A retired journalist, Chief Lekan Alabi, on Thursday advised governments and Nigerians in general to change their attitude to those who have recorded remarkable achievements in their country.
Alabi gave the advice while receiving the leadership of the National Forum of Heads of Federal Establishments (NAFOHEADS), Oyo State chapter, at the Ajorosun Club in Ibadan.
“Nigeria’s heroes must be recognized while they are still
alive and well, and not posthumously.
“We must put a stop to the ways we appreciate and recognize our heroes.
“Those who have contributed immensely to the development of the country should be appropriately recognized by the country,” he said.
While narrating the several efforts made to rehabilitate the late Mr Taiwo Akinkunmi, the national flag designer who died recently, Alabi said sponsoring befitting burials to celebrate Nigerian heroes is repugnant.
“When I was in Oodua Investments Company, I was able to assist in the rehabilitation of Pa Akinkunmi in 1996. The neglect he was suffering then was very clear.
”But now that he is late, we have been hearing all kinds of siren and seeing convoys and all sorts of promises and great tributes.
“Before now, Nigerians used to operate the culture of recognizing achievers in town halls with medals and modest songs. But now Nigerians have commercialized recognition.
“Let us recognize our heroes while they are still alive, be it in the academics, politics, economy or social circles,” Alabi who is a high-ranking chief in Ibadan land said.
Alabi who served as Chief Press Secretary to four governors in Oyo State thanked NAFOHEADS for choosing him as a patron, saying the gesture was unique and well appreciated.
He then promised to live up to expectations in his new role in view of the importance of the group.
In her remarks, the Chairperson of NAFOHEADS, Mrs Funmi Magaji, said the forum needed collaboration with Alabi in view of his immense qualities.
“We thank you for accepting the honor to be a patron of the forum.
“You have all the attributes of integrity and this goes along with your intellectual capacity, hence our choice of you being the patron of the forum.
“Your wealth of experience will be very useful to us at NAFOHEADS,” Magaji added.
NAFOHEADS is the umbrella body for all heads of Federal Government’s ministries, departments and agencies in Oyo State.
