Ex-Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings, keynote speaker absent at Dino Melaye’s book launch

The intended keynote speaker at Senator Dino Melaye’s book launch, Prof. Femi Odekunle, has said he did not attend the Abuja event on Monday because he had “more important things” to do.

Again, one of the important persons who was invited for the occasion, ex-Ghanaian President Jerry Rawlings, was absent.

From left: Speaker, House of Representatives Yakubu Dogara; Senate President Bukola Saraki; the Author of the book, Antidotes for Corruption, the Nigerian Story’, Sen Dino Melaye and Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu

Odekunle, who is also a member of the Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption headed by Prof. Itse Sagay, added that most of the people who attended the launch were “a congregation of deplorable” people.

He, however, said he and members of his committee would read the book if copies were given to them.

The paperback of the book was sold for N18,000, while the hardcover sold for N50,000

Odekunle said this during an interview on Channels Television.

He said, “Yes, I was supposed to be the keynote speaker, but because of commitments, I could not be there.

“But from the information I have read, most of the people who were there, the senators and other National Assembly members, in terms of fighting corruption, I will call them a congregation of deplorable.”

Odekunle said every arm of government was fighting corruption except the National Assembly.

He said Senate President Bukola Saraki, who is facing corruption charges, should step aside like the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Mr. Babachir Lawal.

Some of the prominent figures at the event were Senate President Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Senator Ike Ekweremadu; the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Yakubu Dogara; the wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, Patience; the Minister of Labour and Productivity, Dr. Chris Ngige, and his FCT counterpart, Muhammad Bello.

Some prominent persons who were absent from the event include acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo; ex-Ghanaian President/anti-corruption crusader, Jerry Rawlings; and the Majority Leader of the House of Representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila.