MRS Abiola Ayinmonche is Ekiti State Commissioner of Education and Technology. Recently, she expressed her feelings about the quality of graduates of state-owned University of Ado Ekiti (UNAD), noting that most employers of labour reject them because they hardly pass aptitude test. But then, truth they say is bitter. Wherefore, students and old students of the university, the workers’ unions and some other interest parties have risen against the commissioner, hitting her hard for opening her mouth too wide.

According to these groups, Mrs Ayinmonche could not have spoken the truth when she knows the state of education and indeed governance in the country.

Yet, the commissioner could not have been too ignorant of what she said about the university that was established in 1982 by the then administration of Chief Adekunle Ajasion of the former Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) Ekikti state is widely known as home to the country’s highest number of professors. It is called Fountain of Knowledge.

As a career woman, Ayinmonche was in the chair of the National Universities Commission (NUC) for several years. In that capacity, she would have known the level of scholarship of the UNAD- whether it is strong or weak. So, when she bared her mind on the issue, she spoke nothing but the truth many insist. She spoke at education summit organized by the Federation of Ekiti State Students Union (FESSU) on Thursday, November 13, at the Adetiloye Hall of the Trade Fair Complex in Ado Ekiti, According to her, UNAD graduates are being rejected by banks and other employers for their alleged failure in aptitude tests.

She declared that the situation had prompted the state government to initiate reforms of the university with a view to repositioning the university for quality delivery so that it could attain the ideals and the dreams of its founding fathers.

The commissioner predicated her belief in the foregoing based on the number of human resources the state had produced as valuable lecturers in the country ivory towers and the general believe that the state is the fountain of knowledge

According to her, "The university, according to our expectation should be the best in the country, but it seems as if this hope is being dashed by the activities of some people. But I am, quite sure that the situation will be changed for the better.

"What really pained me was the way some Banks had been rejecting the graduates of the university due to poor performances. Even, it got to a stage that the governor himself had to send about 20 graduates of the University for aptitude test, and non of them passed’’, She said.

Hardly had the missile hurled against the fabrics of credibility of the university by the commissioner exploded, than the UNAD Alumni Association thrown a jibe at the commissioner, requesting her to tender unreserved apology over the uncomplimentary remark.

Knowing the danger that lay siege ahead going by the enormirty of the statement, the Alumni Association in a statement signed by its President, Jadesola Babatola , described the statement made by a high ranking government official like Ayimonche as rather unfortunate, positing that graduates of the University are in high demand not only in banking but also in other sectors.

Babatola, posited that such statement is capable of jeopardizing the efforts of the management of the institution in its unyielding efforts to sanitize the university , adding that the commissioner’s inflammatory outburst was capable of rubbishing the integrity and respect being accorded the university and its graduates in the country and beyond

"This statement is counter productive and embarrassing to us, especially coming at this period we are trying to stop the dwindling fortunes of the higher institutions in the country as a whole.

"We are confident to say that graduates of UNAD can compete with graduates of other institutions in the country. Many of the UNAD graduates are doing well in the military, banking, engineering, economy, telecommunication, Police and in other sectors, so we are still confused about the meaning of the statement.

"Graduates of UNAD are holding key posts in the country that has been of great pride to the State and the University. So, we urge our dear commissioner to stop misleading about the quality of graduates this citadel of learning had produced", Babatola noted.

Fighting tooth and nail to redeem the battered image of the University , the UNAD Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and its non academic counterpart NASU also described the statement by the state commissioner as a mere display of adult delinquency

ASUU and NASU in separate statements , described the statement of the commissioner as not only unfortunate but carried a misinforming information with dire consequences, maintaining that Mrs Ayimonche lacks the relevant statistics to substantiate her claim.

Chairman of ASUU in the university , Dr. Isaac Adanlawo, and the Secretary, Dr. Michael Ayeni, had stated that Mrs Ayimonche’s lamentations "shows anybody with a discerning mind that she is presiding over a ministry of which she knows nothing or very little about".

In the same vein, NASU, who responded through its Chairman, Mr. Joseph Adegbola and the Secretary, Mr Tope Akanmu, said the commissioner’s statement is not only untrue but malicious and unbecoming of a person of her status.

According to the statement, "If at all she has such information, what has she done to redress the situation? Does she know the calibre of academic staff in the university? Has she ever conducted any inspection tour of facilities in the university?

"Without going into a war of words, NASU-UNAD states categorically that the commissioner spoke without thinking. An attempt by a public officer to turn employers of labour against the products of her state university is dangerous and capable of causing unrest from the student body", it concluded. .

NASU expressed resentment that the commissioner could make such a statement pointing out many reputable banks and other corporate organizations that had come to the university seeking the confirmation of results of UNAD graduates working with them from the examinations and records division of the university.

