[Citizen Investigation] Harvard University Denies Agreement With Governors

Harvard University denies agreement with Nigerian governors. Citizen Investigations by Majek Adega It has been reported in some of Nigeria’s newspapers and Internet portals that Harvard University recently entered into an agreement with the Governors' Forum to train Nigeria’s governors’ on capacity building. The Guardian newspaper’s editorial of June 11, 2009 also addressed the issue in very harsh language. I forwarded a copy of Guardian’s editorial to Harvard University. At the end of their jamboree and return to Nigeria, governor Akpabio, the spokesman for the group, held a press conference in Calabar and briefed members of the press about the reasons for the alleged agreement between the Governors Forum and Harvard University. He cited lack of understanding of the Constitution and preparedness for the job they willingly sought as the reasons behind the agreement. This is the same job that some of these governors considered...Read the full article.

[Zanubia Wolf]

Thank you for this expose o! This one of the problems with corruption, the perpetrators are every thinking of new avenues to stuff there pockets!! with nija revenue

[Dapxin]

well done you!

For where the /allegedly some/ editors of our newspapers are content,
with breaking the news (can't we all predict them these days)
and following thru with some interesting b00b-check-and-snooze /see sahara reporters/

you most probably have forced these cr00ks to again re-work their plan in loot-o-mania.
by a judicious + timely use of your email client and typing skills...

I congratulate you, and the many tens/hundreds of us, that will learn by your audacious effort here even if on its own, it doesnt put someone in jail...

[Agidimolaja]

They are Governors.They are untouchables,thanks to mmunity.They are mini-gods.
After their time is over,may God have mercy on Lady Farida if she attempted to bring them to justice. She may quickly be banished to Kuru or somewhere else more terrible before she is eventually disgraced and exiled. Friends,relatives,cronies,stooges etc of ex-governors would then joined up in the fight,accusing Lady Farida of being selective.Curses and abuses would be dished out at her by the likes of a New York based Tiv "intellectual mugu", for not following "the rule of law".
Before now,we have seen all kinds of show of shame being put on display by friends of treasury looters,apologists, hatchet writers,certificated morons etc.
I will not be surprised if these pathetic folks descended mightily on our man, Majek,for doing so much in exposing these perverse Governors.I will not be surprised if what Majek got for his efforts is negative name callings.
Thanks Majek for job well done.You are a true son and friend of Nigeria.

[abdulmumin]

Bravo Majek!
Thanks for exposing the charlatans for what they are.

[Luchi]

More stories according to Thisday Newspaper.

Document Affirms Govs’ Forum, Harvard Varsity Deal
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Nigerian Governors’ Forum and John Kennedy School of Government of the Harvard University, United State, has reaffirmed a training deal the Forum sealed with the university during its recent working visit to the United States.
Titled: “Capacity Building Workshops for Nigerian Governors’ Forum”, the MoU focuses on the training of the 36 Governors, Forum staff and local leaders in the areas of leadership, good governance, education policy, economic development, among others.
Jointly signed by the Chairman of Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Dr. Bukola Saraki; Director-General of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, Mr. A. B Okauru, Harvard University’s Director, Programme on Intrastate Conflict, Prof Robert I. Rotberg and Ms. Katie L. Naeve, programme manager, Programme on Intrastate Conflict, on May 21 and 22, also spelt out the scope of the engagement.
According to the document, “Harvard Kennedy School Programme on Intrastate Conflict will hold three workshops for the Forum and governors, the first of which will take place in October, 2009, and second two before June 2010. Further workshops will occur in 2010 – 2011 and beyond. The programme on Intrastate Conflict will provide experts in the area listed above to teach at each of the three workshops.”
On logistics, the MoU says: “Both the programme on Intrastate Conflict and the secretariat at the Nigeria Governors’ Forum will coordinate the logistics of the workshops including transportation of input from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum Secretariat, will formulate appropriate curricula for each of the workshops.”
The Forum had announced an impending course in capacity building for all the 36 state governors after four of its members returned from a trip to Harvard and some public institutions in the US about two weeks ago.
The members who undertook the trip included its chairman, Saraki of Kwara State, Edo State Governor, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Bauchi State Governor, Mallam Isa Yuguda and Akwa Ibom State Governor, Obong Godswill Akpabio.
A media report at the weekend had quoted Head of Kennedy School of Governance, Harvard University, Prof. Robert Rotberg as saying that although the forum contacted him and sought his help for such a programme, the school had not responded before the forum claimed that both parties had signed a memorandum of understanding.
According to the report, what existed between the two parties was a mere draft of the MoU which Rotberg reportedly said was still awaiting the endorsement of the school authorities.

