4th May, 2011
Lagos lawyer, Bamidele Aturu, has advised Nigerians to desist from giving undue celebration of political office holders in the country.
Mr. Aturu gave this advice while addressing Law students of the Lagos State University today as part of the posthumous birthday celebration of the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi organised by the student arm of his chambers in the institution.
According to Aturu, who was guest lecturer at the event entitled ‘Law: An Instrument For The Abolition Of Poverty’, “the nation’s politicians and past leaders have used poverty against Nigerians to the extent that they now over-rate and over-hype the performance of any governor who could provide such simple facility as road.
“I am not always comfortable when some state governors are over-praised by the people for providing simple basic needs as road construction.
“I do ask such people that if the governors don’t do these things, then what would they be doing in government?
“We are used to bad governance, so much so that we end up celebrating mediocrity,” he said, adding that eradication of poverty was what the late Chief Fawehinmi fought for till he breathed his last.
Aturu, who said he has remained controversial because of his views on issues in the country, added that despite the rating of the Independent National Electoral Commission over the recent general elections, there was massive rigging in several parts of the country.
According to him, local and international observers did not visit interior parts of the country where this alleged rigging took place.
He however said the elections were an improvement on past ones held in the country.
He also tasked the students to always make the best use of time as it was one of the most important part of the profession.
Earlier, while responding to the complaints by the students that those who enjoyed the free education policy of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo were now placing anti-people policies in the sector, the Solicitor-General of the state, Lawal Pedro, advised the students to follow the tide.
He told them that during his days, he paid nine kobo as tuition fee but that the country’s situation was responsible for the high tuition currently being paid by the students.
By Eromoele Ebhomele