"Rather than working concertedly towards ensuring that the university ranks among the best in Nigeria , it is unfortunate that the commissioner has some other ulterior motives.

"Be that as it may, our union reposes an infinite confidence in the current management of the university and shall continue to contribute her own quota towards making the institution (UNAD) great".

In January of 2007, the Supreme Court delivered judgment on the case that had been before it on the rightful occupant of the traditional stool of Olugbo of Ugbo in Ilaje Local Government Area of Ondo state. In its verdict the apex court voided the candidacy and appointment of Prince Adebanjo Mafimisebi, and declared as illegal the accession to the said throne through an uncustomary process of father to son. Consequent upon this, the Ojadele Ruling House which is the only Ruling House of the Olugbo of Ugbo stool held a meeting and appointed Prince Robert Nana as the Olori-ebi (head) of the Ruling House. The appointment of Nana as the new Olori-ebi was sequel to the demise of the former holder of that office, Prince Macauley Ehuwa.

After his appointment, Prince Nana set in motion activities to fill the vacant stool of the Olugbo of Ugbo. Following applications to that effect by interested princes from the Ruling House, a meeting was convened to select/nominate a candidate. At the end of it all, Prince Fredrick Obateru Akinruntan was unanimously nominated to fill the position.

At a meeting held on November 4, 2008, the kingmakers of the Olugbo of Ugbo chieftaincy known as Iwarefa, confirmed and approved the nomination and presentation of Prince Frederick Akinruntan by the Ojadele Ruling House as the new Olugbo of Ugbo.

At the meeting which was held at the palace of the Olubo of Ugboland, Oba Andrew Ikuesan, Nana informed the kingmakers that members of the Ruling House had overwhelmingly selected and nominated Akinruntan from the Okoro Ajida lineage of the Agbedun segment as the sole candidate to fill the vacant stool. He informed the meeting that it was the first time anyone from the Okoro Ajida lineage would be selected by the ruling house as the Olugbo of Ugbo.

According to him, the Ruling House before finally presenting Prince Akinruntan to the kingmakers had made traditional spiritual consultation through the Ifa oracle which revealed that the candidate would have long life and that his reign would be peaceful, progressive and bring prosperity to the land.

He said further that considering the first class status of the Olugbo of Ugbo and its historical preeminence among Yoruba Obas, the Ruling House was delighted to present as oba, a man with wide national and international exposure and connections. He said Akinruntan is an industrialist of no mean stature, a philanthropist and very accessible.

The notice of meeting, appointment of Nana, Akinruntan as well as the outcome of the meeting of the kingmakers wherein the candidature of Akinruntan was approved by the kingmakers were all duly communicated to the governor, deputy governor and the chairman of Ilaje Local Government Area.

In a letter to the state governor, Olusegun Agagu after their meeting, the kingmakers stated that by the approval of Prince Akinruntan, the process of appointing the Olugbo of Ugbo under tradition and custom was complete and that he is free to adorn all paraphernalia of the Olugbo as well as perform all rites pertaining to the office. The group therefore called on the governor to take the necessary official actions required to confirm their choice including the presentation of staff of office to the new traditional head.

The issue of who will occupy the vacant traditional position has caused a lingering communal crisis in Ugbo/Ubgonla for some time now. As a result of this, the state government set up a judicial panel of inquiry to look into the issue.

The commission in its report stated that the gap brought about by the Supreme Court judgment was the cause of the lingering crisis which it said should not be allowed to persist, and hence recommended among other things that necessary machinery be put in place to fill the vacant stool.

Government accepted the recommendation but noted however that the non-filling of the stool of Olugbo of Ugbo is because the contending forces had not been able to agree among themselves. The government also advised the deposed Olugbo, Prince Adebanjo Mafimisebi to embrace peace The commission also advised the government to take steps to make a declaration for the Olugbo chieftaincy to reflect the rotational policy favoured by the Supreme Court judgment. This the government accepted. Government also accepted to embark on dialogue separately with the principal actors to be followed by a stakeholders’ forum which should be used to foster genuine reconciliation among the warring factions and create a peaceful environment in Ilajeland for development to thrive.

The commission recommended that steps be taken to disband ethnic militia groups in the town stating that the militants should be made to surrender their arms using community and traditional leaders as arrowheads for the exercise. And that government should embark on a reorientation programme for youths in the area to key them into the various existing youth empowerment programmes of the state government, while calling on companies operating in the area to expand their social corporate responsibilities to engage the youths in economically productive ventures.