[M. Akosa]

God bless you Mr Adega, for doing this excellent investigative work and writing this article.

Havard, Oxford or Cambridge should not accomodate any 3rd world country oppressors or charlatans, after they have abused and hurt their citizens, while in office or power of authority.

Why don't these Nigerian governors seek better education like Ngozi Iweala, Oby Ezekwesili, Ndi Onyiuke and the rest did, before looking for positions of authority.

Of course those charlatan governors are so cheap, they settle for internet Phds. Then wreck havoc on their Nigerian victims, then fleece the state funds, then seek their mother's head in the US and England or so called Harvard education and Cambridge.
Of course only Nigerians can abuse power and then head for Warwick, Oxford, Cambridge and Harvard.
Fools!!!

[konkomitant]

Why did you stop your investigation at Harvard University?

If what you did was an investigation you should have contacted the three parties involved in this story, the Nigerian press, the Governor(s), and of course Harvard.

Now we don't know who's the liar among the other two, namely the press or the Governor(s). All three are capable of giving out misleading information.

Except if you were there when the Governor gave the press release. Then there would be no need to investigate the media.

Please we need the rest of the details in order to ascertain who the liar is.
Thank you.

[Gbolly]

Well done Majek. We have heard from Harvard people. I am curious to know what the concerned Governors have to say about Harvard denial of their claim. Please can you pass the result of your investigation to Gov. Saraki and others for their comments? Thank you!

[changenigeriamovement]

Hello Konkomitan:

I agree with you that all parties to a disagreement should be investigated or listend to and their respective perspectives reported. The parties in this case being Harvard University, Governors and Guardian). But I think this case is different. I do not see the need to investigate Guardian or report its perspective. It based its editorial on Governor Akpabio's press conference which the governor is yet to deny. In fact, Thisday's story of June 14, 2009 (http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=146038) confirmed the details contained in Guardian's editorial. So you already have the governors' perspective in adition to that of Harvard University. Why investigate facts that have been confirmed by the governors?

Let us even assume that one wishes to contact the governors to obtain their perspective on the matter, how do you do it? Whereas Harvard University has a telephone number and answers its calls, emails and questions, how do you get the governors' side of the story when the governors have no known telephone numbers or email addresses? If you are implying that you know the contact information for the governors, you should do everybody a favor by providing the details. Alternatively, if you do not have their contact information, you can still help the investigation by explaining how you expect the governors's perspctive to be obtained in the absence of contact information.

To me, the real issue is not so much about lies but whether these governors should have taken a job for which they were not qualified or lack the "capacity" to perform; cannot get the same training in a Nigerian university; or should be spending limited resources in this manner. With due respect, these are the real issues in my opinion. If the training sought from Harvard University is actualy an imperative, we can't the governors bring the Harvard University lecturers to Nigeria and conduct the workshop in a Nigerian University, thereby saving scarce resources?

If you cannot trust your health to a "doctor" who is yet to attend medical school and obtain the requisite qualifications, why should Nigerians trust governors with the governance of their respective states when the governors have admitted lacking the capacity to do the job?

What is so complicated in "capacity building" to justify the spending of limited resources on a trip to Harvard University? Any governor who is interested in capcity building need not travel far. I believe governor Fashola of Lagos state will be too happy to accommodate and teach "capacity building and good governance" to these governors for free. What do you think?

I hope you will consider my observations to be in order. Have yourself a great day.

[iamgod]

Bros thanks a million times for making this effort...

I hope we all learn to take such matters into our hands, rather than waiting for someone somewhere to do something...

Thanks again O jare....

[Anioma777]

Capacity Planning.....Most Nigerian politicians what a comical bunch of bufoons.

