Adeniyi’s response to his critics is straight reasoning without loophole. He is clear and distinct in his thought without brittle tinkling. He reminds those who constantly criticize in a petty way that life is more than that. "Being a Spokesman for the President is not a media job, " he says. "It is a political office and would require different skills than the ones I had employed as a reporter". Is he telling lies? That is vintage According to Segun Adeniyi’s verdict. He might eventually be the one to help us pass the information bill.

Adeniyi’s words echoed Nnamdi Azikiwe or Obafemi Awolowo or Aminu Kano. Adeniyi accepted his present job because he believes "it offered me opportunity to see whether I could make a difference, however little". In essence, he settled for America in order to understudy the Yankees. America, we all know, is the Super Power in the art of propaganda. But Adeniyi says he would only "meet people holding similar position as mine, people I could learn from in the bid to serve our people better". I want to believe this guy. But wait a minute, is there not a single institution in Nigeria that could train Adeniyi? O ma se o.

Therefore America is a dream land to gain such experience. After all, it was the officials of the Public affairs Section of the United States embassy in Abuja that visited him. And the guy used the opportunity to table his agony before them. "While they were in my office, I told them that I would need to build capacity for my job, that I had been a journalist all my life and was now in a terrain that was totally different since as I had, as it were, crossed the line".

The key words in his rejoinder are learning, help, service. Obviously these are not negative attributes or are they? Adeniyi believes he needs to consult the masters for more knowledge. The young man is not alone in this quest for perception and learning and reasoning. After all, the knowledge to be acquired in this world is much more than what one can acquire in a lifetime. Many of those who are calling for his head are themselves living in either America or Britain. Okay, I understand their sojourn is not at the expense of their fellow Nigerians.

Then our dear friend has masterfully cleared that aspect of incorrigible thinking that every Nigerian political office holder is there to steal. "I need to say that aside the fact that government bought my ticket, I was given estacode for 8 days at 350 dollars per night". This isn’t much. Is it? But why didn’t the US pay for this trip since it might eventually need Adeniyi for its own master plan which had been made public.

Or is it not the same America that had predicted Nigeria would soon break up? And is it not America that our public office holders flock to like tourists to the shrine where the statue was said to have shed tears? Is it not where they celebrate birthdays? Is it not where they seek asylum? Is it not where they buy houses? Is it not where they prefer to die? Is it not where they send their children to learn? Nna, Nigeria is not in trouble yet.

Adeniyi also reminds us that he did not accept the job because "I am hungry". Now I know why Babangida, Abacha, Obasanjo and comrades stole while in office. It is because of hunger. Is that why they were angry at the citizens during their tenure? By this statement, Adeniyi has come up with some most intriguing finds. I would argue here that there’s Adeniyi in all of us. We shout, we lampoon, but we are quick to accept government appointments even from a government that appears to be illegitimate. Wole Soyinka, Tai Solarin, Diran Odeyemi, Lateef Jakande, Ebenezer Babatope, Niran Malaolu, Remi Oyo and so on. Even you and I.

The truth is the fact that journalism has never been an end in itself but a stepping stone to something more profound otherwise those we think are our best minds in the field would not end up being spokesperson for politician this and that. They should strive to be more than just spokesperson. Perhaps that’s why people like Obasanjo does not respect journalists. They often do things that is below their dignity. Meanwhile my fear is not Segun’s opportunity to further educate himself but the mentality of inferiority complex often exhibits by Nigerians towards everything America or British.

Why America or Britain in particular? Why not South Africa or any other African countries for example? Those are "third world" countries o. Even if Segun had refused to go to Yankee because of established principle, family meeting would have been called. They would have admonished him for being foolish. They would have said, "Oh, by tomorrow you shall be in tears over lost opportunities". They would have probably laughed at him suggesting he had lost touch with reality. I feel Adeniyi’s torments of the damned.

While I understand Adeniyi’s position, I await that awakening moment when a spokesperson for British or American President would come to Nigeria to understudy us in order to gain experience in the course of her or his job. Anyway, until that day let our friend, Segun Adeniyi, make use of his position to further visit Bushland. He is not in America on jamboree, he is not in America for birthday bash, he is not there to fix his tummy or his hair or running nose, he is there because he believes he has a lot to learn and from his experience thus far, he thinks the trip is worthwhile. Please let him be o.

Copyright 2007 mysmallvoice@yahoo.com

Robot  Villager

# 1 I was actually waiting for Olusegun Adeniyi, Yar’Adua’s Special adviser (Communication) ...Read the full article. Posted by Robot| 09.09.2007 00:13

bakoso2000  Villager

# 2 If you have no idea what you are hired to do, you have no business being there in the first place. Listen to your arguement - Segun was arrested by the president to serve Nigeria - what a cheeky arrogance! The president sees a media man, hired him as a spokesman now Segun sees himself as a politician who should be trained in the United States at pubic expense. You know what, if l were Yar'Adua, Segun will be fired as soon as he stepped back in Nigeria. This guy is so unsure, confused and even arrogant about it! Yar'Adua does not need characters like these around him. Listen to him, " Why am l here?". I have been in United States eight times before, l did not ask for this training, l was invited. What is so hard in telling the people what the president said. The job is as simple as that and we have had others who could not boast of Segun's media experience hold the same position successfully in the past. Must you attend a training if in your good judgment is not worth the time and the money? If the president "arrested" me to take l job l am not mentally prepared for, l will with a straight face discharge myself from such arrest. We dont need somebody who think he can make a difference, we need a committed citizen who is convinced that he knows what do especially for a country in dire need like Nigeria. The public verdict is that this trip is wasteful and unnecessary and it is by far more honorable to accept that verdict, apologize and head back to Nigeria immediately than sitting around arguing with the same people you proclaim to be serving. Posted by bakoso2000| 09.09.2007 08:21

Mikky jaga  Villager

# 3 Honestly, Mr. Adeniyi needs a media assistant to help him launder his image that is being brought through the mud as a result of this innocuous trip. The proposed special assistant should have the mandate to organise press conferences on his behalf and advise him on where to go for his next understudy. This will enable him enjoy the perks of office without attracting negative comments from people who will not mind their business. Na your turn bo. Abeg carry go!! Posted by Mikky jaga| 09.09.2007 15:59