Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho says his purchase of Pedro does not represent a victory over Manchester United, 

The Spain international left Barcelona for Stamford Bridge in a £21.4m deal on Thursday, ending a summer of speculation which had him linked predominantly with United.

Old Trafford chief executive Ed Woodward flew to Spain to hold talks with Pedro but manager Louis van Gaal has distanced himself and the club from reports that a deal had been imminent.

Instead of celebrating securing the deal as a win over a Premier League rival, Mourinho chose instead to focus on the ambition Pedro showed by leaving a club with which he has such a strong bond.

“I only want to beat Manchester United on the pitch,” he said. “I don’t even want to go in that direction. Our job here is not to try to get the players other teams want, it is to get players that we think are good for us.

“Finally we understood that the player was ready to leave the club of his dreams, the club of his heart, where he had won absolutely everything and when I’m told a player wants to leave Barcelona, Real Madrid, these giant clubs I always ask myself why they want to leave.

“He has amazing respect and the way he speaks, he loves (Andres) Iniesta and (Lionel) Messi and these guys that played with him all these years – but everything he does, he would always be behind and it’s a moment for him to enjoy a new challenge in a new country and a new culture.

“It’s an opportunity window where you have to be careful not to lose your best players and at the same time, it’s an opportunity window to get players that sometimes you are not expecting to get.

“Most of the time we don’t fail. This week, we got a very good young left-back (Baba Rahman, who signed from Augsburg) with potential and one of the best attacking players in the world.

“Pedro wants more and I’m really happy with that kind of attitude. He wants to play, to win and to enjoy. He is a player that we like a lot and that we’re happy to have.

Ebele Enemchukwu, current Mrs. Nigeria United Nations, tells Ademola Olonilua about her style and how she also emerged the international Mrs. Tourism World United Nations

How did you end up becoming a beauty queen, Mrs. Nigeria United Nations?

It was just like a joke. I was listening to the radio on my way to work and I heard something about the pageant. I wasn’t sure if they had meant Mrs. United Nations or Miss United Nations because I am used to ‘Miss’ pageants. I listened very hard and I realised they actually meant Mrs. United Nations. I got into the office and much later, I went online and I read about the pageant. I decided to ‘just’ try it out.

Just like that?

Oh yes. I bought the form and then there was an audition and I was shortlisted. We had to go to Abuja for a one-week period for the grand finale, which was held in May. I emerged the winner. So I became Mrs. Nigeria United Nations. That automatically meant I had to represent Nigeria on the international stage in Jamaica and I was crowned Mrs. Tourism United Nations. There was even a voting segment for the Peoples’ Choice Ambassador Award. It was even the biggest award for the night and I won.

You probably solicited for so many votes…

When I started soliciting for votes, people like Mrs. USA already had 23, 000 votes. The voting wasn’t even free. It was 10 dollars for every 100 votes. I had to do a lot of soliciting. And since our faces were on the internet, so many other people outside Nigeria voted for me. Eventually I won. It has been a season of crown and sashes for me.

Why wait till you got married before getting into beauty pageantry?

I have always had an eye on this but the only thing that stopped me was my family background. My mum had the opinion that anybody who is into pageantry is wayward. She was a disciplinarian. So what she said got stuck to my brain and I turned down all the opportunities I had to participate in a beauty contest. The only time I came close to this was in our youth service camp. I was practically forced to represent my platoon for the Miss NYSC. I eventually went in for it and I emerged the winner in Lagos camp in 2005.

So your husband supported you to go in for this contest?

He did. I met him in 2004 before I won the Miss NYSC so he knew I was interested in things like that. But if he had told me not contest for this pageant, I wouldn’t have. But I am lucky and he said I could go for it if it was what I wanted.

What were the prizes that came with your crown?

For the national level, there was a cash prize in dollars and I also got a car and the promise to represent Nigeria on the international level. All of these have been fulfilled. For the international level, there was no cash prize but then, you have been empowered on a bigger platform to touch lives. And that is what I have set out to do. I have started visiting orphanages. I visited the Friends of Jesus orphanage in Lagos recently. The essence of the visit was to show love to the children by spending quality time with them. This is in line with the United Nations Pageant’s quest to reach out to the less privileged.

