Date Published: 06/24/09

Dear Editor,

The aborted "Governors-on-Course" waste

I am not regretting my letter written late May 2009, titled “Their Excellencies Go Globe-Trotting Again” which fortunately found its way in both the print, online and electronic media when the governors (Saraki, Yuguda, Oshiomhole and Akpabio) were already in the USA on their expedition.. The published letter to the Editors which exposed the fruitless journey brought about a national discourse which enabled the detection of fraud associated with the venture. It has also saved the nation the protest as suggested in a letter published recently in the media as written by one Alhaji Musa Salem in which was suggested that there should be mass protect around the States should the MoU the governors had with the Harvard University succeeded.

It was my earlier letter that elicited the reactions from both Governor Akpabio speaking from Calabar airport and Governor Saraki’s media adviser speaking from Ilorin, both trying to justify the wasteful trip that resulted in the raging controversy. An online publication, eager to find out the authenticity ignited the investigation and the further findings reported of the MoU, in the Saturday Punch of June 13, 2009.

I thank the media, on behalf of the masses, for their role in checkmating our today’s leaders. The tempo should be maintained so that together we can continue to advance our democratic rule development. The media in this particular case has tried for the masses; I am also happy to be one of the vessels used.

Dr. Jerome Jiga

7 Shehu Close

Zaria, Kaduna State