The decision of President Goodluck Jonathan's mother, Eunice, to donate a two- block hostel to the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, raises more questions than answers, SEGUN OLUGBILE and Sodiq Oyeleke report The donation of hostel accommodation to any public academic institution, particularly any of the nation's universities, should ordinarily be a commendable initiative. This is because many, if not all public universities in the country, have inadequate hostel facilities for their students. Perhaps, this explains why a room that is to accommodate
four students would "house" at least eight undergraduates in these institutions. Indeed, in some universities, it could be more. The development, therefore, encourages, what students call "squatting" in many of the residential public universities. So, when President Goodluck Jonathan's mother, Eunice, penultimate Friday donated a two-block hostel to the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa State, she was very likely to have thought of easing the burden, as it were, faced by students of the institution. But the donation has thrown up a whiff of controversy in the sector. Instead of singing her praises, many stakeholders are locking horns over the desirability or otherwise of the offer. Many Nigerians, who commented on the gesture, even wondered how the woman got the money to execute the project. They also wondered why she could not use her influence to prevail on her son to accede to the requests of the striking university lecturers so that students could go back to school to continue their studies. They equally inferred that the action was to skew public opinion in the favour of her son, who, political analysts say, is planning to seek a second term in office in 2015. But while these calculations are going on, some members of the benefiting university community and their Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, look at the woman's offer from a different perspective. They have, indeed, described the donation as timely and an action capable of cushioning the effect of inadequate accommodation in the two- year-old university. Aluko, in a statement on the university website, told the pioneer students of the university, who just finished their second semester examination, that on return to the school from holiday, they would enjoy a new lease of life via the new hostel. He added, "The twin-block building donated by the mother of President Goodluck Jonathan, Eunice Jonathan, will accommodate 64 female students and will go a long way in reducing the challenges of inadequate accommodation. We just want to restructure the hostel accommodation in order to give you the best. I assure you that plans are on to ensure that when you return, all of you will be accommodated in the hostel." The students, the statement added, could not hide their excitement as they expressed gratitude to the President's mother and the management for the gesture. Of course, the students have every reason to applaud the President's mother for the offer. Hitherto, it was learnt, they did not enjoy their stay
on campus due to inadequate
hostel facilities. But some other Nigerians have taken to the social media to register their displeasure at the decision, wondering why the President's mother could not use her influence to prevail on her son to accede to the requests of the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, who have been on an industrial action for about six weeks. An anonymous commentator on Linda Ikeji .com asked, "What does she do for a living again? It's 2015." Supporting this, another Nigerian, who simply identified himself as Fehintola, wrote, "Where does she work or where did she get the money? 2015, on the way." Just as some are questioning the source of Eunice's wealth and linking the donation to 2015 politics, some others are raising other questions, which some critics may refer to as salient. For instance, an anonymous blogger wrote, "They are donating hostels while the students are at home because of the ASUU strike." Also, another unnamed commentator stated, "President Goodluck, please be wise. Do not add more problems to the ones on ground. Yes, the mum of a president will be rich but she could have opened an orphanage home rather than engaging in this publicity stunt." Some others too are, however, commending the President's mother for the offer. One of them, Aderinto Ameenah, said, "Well done, Madam Jonathan." Another one, who referred to himself as Mich, stated, "Not bad for a President's mother." Yet, as commentators express these divergent views about the development, the issue of how the nation's political leaders and their close relations acquire their "sudden wealth" has come to the front burner. Those who spoke on the issue, insisted that the source of a donor's wealth should be of concern to the benefitting university as well as other stakeholders.
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There should not be any controversy. Mama does not need to "work" or "earn a living" before she can impact on her community. Many of us did community projects during the NYSC and as undergraduates not directly from our resources but by organising and mobilizing from those who have around us. Mama has been blessed by God and all she needed to do to build that hostel was to organise and mobilize resources from friends of the first family. I think mama should be commended

Using stolen money to hoodwink the gullible. She's just an old thief....

Sincere 9gerian: friends of the first family.

Hmm i see.

Mischief is everywhere this Old mama decide to donate towards the Education of the youths and we are complaining ! At her age this woman does not need anything but to impact her generation and please heaven until God calls her!

