The 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has reacted to the controversy surrounding the resignation of former Managing Director of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed.
Recall that Chairman of the Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote had
alleged that Ahmed spent about $5 million on the secondary school education of
his four children in Switzerland, calling for a full investigation and public
explanation.
Recall that the controversy later led to the resignation of
Ahmed as the Chief Executive Officer of the NMDPRA.
However, Obi, reacting, said the revelation raises the need
for moral responsibility.
He said, “One of the most talked-about public controversies
in recent times is the allegation surrounding Farouk Ahmed.
“At current exchange rates, $5 million is approximately N7.5
billion. In a country with over 18 million out-of-school children, the highest
number in the world, this revelation inevitably raises questions of
proportionality, public trust, and moral responsibility.
“Education is one of the greatest legacies a parent can give
a child. No reasonable person begrudges parents for investing in their
children’s future. Plato, in The Republic, reminds us that “education and
upbringing are what make good human beings,” warning that neglect of education
harms not just individuals but the entire constitution of society.
“The issue here, therefore, is not education itself, but
scale, context, and moral consequence, especially when such spending is
attributed to a public official in a country with extreme inequality.
“With N7.5 billion, it would be possible to build 25 school
blocks, at N35 million per block, fully covering construction, furnishing, and
basic learning infrastructure. This amounts to N875 million in capital
expenditure.”
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