- Former Minister Fashola attributes dissatisfaction with ex-Minister Pantami in the Buhari administration to Pantami’s commitment to precision and thoroughness
- Fashola praises Pantami’s meticulous approach, calling him the “Mr. Compliance” of their cabinet, ensuring high standards in documentation and records
Babatunde Raji Fashola, the former Minister of Works and Housing, sheds light on why Prof. Isa Ali Pantami, former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, caused some discomfort within the previous federal administration of President Muhammadu Buhari.
During their tenure in the Buhari cabinet, Fashola attributes Pantami’s occasional annoyance to his unwavering commitment to precision, ensuring every ‘T’ and ‘I’ was meticulously crossed and dotted in official documents.
Speaking at the public presentation of Prof. Pantami’s book, ‘A Scholar’s Journey: Navigating Academia,’ Fashola emphasized the meticulous nature of Pantami, describing him as the driving force behind improved accuracy in memoranda and cabinet records.
“I encountered Prof. Pantami as a colleague in the Federal Executive Council (FEC) from 2019 to 2023. His passion for detail was remarkable. The Pantami effect significantly enhanced the accuracy of our records. He was our ‘Mr. Compliance,’ ensuring that every tech memo had a NITDA certificate and openly addressing misalignments in visions and missions,” Fashola remarked.
Fashola continued, stating that in an era tainted by fake news and historical revisionism, Pantami’s dedication to accuracy was vital for preserving the foundations of civilization.
Highlighting the significance of Prof. Pantami’s book, Fashola underscored its focus on scholarship and academia, which is essential for driving national development. The event saw notable figures, including Borno State Governor Prof. Babagana Umara Zulum and former Ekiti State Governor Dr Kayode Fayemi.
Fayemi, in his remarks, praised Pantami for achieving notable developmental milestones, such as doubling broadband penetration from 23% in 2019 to approximately 50% presently and increasing internet penetration to around 87%.
Expressing gratitude during his remarks, Prof. Pantami pledged to continue contributing to the body of knowledge for national development, thanking everyone who played a role in the successful event.