In what many has described as 'sheer
stupidity' and 'over-holiness', the social
media woke up to the sweeping news of
Mr. Abolarin Akin Jephthah's withdrawal
letter, which was addressed to the
academic unit of the University of Ilorin,
dated 5th August, 2016. It was a case of a
fool rushing where angels fear to tread. In
the University of Ilorin, where the fear of
expulsion is the beginning of wisdom, it is
incredible to hear a student write his way
to Tanke!
Mr. Abolarin is a 300-level student of
Sociology who openly decided to retrace
his steps after he encountered the light of
the gospel of Jesus Christ. He took a
courageously bold step to declare that his
WAEC result, which is the precursor to his
university admission, was obtained by
crooked means.
Drawing on this unprecedented act, an
embarrassment of questions that probably
puzzles an average mind would include: Is
this young man going to undo all his
previous 'sins' in a like manner? Will he be
able to settle out for all the wrong things
he has engaged in since birth? Why could
he not silently cuddle the unforced rhythm
of God's Grace and allow sleeping dogs
enjoy a peaceful rest? Is this sincere act
carrying the real sincere intention it claims
to exhibit?
It is understandable that our dear Abolarin
experienced the light of Jesus, but
befuddling he has to travel such miles to
express his sincere repentance. As a
devoted reader of the bible, did he not read
the story of a Jewish lady convicted of
adultery and brought to Master Jesus to
pronounce her death penalty – being the
punishment for adultery in the Old
Testament record – but who was later
freed because her keen accusers could not
hurl stones at her, since the qualification to
pick up a stone and pebble the lady was a
sinless record? Did Jesus not tell her "Go
and sin no more"? If adultery – a capital
offence which was punishable by death –
could be pardoned on the "Go and sin no
more" premise, why is Abolarin's offence,
which in no way is comparable to adultery
in magnitude, should be an exception?
As a parent, there is another heavy
concern. It bothers on the anticipated
success of this poor soul. A child meant to
graduate in some few months will now
have to begin all over? What a waste of
time and resources! What a dashed hope,
what a shattered expectation! Friends,
classmates and even church members will
express their concerns. A young man that
ought to have striven hard to complete his
university education, walk quietly into the
professional phase of his life and, soon,
raise a family of his own will now rank
together with secondary school leavers?
Question like these would probably
confound an average mind, tarrying
answers which may never be forthcoming.
Our dear Abolarin could have repented and
moved on with his educational pursuit, but
then, what of the guilt that might forever
trail his soul? Hence, in a sense, we could
find a plausible explanation to Abolarin's
action. We could say it is owed to his
strong desire to rescue his poor soul from
the guilt that could constantly invade his
every thought and strangle his every
chance of happiness. Moreover, it is not
how far the adventure, it is how successful.
Nothing could be more threatening to a
dignified man that his conscience; the
intrinsic police.
That is one side of the coin, the critical
side! Brain Builders International decided to
strike a critical balance of the discourse by
looking at the flip side of the coin. We
decided to pitch our seat with those who
see the ethical beauty in this valiant act of
responsibility in Abolarin's decision. We are
not oblivious of the consequences this
decision is bound to bring to him. We are
very much abreast of the possible
demonstrations from naysayers. In truth,
none of the probable demonstrations would
think or speak less of Abolarin's 'seeming
stupidity' and 'over-holiness'.
But then, Brain Builders ask: what if Mr.
Abolarin can be the template of the new
Nigeria we die to see? What if he could
epitomize the real Nigeria we yearn; a
Nigeria where truth, loyalty, integrity and
responsibility is our watchword? What if we
have an ideal leader – and followers – in a
sane citizen that is courageous enough to
make his wrongs right, no minding whether
we let loose anger, disappointment and a
temporary loss of dignity? Are we not yet
aware of the #ChangeBeginsWithMe
campaign? It is astonishing, nay
depressing, that even the government
officials that launched the campaign
cannot readily boast the change has begun
with them. Do we not feel the Mr. Abolarin
has displayed a fantastically commendable
act of sincerity, courage and loyalty, which
if emulated will wipe off our fantastically
corrupt national laurel?
In Brain Builders International, we stand
with Abolarin's firm decision to uphold
truth and transparency, which are scarce
virtues among Nigerians. He has shown us
it is possible to achieve as humans, not
angel. His action is worthy of emulation.
That truth is durable and indestructible is
striking. But if truth does not get the
needed help, falsehood would strangle life
out of it – for the time being. Hence, in
the bid to support Abolarin's cause to
ensure a guilt-free conscience and a total
repentance for his inaction – as he
inferably desire - we think something might
be missing in his timeline of repentance
and restitution. We suggest Mr. Abolarin
write the federal government to demand for
a legal punishment for his indulgence in
examination malpractice. When he finishes
serving his jail term, paid his fine, or
receives pardon or clemency; as the case
may be, he would have been totally purged
of his sordid act of engaging in
examination malpractice, as he had
washed himself clean of furthering his
undergraduate studies on the premise of a
faulty foundation.
There and then, in line with the Civic
engagement and Advocacy initiatives of
Brain Builders International, in and outside
of Nigeria, we would like to propose that a
National recognition be given to Mr.
Abolarin for his hearty commitment to truth
and for championing the cause of a
'Practical Change'. We sincerely hope
Nigerians would emulate this worthy
example. We hope every citizen repents for
their sins and make amends, as we hope
public office holders repent for their
thievery, embezzlement and
misappropriation and return the looted
funds to the national coffers.
