By Samuel Forbes-Adoun

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak—Winston Churchill

Senator Dino Melaye has been on the national space of recent for alleged certificate
forgery as published by Sahara reporters. This calls for men of good virtue to speak the
truth about this extraordinary gentleman of a senator. Failure to speak, will give the agents
of retrogression further power and gusto to malign anybody they wish to take to the
gallows. It is in this light that I wish to speak and defend the truth no matter how
unpalatable it may sound.
Mr. Dino Melaye is a vibrant, courageous and very outspoken Nigerian legislature that
needs to introduction. He is a household name when it comes to the legislative business.
Aside his trademark for being an outspoken and daring politician, he’s a man who has
courted much controversy because of his forthrightness, courage and political views. But
the recent certificate saga is an outright step to malign and silence him.
What is in a certificate?
The Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria is not your average university where you can bribe or
network your way to get a qualification. It is an institution that believes in hard work and
merit no matter your pedigree. The institution keeps tab of its graduates and it is not easy
to claim be a graduate of the institution and not be busted, especially for a high profile
individual like Senator Dino Melaye.
When this issue started, I was forced to do my basic research as to the academic
credentials of the distinguished gentleman. My preliminary research indicates that Dino
Melaye did graduate from ABU Zaria. Sahara Reporters is indeed doing a dirty political job.
It’s trying everything possible to satisfy the hands in the shadows.
We should understand that to malign dissenting voices in a democracy is a very dangerous
precedence that must not be allowed to be entrenched in our political system.
People of character and goodwill must stand up for the truth. We must say the truth not
for political and financial gains, but for the sake of democracy and transparency. For this
reason, I encourage anybody with photographs, information and ties with the Senator
while in school or NYSC days should volunteer that to the public and news agencies in
order to finally put the matter to rest. We must not give anti-democracy forces a field day.
We must stand up and stand up now.
May the voice of truth prevail in our national space. It is my prayer and wish that Nigeria
will continue on the path of greatness.
Thanks and God bless you all.