By Richard Akinnola
Israel Jaiye Opayemi contributed this on my post on the need for the government to have a PR strategist but l have to amplify it here:
“I remember an incident during Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s first term in office. The Lagos State Government organized a welcome reception for the late Chief Anthony Enahoro after his years in exile to advance the fight against the military.
LASU students had an issue with the State Government. They invaded the Onikan Stadium and almost disrupted the event. In anger, Asiwaju announced the immediate closure of LASU until further notice.
Immediately I heard the news on radio, I reached out to the students union leadership. I lambasted them for dishonouring Chief Enahoro. I called DCP Tunji Disu, the current Commander RRS who was Asiwaju’s ADC then and requested to see Asiwaju urgently. He said okay.
When I got to the Governor’s Office, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, Chief (Mrs) Kemi Nelson and Senator Obanikoro were all waiting to see the Governor by the ADC’s Office. The ADC asked me what the problem was and I said the LASU matter.
Virtually all the Commissioners present (except Prof. Osinbajo) warned me never to raise the matter with “Oga ooo because Oga is very upset.” Of course I ignored them.
Interestingly, the ADC came out and said the Governor has asked me to come in first. I reminded Asiwaju of his belief in peaceful protest. I told him I have reprimanded the students for choosing the wrong place to vent their anger and that I would want him to meet the students union leaders by the following day and hear them out.
Guess what? Asiwaju asked me to bring the students over for lunch with him at the Government Guest House on Isaac John that Saturday. By Monday, LASU was reopened.
That is the job of a PR Consultant. Seeing anyone who opposes your Principal as enemy to prove your loyalty is not our modus. The government needs a PR Strategist urgently.”