In what many has described as 'sheer
stupidity' and 'over-holiness', the social
media woke up to the sweeping news of
Mr. Abolarin Akin Jephthah's withdrawal
letter, which was addressed to the
academic unit of the University of Ilorin,
dated 5th August, 2016. It was a case of a
fool rushing where angels fear to tread. In
the University of Ilorin, where the fear of
expulsion is the beginning of wisdom, it is
incredible to hear a student write his way
to Tanke!
Mr. Abolarin is a 300-level student of
Sociology who openly decided to retrace
his steps after he encountered the light of
the gospel of Jesus Christ. He took a
courageously bold step to declare that his
WAEC result, which is the precursor to his
university admission, was obtained by
crooked means.
Drawing on this unprecedented act, an
embarrassment of questions that probably
puzzles an average mind would include: Is
this young man going to undo all his
previous 'sins' in a like manner? Will he be
able to settle out for all the wrong things
he has engaged in since birth? Why could
he not silently cuddle the unforced rhythm
of God's Grace and allow sleeping dogs
enjoy a peaceful rest? Is this sincere act
carrying the real sincere intention it claims
to exhibit?
It is understandable that our dear Abolarin
experienced the light of Jesus, but
befuddling he has to travel such miles to
express his sincere repentance. As a
devoted reader of the bible, did he not read
the story of a Jewish lady convicted of
adultery and brought to Master Jesus to
pronounce her death penalty – being the
punishment for adultery in the Old
Testament record – but who was later
freed because her keen accusers could not
hurl stones at her, since the qualification to
pick up a stone and pebble the lady was a
sinless record? Did Jesus not tell her "Go
and sin no more"? If adultery – a capital
offence which was punishable by death –
could be pardoned on the "Go and sin no
more" premise, why is Abolarin's offence,
which in no way is comparable to adultery
in magnitude, should be an exception?
As a parent, there is another heavy
concern. It bothers on the anticipated
success of this poor soul. A child meant to
graduate in some few months will now
have to begin all over? What a waste of
time and resources! What a dashed hope,
what a shattered expectation! Friends,
classmates and even church members will
express their concerns. A young man that
ought to have striven hard to complete his
university education, walk quietly into the
professional phase of his life and, soon,
raise a family of his own will now rank
together with secondary school leavers?
Question like these would probably
confound an average mind, tarrying
answers which may never be forthcoming.
Our dear Abolarin could have repented and
moved on with his educational pursuit, but
then, what of the guilt that might forever
trail his soul? Hence, in a sense, we could
find a plausible explanation to Abolarin's
action. We could say it is owed to his
strong desire to rescue his poor soul from
the guilt that could constantly invade his
every thought and strangle his every
chance of happiness. Moreover, it is not
how far the adventure, it is how successful.
Nothing could be more threatening to a
dignified man that his conscience; the
intrinsic police.
That is one side of the coin, the critical
side! Brain Builders International decided to
strike a critical balance of the discourse by
looking at the flip side of the coin. We
decided to pitch our seat with those who
see the ethical beauty in this valiant act of
responsibility in Abolarin's decision. We are
not oblivious of the consequences this
decision is bound to bring to him. We are
very much abreast of the possible
demonstrations from naysayers. In truth,
none of the probable demonstrations would
think or speak less of Abolarin's 'seeming
stupidity' and 'over-holiness'.
But then, Brain Builders ask: what if Mr.
Abolarin can be the template of the new
Nigeria we die to see? What if he could
epitomize the real Nigeria we yearn; a
Nigeria where truth, loyalty, integrity and
responsibility is our watchword? What if we
have an ideal leader – and followers – in a
sane citizen that is courageous enough to
make his wrongs right, no minding whether
we let loose anger, disappointment and a
temporary loss of dignity? Are we not yet
aware of the #ChangeBeginsWithMe
campaign? It is astonishing, nay
depressing, that even the government
officials that launched the campaign
cannot readily boast the change has begun
with them. Do we not feel the Mr. Abolarin
has displayed a fantastically commendable
act of sincerity, courage and loyalty, which
if emulated will wipe off our fantastically
corrupt national laurel?
In Brain Builders International, we stand
with Abolarin's firm decision to uphold
truth and transparency, which are scarce
virtues among Nigerians. He has shown us
it is possible to achieve as humans, not
angel. His action is worthy of emulation.
That truth is durable and indestructible is
striking. But if truth does not get the
needed help, falsehood would strangle life
out of it – for the time being. Hence, in
the bid to support Abolarin's cause to
ensure a guilt-free conscience and a total
repentance for his inaction – as he
inferably desire - we think something might
be missing in his timeline of repentance
and restitution. We suggest Mr. Abolarin
write the federal government to demand for
a legal punishment for his indulgence in
examination malpractice. When he finishes
serving his jail term, paid his fine, or
receives pardon or clemency; as the case
may be, he would have been totally purged
of his sordid act of engaging in
examination malpractice, as he had
washed himself clean of furthering his
undergraduate studies on the premise of a
faulty foundation.
There and then, in line with the Civic
engagement and Advocacy initiatives of
Brain Builders International, in and outside
of Nigeria, we would like to propose that a
National recognition be given to Mr.
Abolarin for his hearty commitment to truth
and for championing the cause of a
'Practical Change'. We sincerely hope
Nigerians would emulate this worthy
example. We hope every citizen repents for
their sins and make amends, as we hope
public office holders repent for their
thievery, embezzlement and
misappropriation and return the looted
funds to the national coffers.
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