Distinguished readers, you are welcome to our weekly leadership discourse. I have followed the controversy surrounding the mass failure in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) conducted recently but chosen not to have said anything since, not due to absence of something to contribute but awaiting the final response of the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (the Board). Just as opined by some commentators, my preliminary reaction would have simply been the failure of preparation by the students that undertook the examination. This position interestingly has not changed as we all know the attitude of most of these students in contemporary times. The truth is that it is not all about the examination conducted by the Board but generally our educational system that has collapsed. Except we are pretending, we all know the quality of graduates we come about in recent times. Beyond the collapse of the educational system, we have the issue of disincentive to get educated. So many factors account for this, ranging from lack of employment for those that have even struggled to get educated, to the story of politicians lavishly enjoying their loots without any education. Where lies the inducement towards acquiring education? Nowhere. So, if we want to be realistic as leaders, we must know that there is a huge challenge around our educational system. This is however not my mission in this conversation. Let me confess that I am shocked by the comments of some Nigerians on the press conference by the Registrar of JAMB. After the Registrar chose to accept responsibility for the glitches that occurred and was glaringly remorseful, we still find some commentators condemning him. I must say that it is not so much shocking to me as Nigerians generally enjoy being told lies and deceived, which is exactly what has taken us to where we are today as a country. The citizens seem to enjoy deception than the truth. Imagine if the Board had come out to say nothing went wrong and that the results were as actually published, nothing would have happened. If someone out of conscience and honesty confronted the issues and addressed us plainly and we are still condemning him, then there is a problem. In the first instance, the glitch is technical and could have occurred in any device. Secondly, it is not a case of total wreck but partial. Thirdly, the situation is remediable and still has a solution. From the available evidence, there has been continuous improvement by the same organization for years now in the conduct of the examinations. How do we now want to crucify someone who has demonstrated an uncommon integrity in our clime? How many Nigerians have over time owned up to such errors? A case of this nature commands nothing other than commendation as it is a worthy example to emulate by all public office holders in Nigeria. This is more so that this is a personality that we have all known to exhibit not only competence, integrity and honesty but selfless service. I join all well-meaning Nigerians that have appreciated the consistent qualities of Professor Ishaq Oloyede and are still appreciative of this latest gesture of integrity emblematic of the man’s performances over the years. I know that many are unreservedly commending Prof Oloyede for yet again demonstrating the unusual and uncommon trait of an average public official in Nigeria. May God continue to bless you as we pray for more elevation in the service of the country. I am proud of you.