So, ‘He said; if you are here and, you have on no occasion committed
iniquity as an adult, be the first to cast stone on her, one after the other those who arose to cast stone on the woman that was caught right in the act, left the vicinity where they congregated to stone her to death. This transitory overview could be used to pass across very pertinent knowledgeable parables or messages to some of us that find joy in developing unverifiable stories on people, for reasons best known to us. Again, there are others that no doubt find joy in bringing down some people just to make measly fun of it with notangible reward attached. This is why some people that are conversant with Biblical teachings of Jesus Christ will remember the appraisal directly above! Apology to our brethren fromother religion, anyway. You see, that’s an irony of life. We live in a
society where a pot that is always used for cooking at the rural firewood-made flame in most cases pick joy in calling a kettle black.
Meanwhile, we are all sinners whether knowingly or unknowingly. I am not saying this because the major character of this piece had maybe in one way or the other committed some carnages, far from it. However, nobody is a saint. We all in our own ways at different scenarios, whether significantly or, unknowingly, might in one way or the other derailed from the right path in the journey of life, so nobody is a saint. Well, for brevity of space, let me conventionally release my bullet on the issue that made me to put up this piece before my main highly controversial social critic workmate and you, yes you in particular that at all time pick interest in reading my article will begin to see me as a poor, sycophantic brown envelop journalist with no tangible facts at hand, but only depend onhearsay in order to accomplish inexpensive admiration and as well gain inconsequential profitable patronage.
As postulated from the onset of this piece, I am a journalist with a
difference. No doubt; some of you that are at home with my column, know there are times I write for excitement and jaw breaking, on the other hand, if some of you my exceedinglyvaluable readers’could say the fact; I, from time to time as well write to bring out the truth on some issues that many dare not to write on due to the fear of the unknown. So, I write mainly on attestable truth, nothing but the whole truth. So, in thisconnection andparticularly relating to this piece, I am writing to bring out the truth about the leadership qualities of a Nigerian that has over the years been applying his wealth of knowledge and skills to ensure fecund and good governance across every segment of Nigeria with special prudency to all the organisations that he had worked and even till now. Though, he may not be well known in view of his inaudible means of operation, nevertheless, I am bold to say that; this brilliant, intelligent and versatile Nigerian is indeed and in all standard deploying his wealth of knowledge to better the lives of Nigerians either directly or; indirectly. I am talking aboutArchitect Sonny Togo Echono, the current Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education. Like the well talked about tornado, Echono stormed the Federal Ministry of Education few years ago as its permanent secretary with his renowned result-oriented leadership panache.
Although, before he became permanent secretary of the Federal Ministry of Education, he held sway as director of procurement for several years in various federal ministries, agenciesand parastatals. A thorough bred technocrat renowned for his professionalism, Echono brought positive transformation and breakthrough into most of the organisations he piloted either as director or permanentsecretary. An instance was when he was permanent secretary in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment. As a media consultant to the ministry then, I can say, without any fear of contradiction, that his leadership prowess was mainly what led to the humongous achievements in the area of high growth in the agriculture sector and massive rural roads construction across every segment of Nigeria which were accomplished in the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development during the first democratic tenure of President Muhammadu Buhari.
As a journalist with integrity and with a niche to always stand for the truth, I know some of my ardent readers will no doubt adduce different semantics to this piece either in the undesirable or, constructive. However, I wouldn’t bother for the reason that, being a member of the pen profession with a watchdogmentality, it is my duty to call a spade a spade with no concealed intention but, for the betterment of the society devoid of ethnic religious or political affiliations.
So, I to applaud Architect Echono, the current Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education who also doubles as the National President, Nigerian Institute of Architects (NIA). He has, no doubt, used his position as permanent secretary of Federal Ministry of Education to in all ramifications to bring real human and infrastructural development into the Ministry. For clarity, let me mention just a few! Under his leadership as permanent secretary Federal Ministry of Education, most of the pending bills at the National Assembly which are geared towards theestablishment of more higher institutions to give every senatorial
zone in the country a sense of belonging in the academic plans of the country were speedily passed by both the green and the red chambers of the National Assembly and smoothly assented to by Mr. President. A very good example was the approval of Federal University of Health Science at Otukpo, Benue state. The school is seen and rated by many scholars as the first of its kind in Nigeria. Presently, the management and academic staff have been put in place and earnest full academic session for the pioneer students will commence any moment from now.
Again, under his leadership as federal permanent secretary, six new Federal Colleges of Education were established and, already, work has begun in earnest at the locations hosting the Federal Colleges of Education across thesix geo-political zones in Nigeria. Time will fail me to give detailed account of landmark achievements of Echono at the Federal Ministry of Education which include massive renovations and establishments of new classrooms across all government-owned institutions in Nigeria and beyond.He also applied his leadership skills in solving many unresolved
leadership and administrative crises within the Federal Ministry of
Education and agencies and parastatals under the ministry which I would have highlighted here, but for space constraint, I will definitely give vivid breakdown of it in my next piece.
Thus, it was disgusting when
recently some image seeking individuals on their own without digging deep to know Echono's efforts to ensure best output for the Federal Ministry of Education, went on to publish some unverifiable assertions against him. No doubt, many Nigerians that know Echono to be a man of integrity, will find it very hard to believe in such misconception and perniciousness against his well-built pricey image of many decades. Well, this is not the time to write in defense of or against him for the reason that, he still has a lot to achieve for Nigeria. So, to those who are bent on destroying his hard earned national and international reputation, I appeal to them to instead channel their energy to work together with him toensure unmatchable standard of education in every nook and cranny of
Nigeria. With their own highly useful sacrificial contributions, Nigeria will definitely become a model for other African countries and even the world at large.
Middle-belt is an Abuja based journalist.
