January 10, 2009
I have never met Dr Reuben Abati in person. I have had cause to speak to him once on the phone to lend constructive criticism, that was about 4 months ago. I have also read a lot of Dr Abati's pieces which for the most part i have found quite interesting and in tune with the issues affecting the Nigerian polity.
I read the piece written by S. Njokede titled "Reuben Abati clear the air" with comical amusement. Indeed the sheer parochial views expressed by the the writer is only surpassed by his/her exhuberant ignorance
The writer concludes that there is a running indictment of Dr Abati by Sahara reporters and that with this "hanging upon his head" Abati has been undoubtedly hugely tainted by the scandal. Unless the writer knows something the rest of us are unaware of, all the writer has sighted is a list people and companies who have been allocated parcels of land in Abuja. Abati's name is on this list but there is no suggestion that he is not a nigerian nor is there any evidence that he obtained the said piece of land through fraudulent means or that he is not entitled to the piece of land for some other reason.
I, like many others feel the writer fails to identify the scandal. In case the writer is oblivious, all Nigerians are entitled in principle to buy land upon duly processed applications. It would appear that the writer has concluded that because Abati being a journalist who has and continues to criticise the Nigerian government on a whole range of issues through which he has garnered an ardent followership of readers, he is not entitled to or should relinquish his right to apply for and buy a peice of land in the capital of his own country. The writer refers to Ronald Reagan's wisecrack of "trust but verify" stating that it is wiser to avoid writing things you are not sure about. Surely this refers to the writer more than anyone else. Did the writer verify or provide evidence of any scandal? Where is the conflict of interest?
I only seek to enlighten the writer when i write that Abati has not bought land from the allegedly corrupt regime but merely excercised his right as a Nigerian citizen.The writer provides no evidence that the funds used in buying the land were illegally sourced or that he secured the land by compromising his values or the truth and independence of his person in any way or manner.Indeed Njokede makes these spurious allegations and then enjoins stakehoders to conclude without providing any proof whatsoever. Almost as if wearing the toga of a government critic should consign Abati to the pits of perpetual poverty. Poor Abati.
Abati presumably applied for a plot of land and was allocated same. He could have borrowed from friends,from banks or from his employers in lieu of his salary. The truth is that we do not know. The idea that he has endangered the lives of the masses and the voiceless by doing this is mediocre at best and absurd in the extreme.I really do not see how Abati owes anyone an explanation as to how he paid for land allocated to him unless there is concrete proof the funds were illegally sourced.
Njokede may be surprised to know that there are foreign jounalists who have spent their whole careers crticising their governments and who own choice properties and drive expensive cars. In short, Njokede should practice what he/she preaches ie avoid writing things you are not sure of. Do not show ignorance off.
Dr Bukola Adeleke
I read the piece written by S. Njokede titled "Reuben Abati clear the air" with comical amusement. Indeed the sheer parochial views expressed by the the writer is only surpassed by his/her exhuberant ignorance
The writer concludes that there is a running indictment of Dr Abati by Sahara reporters and that with this "hanging upon his head" Abati has been undoubtedly hugely tainted by the scandal. Unless the writer knows something the rest of us are unaware of, all the writer has sighted is a list people and companies who have been allocated parcels of land in Abuja. Abati's name is on this list but there is no suggestion that he is not a nigerian nor is there any evidence that he obtained the said piece of land through fraudulent means or that he is not entitled to the piece of land for some other reason.
I, like many others feel the writer fails to identify the scandal. In case the writer is oblivious, all Nigerians are entitled in principle to buy land upon duly processed applications. It would appear that the writer has concluded that because Abati being a journalist who has and continues to criticise the Nigerian government on a whole range of issues through which he has garnered an ardent followership of readers, he is not entitled to or should relinquish his right to apply for and buy a peice of land in the capital of his own country. The writer refers to Ronald Reagan's wisecrack of "trust but verify" stating that it is wiser to avoid writing things you are not sure about. Surely this refers to the writer more than anyone else. Did the writer verify or provide evidence of any scandal? Where is the conflict of interest?
I only seek to enlighten the writer when i write that Abati has not bought land from the allegedly corrupt regime but merely excercised his right as a Nigerian citizen.The writer provides no evidence that the funds used in buying the land were illegally sourced or that he secured the land by compromising his values or the truth and independence of his person in any way or manner.Indeed Njokede makes these spurious allegations and then enjoins stakehoders to conclude without providing any proof whatsoever. Almost as if wearing the toga of a government critic should consign Abati to the pits of perpetual poverty. Poor Abati.
Abati presumably applied for a plot of land and was allocated same. He could have borrowed from friends,from banks or from his employers in lieu of his salary. The truth is that we do not know. The idea that he has endangered the lives of the masses and the voiceless by doing this is mediocre at best and absurd in the extreme.I really do not see how Abati owes anyone an explanation as to how he paid for land allocated to him unless there is concrete proof the funds were illegally sourced.
Njokede may be surprised to know that there are foreign jounalists who have spent their whole careers crticising their governments and who own choice properties and drive expensive cars. In short, Njokede should practice what he/she preaches ie avoid writing things you are not sure of. Do not show ignorance off.
Dr Bukola Adeleke
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