Ilajeland occupies a strategic importance in Ondo state being home to the Olokola Liquefied Natural Gas Project (OKLNGP), Adagbakuja New Town Project and several oil prospecting companies.

There are speculations that the delay may be political. First is the pressure from the court-deposed king. It is not clear how the pressure is coming given that it was the court that deposed him. By this, the government has no choice than to obey. Second is the thinking that the yet-to-be announced Election Petition Tribunal may be at its root. Reason being that in the case of a re-run the government would use the coronation of the king to negotiate loyalty.

Either way, the people of Ilajeland appear to be losing. As an oil producing community, they are being denied their fair share in the distribution of amenities in the state. Besides, the royal voice of the community is not being heard since there is no natural ruler to do so for now. Some say the delay may be eventually costly for the government, because it could cause anomie.

Mr. Deji Ajomole (businessman) "Actually to me I will not allow my wife to run that kind of business. It is an abormination. I cannot buy the idea in the first place, especially a kind of restaurant where beer is been sold, I believe that alcohol is a spirit that makes some people to misbehave especially when they got drunk. I will not like a situation whereby my wife will be influenced in a negative way. No matter what the situation may be, I can only allow her to engage in a restaurant business where she will be selling foods only without any alcoholic drink.

Mr. Abiodun Akinbemi. (Business man) Wa oh!, I don’t see anything wrong about it.

I can allow my wife, I don’t think there is anything wrong for my wife to go into restaurant business provided I trust her.

There is a proverb that says, "As you lay your bed, so you will lie on it,". So it is only when she does not respect herself that her customers will begin to misbehave and will want to date her. So I don’t think any wife can misbehave, I trust her. She can venture into it without any cause for alarm. Actually she is not into such a business but if she feels she likes it then, I have no option than to allow her to go into it.

Mr. John Ike (Business man) I don’t think anything is wrong with my wife to be engaged in restaurant business, she has the right to run the business only if she knows that she can manage it properly, provided she did not misbehave. But if finally she misbehaves, honestly she is on her own and I will not take it easy with her. I will stop eating her meal. I believe that is only their weak point, and before I will accept her apology for that cantankerous behaviour, she has to use her money to prepare a good meal with cat fish for me before I will accept her again.

Secondly, she must be in the house early for peace to reign if she will be able to abide with all these conditions, then, I don’t think there’s any problem.

Mr. Yemi Oyebanjo – (Banker) Honesty am a jealous lover. I cannot allow my wife to engage in such business for any reason. Even though the world turns apart, I can’t even allow my wife to participate in any marketing business not to talk of restaurant business, because if I see that my wife misbehaves by dating a fellow man like me, I will be very mad with her.

I won’t take it light with her, because if care is not properly taken, she might even go ahead and get pregnant outside our home.

For instance see,I am fair in complexion, and if she finally gives birth to half cast definitely I will quit the marriage immediately, I will not give her any room for second chance.

Secondly my culture will not allow me to permit her to do such a business.

For my wife to venture in restaurant business? No way, because I have experienced it before, my first wife, I married her because I loved her and also hadtrust in her but, quite unfortunate I discovered that women are not to be trusted. In fact I don’t trust my self not to talk of somebody else, I actually opened a restaurant business for my wife, I never knew that I have lay very big foundation for her to marry another man. My wife ran away from home because of another man, ever since then I don’t think in my life again, even in another world to come, I will not allow my wife to involve in such a business, no matter how much she will make from it. You know that some women are very dangerous and have no shame, especially when they discover that money is involved.

Some can go out with a mad man as long as money is involved. I will not expose my wife to the public any more because anything can happen.

Pastor W. Osadibe (Chairman of Okada riders)

My wife, if she loves to go in to restaurant business, I will not hesitate to support her. I have no choice than to allow her. She has her life to live and likewise me, only what I will do to avoid heart break is this, first I will not be going to her shop and also not allow any into my family, but if by mistake I see her engage in any other dirty game, apart from the business, first thing I will do is to caution her in a polite manner because I know what it takes to run a restaurant business, I do go to restaurant to play and crack jokes. So if my wife do a thing like that. I don’t think I will get annoyed with her.

Mr George Ogada – (Police Officer)

I can allow my wife only if things are not going well financially for me to care for the family. But allowing her in that circumstance does not mean that I will allow her to misbehave. If she does that, and I find out and have every evidence, the next thing I will do is to send her packing from the business. Allowing my wife to run a restaurant business depends, on the condition I will not allow her to sell alcoholic drinks that will intoxicate people in the restaurant, and they will start misbehaving.

Jimo Ogunde – (Engineer)

I don’t think I will allow my wife to run a restaurant business, because women can easily be convinced, women are not to be trusted I don’t trust my self not to talk of to trusting somebody else.