What is wrong with us?

That was the title for my second book. It was a rant against the norm. The norm of harassing singles to be married by force and by fire! Today, I call on the same title in a more vigorous manner, "What is wrong with us?"

I initiated the Solidarity Action Network (SAN) to push the vision of change and good governance. Following the APC win, members continue to discuss issues and disseminate information about change. A great blend of great minds with it's measure of area boys, girls, fathers and mothers. Why not? That reflects the real Nigeria. While the forums have time restrictions to ensure folks can have a life outside the net, which if you ask me can be a drag, we have a group that signed up for the drag. At times you need some caffeine to keep up with the energy on the forum.

Today's topic, posted as early as 6.37AM was about the new Executive Chair of Federal Inland Revenue Service, Dr. Tunde Fowler and his Honourary Doctorate degree! That anyone would wake up to put such a fleeting issue on the burner wasn't as annoying as being dragging into such issue for 10 hours! The hot potato issue did not abate till 4.37PM.

I am highly disappointed in Sahara Reporters! I see no thorough research in the article. People respect your source but be aware it is easier to make a name than keep a name. Don't always jump on the bandwagon. Breaking a news is never as important as breaking verifiable news.

I bet the issue has generated more than arguments in beer parlours and pepper soup joints and may very well have led to brawls and blows. However, what baffles me is the way folks drop every iota of respect for persons when issues like this are raised even ahead of verifying or refuting the issue. 

As we champion the cause of and for change in Nigeria, we must learn to discuss issues without necessarily damaging the person...

I share here, two of those who held sway on the issue like mildly cooked beef tendon!

Tokunbo

Madam Anne... I shared that post and it was stated instantly that the mudslinging at started. As preposterous as the story appears..it does not preclude a discussion on issues raised therein. Is it not in Nigeria that a man practiced medicine for many years, even heading medical branch association without being caught? Is it not in this same country that a man rose to become the Speaker of House of Reps? So nobody said with certainity that Fowler was guilty of the allegations.Guys only discussed the issues raised in the post. And for your info, I got that piece from Prof Pius Adesanmi's page, who asked that the allegations be investigated. This is not a flippant personality by any standard.

Anne

Fact my brother... Fact not fiction.

Tokunbo

Bcos he is our own doesn't mean we just sweep every allegation under the carpet. Why did he suddenly edit his Wikipedia page to remove the PhD qualification. We all can't sleep and face one direction! I tell guys...where there is smoke...there is probably fire.

I have no doubt about that guy's competence. His track record attests to dat. But this attitude about if he is our own allegations against such must be fiction is what borders me. Now afefe ti fe...a ti furl adiye. The guy claimed even on his personal website that he has a PhD... someone raised a red flag... and the man goes scampering about to remove it from Wikipedia etc...forgot to remove it from his personal website. Ki lon le kiri?

Anne

I read Sahara Reporters yesterday... Same allegation. A news source worthy of being so called should source the real news! That the institution that awarded the honourary degree is awash says nothing. If OAU is suspended today, does that tarnish the degrees or credibility of those who went there or were honoured by a degree from there? I ain't discussing opinions...  

While working on archival materials in my college library, I saw documents showing that Chief MKO Abiola in honour of scholarships and endowments he made to the college was pencilled down for a honourary degree. Unfortunately, he never got it because part of the funds went missing between the middle man and the institution. Many schools where chairs are endowed "meaning money given for a specific purpose" may elect to give the person a honourary degree, it is like giving awards... So while some of us read our minds out, some based on experience and/or endowment are "awarded". I have a duly awarded doctorate. I may choose to use or not use the title. But I recollect vividly that on the day it was awarded based on academic excellence, following the hooding ceremony, the president said, "I present to you Dr..." Titles are bestowed and titles are accepted, that is why someone can walk on gold on the same earth where many walk on rocks!

Those who answer Otuba and Yeyeoba did not part with puff puff to have the title... They continue to financially support the domain that granted the award. I would rather research what Dr. Fowler may have done wrong before or while in the service of LSIRS than dish out opinions on his title.

Tokunbo

That's your choice. And it's your prerogative. It does not invalidate or dismiss another citizens right to probe the authenticity of his claimed qualification. If anyone challenges your PhD...will you be going about removing it from your website, wikipedia or defend it.

Anne

Just a google search should turn up records on where I schooled following the advent of www... But, let's wait till it's about me... I went to wiki after Dr. Fowler's appointment and it still stated that he is LSIRS chairman. Does that change the fact that he is now the EC FIRS? I edited wiki. Content on wiki is written and edited by everyday people. Without holding brief for Dr. Fowler, someone may know that I have a doctoral degree and not know whether it is a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) or Doctorate e.g. Ed.D, D.BC and may have gone ahead to mix it up. 

Many don't even know the difference. Those who got Ph.D may not even have read one philosophy book! It is a title considered for the highest academic qualification. Many holders of PhD would have done some form of research, written scholarly articles and may likely go on to pursue academic careers. For now all those who have issues should do better than lament, research and bring us the fact! I don't even know the man, but I have read about his service and see the gains of LIRS in Lagos State. Up to 6 silly sites have piggy-backed on Sahara all quoting Kperogi. A statement in the message (it doesn't fit my frame of what is news!) alludes that the committee of VC's in NG rules that folks cannot prefix "Dr." but it is shocking that the link given as citation for that leads to nowhere! The days of people just sitting somewhere to write jargon because they have access to a pen or pad are long gone! Before coming forward with an allegation, I would have expected them to reach Dr. Fowler or reach the universities! This is 2015... CHANGE!

I may not immediately be able to decipher what is in the electorate DNA that make folks pick on and stretch non issue. There is war within and without and the social media will latch on to someone's wristwatch and not let go until all they have left at the other end of the spectrum is not news but eye witness account of ruins.

My people say, Malu ku, wahala ba obe, cow die, knife inherit trouble! I can only pray that as we have elected CHANGE, we would position ourselves to support, not destroy, CHANGE.