Would you consider yourself as a fashionable lady?

Yes, I consider myself a fashionable lady. Stylish, but in a ‘modest’ way.

As a beauty queen, have you always set out to look good?

Not meaning to sound boastful, I believe my ensemble from top to bottom is more effortless than fully thought out. But then again, I believe that’s because it’s something I’ve got so used to (I think I got that from my mum), that I don’t have to give so much thought to it. Before buying a dress for instance, I already have a clear picture of what look I’m trying to achieve, and so that serves as a guide which I strictly adhere to. That way, it becomes easier in deciding what shoes and accessories would work with it. So for me, except in rare cases, not so much energy is expended in looking good.

What do you like wearing most times?

I love my dresses any day. They are very convenient. Slip it on and off I go.

Would you rather wear native or English?

Because I work in the corporate world, I find myself wearing a lot of English outfits, so whenever I have the opportunity, I go native. But I’m totally comfortable in both. It’d all depend on how well the outfits fit.

Must it be designer label all through?

No it mustn’t. I love designer labels alright, but I’d choose a well-fitted non-designer item/outfit over the most beautiful, most expensive, most stylish, ill-fitted one. I’m clear on my position when it comes to that.

What is your fashion craze?

Shoes, shoes and shoes.

What do you love your hubby to wear?

T-Shirt and Pants (Chinos/Jeans). Because he is a banker, I’m so used to seeing him in suits. So suits or anything that looks like it, is a no for me after that Monday – Friday work.

Have you made fashion mistake?

Yes, even though I didn’t realise it was a mistake when I committed it. I wore very dangling earrings with a very long necklace. I’m always amused when I see pictures with my upper half looking like a musical instrument.

As a married woman, are there some restrictions concerning what you wear?

Not exactly! The same things I won’t wear now happen to be the same things I didn’t wear before marriage. I’ve always been modest, but with my special sense of style. But as per the length of my skirts, dresses etc. Some extra inches have been added.

And during the pageant, did you do the bikini segment

Aside humanitarianism which the pageant system seeks to promote, what further inspired me to contest was the fact that there was no bikini segment at both the national and international levels of the competition.

Now that you are a beauty queen, has it changed the way you relate with your friends and colleagues?

My company hosted me to a welcome party last week. Now, I am no longer Ebele. They have rechristened me. They now call me ‘Queen’. But I am still the same old me. It is just that I have a crown and a sash which I don’t wear to work.

How often do you hear that you don’t look married let alone having three kids?

I hear it every day. People are always amazed when they learn I have three kids. But what can I say? I can only but thank God.

Do you do any extra thing to keep in shape?

I am the only one in my family that has remained slim. I enrolled in a gym and I watch what I eat in terms of quantity. I eat everything but in small portions. If I eat anyhow, I would put on weight anyhow. It has nothing to do with my genes.

How do you handle the male admirers since you don’t look married?

The admirers are there, I will not lie. There are those that voice it out and those who don’t and those who convey the message using other means. I always tell my husband each time I get a ‘toaster’. If I find it difficult telling him then I have to tell myself something is happening. I don’t claim to have the magic key of waving them off when they come; I just put it in prayers and tell God to protect our marriage and home. I try to take myself away from a potential place that would lead to such.

Dr. Ibilola Amao is the Principal Consultant, Lonadek Oil and Gas. A respected human capacity builder, she shares some of the principles that has taken her career to the top in this interview with Eric Dumo

How does it feel being a point of reference in your chosen career?

I feel very fortunate to have discovered my purpose whilst enjoying my career. I derive my fulfilment from capacity building and youth empowerment. I am wired to excel in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics.

Share some of the pains you felt on the way up?

It has been very difficult to find patriotic and committed Nigerians who are motivated and prepared to sacrifice their time and resources for the common good of many. The distractions are incredible and I find it quite amazing that most people follow the group without questioning the purpose or essence of what they do. It takes the grace of God to stick to principles and remain focussed in Nigeria. But I am privileged to have worked with some of the best brains and resources in NNPC’s NETCO between 1992 and 2003 whilst being exposed to highly cerebral senior colleagues and friends in the petroleum industry so I know that we can set a standard for others to follow if we plan long range.

