Ambassador (Dr) Yemi Farounbi has declared that the Nigeria of old where every individual can seek for and find fulfilment on the basis of merit and excellence is not beyond restoration.
He stated this while speaking at the launching of a book on him, “Biography Of A Media Icon: Yemi Farounbi- His World, His Works, His Words”, written by Chief Yomi Davies, a seasoned broadcaster.
According to the former Ambassador to the Philippines, Nigeria was once a country where one can achieve his/her desired goal without recourse to a godfather.
Farounbi said: “In the Nigeria of old, you can get to the top of your chosen career on the basis of merit, performance and excellence.
“The Nigeria of old that I know was a Nigeria that believed in merit; it was a Nigeria that believed in excellence. It was not a Nigeria of godfathers. Can we get back to that?”
He cited himself as a beneficiary of the abounding merits in the Nigeria of old, saying he almost lost his scholarship as a student of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) during the Nigerian Civil War but for the intervention of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon and the late Chief Richard Akinjide.
He said, as an indigent student from a poor background, his scholarship was almost truncated but had to personally write General Yakubu to explain his plight.
Farounbi said General Gowon personally acknowledged his letter and he was also able to see the late Chief Akinjide who was then the Minister of Education because they were both accessible.
“Do we have such a Nigeria now? Do we have such a Nigeria now that is accessible? Can we again have the Nigeria of old?
“We must restore a Nigeria that is accessible. Not a Nigeria where the Head is not responsive. Can we go back to this good old days? Can we restore Nigeria?,” he asked.
Farounbi expressed optimism that having the Nigeria of old is a possibility, noting that “there are some rascals out there who are willing to take the risk; who are willing to do what others will not do.”
He, however, said two things must be done to return the country back to the path of glory and greatness: “You will help generate, develop and mentor those who will rule Nigeria tomorrow;
“Why must our best be yesterday? It is the duty of every Nigerian to resolve that we are going to make our best tomorrow.”
The former Ambassador located the myriad of problems facing the country in a defective structure and flawed political arrangement.
“Chief Obafemi Awolowo performed because as the Premier of the Western Region because he had the resources and the power.
“All the development in the Northern Region that we are still seeing today were done by the Sardauna of Sokoto, Alhaji Ahmadu Bello.
“What we are still seeing in the South-East were the development plans put in place during the old Eastern Region.
“This was because the structure was good then. But today, Nigeria is flawed. Some people came and introduced Unification.
“Nigeria must be restructured, but during an interregnum. Nobody would have so much power as the president with 109 senators, 360 members of the House of Representatives and 36 state governor and would want his power to be reduced.
“We have a sitting president who don’t even know who he is appointing into public offices. We have a case of a hairdresser from Kano State who was appointed as a minister. How can we have such a person from the volatile and radical Kano State appointed as a minister?
“This country must be restructured. We must go back to the consensus that was negotiated in 1947. We must go back to what made the regional arrangement work.
“There is enough to take care of our needs but not enough to take care of greed. Those who are greedy, let us get them out of the system.
“You don’t pray without action and you don’t act without prayer. Let us act so that Nigeria will be made great again.
“Let us work to get back the Nigeria of old. Let us get that Nigeria back so that our children will not curse all of us.”
Also speaking, the chairman of the event, Aare Afe Babalola SAN, bemoaned the state of the Nigerian judicial system.
Represented by Bola Longe, a retired Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIP), the legal luminary identified slow pace of justice delivery system and inadequate infrastructural facilities as some of the problems facing the Judiciary.
He also said the standard of journalism has dropped drastically, over the years, just as it is with practically all other professions in the country.
Aare Babalola was, however, full of praises for Farounbi who he described as a veteran who has traversed the length and breadth of the media world.
“His name is on the credit line of several critically acclaimed Yorùbá movies. He is a writer who has written and authored a number of articles for several media houses.
“The achievements of Farounbi are unrivalled. He is an administrator per excellence and he has carved a niche for himself as a politician,” he added.
Also speaking, the Baale of Ekotedo, Chief Taye Ayorinde, said quality leadership has been found wanting in the country.
He said broadcasting has degenerated in practice and professionalism, especially in the South-West.
“Leadership is wanting in Nigeria. So many things are wrong. There is no justice; justice here in our county has gone to the dogs.
“The Western Region was at the peak of everything good in Nigeria before. Why is everything going in the reverse? Yoruba should have and do a critical rethink,” he said.
The Father of the Day at the event, Professor Tunde Adeniran said Dr Farounbi is well know for many virtuous things, including being intelligent, thorough and for professional discipline.
The former Minister of Education said he was particularly happy because the values of Farounbi, the subject-matter of the book, were being celebrated.
“It is not often that we really celebrate values, but now values are being celebrated. The gathering of eminent people is a reflection of this. The quality of attendance, indeed, marked it out as a great occasion.
“For me, the added excitement is in knowing what the man, Farounbi, represented. He is one of very best in the country,” Professor Adeniran, the Pro-Chancellor, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD) added.
Present at the book launch was the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Sen Lekan Balogun CFR, Alli Okunmade II, represented by the Maye Olubadan, Oloye Lekan Alabi.
Others present included the CEO of Wellsradio 89.3FM, Evangelist (Mrs) Lilian Bademosi, Chief and Mrs Femi Kufo and the author, Chief Yomi Davies, among several others.
