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OPINION: Between Mike Adenuga And Prometheus

Published

1 year ago

April 29, 2024

By Lasisi Olagunju

The Greek word ‘philos’ means ‘love’, and ‘anthropos’ means ‘man’ or ‘humanity.’ The Englishman came across those two words, combined them and came up with ‘philanthropy’ – ‘love of mankind.’ The Ancient Greek was a nation of great thinkers. World civilizations inherited from these great people rare knowledge preserved in myths, folktales and legends of heroes. They clothed their myths with assumptions and beliefs that have endured centuries of interrogations and reviews. One of those is their insistence that one of their titans, Prometheus, was the very first philanthropist.

And I ask how? ‘Prometheus’ as a Greek name means ‘Forethinker’. One writer says we should not be tired of celebrating him because “he loved us. He helped us. He defied the other gods and suffered for us.” To Timothy Wutrich, American Professor of Comparative Arts, Prometheus is “the polymath, creative genius, and philanthropist” who rebelled against Zeus to save humanity. What exactly is that thing he did?

The Greek in their myth say man was created naked and vulnerable in a hostile world of privileged beasts. But Prometheus, who was present during creation, took a deep look at the helpless creature, thought of what to do, fished out fire from where Zeus hid it and gifted it to Man. Classical Greek dramatist, Aeschylus (524-455 BC), in his ‘Prometheus Bound’ casts him as humanity’s “preserver” who gave us “all the arts and sciences as well as the means of survival.”

The immediate past president and chief executive officer of The Pew Charitable Trusts, Rebecca W. Rimel, on 28 April, 2001, addressed a joint meeting of the American Philosophical Society, the Royal Society and the British Academy on what she called the strategy of charity. At that proceeding, she addressed the Promethean fire philosophy. She explained ‘fire’ as that long-term solution that addressed the root of a problem: “The gift of fire,” Rimel explained, “transformed the world. Fire did not simply permit a few people to enjoy a hot meal and a warm shelter on the day it was given. It was a new tool that could be used forever to help humans make their often-hostile environment more accommodating…” She suggested that ‘fire’ could stand for education, for knowledge, skill. It could wear the dress of the master going the extra mile of teaching his protégés how to fish. She added that “philanthropy is not simply a kind attitude – it also implies a certain kind of approach” which we see in the myth of Prometheus. She proceeded to sit Prometheus with Thomas Jefferson and the American founding father’s profound belief that “a free nation could remain free only if its people were educated.” She alluded to Jefferson’s 1808 “ardent desire to see knowledge” in every man.

When Globacom chairman, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., turned 70 last year. I wrote a column and gave reasons why I did: his patriotism; his calls of commendation to me – and his kindness across all divides. Recently when Air Peace appeared buffeted by vicious tides of competition, I wrote and likened that company’s intervention to Globacom’s epochal entry into telecoms in Nigeria. I said before Globacom, there was exploitation from outsiders and Nigerians were made victims in their own country. The Nigerian telecoms subscriber was the pre-Prometheus man – naked and helpless. Then, Mike Adenuga’s company made its grand entry in August 2003 and its Promethean fire broke the chains. It was amazing how miserably the padlocks of brutal exploitation surrendered. My triumphant people would say they’d seized the enemy’s àgádágodo – the ones clothed with tiger skin and the ones hidden in hides of alligator (aláwo ekùn, àt’aláwo agílíntí).

Adenuga and his Globacom came with a string of firsts that have been mentioned repeatedly. Someone asked why those acts of patriotism are repeatedly told as stories, I answered that Nigerians of today who are thirty years and younger were too young in August 2003 to appreciate the battle won for them by Adenuga 21 years ago. They need to be told repeatedly that it happened. Read again Thomas Jefferson’s dictum which I quoted above: A free nation can only remain free if its people are educated. I add that education includes adequate knowledge of our history.

Today again, Adenuga celebrates his 71st birthday. I read many testimonies of his unannounced public-spiritedness last year when he clocked 70. I am reading (and savouring) refreshingly new ones this year. The stories of his activities are so much like the Promethean story: philanthropy that clothes the naked and addresses the roots of people’s poverty; charity that ennobles humanity and extends the frontiers of knowledge, friendship, love and kindness. The book of his benevolence includes chapters on scholarships and endowments in arts and science. Ask universities around; ask the Alliance Francais in Lagos. Ask the rescued widow in the backwaters of Yewa whose story changed forever. Ask me: I know (and I have heard) of people he dazed with kindness whom he did not give the opportunity to say “thank you.” As he does his Godly thing his quiet way, we will keep telling the world in our own loud words that he represents the best of humanity.

I wish him a happy birthday and very many more years of sweetness as his vintage wine grows in richness.

News

Nigeria Faces Breakup Without True Federalism, Nwodo Warns

Published

5 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

A former Minister of Information and past President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nwodo

A former Minister of Information and past President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, John Nwodo, has raised fresh concerns over Nigeria’s future, warning that the country could break apart before the 2027 general elections if sweeping constitutional reforms are not urgently implemented.

Delivering a keynote address at the launch of two books authored by veteran journalist Ike Abonyi in Abuja, Nwodo said Nigeria’s current system of governance was deeply flawed.

“What we practice today is not federalism but a unitary constitution in disguise,” he said.

Nwodo emphasised that the structure of power must be revisited to allow regions greater control over their resources and internal affairs.

“Let each region manage its resources and development, while contributing taxes to fund essential federal responsibilities like external defence, foreign affairs, customs, and immigration.”

He warned that failing to restructure before the next national election could have grave consequences.