How did you build character going up?

I was raised by civil service parents who believed in discipline, hard work and integrity. My late father (HRH, Oba (Engr.) Adebayo Idowu Onadeko, the Ogusere Gbuko II, Odemo of Isara) drilled it into his children’s brains that: “A good name is better than all the money in the world”. This has ensured that his children work hard, find their space and maintain a good name. He also taught us to: “save for a rainy day” so we are not frivolous with funds. He also advised that we should shy away from dubious characters and friends whose lifestyle cannot be equated to their income.

My mother (Olori Adekunmbi Modupe Onadeko) is a disciplinarian who ensured that we worked harder than our house helps on Saturdays and studied hard during the week. This taught me to respect those who are under- privileged and strive to gain skills at domestic, vocational and professional levels.

We were raised to put family first and identify our key success drivers at an early age. As a child, I loved to ride bicycles, climb trees and run around the garden. I am very much interested and drawn to nature: gardens, butterflies, the sky, picturesque sceneries, buildings and construction – my late father was a civil and highways engineer. I can remember my little farm where I grew corn, beans, okra, sweet potatoes etc.

What are your thoughts about goals, focus and motivation?

I am an “ideas person”. Divinely inspired and motivated. I am most excited to wake up in the morning when I have an idea that gives me a burning desire to create value for many others and myself. It is very important to have a plan, set a goal and milestones to achieve the plan. I try hard to remain focused by putting my thoughts and plans down in writing on my phone or note book then I find the right persons and reasons to motivate all of us until we achieve set goals. I rely on my closest friends, family and colleagues who understand the way I am wired to test my hypothesis and give me answers to questions that better enable me crystallise ideas. I appreciate people who challenge my thought process and hypothesis. I do not get along well with sycophants and “yes people”.

Swimming upstream is never easy, how did you survive in your field?

Not very easy. Being an African minority in science, engineering, whilst pursuing a Ph.D and in an engineering job in the United Kingdom has earned me a thick skin against sex and race discrimination. I see myself as one of the boys and refuse to be intimidated.

I had to contend with expatriates who did not want a Nigerian to take on a job which Bechtel USA Staff felt was their right. Respect for my superiors and focus on very serious matters has earned me my space as a core professional. I am focused on discussions and activities that make this world a better place. I love spending time with young people who can think out of the box.

Have you ever faced any particularly challenging situation and how did you overcome?

Getting in to NETCO was a major challenge because of the Bechtel bias; my first Oil and Gas contract after leaving NETCO was another, refusal to bribe clients and getting paid after completion of a job is another. I have remained consistent in not compromising my principles. I am a firm believer that if you are career counselled, passionate about what you do, you would not need to be bribed to do your job. We need to put round pegs in round holes.

What are some of the principles you hold on to that make you remain a super achiever?

I have zero tolerance for bribery and corruption. All Lonadek staff know this and understand that I stand for integrity in business dealings and transactions. I believe in team work. I understand that I am not perfect so I continuously improve on my shortcoming; I find it much easier now to rely on competent hands and experts in their own right who can fill gaps in my areas of shortcoming. I am happy to provide my shoulders and a platform for those who can achieve more through their talent and potential. I challenge those who are honest, diligent, focussed and passionate about what they do to strive for excellence. I love Nigeria and I believe that it would take discovering our individual roles in the big picture to make Nigeria a force to be reckoned with.

What’s your take on competition and fighting to win at all cost?

I think that competition and fighting to win is for the small- minded. Discovering your personal DNA, potential, talent and area of core competence is the gateway to fulfilment and success. Rather than strive with others we must continuously seek to flourish in our own space. I create my future through ideas. I am an avid reader with a very vivid imagination, known to be on my own tangent until when others are convinced that I am heading in the right direction. I am never bothered by what the majority are up to as long as I know that I am creating value. I am still striving and trying extremely hard to prove that you can be successful in an industry as corrupt as the Nigerian Oil and Gas industry whilst running an ethical business.

