LEADERSHIP CHANGE AT NJALA UNIVERSITY AFTER MONTHS OF STRUGGLE
It started with little drops of water. Now, it would appear as if the river running just behind Professor Abu Sesay's official residence on Mokonde campus has swept the man away. We know of struggles between University administrations and lecturers are common in most parts of the developing world in particular but the one that has ended with Prof. Abu Sesay being told to go was unnecessarily too protracted. We don't want to go into the gory details of what really happened.
About midway through the crisis, De Pa himself intervened and found what we thought was the best way out. But it wasn't long before we heard stories of lecturers being sacked and police officers locking down their quarters. That wasn't great, was it?
Apart from ensuring proper teaching now, the new head of Njala has a lot of re-building to do. During the struggle, the lecturers splintered along pro and anti Abu Sesay factions, no doubt about that. Something must be done about quickly. Those lecturers who challenged issues until the end of Prof. Abu Sesay's tenure should cut out any triumphalism and simply go back to work.
We cannot be totally sure about this but we have it from good authority that Prof. Ernest Ndomahina of FBC has been appointed Vice Chancellor of Njala. Again, we don't know too much about him but we've been told he is a very decent man, a well-respected academic who knows his stuff. Ok then. The challenges facing him at Njala are many and varied - they cover promotions, people allegedly sitting in the wrong offices and backlog salaries and allowances. The government can help him by providing the cash immediately to clear the backlog.
There are a lot of lessons to learn from the Njala incident. Let the game play.
WAITING TO BE INTERVIEWED FOR THAT SLBCJOB: HOW LONG
Those who applied for the position of Deputy Director of SLBC months ago have still not been invited for interview. In fact, one of them told us he's been visiting the place almost every week to ask about the interview but that getting Dr Orman is a real problem. Is he missing in action or what?
Last week, we sent two reporters to the place to what we call door-stepping on Dr Orman but they failed. The guys didn't show up. Is anything the matter sir? You know we are friends and we care about you.
Anyway, back to the interview. Can we have a statement from SLBC explaining why things are in such limbo? The SLBC advertised the job in many newspapers, excluding Politico and paid a lot of money for that. The hopes of those who applied were raised by the prospect of landing a top job at the state broadcaster but lo and behold, the whole thing has been shelved quietly.
The SLBC may have some good reasons for doing that but we want them to issue a statement explaining the situation or write personal letters to all those who applied telling them the position. It's as simple as that.
1. It could well be that they are not qualified. We understand a PhD was required for the job. We really can't understand why but that's the SLBC's business.
2. Maybe those for who the job was advertised haven't bothered to apply.
3. Or somehow, the current occupant of the office has caused the proceed to come to a halt by protesting about the unfairness of sending him on his way while Dr Orman remains on seat.
4. Maybe it was a terrible mistake to advertise the job to the wider public when it could have been handled in house.
5. This could be scary: maybe this was a huge hoax. There is no job. It was a very bad April fool's joke.
SELECTING THE NEXT FIFA PRESIDENT: OUR THOUGHTS
We've heard Isha Johansen's name mentioned over and over again as one of those who will stand up to take over from Sepp Blatter. We think her chances are extremely slim but it takes nothing from her to try and fail. If anything, she would have put her name on FIFA history in a forceful way and doors could open for her. So as compatriots, we urge her to go ahead and fight for the job.
However, just before she announces her candidature, there are a few small matters to deal with at home. We are sure she wouldn't want to go into a tough contest with her own country people against her.
1. She must first organise an open congress at home, at which the real delegates would be seated.
2. Before that Alhaji Awoko must assure her that no impeachment motions would be moved.
3. She must do everything to put the national league back on track and make peace with Pope John Paul.
4. We don't know if she belongs to one of these women's groups in Freetown. If not, we recommend that she gets the 50/50 group to adopted her campaign as an advocacy platform for women's rights. Please forgive us if we sounded a little stilted like some NGO workers.
5. Finally, the JOHANSEN for FIFA CAMPAIGN would be chaired by a multiple collection of Civil Society Organisations that have indicated their readiness for the job. They are now waiting for the BUDGET. No cheques please! Raw cash.
On the international front, she must promise never to allow Palestine to come to within a whisker of throwing Israel out of world football and that whenever the big boys come forward to host the World Cup, they will be allowed to. There will always be peace in FIFA.
EUROPEAN TRANSFER OPENS WITH BOGUS SPECULATIONS ALL OVER
These days the professional patience of journalism is being badly tested - stretched to the limit. Reputable news organisations are busy publishing rumours and gossips about which players are moving to which clubs or which players are saying what about other people and their colleagues; it's all just rumours.
Reporting football has become a mad sport in itself and the people are hooked.
Sometimes, you read about one player transferring to another club, then another club, then another club. In the end, nothing happens. The player remains. It's the same thing with managers and sponsors.
We have to re-write the rules of journalism to accommodate this kind of reporting.
1. Anything goes. We can even say that FC Kallon was in the race to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovich.
2. That Arsene Wenger would spend about US $200 million on new players. Phew!
3. That Sam Alladyce has agreed to take over as coach of Leone Stars on a five year contract
4. That Robin Van Persie would make a spectacular return to Arsenal before the start of the new season
5. And that Queens Park Rangers were in advanced talks to sign Theo Walcott.
Politico 10/06/15
