By Gbenga Olorunpomi
I love the Internet. I think it is the purest expression of
democracy. It eases communication, gives power to the weak and – depending on
how much respect they have for it – can amplify or minimize the
influence of the powerful. Social media is an asset, one that needs to be used
diligently. I believe every true Netizen should
understand and respect its power and see themselves as custodians of
same. Abuse of this awesome power should be collectively pointed
out and frowned at every turn.
Two days ago, I read an article by Mr. Adeyemi O.J. and I just
couldn't stop laughing. The piece left me both flabbergasted and frustrated.
Frustrated because I knew many would believe it without questioning
the facts. We have grown so used to believing every accusation
of corruption out there. Once somebody punches out a few hundred
words, mentions a few politicians, adds numbers with lots of zeroes,
then presto! A new anti-corruption crusader is born!! Death to all
politicians!!!
After reading the article, I chose to go and see the
gentleman's timeline. His tweets seemed above par. Sadly, his article
wasn't. Not even close. Been a while since I read a
piece so filled with misinformation as this. I will attempt to
point out and correct Mr. Adeyemi’s many misnomers
and do my best to keep my article civil.
ATTACK MODE
Where to begin? The beginning, I guess. The first and second
paragraph read like a personal attack on the Special Adviser on
Environment and Sanitation to the Osun State
Government, Mr. Bola Ilori. I think the attack
on Mr. Ilori's person was uncalled for. At no point in Mr. Ilori's article did he call for anyone to “bow and worship” the
governor. Neither did he imply that Opon Imo would ensure world
peace nor end global hunger. He simply praised the courage and vision
of the Osun state government for treading this uncharted course,
despite being Number 34 on the revenue earning list of the country.
I wonder why Mr. Adeyemi failed to educate his
readers that Mr. Ilori's article was in response to an earlier
piece by another gentleman who decided to play politics with Opon Imo.
And, I think, Mr. Ilori is right to say the device is
unique. Opon Imo, as a ‘standalone e-learning tool’, is a
first of its kind in Africa and arguably in the world. When you consider that
the usual thing is for these tools to be internet-based while
the Opon Imo has all the content domiciled in it, the difference is
clear. That is its selling point. This was a critical issue during the
implementation of this project as those in charge took cognizance of the
network challenges in the country and the feedback from the potential users of
the device.
However, Mr. Adeyemi reserves the right to
challenge Mr. Ilori. One would have expected that he gave
relevant references to support his assertions. It is clear that the gentleman
either did not do his homework or chose to ignore the FAQ section. Else, he would
have got answers to all his questions about powering the tools, trainings and
maintenance, which are in the third paragraph of his piece. I visited the site
and got very satisfactory answers. I even found out Opon Imo has a
Twitter handle and a Facebook page. Research is a beautiful thing, isn't it?
THE CLAIMS
Mr. Adeyemi must love mathematics very much. So
much, he picks numbers out of thin air and labels them as he deems fit. But he
must love renaming things too. Else, why would he say Ogbeni Rauf has
a son named “Kamoru”? Another evidence of his disdain for
research or love for mischief? I know the internet allows a
lot of things, but I seriously doubt if it gives us the power to rechristen
people. I would have thought one of the minimum requirements for Mr. Adeyemi's job
(Social Media Trainer) is to get the basics right.
I was prepared to ignore the
error the first time but to do it twice in one article is simply
unpardonable. One can only hope his students are either very forgiving or very
smart. Or know how to use Google. Fela once said,
"Teacher, Don't Teach Me Nonsense." Mr. Adeyemi will
do well to use that nugget of knowledge.
THE FACTS
Mr. Adeyemi, FYI, I know not
any Kamoru Aregbesola but if this is prophesy, I bid
you good luck. The gentleman whom you accused of receiving a phantom contract
is in fact Kabiru Aregbesola.
Now, Mr. Adeyemi isn't the first person to
falsely claim that Ogbeni Rauf gave a contract to his son.
Though the accusers can't seem to agree on the numbers as the amount in their
accusations keep mutating, Mr. Adeyemi is simply the latest
accuser and he won't be the last. But, if he had done his research, he would
have caught this.
