Date: 2014-05-12

The new age has come with some salient developments that have brought changes to thematic issues in the human society- among which is the wide media exposure which in many ways has helped a lot in developing nations like Nigeria. Even though canard information are transmitted in the media, perhaps due to wrong information available to the source, wishful thinking and selfish interests writers e.t.c. It is important to always afford to use the opportunity the media provides to educate others; and this is the ground in which this article is based with regards to an article published in a growing media platform-Nigeria Voice titled "Is Bukola Saraki an Emergent Statesman?".

The writer of the article raised some important issues but with much traces of ignorance- because a larger percentage of issues raised are stale but sufficiently resolved. But for the purpose of elucidation, making a thorough clarification of some of these issues is important. Not addressing all the writer raised implies that, there are quite a few watery issues that are too low a blow to be raised in this age and projection. For example, systematic condemnation of senator Bukola Saraki's decision to donate blood and advocate for others to donate is weak; we have to be very careful in the bit to protect our political interests not to play with the lives of Nigerians. People survived a severe bomb blast, they are in critical condition, and needed blood- a time-bond requirement to keep them alive. Senator Bukola Saraki as a concerned Nigerian decided to donate and advocate so that more people can donate to save these people, yet he is being criticized. We must however note that, prior to Saraki's visit to this medical center, the President of the Federation had been there, he did not donate a drop of blood. This nation must come to realize that, we don't need many people to drive change, a few committed persons can drive it for others to follow. Saraki championed a cause to meet a need, to save Nigerians, that must not be ridiculed.

Now to the main issues; incurring debt by a government is not peculiar to Kwara, even the United States being the world power has an overwhelming debt record. However, a state or nation's decision to access loan facility is measured by the commitment and ability to create result with such loans. Kwara is among the14 most indebted states; do we also take it to cognizance that after Osun state with 3.0 unemployment rate, Kwara is the least unemployed state with 7.0 unemployment and still reducing- even Niger Delta states with the huge oil revenue and heavy tax from oil companies are living with unemployment rate as high as 43.3 percent as in the case of Bayelsa, the state of president Jonathan. Lagos state accessed loans which it has used in several infrastructural development in the state. Kwara's success has never been based on available resources but efficient management of resources by the leadership. If not, a state like Kwara, being 33rd on Federal allocation list will not record development that outweighs what it receives from the federal account. Previous bond received during the Bukola Saraki led administration gave birth to fertile projects like the Kwara State University, the Aviation College, among others. These are physical projects that have given birth to other developments such as employment opportunities and economic growth in particular. Ridiculing Kwara's loan decision is not constructive and current; accessing the use of such loan should be our major concern and so far, the state government has steadily put in place its promises one after the other even though there are challenges.