SENATOR KASHAMU DIDN’T FORGE ANY CERTIFICATE

The attention of the media office of Senator Buruji Kashamu has been drawn to a cocktail of lies published by the sensational and discredited online medium, Sahara Reporters wherein it alleged that the distinguished senator forged some educational qualifications to contest and win the 2015 election into the Senate.

This is not the first time Sahara Reporters would go to town with unverified and unsubstantiated claims, presenting same as the outcome of an “investigation” whereas in actual fact it is no more than the hatchet job of some desperadoes who are being led by someone who merely seized the opportunity offered by the democratization of the media space through the social media.

A critical appraisal of Omoyele Sowore’s brand of “journalism” would show his open bias against anyone who has refused to succumb to his cheap blackmail. He keeps working to pull down those who have done well for themselves and are helping others to climb up the ladder of life.

Sowore’s Sahara Reporters and their sponsors do not build or develop others. All you see them doing is to pull down those who are better than them. These never-do-wells are killjoys! That is the only reason why Sahara Reporters will continue to malign Senator Kashamu and call him all manner of names even when several courts at home and abroad had exonerated him of any wrong doing.

These cowards are only getting away with this because of they have no fixed address or known presence in Nigeria.
True, Sowore is not a journalist. He read Geography. But, even at that, one would have expected that by now he would have surrounded himself with thoroughbred professionals instead of this continual and open show of ignorance of the basic tenets of journalism which are anchored on accuracy, truth and objectivity.

We wish to categorically state that Sowore’s Sahara Reporters’ hogwash was not as a result of any “investigation” but a cheap hatchet job done for some equally discredited politicians in Ogun State who have lost out of the struggle for the control of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), particularly in Ogun State and the South West in general.

About two weeks ago we had got information that they were going round with these documents. But we challenged them to either prove their allegation by placing the certificates that they claimed were forged side-by-side with the original or get the relevant institutions to disown them. They could not!

They resorted to using their long ally in blackmail and lies – Sahara Reporters – when they could not get any of the reputable and responsible media organizations in Nigeria to do the hatchet job.
First, it should be noted that those who alleged that forged certificates were presented to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) could not present the “original” of the forged certificates; they were also unable to get any of the institutions to disown any of the certificates presented by the senator. Therefore, it is safe to say, contrary to their claim, that no certificate was forged.

They, however, sought to make an issue out of when he left Ansarudeen Primary School, Ijebu Igbo, Ogun State, and attended St. John Modern School, Lagos as well as Igbobi College.
The truth of the matter is that Senator Kashamu has not hidden the fact that after he left primary school, he enrolled for evening classes at various times in these schools where he got secondary education while doing some part-time jobs.

He never claimed that he enrolled and wrote Senior School Leaving Certificate Examination (SSCE) in those schools before he relocated to the Republic of Benin where he established his multi-million naira cotton ginnery factory and other businesses.

Senator Kashamu’s insatiable quest for education and knowledge made him to sit for the private Senior School Leaving Certificate Examination (SSCE) in 2006 upon his return to Nigeria in 2003. He had one A, four Bs and two credits.

On his admission to the University of Lagos where he obtained an Executive Diploma in English Language, it should also be noted that these mercenaries have not been able to fault Senator Kashamu on this.
Rather, their worry is: how was he admitted to study English when he failed English Language in the private SSCE? While they chose to parade the current entry requirements, Sahara Reporters and its sponsors failed to get the entry prospectus or advertisement that was used for the senator’s set in the 2012/2013 session. Perhaps that would have saved them this public embarrassment.

Besides, it is common practice that institutions grant waivers to certain category of applicants either on the basis of age, experience or consider certain subjects in lieu of the others.
We wish to categorically state that the distinguished Senator Kashamu never claimed to have attended some foreign universities. He wrote his GCE here and took an Executive Diploma course at the University of Lagos, Akoka. Anyone who is not satisfied can either go to WAEC or UNILAG to verify his claims.
But, it is public knowledge that upon the completion of his course of study in 2014, he was so happy with himself and the institution that he donated a brand new 18-seater bus to the university through his Omoilu Foundation.
Kindly find below the report of the bus presentation and the remarks of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello:

UNILAG GETS 18-SEATER BUS, COURTESY OMO ILU FOUNDATION

The Founder/Chief Promoter of Omo Ilu foundation, Prince Kashamu Buruji has donated an eighteen-seater bus to the Department of English, University of Lagos.

The bus which was officially presented to the University on Monday, June 16, 2014 was received by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rahamon A. Bello, FAEng along with principal and top officials of the University such as: Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic & Research), Professor Babajide Alo; Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Management Service), Professor Duro Oni; Registrar, Dr. (Mrs.) Taiwo Folasade Ipaye, MNIM; Bursar, Mr. Lateef Odekunle and University Librarian, Dr. Olukemi Fadehan, CLN; others who witnessed the presentation ceremony are the Provost, College of Medicine, Professor Folashade Ogunsola; Director, Academic Planning, Professor Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, Director, Quality Assurance & Servicom, Professor Wale Okunuga and Director, Works and Physical Planning, Dr. (Engr.) Adelere Adeniran.

Speaking at the presentation ceremony, the General Adviser and Leader of Omo Ilu Foundation, Austin Oniyokor said that donation is borne out of Prince Buruji’s strong desire to give back to his alma-mata and contribute to Nigeria’s education sector. He thanked authorities of the University for providing the opportunity for the Foundation to support the Institution.

In response, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Rahamon Bello, FAEng expressed gratitude to Prince Kashamu Buruji for the gesture. He described the donation as the kind of support needed to keep the University as a first class tertiary institution.

While urging other alumni of the University to emulate the donor, the Vice-chancellor reiterated his administration’s commitment to efforts aimed at sustaining the reputation of the Institution as a centre for excellence in teaching, learning and research.
Posted on 20, Jun 2014

http://www.unilag.edu.ng/newsdetails.php?NewsID=1647

It should also be noted that Section 65 sub-section 1 of the 1999 Constitution states that: “A person shall be qualified for election under sub-section 1 of this section if – a. He has been educated up to at least school certificate level or its equivalent”.

Now, the operate word here is “educated”. What is the evidence of being educated up to “school certificate level” if not the SSCE certificate? Even at that, the literal meaning of the word “educated” does not mean you must have “finished” or “graduated” from any secondary school. Therefore, one does not need to convince anyone that he attended or finished from a secondary school.

Again, the latter part of that provision also stated “…or its equivalent”. This goes to show that the drafters of the constitution envisaged certain circumstances and situations which could make some persons not to go through the four walls of a secondary school. It does not mean that those who did are better or more intelligent than those who didn’t as the distinguished senator has shown time and again.

If Omoyele Sowore, Sahara Reporters and their sponsors are convinced that they have a case against Senator Kashamu, they should not resort to the cheap blackmail and smear campaign that they are known for. They should take the most civilized path of proving their allegations in a court of law.
Should they fail to approach the court to prove their allegations, Senator Kashamu would have no choice than to seek legal redress against Sahara Reporters and their promoters.

Until then, we wish to assure the general public, supporters and associates of the distinguished senator that there is nothing to worry about. This latest onslaught, like others before it, is no more than a ruse that cannot stand the test of time and the law. Forward ever, backward never!

Signed
Austin Oniyokor
Media Adviser to Senator Buruji Kashamu
11/07/17