What do you think about girl-child education in Nigeria?

I believe that girls are just as intelligent as boys and should be encouraged. As long as we are well career counselled to identify our purpose, we can outperform our male counterparts. I am not a feminist neither am I a Beijing Conference Promoter, but I think women are better at multitasking than men. We can cope with home, business, husband, children, family, friends etc and can still come up with compassion and empathy even when we find ourselves in frustrating and challenging situations.

What can be done to impact the girl child towards being a leader?

I believe that any girl who is keen to excel should be encouraged to discover self-first, define her goals and aspirations, work with a mentor so that her path is made smoother and she has the right support to make the best choices as they present themselves. Support from family and friends is crucial for a girl child. Most useful is affirmation from her father that she can be as good as her brother.

How do you inspire people working with you or for you?

I am honest and open with all those who work with me. I stand for integrity in leadership, empathy and compassion when the need arises. I am very hard on lazy people and would willingly push the best to excel. I spare no expense on empowering the best brains and would go out of my way to expose them to opportunities locally and overseas. I allow capable hands run and take charge of the business. Nothing is hidden from people who work with me. I am easily approachable and work in an open office space.

What has life taught you?

It is important that we always respect people irrespective of race, creed or colour and must be willing to serve in small capacities so that we are rewarded with greater assignments. I strive always to be in a continuous improvement and learning mode. I believe that through team work having conceptualised an idea I can achieve more. I am convinced that with the world being a global village, an individual such as myself transacting business in a multi-billion dollar industry cannot achieve as much as a team can. I can act as a catalyst but I would achieve more through cooperation, collaboration and coordination of resources and efforts. No man is an Island and we all need each other to sustain our success.

A man recently walked into my office with his wife and looked straight into my eyes and said, ‘Please can you teach me how to make my wife experience a breast orgasm?’

‘Breast orgasm’, I asked? And he nodded and repeated after me and said, ‘Yes Madam, breast orgasm’. He continued, ‘My marriage clocked four years yesterday and I have done all to make my wife respond to me. But she seems not to be interested in sex with me in particular, because, according to her, I only waste her time and kill her libido during sex. And after long hours of persuasion and pleading, she would simply say her idea of good sex is when I make her experience breast orgasm. She said that was what her former boyfriend used to do to make her enjoy sex to the ultimate level.

‘Madam, apart from the fact I was psychologically deflated that my wife still preferred another man on bed or still carried the memories of her former lover, I also want to learn and do better,’ he said.

The breasts are one of the erogenous zones and while some women are able to reach orgasm from breast stimulation alone, some others may not be able to. The idea of some women experiencing breast orgasm with or without any genital stimulation could sound stressful and perplexing to many husbands who do not see any reasons for foreplay or love play. But this is, by 80 per cent, one of the many libidoral fantasies of a good number of married women. The fear of, ‘how will my husband respond to this if I bring up the subject’, has incapacitated this idea from the mind of many of these wives.

The orgasm this category of women normally feel is not just in their nipples, but throughout their breasts, though more intense around the areolas. Scientifically, the breasts can swell up to 25 per cent when a woman is aroused. This boost makes the breasts super sensitive, and quite larger. Nipple stimulation actually activates the same region of the brain as clitoral, vaginal and cervical stimulation do. Research has discovered that stimulation of the nipple activates an area of the brain known as the genital sensory cortex. This is the same brain region activated by stimulation of the clitoris, vagina and cervix. What this means is that women’s brains seem to process nipple and genital stimulation in the same way. In the light of this, it is not at all surprising that many wives are aroused by having their nipples rightfully touched and that, for some, this may be enough to lead to orgasm. During this time, the nipple actually goes from a pale erected organ to a deeper manner, the more a woman is aroused. This is true because the blood flow increases when a woman is turned on. This sexy gentle nipple stimulation may be what it takes to send many wives over the edge for orgasm and the desire for passionate sex. As a matter of fact, this is the most compensatory help for many circumcised wives.