They could have got a new or secondhand book called "Capacity Planning for Dummies" for £10 and saved themselves this embarassment....oh I forgot,these demigods have no shame.

Well done to the writer for exposing yet another calamity by "OUR BRILLIANT POLITICIANS".

[emj]

Originally Posted by Anioma777

Capacity Planning.....Most Nigerian politicians what a comical bunch of bufoons.

They could have got a new or secondhand book called "Capacity Planning for Dummies" for Euros 10 and saved themselves this embarassment....oh I for got,these demigods have no shame.

Well done to the writer for exposing yet another calamity by "OUR BRILLIANT POLITICIANS".

Eherm, it wont be as good as having a Havard laminated Certificate u know
At least they sought to educate themselves...let it not be said that they did not try....hmmm, nah wah for wawa autonomous community trying to speak fulfude.

[Albany]

This madness has got to stop, somehow. I wonder why politicians would give anything to occupy positions of leadership when they know that they lack the requisite qualifications. What stops them from getting the knowledge first before aspiring to such positions ?
I recall that the Governor of Enugu State, Sullivain Chime spent 200 million Naira last year taking the members of the state house of Assembly on such a frivolous jamboree. The funny thing about his own is that they were denied visas by the American Embassy but within 2 weeks, they made an alternative arrangement and decided to travel to the UK instead. SHAME !

I noticed that what Prof. Rotberg accused the Governors of was 'jumping the gun'. In effect, he met with and discussed with them (or their representatives) and was only waiting for the University authorities to decide on it. So, he shouldn't give us this 'there will never be an agreement' stuff. Did he tell the Governors so himself ? He was quick to reply Majek (and i commend him for that) but who knows, he probably would have signed an MoU with them, had Majek not intervened.

Majek, i commend you for your patriotism !

[valteena]

Like you majek I am wont to believe Havard's side of the story. But even if they did come to such agreement initially going by Thisday's report, your intervention has now made them realise the error of their judgement to get involve with those thieving governors. I am sure they would not go ahead with the agreement any longer.

You have successfully poured sand sand in this particular gari and stopped further drinking (stealing under the guise of capacity building) as well as show them out for what they really are to the Havard officials, well done.

[Gbolly]

@EMJ,
l met Dr. Saraki, the governor of Kwara at Harvard University African Business Conference some years ago. Frankly, l believe the man has enough intelligence and acumen to uphold himself unto higher standard. Lieing to us about attending Harvard for a course to enrich is pocket and that of his posses is a disgrace on his resume (CV).

[iamgod]

Seen this article in The Nation Newspaper 15/5/2009

Makes one wonder who really is lying


Governors’ Forum, Harvard University sign agreement

By Our Reporter Published Today News Rating: Unrated


The John Kennedy School of Government of the Harvard University, United States and the Governors Forum, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for a training programme on intrastate conflict prevention and resolution.

The MoU was signed by the Chairman of the Forum, Dr. Bukola Saraki of Kwara State, its Director General Mr. A.B Okauru on the one side and Harvard’s Director of Program Prof. Robert Rotberg and the Program Manager Ms. Katie Naeve on the other side.

The signing of the MoU contradicts media reports at the weekend quoting Rotberg that what the university had with the governors was a draft.

Four of the governors, including Saraki, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole of Edo, Mallam Isa Yuguda of Bauchi, Obong Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom states had on their return from the US two weeks ago announced that the 36 members of the forum will soon begin trainings on capacity building in the school.

The training tagged "Capacity Building Workshop for the Nigerian Governors Forum" will seek to provide training for the forum’s staff and local leaders in leadership, good governance, education policy and economic development, among others.

The programme is billed to begin in October.

There will be another batch June next year. Other workshops will be spread from 2010 to 2011 and beyond.

On logistics, the MoU states: "Both the program on Intrastate at the Nigeria Governors Forum will coordinate the logistics of the workshops, including transportation of the delegates, workshop dates, hotel accommodations, and meals."

"Professor Rotberg with inputs from the Nigeria Forum Secretariat will formulate appropriate curricula for each of the workshops."

The forum will, however, bear the financial expenses that will be incurred at the workshop.

