Thursday, April 9, 2015
"University Don, Prof. Abanikanda Writes On #LagosDecides : 'Between CHANGE and CONTINUITY'
Professor Olatunji Abanikanda is a professor of statistics and the director of Lagos State University External System. He writes on his opinion about the upcoming gubernatorial elections in Lagos state where he resides and he is an indigene.
I read with keen interest the ongoing debate between the APC / PDP candidates, supporters, loyalists and apologists. My natural position was not to join in the issues for fear of being misquoted as we have recently seen. But something keeps pushing me to say something after seeing something.
CAVEAT: If this post must be shared, quoted or re-posted, it MUST be in its entirety and not distorted in any form.
We all know that Change is inevitable in nature just as it cannot be avoided in Lagos House on Saturday.
But before I proceed with my essay, we need to know what constitutes a change. To ease this burden, I've lifted the Webster Dictionary interpretation of the word and pasted same below:
Change\ˈchānj\
: to become different
: to make (someone or something) different
: to become something else
Full Definition
Transitive verb
1 a : to make different in some particular : alter b : to make radically different : transform
c : to give a different position, course, or direction to
2 a : to replace with another
b : to make a shift from one to another : switch
c : to exchange for an equivalent sum of money
d : to put fresh clothes or covering on
Intransitive verb
1 : to become different
2 to pass from one phase to another
3 : to shift one's means of conveyance : transfer
4 to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution
5 : to put on different clothes
6 : exchange, switch
Both parties to the argument about change and continuity are right and neither need be scared of accepting either and or both
The APC fell for the PDP gambit when the later suddenly becomes apostles of Change as a consequence of their earlier loss, forgetting that either APC likes it or not there will be change of baton of governance in Lagos. So why the fear of APC about this inevitable change
Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) having meritoriously served his two TERMS of eight years as Governor as permitted by law would vacate Lagos House for another person, and that is Change in occupancy of Lagos House and Change in leadership of Lagos State. Personally as a Change agent myself I fully support that kind of Change, it is lawful, legal and desirable.
In line with the various definitions of Change and from my above submission, APC would realize that Change is inevitable. The next logical question is who deserves to be the replacement in this change process?
APC was able to get a Change at the Federal Level as a consequence of what it has achieved primarily in Lagos, therefore Lagos as the model of Governance and the laboratory for the perfection of the art of governance MUST not be toyed with! This is where Continuity comes to play. It is only a fool that will clamor for a change in a winning method. What does s/he plan to achieve with the Change if NOT fiasco! As far as the current Government (APC) of Lagos is concerned we desire and need Continuity and NOT Change. As for the Governor the law already demands a change.
Who then do we chose to replace our indefatigable and competent BRF? As stated earlier we cannot afford to risk a known working system for another known calamitous system. If PDP had done well we probably might consider an offshoot of its past successes but as it is now we all know better, simply because "you cannot give what you don't have"!
Oh, you want me to consider the personality of the candidates? Personality and ability are two different attributes. Personality earned GEJ his first term of office but unfortunately his ability cost him, nay Nigeria our current travails.
One of the key points in leadership ability is your prior knowledge of the intricacies of leadership and the best way to acquire that is from your previous endeavor. You can never compare someone who has put 27 years service at different strata of Government within the state to someone who NEVER had a shot at governance. No matter how good the later is or how noble his intents and cause, he will always be at the mercy of the Hawks around the coveted office. You need to learn the ropes from somewhere if you actually want to be in control.
In conclusion, my take is to align with the two positions of Change in the Governor as occasioned by law and Continuity in Government (APC) as desired by the good people of Lagos.
Eko o ni baje ooo.
CAVEAT: If this post must be shared, quoted or re-posted, it MUST be in its entirety and not distorted in any form.
We all know that Change is inevitable in nature just as it cannot be avoided in Lagos House on Saturday.
