Security Votes for Govs Wasteful, Rues Centenarian Ajolore

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

A 100-year-old former lecturer at the University of Lagos, Dr. Olusola Ajolore, has condemned the security votes for state governors when many universities in the country were not funded sufficiently.

Pa Ajolore, the Chairman Board of Trustees Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI), made this assessment in his appeal for national renewal, responsibility and nation-building on the occasion of his 100th birthday celebration.

He also expressed distaste that nobody was asking the governors to account for the humongous security votes.

“May God forgive us. The universities are not funded the way they should be funded and we have state governors receiving security votes that they don’t account for. ASUU is not fighting for salary increase, it is fighting for the universities to be sufficiently funded. If anyone is coming to ask for your vote, ask them what agenda they have for the university,” Ajolore said.

The centenarian, who has witnessed Nigeria’s transition from colonial rule to independence, the Civil War, military rule and successive democratic governments, however, reinforced firm belief that Nigeria was a nation worth saving, serving, and believing in, despite the numerous challenges confronting it.

The former university Don identified insecurity as one of the most serious problems confronting Nigeria today, in addition to economic and youth development problem.

“A farmer who cannot safely reach his farm cannot produce effectively. A business not operate securely cannot create employment. A community that lives in fear cannot develop normally. Defeating insecurity requires effective security institutions, reliable intelligence, justice and accountability. Those who finance, facilitate or profit from violence must be identified and held accountable through lawful processes,” Ajolore said.

He added that his experiences have strengthened his conviction in the country’s vast potential in spite of periods of difficulty.

He also noted that Nigeria has made progress and demonstrated remarkable ability in education, business, science, technology. medicine, agriculture and other professions.