During an all-night live Q&A event held recently, the governor said his son NEVER got a contract to
supply the tablets. He explained that the tablets were supplied by a
Chinese Manufacturing Company, Kabiru only contributed his
knowledge as an ICT expertise to make the project succeed. And
he did this free of charge. But of
course, Mr. Adeyemi ignored this nugget of information
too.
QUESTIONS, QUESTIONS
Mr. Adeyemi, I have to ask; why the rush to castigate the
young man? What is Kabiru's offense? Is it a crime to be a do-gooder
who saw a chance to help his father's dream come true or has the concept of
volunteering become so alien that we just don't think it impossible? I am not
even asking that you agree that the job was done at no charge, but
you should have acknowledged that the matter had already been raised and
responded to. I would seriously doubt your credentials if you claim
you never saw the articles on the Internet. Here’s one, and another. I am in the same profession with you and I know
that online monitoring is a huge part of the job.
Now, I have more questions
for you, Mr. Adeyemi: who told you the Opon Imo contract
was worth N8.3b? When did you inspect the warehouse where the tablets are
stored for distribution and found out that only 3,700 of 50, 000 was supplied for
the same amount? Where did you learn that this contract is for 50,000 not
150,000 as I read it? Which website did you find the Opon Imo
tablet specification selling for $30? How many units do you need to
buy from that website to get a discount? I would truly hope to get answers
to this questions but I won’t hold my breath.
The following questions are for the rest of us. The timing
and content of Mr. Adeyemi's piece sent
the Twitterverse into a near-meltdown as people smelt blood and moved
in for the kill. I know corruption is a huge problem we face but so is
ignorance. Why didn't anyone ask the writer what company "Kamoru"
used to secure the alleged contract?
When was the company incorporated and who are the board
members? Except the Osun State Government simply forked over
billions to an individual, the writer must know what the company name
is. I have gone over Twitter many times and not many gave the accused man the
benefit of the doubt. Mob Mentality?!
THE FUTURE
Mr. Adeyemi suggests that the project is shrouded
in mystery but that is not true. Apart from the final cost for the project,
which hasn't been made public yet, the answers are all out there.
See here. And here.
I called a few friends within the Osun State
Government and they told me that the final costs were being kept away
for "marketing reasons". As the
government owns the Opon Imo patent, they told me
they are looking to recoup the money spent on the project by
supplying tablets to interested states or
private institutions. For this reason, they said, it would be
foolhardy to reveal the cost price of the products.
Now, I know it is almost unbelievable that
a Nigerian state government is pushing to commercialise a product
developed with state funds but it shouldn't be. Any government should
be actively looking for ways to maximize the money they get. While I would
admit that leaving the public in the dark is suspicious, I can understand why
they are doing this and I believe Osun should be praised for seeking ways for
create new wealth through Opon Imo.
Apple would never reveal the cost price of
the iPad. I have been told that total cost of the project will be
revealed when the commercialization part of the project is completed. When that
happens, I would be the first in line to go through it with a fine toothcomb.
DEBTS
As a parting shot, Mr. Adeyemi couldn't resist
the temptation to talk about the debt issue. Again, without any evidence, he
said Osun state owed over N200b. He didn't quote the CBN or
the Federal Ministry of Finance. May be he knows better
than those guys or is a bigger authority on financial matters. A
careful perusal of the constitution didn't spring his name, so what was he
basing this on?
Again, this matter has been raised and dealt with here. The governor said the state debt is
no more than N30b. Again, Mr. Adeyemi, Google is your
friend. And I am yet to find someone owed 5 months' salary. Could you be
kind enough to provide names of affected staff or ministries next
time?
CONCLUSION
As I said before, I love the internet. I believe it is capable
of facilitating great things. But, when articles
like Mr. Adeyemi’s hit the net, I think it is the role of true
custodians to respond with the facts. A wise journalist once told me, ‘The
truth will do just fine.” And to this I add, “When in doubt, Google it!”
And Mr. Adeyemi, nothing personal, okay?
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