Sincere 9gerian: There should not be any controversy. Mama does not need to "work" or "earn a living" before she can impact on her community. Many of us did community projects during the NYSC and as undergraduates not directly from our resources but by organising and mobilizing from those who have around us. Mama has been blessed by God and all she needed to do to build that hostel was to organise and mobilize resources from friends of the first family. I think mama should be commended

bwahahahahaha! can i also have a bit of that stuff you're sniffing?

ochejoseph: Mischief is everywhere this Old mama decide to donate towards the Education of the youths and we are complaining ! At her age this woman does not need anything but to impact her generation and please heaven until God calls her!

why dnt she
use her influence to
persuad her son to
accede to the requests
of the striking
university lecturers so that students could go
back to school to
continue their studies. instead of donating hostels to student dat are at home.

.

take dat: Even when her source of income is questionable and cannot be verified, you believe she is blessed by God to make such a hefty donation? This mindset of yours is the reason why many engage themselves in dubious dealings, thinking that charitable acts will keep away prying eyes from their source of income.

Clearly you didnt understand my post. You may wish to read it again.

Anyway, the summary of my point is that Mama does not need to execute the project from her purse. All she needed to do was come up with the idea, plan, organise, raise funds from friends, execute the project and donate it.

Sincere 9gerian:
Clearly you didnt understand my post. You may wish to read it again.

Anyway, the summary of my point is that Mama does not need to execute the project from her purse. All she needed to do was come up with the idea, plan, organise, raise funds from friends, execute the project and donate it.

Well, That is plausible. It could come in any form of patronage, either a 'thank you for helping me secure the contract from the President' or 'Please help me convince the President to award me that contract'.

While some people will be crying & claiming to be saintly crusaders, the beneficiaries of the "meagre" 64 rooms female hostel will be thanking mama profusely for easing their pains. The gratitude of the students surpasses any bad belle you evil people can conjure.

drsolob: why dnt she
use her influence to
persuad her son to
accede to the requests
of the striking
university lecturers so that students could go
back to school to
continue their studies. instead of donating hostels to student dat are at home.

I knew that one of d plenty Mentally-Challenged KIDS on this NL wud re-echo this point, without thinking. Some of una never disappoints ... 'Bros' when was this hostel project conceived and built, that d President mother should hv 'told his son' to answer ASUU b4 going ahead with d hostel project?? Within d last 2 months of d Strike, perhaps? Or, maybe she cud hv contacted a Witch who wud hv foretold her about a future ASUU strike at this time, so she cud suspend the project, wait until d Strike so she can 'advice' her son and then continue with d project? Abi?.....*smh*

[quote author=Garri the 1st]Using stolen money to hoodwink the gullible. She's just an old thief....

one day somebody will call your own mother an Old thief.

Hian na wa oh!! Some people can make a kilimanjaro out of a small stone!!

When they appointed the current VC of UNIBEN - Prof Oshodin, his family came and donated plenty books to the library! Maybe he also stole UNIBEN's money!

berem: bwahahahahaha! can i also have a bit of that stuff you're sniffing?

He made absolute sense! Where is the sense in this your post?

homesteady: Hian na wa oh!! Some people can make a kilimanjaro out of a small stone!!

When they appointed the current VC of UNIBEN - Prof Oshodin, his family came and donated plenty books to the library! Maybe he also stole UNIBEN's money!

Are you minding those senseless kids on Nairaland!!

A mother dat cannot afford shoes 4 her son. So she got d money 4rm? Na una knw where d money come 4rm o.

Let's assume it is stolen money, and all the thieves who have stolen from this country could give back a little voluntarily to the society they stole from like Mama GEJ, we wouldn't be where we are today.

Garri the 1st: Using stolen money to hoodwink the gullible. She's just an old thief....

Why call her a thief I don't know if she's rich or poor before her sons foray into politics but by the virtue of GEJs position she doesn't have to spend a penny cos there will always be more than enough friends and associates of his son willing to fund such project on her behalf.

An APC governor spends 1.5 billion naira on his sons wedding in America, none of you so called "progressives" even coughs or farts sef, mama Jona builds a hostel for kids who will forever be greatful & you sickos are exhibiting your filthy raggedy righteousness. Weird bunch you lot are. Ok