Vice President Kashim Shettima on Saturday eulogised Nigerian Tribune columnist and editor of Saturday Tribune, Dr Lasisi Olagunju, for the quality of his writings in his column, Monday Lines.
He described Olagunju and another Tribune columnist, Professor Farooq Kperogi, as government critics who are genuine in their comments.
Vice President Shettima spoke as the Special Guest of Honour at the launch of a book Persona Non Grata written by Mr Ismail Omipidan, a former media aide to the minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Gboyega Oyetola
The event was held at the Abuja Continental Hotel (formerly Sheraton) with senior government officials, senior editors, former governors, and politicians across the country in attendance.
He said, “The book reviewer, Dr. Lasisi Olagunju; I was expecting to see a very hefty person. And I was pleasantly surprised to see a lanky man, struggling to get out some words. Love him, hate him, but you can’t ignore him. He writes ferociously. He writes beautifully. And his speeches are always laced with African proverbs. Fully, he’s an intellectual. And in the fullest of time, we’ll drag you to Abuja to come and work with us.
“I think you would have a date with destiny. We’ll drag you back even if you would travel by road if you’re afraid to fly by air. We’ll drag you down to Abuja. We need to tap from the intellect of such individuals. He should add more value to society.
“Frantz Fanon says every onlooker is either a coward or a traitor. Yes, journalism is the fourth estate of the realm. Agreed! They can pontificate on national issues. But a truth be said, it’s not the critics that count. Not the man who points where the doer of this has gone wrong but the man who is in the arena. So, Dr. Olagunju, I’ll drag you out. I’ll bring you to Abuja. Not that I agree on all issues with you.”
On Professor Farooq Kperogi, the Vice President described the Nigerian Tribune columnist as an assertive and acerbic critic of the current administration, saying such a person is better than praise singers.
“The gentleman who wrote the Foreword for this book is another person I hold in the highest esteem, Farooq Kperogi. He’s been an assertive, acerbic critic of this government. He’s written severally. Harsh themes. But sometimes, somebody who would tell you the truth to your face is better than somebody who will be singing your high praises and be eyeing you or stabbing you in the back,” VP Shettima added.
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