CELEBRATE PARALYMPIC HEROES

16th September, 2012 PRESS RELEASE: PARALYMPIC HEROES MUST BE CELEBRATED   Nigeria's hopes were dashed by the poor performance of its Olympic team which came back home recently with no single medal. But light came at the end of the tunnel through the heroic performance of our physically challenged athletes. They came home with six gold medals and a lot more!   The lesson in this must not be lost on Nigerians. It is a reminder that Nigerians must not lose hope in their country. We will survive as a nation. Our industries will come alive again. The education, health and all other sectors will bounce back with full force though with a proviso: we must revive that political will which brought our past heroes together to build a nation where no man is oppressed.   The success of the Paralympic team amplifies the existence of great talents and skills in our young ones. Nigeria can still regain its lost glory if we can share the dream of this team that was determined to win in spite of challenges in its way. We can take Nigeria to the next level if we can resolve as a people to stop and shun corruption, materialism, tribalism and religious bigotry henceforth.   In the meantime the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) strongly recommends that the Federal Government should reward the Paralympic heroes and heroines.   We suggest, among other things, that the juicy portion of land in Abuja over which the former First Lady and the current one are at logger heads be given to the best female Paralympic athlete. Secondly, that the $15 million involved in the Ibori bribery rigmarole should be shared among the athletes without any delay. Thirdly, that all Paralympic athletes who won medals for Nigeria should be given national awards.   This will go a long way to prove that the Jonathan administration is not there to spoil political challatans, boot-lickers and court-jesters in Aso Rock, but determined to reward those who toil truthfully for this country.     Professor Is-haq Akintola,  Lagos State University, P.O. Box 10211, LASU Post Office, HO 102 101, Ojo, Lagos, Nigeria. Tel. 234-803-346-4974        234-818-211-9714 Website: www.ishaqakintola.com Blog: drishaqakintola.blogspot.com Twitter:  ishaqakintola Facebook: facebook.com/ishaqakintola Twitter: ishaqakintola   I remain oppressed untill the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, the sick healed and the homeless sheltered