By Bolanle Bolawole
I used to think that it happens (only) in Igbo land where those holding federal ministerial appointments forget the homes they came from! I didn’t know it also happens in Yoruba land!
Awolowo is quoted as saying that, “Before I became a Yoruba, I was Ikenne and before I became Nigerian, I was Yoruba.” He went on to say that if he wanted to be a good leader, he would first show it in Ikenne where he was born, so that if he wanted to lead the Yoruba, he would have the support of Ikenne people, etc. Why has Dele Alake forgotten this fundamental principle enunciated by the modern-day father of the Yoruba?
—Mazi Coleman Obazi
The Ministry of Solid Minerals Development has been compromised in the service of illegal miners, at least as far as my community is concerned. The last time we took hard copies of a petition to the office, the petition was rejected on the ground that the ministry no longer accepts hard-copy communication, but soft copies, i.e. emails. In many communities, the landowners may be illiterate in English language. A pro-public interest ministry ought to design ways of gathering information about illegal mining, not turning people away. But the lesson is clear: compromise. Google Edmund Obilo on illegal mining in Itasa. The Ministry has remained deaf and dumb to the outcries of illegal mining. The message is clear: a compromised ministry!
—Femi Aborisade Esq.
Alake has done well! The second term of his boss might favour him to make amendments. At any rate, if someone’s child did well elsewhere (foreign land) and goes back home, I believe the child should be received with all enthusiasm. He has represented them well.
—Pa Kola Oloye.
There is a sort of genuflecting in your commentary, like walking a tightrope, not wanting to offend ‘Delistic’! But the summation of Dele’s father being buried in Ikoro-Ekiti, after being here and there, seems to imply what you did not say specifically. Well, Dele has been largely a Lagos boy, and the failure of his foray into Ekiti politics years back must have lingered and alienated him. When people spend virtually all their adult life in internal diaspora, this is what happens – detachment from their roots. I have many of my students who have never been to their hometowns! It is that bad. I call them the ‘Rootless Generation’! Sometimes, I call their parents and they feel embarrassed but are apologetic. A few took action and called back that they took their kids home during the next major festival celebration! It made me feel good. So, I am inclined to think that Dele belongs to the group (that is) detached from their roots and cannot, therefore, be reasonably expected to root for the village and state of which he has no nostalgic memories.
—Dr Bisi Olawunmi, Mass Comm. Dept., Adeleke University, Ede.
I have just read your piece on Dele Alake. It is not easy. Egbon is not a politician in the Nigerian sense of the word, not to talk about the Yoruba side of it. But as the editorial pointed out, Alake still has to do what needs to be done for his ‘constituents’ in Ekiti, at least to show that he ‘represents’ them without being elected. Ko easy rara!
—Wale Adedayo
This treatise on my friend and secondary school class- and housemate is of muscular weight. It cannot be less considered, as your closing comments concerning where the mortal remains of Dele’s father were laid to rest were quite instructive. But, again, it could be a personal choice. After all, at death, nobody’s corpse can be denied by the soil of any town! However, it is quite honourable if the people who take you as one of their own appreciate you as such, and you, too, acknowledge them as your people without being beholden to their enforced requests. The argument for him to include the development of Ekiti in his busy schedule cannot be faulted. He can surely do that under his portfolio without diluting his efficiency and effectiveness.
—Anonymous.
Ekiti has benefited enough from Minister Dele Alake! Yes, we have benefited from 1200 bags of rice – and that is enough for 32 months! We are only (being) too ambitious and an Oliver Twist asking with long throats for more!
—Idowu Faleye.