However, just as breasts come in all shapes, sizes and colours, wives’ preferences during breast play do differ. Majority of women may love having their nipples caressed while some might find this not important. Also, breast sensitivity changes with women’s menstrual cycles, so what some wives may literally like this week, may be a piss off the next week. The mysterious rhythm of a woman’s body is kind of exciting. It is very needful for the husband to understudy this and be equipped with relevant facts.

A woman’s breasts contain the same trigger-happy nerves found in the clitoris making breast orgasm the second most common form of orgasms for women. That is the reason the nipples reach out for more when kissed, caressed or stimulated. But most husbands simply ignore these magnificent twin globes in a rush to head down south to get to where they think is the best possibility for orgasm.

The woman’s breasts at any stage, (even if the shape is pendulum, flat, small, sagged) have a direct hotline to her clitoris and when breast play is done with skill and finesse, it can lead to a dazzling multiple orgasm for her. At the very least, breast and nipple stimulation can even over-raise the libido of a woman that has undergone bad circumcision, and send her arousal soaring with pleasure!

Just as there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ bra, there isn’t any one method that will work for every wife all the time. Breast sensitivity, hormonal changes, her personal preferences, etc., will influence your choice of technique. If you, as the husband, are not sure as at how best to proceed, you both can be naked and sit facing each other in the nude and get her to show you what arouses her.

Think about it, inasmuch as you wouldn’t like it if your wife just grabbed your penis out of nowhere and started jerking it around roughly, she needs to be warmed up first by light, soft and slow stimulation. And please don’t just do one thing over and over. It may become too repetitive and boring, and even if she loved it at first, after a while it would lose its effect. You’ll get the best results by using a combination of different stimulation techniques.

You’re starting off soft, so try tracing circles with the tip of your finger over her stomach and chest, gradually moving in to the breasts and nipples.

Experiment with licking, nibbling, sucking and stroking the neck, chest and nipple area. Assess her arousal either by watching if her nipples rise, darken and intensify or through the sex sounds she makes. You can also place your hands over hers and ask her to show you how she wants to be pleasured.

Keep in mind that the more turned on she becomes, the more sensation she would be able to endure. So start off slowly and gently by using the feathery touch of your fingertips to stroke the delicate skin of her breast. Slide your fingers down across her breast, making slow, lazy circles over it; slide your palms in circular motions around the entire breast area. Press firmly. You can either do one breast at a time or use both hands and do both together. Continue even after her nipples become erect. Cup as much of each breast in your hands as possible and move them around. Massage them. Squeeze them gently then more firmly. Massage the nipples with or without oil or the saliva of your tongue. Press on them. Roll them gently between your thumb and forefinger. Use firmer and firmer pressure. Use one hand to encircle her breast and push it up and out similar to a push-up bra.

Slide your hands over her breasts, cupping them with the palms of your hands. Knead them, cup them, and massage them gently, then more firmly, varying your speed and pressure. You should consider using a massage oil or lotion to make your hands slide over her skin more easily. Use oil or lotion to begin stimulating her nipples over and again. Run your fingers over them. Press them. Roll them between your thumb and index finger. Remember to keep her sensitivity in mind here and at all time. As much as you don’t want to hurt her, you should try to give enough stimulation to make it really pleasurable. Pull on them with slow-fast, repetitive strokes. It is all about maximum masculine control and maximum feminine pleasure. One of the beauties of this is that it helps many husbands with premature ejaculation to be able to practice Kegel exercise at the same time this is going on. Cup her breast with one hand and push it up. This has the effect of pushing her nipple out making it firm and temptingly inviting. Rotate it around in a circular motion with the pads of your fingers. At this stage, you can now move on to using your mouth. Use your tongue to lick her breast from the bottom all the way up and over her nipple. Give her open mouth wet kisses all over her breasts and nipples. Run your tongue softly over her nipples in a flat position. Then flex your tongue and flick the nipple with it. For some categories of wives who would love to be ‘fingered’, this is the right time to dip your finger into her vagina and roll the finger inside her in the same manner you are rolling your tongue around her nipple. This simple treat breaks the idea of frigidity or any form of resistance from your wife. As a matter of fact, it is at this stage she will cry out loud for more.

