Pitiable pillorying of Professor Omoruyi

KWENU! Our culture, our future

Pitiable pillorying of Professor Omoruyi

MAX GBANITE

New Jersey, USA

Sunday, August 15, 2004

Nigeria is a wonderful place that exudes uncanny beauty in characters. The beauty of it is that many uncharacteristic things happen at different times. Different characteristic things often happen. Things characteristic and uncharacteristic that seemed hidden within a short time show up either as facts or through the creative imagination of writers. Of course, in this all-comers profession of respected and hardworking writers are creative hustlers, paid assassins, hired pen-pushers -- all parading as either “journalists” or as non–governmental organization officials and civil rights leaders.

The Sun Newspaper has earned the undeniable honor as the uncharacteristic newspaper (self-acclaimed “Tabloid”) that is quietly, characteristically, and potentially becoming a major player in defining, redefining, constructing, and deconstructing people’s life and their hard-earned reputation. The paper, according to a friend, sometimes shows a tempestuous character in the manner with which it allows articles that are negative about General Ibrahim B. Babangida, GCFR, mni to be published and those that speak well to be suppressed. All I can do is pray that the management and editors do not have a conspiratorial arrangement and that they maintain an objective and balanced approach to publishing.

As an investor in the newspaper (I buy the paper daily – whether I am in the country or overseas), I was rudely shocked to read an article titled, “Omoruyi’s futile flight of fancy” and written by Peter Claver Oparah and another titled “2007: The zigzag of an intellectual hustler” and written by Joe Igbokwe (both published by the SUN, July 25, 2004). Both writers are intellectually endowed and their style of presentation is highly commendable. However, what they did to the man, Professor Omoruyi, can only be likened to assault with deadly pens in a character reminiscence of the mortar-and-pestle mauling. They pounded an individual for exercising his God-given and constitutional right to be independent-minded. In other words, these writers -- based on the history of their past writings -- have shown that they will pillory any one who says good things about Babangida. If Omoruyi can be so mutilated by these two, then the word “FORGIVENESS” means so little to them; and, by their names, it’s alright to assume that they are Christians.

The next article titled “What does Omoruyi want again,” written by Kanayo Esinulo, a reputable columnist (Sunday, Sun August 1, 2004) was even less killing of the famed professor, except that the writer, a self-acclaimed righteous Nigerian, in his criticism of Omoruyi probably replaced his thoughts in obfuscating our history by asserting without credible evidence that the late Dele Giwa’s murder must be attributed to Babangida. This is very unimaginative reasoning, especially coming from a self-acclaimed erudite journalist.

Furthering his argument, he posited that, DFFRI, MAMSER, and other programs associated with the Babangida regime died with it. For the benefit of Kanayo and others like him, kindly read the Vanguard, August 2, 2004 and Tribune July 31, 2004; they will find an article titled “IBB: The man is still standing.” Therein, they will read about what happened to DFFRI and all the other programs associated with Babangida’s regime.

Suffice to remind these traducers that the Federal Capital Territory, especially the City of Abuja, cost Babangida’s regime less money to develop and build than it cost the present administration to complete the Karu/nyanya road – Kubwa/Gwarinpa/Kado express road, the Abuja Stadium, Games Village, hosting of COJA and CHOGM. And it took Babangida less than five years to complete the first phase of Abuja; comprising of more than ten (10) bridges, the International Conference Centre with sofitel hold, Nicon Noga Hitle/Sheraton hotels, Presidential Villa, all the roads that link Maitama, Wuse II, Wuse Zones 1 – 7, Garki II, Garki – Area 1 – 11, Asokoro, and many more structures. In short, for the avoidance of misinformation, you need to visit Abuja City to understand how this man (IBB) transformed the grand vision of the late and courageous leader, General Murtala Mohammed.

As a practicing Christian – of the Catholic faith devoid of “born again-ism” -- I can understand Professor Omoruyi’s actions. The learned Professor clearly knows and understands that change is a constant phenomenon. Not only that, he also knows that as a Christian and a friend of Babangida that the General will forgive every offensive action taken against him if the offender seeks forgiveness. Professor Omoruyi read and understood Matthew 7 verse 7: “Ask and you shall receive”; “seek and you shall find”; “knock and the door shall open.” If being inspired by the words of Almighty God -- the Most Merciful, Most Benevolent -- he resorted to asking for forgiveness, seeking to restore his friendship, and knocking on the doors of Babangida to be given a role to play towards 2007, do not please anyone in particular, the person can fast and pray to seek God’s intervention against Omoruyi’s obedience to the words.

I remember Professor Omoruyi very well during his NADECO days and other times that our parts crossed in Washington D.C., so I was also shocked when I read of his tactical reengineering of mind, especially, his apology and subsequent praise of Babangida. When I spoke to the Hon. Clement Akpamgbo (SAN), former Attorney General of the Federation, a man who knows Professor Omoruyi’s antecedents regarding this new development, he laughed out loud and said with authority: “Tell Professor Omoruyi that he did an honorable thing befitting an erudite Professor, and he should ignore any and all attempts by anyone to rubbish him.” In joining the seasoned wise attorney, I say thanks to Professor Omoruyi and welcome back, and “I ‘am looking forward to working with you towards 2007.”

Personally, I do not begrudge erudite Professor Wole Soyinka for insisting that Babangida should apologize to Nigerians first, and seek their FORGIVENESS for the June 12 annulment, if he has intentions of contesting the 2007 elections. If Babangida’s advisers deem it necessary, although the man has on many occasions accepted the responsibility for the annulment, they should make sure to invite all the actors: Babangida’s cabinet/ advisers/ members of AFRC, Arthur Nzeribe, and members of the Judiciary) to join him (IBB) at a press conference where the apology takes place. Already, as I have indicated, supposedly hidden things are surfacing as the irresistible Senator Arthur Nzeribe has spoken out loud that he was the prime mover of June 12 annulment, that General Babangida was merely obeying court orders -- which some supposedly democratic leaders don’t do. So it is back to Soyinka’s court: Should Nzeribe now apologize before he walks the streets of Nigeria or contest another election in his Orlu senatorial district?

A big congratulation must go to His Excellency General Ibrahim B. Babangida for having the larger heart to forgive his old friend. This action is a clear indication of his true belief in the Almighty God, the Most Benevolent and the Most Merciful.

Keep it up, sir.

And to those of us Christians, who have forgotten that FORGIVENESS is part and parcel of Christianity, kindly recite our Lord’s Prayer; therein lies a paragraph that reads, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others who have trespassed against us.”