OBJ Library Project and National Library
By
Samuel Uwhejevwe-Togbolo
Email: mfyai@yahoo.com
The fund raising ceremony for a private library by Mr. President is an
induced idea, to frustrate the National library owned by the federal
government. Mr. President should have a rethink, for the moment, everybody
is counting on him and at the same time is in charge of government
property, he should not put its own selfish interest ahead of national
interest. What does the President want to do with a national library in
Ota Farm? Does he want to turn Ota farm to small London while most
Nigerians are living in abject poverty. The president has with him
sycophants who are singing his praises no matter what happen.
Our National library is a shadow of its past glory; thank God, for
Internet that makes research easier to us in this part of the world, the
national library is under stocked with research materials for the use of
researchers. The present administration should think of developmental
projects that will better the lots of the people, the parochial way in
which the government as is spelling a doom for us in the near future. It
has become a culture where every successive government want to enrich him
self with their positions through all the ties of government.
What are the special advisers to Government Officials doing? Are they not
giving the needed advice to their Boss? Alternatively, could it be that
their boss does not take to their advice? These questions need be
answered, if the office of the special advisers is not used, they should
be scrapped; why waste our fund in payment of these so-called advisers. I
do not want to believe they are not doing their jobs, they supposed to
give their boss the needed advise in most projects. The gullible and
laudable anti-corruption was a welcome reform for the nation, but it
surprises us to see that you are still into corruption in your own way, I
believe EFCC and ICPC are taking inventory of what their boss is doing.
Who is to query him (President Olusegun Obasanjo)? This case could as well
be like that of Parents in the house, they are always right even though
they know they are wrong, they justify their action knowing full well they
are the alpha and omega in their home.
The country is experiencing another round of sycophancy like the days of
military rule, does sycophants who benefited from the dark age of misrule
bent on singing praises of their Boss creating an impression to the
outside world that all is well with Nigerians. Until such sycophants
retrace their step, fight for improvement and better living condition for
our people, the nation will know no peace. According to Guardian opinion
poll pasted in their website, with the question “Do you support the
raising of fund for the President Obasanjo's library project?” the answer
as at 1st June 2005, is as follows
YES 4431 (57%) NO 3241 (41%) NO COMMENT 52 (0%).
If I may ask, what relevant is the Library of Mr. President to Nigerians?
What impact will it create for developmental project? What programme he
has for the poor? Any thing worth doing should be done well. Mr. President
has a lot to do for Nigerians, is the captain of our team, a good captain
take good control of his players in the field of play, he intercedes on
their behalf. OBJ should carry out projects for the nation, which will
immortalize his name after living office; good name is better than silver
and good. I have not seen anybody named Judas Iscariot, because of the
abnormality associated with that name, he betrayed Jesus Christ. I will
like President Olusegun Obasanjo to take a cue as in the case of Judas
Iscariot. Any so-called material thing that you want is merely a symbol;
you want it not for itself, but because it will content your spirit for
the moment. 'If I had a little more, I should be very satisfied.' You make
a mistake. If you were not content with what you have, you would not be
satisfied if it were doubled.
National and State libraries should be stocked with materials for
researchers to benefit more in their research work, and also the local
library that serves the grass root people are lacking facilities. The
library are not usually conducive for reading, most of the libraries in
various local government areas of the federation are shadows of their past
glory, worst than a dejected area. If Mr. President can go into such
meaningful project by restructuring local and state libraries our
educational system will improve, these are people oriented projects.
Most organizations and co-operate bodies that launched the fund for Mr.
presidents Library project were complaining of the way and manner in which
the organizers forced them to contribute to the library project. How will
this people recoup their money, I suppose this is corruption of the
highest order; these are the same set of people who will inflict pains on
the masses by abandoning federal government projects awarded to them in
bid of recouping their money earlier donated to Mr. President, when will
all this child’s play stop.
In my own opinion, I am appealing to President Olusegun Obasanjo to
suspend the presidential library project which he embarked on, he should
invest the over N4 billion already raised for the project into
infrastructural development which will positively benefit the masses, in
order to live a lasting legacy for posterity to judge. It is better for
him to live tell in a society where he ruled and the led will honour him
for life. The people are dieing of hunger and starvation, we need
meaningful development, better reform policies. You need not starch away
money in the name of private investment to better your lot, while the
citizens live in stress and agony. The present administration should
invest in productive ventures, than individual empowerment to better the
lot of their children and generation yet unborn.
Movement for youth Actualization International (MYAI) a Non governmental
organization (NGO) in Delta State-Nigeria.
mfyai@yahoo.com
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