In line with our policy of “right to reply” by our readers, below are some feedbacks received after the publication of the above referenced article in the September 2017 edition of Warri Mirror.
Robinson Ariyo: “Ordinarily, I should not reply to this post but for the record, kindly ask Alex Eyengho to post the rules and guidelines for the award process as published by the INYC Merit Award Committee. I am not a member of that committee but it appears Alex knows more about the unpublished sections of the guidelines than any other participant or nominee of the award process.
Alex should also assist us with the definition of INYC member. He should highlight that area where nominations were prohibited for members of the INYC. Perhaps the public did not read that aspect of the guidelines or that aspect was made after the nominations were ended.
If truly that was contained in the guidelines, let him show us and blame the public for not understanding that aspect of the instruction. You don’t change the goal post in the middle of a game. I saw the nomination process and the number of likes. From my end of the computer there were far more votes for Robinson Ariyo than any other person. And the preponderance of opinions other than that of Eyengho is that Robinson Ariyo deserves the award. So, I see no reason not to brandish the award. Just like it is well rightly said, a lion should not lose sleep over the anger of a goat.
Having said that, let me put on record as well that my tenure in INYC has been over for well over a year prior to the conception and execution of the award. I handed it over at an elaborate award ceremony long long ago.
I don’t participate in or perform any executive function; as I know very little or nothing about the administration of the INYC or any of its organs and do not care to know, even though I could decide to know if I need to know. That was not and is not necessary in the circumstances.
I challenge Alex Eyengho to publish the guidelines and place side by side the execution for readers to determine for themselves which rules were broken and which were not. That is what a fair and unbiased writer should do not exhibit this childish bitterness.
With all sense of humility, even if I were to vote for a human rights activist in Itsekiri today, it would be none other than Robinson Ariyo. I know the majority of readers would agree with that choice. In fact, dear readers, kindly let’s vote here now for another two weeks; who is the most outstanding Itsekiri human rights activist for 2017? The nominees are Robinson Ariyo and Young Piero. What are the perimeters for judging a human rights activist? Let Alex Eyengho tell us what makes any other person deserve that award in that category other than Robinson Ariyo.
If he perceives me as an enemy it is his legal and social right to do so. I do not intend to challenge it. I don’t consider him one; in fact he does not have a granular space in my thoughts and so I am not bothered about the bitterness of a person who thought he should have won an award but did not win it.
Alex Eyengho: “My response to this cocktail of manifest lies by Robinson Ariyo is that he being a trustee of INYC by CAC registration of the body, is not tenure-based! I did not call him an executive but a trustee! An executive’s office is tenure-based but a trustee holds office for life, except on conditions clearly stipulated in law (insanity, bankruptcy, removal by majority of members of the group etc)! Legally, trustees are the ones known to law and not executives. The awards guideline specifically barred executives from participating. Trustees are far, far, far bigger than executives! Even Ariyo himself knows that he has lied yet again! In his own words here in his reply, he confessed that no one else could have won the award he gave to himself! This is a very honest true confession! Also, Ariyo is one of the Administrators of the official Facebook Page of INYC, the very platforms entries; votes and other issues about the Awards were submitted by members of the public and nominees. Only a caucus member of an organization is made an Administrator of the official Facebook page of the organization! Ariyo became one of the Administrators of INYC Facebook Page in 2014/2015. He is still in that position till date! This fact alone should have barred him from participating in the Awards because of conflict of interest! As you well know, only Administrators of any such social media platforms have the privilege to fiddle with submissions! What this meant is that Robinson Ariyo became a judge in his own case! He became a referee and a player in a game he is refereeing! This grandstanding by Robinson Ariyo has not in any way reduced the facts in my simple but brutally frank critique of the INYC Awards, for the records. It has in fact strengthened me to do more, if and when the need arises! I repeat, he should honorably handover the award plaque to the real winner (Ambs. Young Piero Omatseye). As for winning awards or not, I have so many national and international awards in my kitty! I have no serious statement to make again as a filmmaker nationally, continentally and internationally. This is manifestly clear to the blind and resoundingly loud to the deaf. Trust me.”
Prince YP Omatseye (Young Piero): “Barr (Ariyo). For bringing my name here is another way of bringing back the past that I have walked away from. If the award was for 2017, then I can bet you that I am more qualified based on my activities and my position as a global Human Rights Ambassador. You asked a question, What Perimeters for judging a Human Rights Activist? Please Barr. I want to know from you before I go further. The truth be told, ordinarily, I wouldn’t have joined matters as it concerns the award but since my name is involved, I am going to say that I am not impressed the way the award section went. But if you know me as Amb Young Piero, you know I careless about the things people do because they think they are smarter than others. Well, the truth be told, I thought it was going to be transparent until the night of the award. If it is by voting, the organizers know the true winners of those awards and if it is also by qualification or they follow the rules they made us to believe, then the organizers also know the individuals that deserve those awards. Anyway it has come and gone. Congratulations to the winners but I have my reservations.”