“If we head into 2027 without addressing these structural imbalances, there may be no election—and worse still, no country.”

Citing Nigeria’s economic woes, Nwodo highlighted the alarming state of public infrastructure and declining quality of life.

“We are bleeding billions annually due to poor infrastructure. Life expectancy is now one of the lowest globally. Our youth are unemployed and frustrated. Something must give.”

Calling for bold reforms, he stressed the need to prioritise education, digital skills, and agricultural development as tools for economic revival.

“The future lies in education that meets today’s realities. Every Nigerian child should be digitally literate. We must return to agriculture and vocational training.”

The event drew political figures, scholars, and civil society actors, many of whom echoed the call for urgent restructuring as a path to national stability and growth.

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FG Shortlists Candidates For Civil Service Jobs

Published

7 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

The Federal Government has shortlisted candidates for the ongoing recruitment into the Federal Civil Service.

In January 2025, the Federal Civil Service Commission announced vacancies for over 70 positions across various government agencies.

The announcement, contained in a newspaper advertorial signed by the Director of Recruitment and Appointment, Ogaba Ede, listed several roles.

Some of the listed positions include: Administrative Officer, Planning Officer, Programme Analyst, Procurement Officer, Senior Computer Engineer, Dentist/Dental Officer, Population Programme Officer, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Education Officer, and Senior Youth Development Officer.

Also on the list of positions are Psychologist, Biomedical Engineer, Surveyor, Aerodrome Engineer, Computer Engineer, Geologist, Programme Analyst, Statistician, and Foreign Affairs Officer.

Applications were submitted through the official recruitment portal, which many applicants reported was difficult to access during the registration period.

The deadline, initially fixed for March 10, was later extended to March 17.

The Head of Press and Public Relations at the FCSC, Taiwo Hassan, in an interview with our correspondent, denied insinuations that the process had been abandoned.

He stated that the screening process had progressed, with some applicants already shortlisted.

“We have not been quiet and we have not abandoned the exercise. As a matter of fact, work has been ongoing on the recruitment exercise.

“Candidates have been shortlisted. Those shortlisted have been sent an email on their preferred location for their Computer-Based Test among other details.

“It is not correct to say those who applied have not been contacted. We have picked from those who submitted their applications. These are the ones that will sit for the CBT,” he said.

Although he did not provide specific figures, it was previously reported that applicants were vying for 2,130 available positions in the federal civil service.

News

WAEC Under Fire As Results Portal Goes Down

Published

7 hours ago

August 7, 2025

Editor

The West African Examinations Council has come under renewed fire following the temporary shutdown of its result checker portal on Wednesday evening, a move it attributed to “technical issues.”

The announcement, posted via WAEC’s official X handle, @waecnigeria, sparked fresh criticism as many Nigerians continue to express outrage over the poor performance recorded in the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, particularly in English Language.

“WAEC hereby informs the general public that the result checker portal @waecdirect.org is temporarily shut down due to technical issues.

“However, the Council is working assiduously to ensure that candidates are able to access their results in the next 24 hours. We apologise for any inconvenience this might have caused you,” the notice read.

Wednesday’s notice has further fuelled speculation and public discontent over the examination body’s credibility, especially after Monday’s announcement that only 38.32 per cent of the 1,969,313 candidates who sat the 2025 WASSCE obtained credits and above in five subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, the worst performance recorded in a decade.

Across social media platforms, many candidates and concerned Nigerians pointed fingers at WAEC’s logistics failures, especially the delayed conduct of the English Language paper, which reportedly held late into the night at many centres on May 28.

On X (formerly Twitter), several users shared screenshots of results showing credit passes in other subjects but failure in English, calling for a comprehensive review of the English Language scripts.

Tweeting at @sikimark, Mark Imohi wrote, “It is concerning that the English exam, which was delayed at centres nationwide, is now resulting in widespread failures. If JAMB could make amends, we hope you (WAEC) will take steps to rectify the situation. It was a national disgrace.”

Another user, @_samad1, lamented, “We wrote exams at 8 pm. We were given one hour or 30 minutes to answer questions that should last two and a half hours. There was no light, and everyone was in a hurry to leave. Please rethink.”

Some candidates expressed optimism that once the portal is reopened, there could be changes in the scores.

“When the portal is reopened, you will see magic,” tweeted Daniel Ebitimi (@ebitimi_da15726).

Others alleged deliberate manipulation and revenue generation motives behind the poor grading.

“Just like JAMB, WAEC is gambling with the future of Nigerians. If the majority of the D’s, E’s and F8’s awarded in English are rechecked, WAEC will pay dearly,” @JayTrezy posted.

Parents also joined the chorus of displeasure, expressing confusion over how students who excelled in other subjects could have failed English.

“My daughter got five A1 and two B2, only to get D7 in English and Physics (withheld),” tweeted a parent, @Johnway11145073.

Another user, @DEYHOT_official, pleaded, “WAEC, please I am begging, help us check the English Language exam again. I can’t accept this result. I struggled so hard to get money and pay for this exam, and now you failed me. This result is affecting my future.”

Some went as far as demanding a total recall of the 2025 results.

“We reject this year’s results, particularly the English and Maths. WAEC, please do the needful to avoid mass protests,” @pastorbtdaniels posted.

The Teacher, @MarquizDejavex wrote, “Students wrote English paper in the mid night and yet WAEC failed them.”

King Jeporphs, @e_okwori tweeted, “The students who were robbed and given abysmal grades in English should tag presidency, Minister of education to have an external body revise the whole exam process.”

WAEC has yet to issue any further clarification on the English Language grading or respond to the growing demands for a review of the affected scripts.