But the Action Congress (AC) has described as a dent on Nigeria’s image the claim by Harvard University that the Governors’ Forum lied over signing of the agreement.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party urged the Federal Government to investigate the veracity of the university’s claim to determine which of the parties was deceiving Nigerians.

"If it was found that the Governors’ Forum had indeed lied about signing an MOU with Harvard when the training document was only a draft - as claimed by Harvard - then the Federal Government should issue an appropriate reprimand to the Governors’ Forum to prevent a recurrence. Of course we also expect that the development will attract public opprobrium for the governors,’’ it said.

The party said anyone who has been monitoring the comments generated by the so-called MoU, especially among Nigerians in the Diaspora, will realise the negative publicity it has attracted to Nigeria on the international scene.

"If ever there was any blow to the government’s re-branding project, of which the governors are major stakeholders, this training MoU debacle is it.

"First, the necessity for such a training has been called into question. Then, the claim that the body representing Nigeria’s 36 states and the FCT is nothing but a liar is a disgrace of international proportion, especially because it involves a top university in not just another country, but the world’s only remaining superpower, where image is everything!‘’ the party said.

AC said in the first instance, it was nothing but a sheer misadventure for state chief executives, supposedly elected on the basis of their impressive manifestoes, to now seek to acquire - from a foreign university - the wherewithal to govern their states.

"Governors who have distinguished themselves in Nigeria - for example in Lagos starting from Alhaji Lateef Jakande to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Babatunde Fasola - did not go to Harvard to learn how to govern after their respective elections.

"Is it Harvard that will tell a governor how to provide decent healthcare, potable water and necessary infrastructure for his or her people, especially when the Harvard trainer has never visited Nigeria? Does the Nigerian Constitution allow a governor to take a study leave? Or is the fake MoU with Harvard estacode-induced as some have said?

"In any case, even if the governors are keen on refreshing their knowledge and expertise in governance, are they saying there is no institution in Nigeria that can do that? Do they realise that by their Harvard show of shame, they have passed a vote of no confidence in their own (state-run) universities as well as the myriad of federal and private universities in this country?" the party added.

[dem]

Hmmm!

I don't know. Harvard could have indeed agreed "workshops" which the governors were trying to sell "up" for more than it is worth.

But seeing that the initial refutation story came via ThisDay newspaper, I am more inclined to disbelieve the govs....

Capacity building; Chai! Nigeria sef.

[S. Njokede]

I blame Edo State governor Oshimhole, for being amid that bunch. I doubt if Lagos State governor Fashola, has any issue with those bunch of layabout loser-governors.


There´s no solid pact with the University and governors, you can take this to the bank without contacting your crystal balls.

Degenerate leaders who lie too much are not only an endangered specie, but also a danger to society.

Political leadership, and ethics have been so bastardised in Nigeria that the masses are left to their devices to be pathological doubting Thomases for all the right reasons.

Truth is in short supply as it concern politicians in Nigeria. When politicians yonder say yes, they mean no; and when they say no, they mean yes. If there´s any good report about them in print Media in Nigeria, take it to be a lie. And when you read any negative report about them anywhere, take it to be truth.

In this sense, the Citizen reporter has negatively reported that the Kennedy school denounced signing any pact with our wayward governors - and that is the gospel truth: so crystal clear that you don´t need a soothsayer to confirm it.

www.punchbadleaders@yahoo.com

[iamgod]

Originally Posted by S. Njokede

I blame Edo State governor Oshimhole, for being amid that bunch. I doubt if Lagos State governor Fashola, has any issue with those bunch of layabout loser-governors.

Truth is in short supply as it concern politicians in Nigeria. When politicians yonder say yes, they mean no; and when they say no, they mean yes. If there´s any good report about them in print Media in Nigeria, take it to be a lie. And when you read any negative report about them anywhere, take it to be truth.
www.punchbadleaders@yahoo.com

Bros you meanooooooo.....

I wonder too what Oshiomhole is doing among this frivolous bunch, did he go to Harvard to learn how to fight the Fed Govt when he was busy fighting for workers cause. Abi government lodge don soften am up?

Na waoooo!

Of what use is a governors forum anyway?