Questions Nigerians Have Not Asked Their Number 4: This write-up is not to attack anyone, Dimeji Bankole himself or his office. It is simply attempting to continue from where the Late (Chief) Gani Fawehinmi stopped in the pursuit of a better society. We need to ask questions, scratch and shake to ascertain the veracity of the resume (published or unpublished) of our leaders – Y.Agbejoyo.
The gullibility of Nigerians is sometimes bewildering if one considers the level of educational and professional attainments of its people. Ordinarily, Nigerians should be a people with critical minds and ability to question, very and rationalize facts and information presented before them. This brings to mind the level of almost zero concern or apathetic dispositions of Nigerians to the facts presented by their would-be leaders or leaders in political offices either in their unpublished or published resumes.
A representative example is the case of Oladimeji Saabur Bankole (Speaker, House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria). Many have said, curiously though, that Dimeji Bankole was educated at Oxford, some said it is Harvard, others said Royal Military School and many more.
These are simply replicated inconsistencies without more. Shortly after assuming office as Speaker, it was alleged that Dimeji Bankole never served the country he offers to lead as “number 4” at the NYSC.
In defense, copies of NYSC discharged certificate were dangled at journalists to justify the fact he did partake in the orientation exercise. However, the actual fact of his service remains curious, as explanations that he did NYSC in his Dad’s company raises crucial moral issues and sundry legal anomalies. Quite frankly, it is better not to serve than serve one’s parent in the name of the country.
This, in developed countries would have had far-reaching consequences with immediate voluntary or call for resignation of the affected official.
It would appear if at all he did the NYSC, the maximum he would have done might be the orientation before getting himself assigned to his father’s aluminum production company. The logic of this is simple: the period of pursuit of the so-called military service or any masters program would appear to dovetail into the NYSC year. This should interest the polity, as the truth will be apparent by cross-checking dates of enrollments at these institutions.
Another curiosity in the unpublished resume of Dimeji Bankole is the fact of his enrollment or enlistment in the British Royal Army. This also has neither been verified nor corroborated. Before one gets enlisted, the status of the applicant must be ascertained. In this case, how did Dimeji Bankole get to the United Kingdom in the first instance: did he get in as British born, with visitor’s visa, immigrant visa, permanent resident, refugee status or as undocumented immigrant?
These are crucial. The facts of the statement volunteered at the time of visa application will go a long way in telling us something. Assuming he got to the UK as undocumented immigrant, it is simple logic that he will need to regularize his status before being admitted, even though actual evidence of ever serving in the Royal Army is anything but satisfactory.
The word “undocumented immigrant” also includes those who entered with, for example 3 month visa and stayed back.
Many more issues will crop-up. As a people, we need to show serious interests in the antecedents of our leaders.
This write-up is not to attack anyone, Dimeji Bankole himself or his office. It is simply attempting to continue from where the Late (Chief) Gani Fawehinmi stopped in the pursuit of a better society. We need to ask questions, scratch and shake to ascertain the veracity of the resume (published or unpublished) of our leaders. We need to know them, their past and where they are coming from in service, profession, academics, business, and others to ascertain their suitability and ability to lead us.
We needed to allow the authority and appropriate agencies to do their job. We waited until it is apparent that they have failed and/or neglected to do the needful. We may consider approaching the court (Federal high Court) in my name and sue NYSC (1st Defendant) and make Dimeji Bankole the second Defendant. It is not for me to go “fishing’ for facts on the subject. I have enough to proceed legally. If they have credible defence they will come and show it. The suit will probably be by way of Originating Summons asking the following questions:
QUESTIONS for Determination:
1) WHETHER by virtue of the provisions of the NYSC Act (and by implications the constitution, since NYSC Act has been incorporated into the Constitution) a person who has not undertaken the one year compulsory national youth service can hold public or elective office in Nigeria.
2) WHETHER by virtue of the provisions of the NYSC Act serving in a family business in which one is a director amount to “National Service”.
3) WHETHER if answer to the second question is in the negative, it is illegal and unconstitutional for the (proposed 2nd Defendant- Hon Dimeji Bankole) to hold or continue to hold public office in Nigeria.
RELIEFS to be sought:
1) A DECLARATION that by virtue of the provisions of the NYSC Act a person who has not undertaken the one year compulsory national youth service cannot hold public or elective office in Nigeria.
2) A DECLARATION that serving in a family business in which one is a director amounts to “National Service”not a valid “National Service”.
3) A DECLARATION ORDER that it is illegal and unconstitutional for the (proposed 2nd Defendant- Hon Dimeji Bankole) to hold or continue to hold public office in Nigeria.
Y.Agbejoyo
PhD; LL.M (Osgoode, Canada)
LL.B (Ilorin); B.L(Abuja, Nig.)
In search of the “SOLUTION”
Some Answer:
Oladimeji Saburi Bankole was a businessman before being elected to the House. The lower legislative chamber of Nigeria‘s bicameral legislature has witnessed several relatively younger Speakers in the present Republic. But Bankole, elected at the age 37, is the youngest of the lot.
Two of his predecessors, Salihu Buhari and Ghali Na’Abba were also remarkably young.
A Muslim Egba, Bankole was born on November 14, 1969 in Abeokuta, which is now Ogun State capital. His parents are Alani Bankole, a businessman and former National Vice Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP),
Seriki Jagunmolu of Egbaland and his wife Atinuke Bankole, Ekerin Iyalode of Egbaland.
Bankole’s education was as such – Baptist Boys High School, Abeokuta from 1979; Albany College, London, England from 1985; University of Reading, Reading in England from 1989; University of Oxford‘s Officer Training College, Oxford, England in 1991, and Harvard University,
Cambridge, Massachusetts, US in 2005.