Recent reports have claimed that President Tinubu mentioned one Alex Zuma from Belarus, stating that he enrolled, attended, and graduated alongside him from the University of Chicago in 1979.

This assertion raises several questions that need clarification. In his speech, Mr. President indicated that Alex Zuma was his schoolmate and that his entrepreneurial management skills could enhance the bilateral relationship and economic prosperity of both nations.

However, I am concerned about the plausibility of Alex Zuma, born in 1966, being in the same university cohort as Mr. President. If Mr. President graduated from the University of Chicago in 1979, it seems implausible that a young boy of thirteen could have been in the same institution at that time. Integrity is a core value in leadership, and leaders must maintain their integrity at all costs.

It would have been more honourable for Mr. President to say that Alex has been a good friend he met during one of his trips to the United States, or to acknowledge him as a successful businessman capable of fostering bilateral relationships, rather than presenting him as a schoolmate.

It is hard to fathom that a thirteen-year-old could be enrolled in a university. Could Alex have entered university at the age of six? Are we to believe that in Belarus, toddlers as young as two are educated at a level comparable to high school? This inconsistency is confusing, and it is unprofessional for a respected leader to make public statements that risk undermining his esteemed office and public confidence.

Ultimately, Nigerians are well-informed and will continue to speak out whenever they perceive wrongdoing. This is the essence of democracy, where citizens engage constructively with their government. This engagement, when embraced without bias, can help sustain and promote the values of democratic leadership in our society.

Chief Dr. Emeka Kalu
Director General, Global Initiatives for Good Governance