The consequences of former President Goodluck Jonathan’s maladministration as predicted few years ago by the Chairman, The Nation Editorial Board, Sam Omatseye, in his column were reflected upon yesterday in Lagos at the public presentation of a book: A Chronicle Foretold, written by the award-winning journalist.
One of the eminent personalities, who spoke at the event and Minister of Power, Works and Housing Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola said the author was not the only writer who warned Nigerians about the consequences of what the last administration was doing.
“What we are here to present contains what others have warned us about. Sam was not the only one that warned us about the chronicles we are witnessing today. We must learn from the lessons of the season,” he said.
Fashola, who noted that he shares same literary pleasures with the author, added that “his prose and references are what we share”.
“I am here because unfailingly I read his column every Monday. After that, I am done with the papers. I am also here because of fidelity.
“In 2007, when my candidature was announced, I prepared for a debate. Sam was the one, who vehemently took me on debate as opponent. He helped me to prepare for my journey into the Government House. In 2007, he did the same thing. He was my Ajanlekoko,” the minister said.
Kaduna State Governor Mallam Nasir El Rufai, who spoke on Birth pangs of a new era, said his administration discovered that only one per cent of his people spent the lion share of the state’s commonwealth.
The governor, who was represented by his deputy, Mr. Barnabas Bala, explained that Kaduna State operates a citizenship status as against the indigene status, which discriminates against settlers.
He added that he met a huge workforce, especially political appointees, which were reduced from about 100 to 10 to save resources for the needs of the people.
Publisher, Vanguard Newspaper Mr Sam Amuka-Pemu, who hailed the author’s courage, described Omatseye as a celebrated writer and “grammar boy”, who writes about interesting time in the nation’s history.
The Chairman, Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption, Prof. Itse Sagay, described Omatseye as a brave writer, who has taken great risk.
To Senator Anthony Adefuye, the author “is a fearless writer and trouble maker”, who always draws his spear through the heart of those he wants to hurt.
In his review, Mr. Kunle Ajibade, who tagged his review Integrating Our Unfolding Times, said the book is an illuminated collection of 77 pieces of the author’s columns in The Nation.
“In this book, he is less of a prophet as some of his predictions have come to pass,” he said. Ajibade described the book as the accuracy of Omatseye’s predictions, which is not only about Nigeria but about the author and other countries.
At the launch were All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who was represented by Mr. Bayo Onanuga; Lagos State Governor Akinwuni Ambode (represented by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Education Mr. Fela Bank-Olemoh); former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba and newspaper administrator Prince Henry Odukomaiya.
Others are Vintage Press (publishers of The Nation) Managing Director Mr. Victor Ifijeh; Managing Director, The Sun Mr. Eric Osagie; representatives of Sokoto, Borno and Oyo states governors as well as many others.
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