for the opposing camp is getting louder. Though the election is still a
long way, but for now the calculus is that nothing can stop them; so the celebration
may well begin. The suffocating feelings I have been having has simply refused
to go away. I cannot comprehend the drama that is unfolding before my eyes: the
dramatis personae that masterminded the paralysis of the old Edo State for
sixteen years are suddenly favorites to return. The more I ruminate over the
matter, the more a tiny ball of fear creep inside my spines; I remember those
cold dark days: like the present corona virus ravaging the world; thugs everywhere, exploitation of market
women, looting of State Institutions; Edo City Transport and the prestigious
Edoline Transport have not recovered to date from the debauchery they suffered.
I remember governance was run on the page of newspapers, television
announcements and paid advertisement. Traditional leaders, community leaders of
thoughts paid regular solidarity visits to the Osadebey House. Security votes
were said to have been used to service these diurnal visitors. Then it was said
that governance only came alive when federal allocation arrived. According to
the same progenitor of the return of the masterminds, the allocations were
simply shared and everyone went his separate ways! Edo State suffered huge
neglect; power supply became epileptic and eventually none existent; businesses
paralyzed; almost all the roads were either blocked or left to deteriorate
beyond repairs; the available motorable ones were home to huge craters of
potholes. Call it pandemic; Edo State reeled from neglect, deprivation; the
virus was such that when Oshiomole came and salvaged the situation it was a big
relief; and now because of irreconcilable difference, he is poised to
superintend the return of the State to the dark old days—to the same
masterminds! What went wrong? Are we to believe that we are living in a
dispensation of lies, deceit and fraud? What is governance turning into? Was
this the way our fathers did it? What legacy are we leaving for our children? Is
it right to destroy this nation for our children? Our fathers left ethics and
integrity for us; why is Oshiomole leading the nation backwards? At least, if
you cannot be a vaccine to give life, do not be a virus to terminate it. It
requires wisdom to understand wisdom; and finally, no matter how long the
night, the day is sure to come.
Appointed since 1 st April, 2015 till date, Prof. Adepoju Adeshola Olatunde, Director-General of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) has left no room to chance. The Ph.D holder in Agricultural and Environmental Economics (2002) from the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State has taken extra-ordinary steps to see the Forestry Institute to the next level of existence. One of such steps is the repositioning of FRIN outstation for better research focus. Others include renovation of dilapidated structures, repositioning of staff members for optimum performance, reclaiming/security all encroached land and resources of the Institute, successfully enacting on Act to Establish Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria for Forestry Research; Education and Training; establishing Six strategic Rural Resource Centers for communities engagement, capacity building and extension services. Prof. Adepoju who also holds B.Agric (Agricultural Economics), 1995 ...
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