You can still proceed further by trying to give her gentle love nibbles and bites on her breasts. Make your way to her nipples and nibble on them gently. Try covering your teeth with your wet lips first to test her sensitivity. If she has extremely sensitive nipples or is in a sensitive phase in her cycle, you might need to skip nibbling and biting all together because this could be hurting her. If you’re not sure, ask her if the pressure is okay.

Suction your mouth around her nipple and suck in and out. Run your tongue over the nipple while you suck. Kiss and lick each breast and nipple. Flick her nipples with your tongue. Gently bite then suckle her nipples then lick and blow on them. This stage is also helpful for pregnant women who are in their last stage of pregnancy as it help to soften their breast and make it succulent for the child during breast feeding because of the systemic erection and relaxation of the nipples.

Pull your lips and use them to make a seal around the nipple. Suck in and then out without breaking the seal. The nipple will feel alternating currents of vacuum and pressure. This is the stage many menopausal wives feel like a new bride one more time because it helps them to have deep sensations specially when the husband tries stimulating the breasts of his menopausal wife orally, when she is lying above you. What happens here is that her breasts will be more sensitive when they are hanging down because of the increased blood supply to the nipples. Some other categories of women find it highly arousing when their husbands caresses their nipples with the tip of an erect penis, while some women get aroused by having an erect penis sliding in-between their well-oiled breasts as they are being squeezed together.

Remember, although some wives can reach orgasm from breast play, not all women would be able to. But there is no harm in trying. However, don’t put pressure on yourself or her to achieve this result. Just enjoy yourself! Breast play can also magnify a clitoral or G spot orgasm, so any of these techniques can also be used in combination with stimulating other parts of her body for a truly intense experience.

These are ways husbands can learn how to stimulate their wives’ breasts to the state and stage of powerful breast orgasm. So what are you still waiting for? Get down together while I eagerly await your feedback!

It’s very easy to conclude that any man that dumps the responsibility of taking care of his household on   the society and goes about wining and dining as if he has no care in the world is irresponsible. But it’s amazing how the story changes when those perceived to be irresponsible are people in power, especially people that think they wield absolute powers to do and undo as their imperial majesties please.

That is when one begins to hear different interpretations of a word as simple as irresponsibility. A very simple analysis is subjected to complexity and all sorts of interpretations and conjunctions come to the fore. This is what happened in Ogun State a couple of days back when a simple summary passage highlighting government’s irresponsibility in the education sector was turned to something else.

   According to reports, Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State took a swipe at some school officials for setting   what he described as an offensive English Language question for   public schools’ students in the state. The   question   was a summary passage in the State Unified Examination.

The summary passage indicated that in spite of the money being spent on the education sector, there was little or no impact on the people. It noted that schools run by government had lost their prestige, forcing parents to withdraw their children and sending them to private schools that are better managed. For highlighting an obvious phenomenon that the students could easily relate with, angry Governor Amosun   sacked all the top education officials involved in setting the question. To him, the workers were trying to bite the finger that fed them and therefore deserved no mercy.

I guess this level of abuse of power can only happen in a country like Nigeria. Here, leaders are seen as lords and masters, emperors, kings and rulers whose authority is unquestionable.

In all sincerity, I can’t see the difference between a government that impoverishes its people and is half committed to its responsibilities and a man who thinks his major task in life is to give birth to children that someone else would train for him. Nigerian leaders waste millions of naira on self-aggrandisement and do not care if the people they govern go hungry for days. In fact, we have become accustomed to being short-changed to the point that we celebrate mediocrity and call it excellence.

A look at statistics of private schools in comparison with government schools in Ogun State   clearly validates the summary question that Governor Amosun is complaining about. Ogun State has a total of 4,137 primary schools and of this figure, the government controls 1,490 while the remaining 2,647 are privately owned. And out of its 1,156 secondary schools, 474 are owned by government while 682 are privately -owned.

It is no longer news that the best schools in Nigeria especially at the primary and secondary school levels are privately owned. Enrolment in public schools is dwindling every day while private schools are increasing.

