From Ike Abonyi in Abuja, 05.13.2010

Former Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to late President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua Mr. Olusegun Adeniyi has resigned his position.
Adeniyi handed in his resignation letter yesterday. He would proceed to Harvard University, US, where he has been offered a fellowship programme.
Adeniyi met with President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday afternoon to bid him farewell.
The Director of Programme, Weatherhead Centre, Harvard University, Dr. Kathleen Molony, had last Tuesday, informed Adeniyi that the school had made him an International Affairs Fellow for the session beginning August 2, 2010 and ending July 31, 2011.
When THISDAY spoke to him on phone last night, he confirmed the news of his resignation.


"Yes, I left the villa this afternoon after meeting President Jonathan and I handed over to Ima Niboro who has been a friend and brother. Incidentally, I had met Dr. Jonathan last week Wednesday, then in his capacity as Acting President, to inform him of the Harvard offer and to formally notify him that I would be leaving government latest by July.
"As it would happen, President Yar'Adua died only a few hours later that same day. Now with the official burial rites completed, I see no need to hang around, so I told the President yesterday to release me and he did. He also congratulated me on the Harvard offer. I'm leaving with joy of having served my boss to the very end because I was at the villa the night he died," Adeniyi stated.
Adeniyi was a practising journalist for more than 14 years before accepting the offer to work with the late Yar'Adua in June 2007.


In April 2004, he was appointed by former President Olusegun Obasanjo as a member of the Governing Board of the Nigeria Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (NEITI).
Adeniyi began his journalism career with The Guardian as a Staff Reporter in December 1990 and left for African Concord as Senior Staff Writer in April 1992. He rose to become Sunday Editor at the Concord and then joined THISDAY as Deputy Editor, Sunday Newspaper, in February 1999.
He became the Editor of the Saturday title of the same paper a year later. He would later become the Editor, Daily, THISDAY before joining the Yar'Adua administration in 2007.


His column then: "The Verdict According to Olusegun Adeniyi", was a must-read for many public officials. His lucid way of writing and tight political analysis won him many fans.
He bagged a Bachelors Degree in International Relations from University of Ife in 1989. In 1998, he got his Masters Degree in International Law and Diplomacy from University of Lagos (UNILAG).
Adeniyi is the author of two books.
Informing him of Harvard's decision, Molony said: "On behalf of the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, I am very pleased to invite you to be a Fellow during the academic year 2010-2011.


"You will be appointed as an Officer of the University for the period August 1, 2010 to July 31, 2011. As one of approximately 15 Fellows, you will join the Weatherhead Center community of over 200 people. In addition to other Fellows and the Center’s faculty, your colleagues will be the Center’s small permanent staff, visiting scholars, doctoral and postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate students of Harvard.
"I believe that you will find that this is a unique environment offering maximum opportunities for research and discussion of international issues."

To all those who hold these ivy league schools in extreme high esteem, it is now clear that even mediocres and men lacking in character go there.
I what he will contribute in such an environment?
[b]Political journalism 101 - The rise of Lies, Deceit and Rumours in Public institutions: An expert view[/b]If he likes after finishing in Harvard, he can head to Stanford and round off at Oxford.He remains a man devoid of priniciples and full of plenty talk.
When he was at Thisday, he was talking plenty,when it was time to walk the talk,he was worse than those he criticised in the past.

just because he worked for a PDP govt doesnt make him a mediocre or a lesser man. Congrats to Olusegun Adeniyi

With all due respect to you ^^^^^, Segun Adeniyi is rubbish.

mbulela:

To all those who hold these ivy league schools in extreme high esteem, it is now clear that even mediocres and men lacking in character go there.
I what he will contribute in such an environment?
[b]Political journalism 101 - The rise of Lies, Deceit and Rumours in Public institutions: An expert view[/b]If he likes after finishing in Harvard, he can head to Stanford and round off at Oxford.He remains a man devoid of priniciples and full of plenty talk.
When he was at Thisday, he was talking plenty,when it was time to walk the talk,he was worse than those he criticised in the past.

mbulela:

With all due respect to you ^^^^^, Segun Adeniyi is rubbish.

Can you at least give examples of what he has done that makes you label him rubbish, mediocre and a man devoid of priniciples?

He is not a public figure that info on is easily available, so you need to back it up.

^^^^

he was a columnist in this day. plenty on the rot in naija etc etc social commentary, socila critic - then he got appointed as yarduas spokesman and he flipped faster than a hamburger

disgraceful chit

sort of like if they make you an editor in this day or guardian and you come to nl to praise naija journalists


most of us would be sickened too

mbulela:

With all due respect to you ^^^^^, Segun Adeniyi is rubbish.

You must be a bigot. What has Segun done wrong here. Because he worked PDD, or Yaradua or OBJ? The guy moved up by leaving Thisday and thts at point in one's career, we need to decide we don't have to keep doing same thing or to remain static.

oyb:

^^^^

he was a columnist in this day. plenty on the rot in naija etc etc social commentary, socila critic - then he got appointed as yarduas spokesman and he flipped faster than a hamburger

disgraceful chit

sort of like if they make you an editor in this day or guardian and you come to nl to praise naija journalists


most of us would be sickened too

LWKMD

You dey crase!

yemmight:

You must be a bigot. What has Segun done wrong here. Because he worked PDD, or Yaradua or OBJ? The guy moved up by leaving Thisday and thts at point in one's career, we need to decide we don't have to keep doing same thing or to remain static.

calling me a bigot is very rich, coming from you.
I will refrain from insulting you back.
However, my views on Segun Adeniyi remain unchanged.
He is a loud mouth who could not walk the talk, he wasted newsprint dishing out every Thursday for over 4 years.
He aided and the lying and rumour mongering presidency of Yar Adua.
Under his watch as the president's spokesman, lies and rumour mongering was raised to the status of national policies.
Yet you have the effrontery to call me a bigot?
Are you kidding?

You must be a bigot. What has Segun done wrong here. Because he worked PDD, or Yaradua or OBJ? The guy moved up by leaving Thisday and thts at point in one's career, we need to decide we don't have to keep doing same thing or to remain static.

is that the point?

its not about career progression but his deeds while with the rulin class

im sure you dont understand the OPs grouse with him

yemmight:

You must be a bigot. What has Segun done wrong here. Because he worked PDD, or Yaradua or OBJ? The guy moved up by leaving Thisday and thts at point in one's career, we need to decide we don't have to keep doing same thing or to remain static.

That is a bit harsh and unnecessary. You may have history with the poster but I can't discern any bigotry in his posts on this thread.

^^^
History ke?
I no know the guy from Adam o!
We are used to such online, sha.
People discover a new word and look for avenues to utilise them,even if it does not make sense within the context of the arguments in question.
I would be surprised if he can define the word BIGOT without using Google and i doubt if he did same before using it on me.
Anyway, just like Segun Adeniyi, i leave him to his conscience as he continues defending the indefensible.

http://www.thisdayonline.com/nview.php?id=173394

Segun Adeniyi can keep his memoirs where the sun does not shine.
Who will believe him?
When he was meant to say the truth, he dithered and chaperoned the reign of lies,deceit and rumours.
Now he comes to talk of writing memoirs.These guys seem to be high on some cheap stuff.

Segun, should go hide his head in shame.
and if he ever comes back wit any "verdict's
we shall carry placards against This Day.

let him go to hell