But before I proceed with my essay, we need to know what constitutes a change. To ease this burden, I've lifted the Webster Dictionary interpretation of the word and pasted same below:
Change\ˈchānj\
: to become different
: to make (someone or something) different
: to become something else
Full Definition
Transitive verb
1 a : to make different in some particular : alter b : to make radically different : transform
c : to give a different position, course, or direction to
2 a : to replace with another
b : to make a shift from one to another : switch
c : to exchange for an equivalent sum of money
d : to put fresh clothes or covering on
Intransitive verb
1 : to become different
2 to pass from one phase to another
3 : to shift one's means of conveyance : transfer
4 to undergo transformation, transition, or substitution
5 : to put on different clothes
6 : exchange, switch
Both parties to the argument about change and continuity are right and neither need be scared of accepting either and or both
The APC fell for the PDP gambit when the later suddenly becomes apostles of Change as a consequence of their earlier loss, forgetting that either APC likes it or not there will be change of baton of governance in Lagos. So why the fear of APC about this inevitable change
Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) having meritoriously served his two TERMS of eight years as Governor as permitted by law would vacate Lagos House for another person, and that is Change in occupancy of Lagos House and Change in leadership of Lagos State. Personally as a Change agent myself I fully support that kind of Change, it is lawful, legal and desirable.
In line with the various definitions of Change and from my above submission, APC would realize that Change is inevitable. The next logical question is who deserves to be the replacement in this change process?
APC was able to get a Change at the Federal Level as a consequence of what it has achieved primarily in Lagos, therefore Lagos as the model of Governance and the laboratory for the perfection of the art of governance MUST not be toyed with! This is where Continuity comes to play. It is only a fool that will clamor for a change in a winning method. What does s/he plan to achieve with the Change if NOT fiasco! As far as the current Government (APC) of Lagos is concerned we desire and need Continuity and NOT Change. As for the Governor the law already demands a change.
Who then do we chose to replace our indefatigable and competent BRF? As stated earlier we cannot afford to risk a known working system for another known calamitous system. If PDP had done well we probably might consider an offshoot of its past successes but as it is now we all know better, simply because "you cannot give what you don't have"!
Oh, you want me to consider the personality of the candidates? Personality and ability are two different attributes. Personality earned GEJ his first term of office but unfortunately his ability cost him, nay Nigeria our current travails.
One of the key points in leadership ability is your prior knowledge of the intricacies of leadership and the best way to acquire that is from your previous endeavor. You can never compare someone who has put 27 years service at different strata of Government within the state to someone who NEVER had a shot at governance. No matter how good the later is or how noble his intents and cause, he will always be at the mercy of the Hawks around the coveted office. You need to learn the ropes from somewhere if you actually want to be in control.
In conclusion, my take is to align with the two positions of Change in the Governor as occasioned by law and Continuity in Government (APC) as desired by the good people of Lagos.
Eko o ni baje ooo.
OTF Abanikanda
@blackboxupdate
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OTF has spoken! So be it.
ReplyDeleteI remember the name of this prof when I was in Lasu, yes he is highly respected but I don't subscribe to this his opinion o. Lagosians also need change and it is not a change from right hand to left hand. Lagos needs a kind of change where small businesses would be allowed to thrive afterall Jimi was able to grow his own Pharmaceutical firm. I have decided to vote for JK and nothing said would discourage me.
ReplyDeleteThis BBN people would be promoting APC. So much for being neutral.
ReplyDeleteWhat's my own business with a Professor of statistics teaching us politics...abegi
I think this is a logical and sensible position. At this point of of statehood, we cannot afford to experiment with the fortune and future of Lagosians not with somebody that can not win fair at his party primary election. Ambode for Lagos State Governor. Be Safe. SM-S
ReplyDeleteShort, logical and sensible... Governing lagos is not a Just Kidding job but it takes more experience... Ambode will continue by God's Grace...
ReplyDelete