The situation is so bad that the country does not even have the figure of its private schools. Statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics only indicate that there were   54,434 public primary schools and 7,129 junior schools in the country in 2006. But a lot of people know that private schools are much higher in number. They are almost in every corner, especially in the country’s   major towns and cities.

Whether Governor Amosun likes it or not, the fact remains that many of these private schools offer a higher quality of education. They have better physical infrastructure and are better equipped than the public schools. Their teachers are better paid and more motivated to work. Their products perform better in external examinations and are admitted to top universities. Whereas products of public schools rarely do well in external examinations.

You know a serious country by the attention it gives to the education of its people. Government remains the major provider of primary and secondary education in countries like Australia, the UK and the US to mention just a few. Even in Ghana,   government is still substantially responsible for providing education at primary and secondary school levels.

There are 24,372 schools in England. This includes nursery schools, state funded primary schools, state funded secondary schools, special schools, pupil referral units and independent or what we call private schools in Nigeria. But according to Good Schools Guide, only nine per cent of children being educated in the UK are doing so at fee-paying schools at GSCE level and 13 per cent at A Level. And unlike what obtains in Nigeria, enrolment in government schools is increasing in the UK   with 32,471 more pupils enrolled in public schools in the 2013/2014 academic session.

In Australia,   government is the main provider of quality education for its citizens. In 2014, 2,406,495 students representing 65.1 per cent of student population in the country, were in government owned schools compared to 1,287,606 students (34.9 per cent) attending non-government schools, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

In Ghana, private sector share in schools at the primary, junior high schools and senior high schools, according to GH Teachers, is 24.5 per cent, 25.1 per cent and 26.4 per cent respectively.

Worldwide, education is seen as a public good. That is why advanced nations of the world prioritise and invest heavily in it. Wise nations believe that their wealth is a function of the quality of education they provide for their people.

As much as possible, they ensure that quality primary and secondary education is not only available but free to encourage literacy. They know that investment in education is advantageous in the long run, because, education among others, helps people in making better life choices which ultimately reduce pressure on governments.

And when you find private primary and secondary schools burgeoning at the expense of the public ones in any society, it is a sign that government is abdicating its responsibilities.

We all know how once upon a time public primary schools were the best in Nigeria. But this soon became history as the rot in the sector went on for a long time unchecked. Then only the children of the rich could afford private primary schools. But as the rot continued unabated, more private primary schools sprang up. Parents and guardians started sending their children and wards to private primary schools. Not long after, the rot caught up with public secondary schools and private secondary schools took over. It became so bad that even the poorest of the poor would struggle to send their children to private schools even if the schools are substandard and manned by half-literates.

I recall a particular documentary on substandard public schools in Lagos which at a time had more enrolment than the state public schools simply because people had more confidence in them than in the so-called government schools.

Now, private universities are gradually taking over from public universities .Of the 147 universities in the country,   61 are private universities, 40 owned by states and 46 by the Federal Government. Facilities in public universities are being overstretched day by day. And in spite of the rise in enrolment figures, infrastructure are rarely upgraded.

No one is saying government alone should handle education especially at the tertiary level, but it seems to me that government at all levels is too eager to surrender its duties. This attitude can’t take us far as a nation.   It won’t come as a surprise   if our public universities, like our primary schools, become objects of scorn in another 10 years from now. Today, our public primary schools mainly cater for orphans or maids who can’t afford anything better.

The rot in Nigeria’s public primary and secondary schools calls for urgent attention. Government should provide well -equipped laboratories, learning tools and upgrade infrastructure in these schools.

So, rather than grandstanding and abusing executive powers, Governor Amosun should thank the sacked examiners for   innocently telling him what he ought to have known. He should   recall the workers and critically assess the education sector in the state with a view to making it better. He should work on restoring the glory of public schools in the state.   After all, as it is, Governor Amosun is not likely to send any of his children to any of Ogun State’s public schools. Late Chief Bola Ige as governor of Oyo State and former governor Lateef Jakande of Lagos State sent their kids to public schools. There is no reason why that can’t happen again.