African scholarship students must return to Africa

Winning a scholarship for further studies is for the privileged few. It is obvious that, not every kofi and Adio can get money from government to help pay for their education. Securing a scholarship to study – especially abroad – is meant for exceptionally brilliant chaps. An educational organization or government in recognition of such aptitude is always ready to flame their scholastic skills, and in the hope that such chaps would pay their debts later in life – at least to better their immediate society.

These eggheads become government pikin straightaway (not that kind one o) to the jealous of their contemporaries who are not as brilliant or lucky. Even their parents instantly become the centre of all eyes. "My pikin dey go abroad dey study," the proud parents would be eager to tell anyone who cares to listen. We always hold these young and upcoming intellectuals in high esteem. They are the chosen ones to help develop their respective countries. They would go abroad, learn the white man’s magic, and then return – to make things happen. Hence the main reason every government invest on their eggheads.

Therefore, it is a tragedy if such great expectation is dashed! How could one describe it then if for instance, these students refused to go back to their different countries after their studies! It is important to remind them that, to whom much is given much is expected. Africa needs their knowledge and wealth of experience, which would be impossible to render by refusing to go back to their respective countries. They need to know that such stay-behind action has derogatory connotations, which reveals inferiority complex; and admission of something like "I am not capable upon all my education".

I am forced to ask this question: are they intellectually lazy to make it happen in their continent? Why are they shying away from taking a giant step in contributing their quotas to the development of their motherland? It’s embarrassing for instance, to hear Hungarian minister gloating over African students living in Hungary after completing their studies. "Many African students remain in Hungary with their families after their studies," said Dr. Somogyi Ference, former Hungarian foreign minister.

These students may claim their native countries do not provide a conducive environment for such return. However, an implausible excuse as this actually is where the problem lies, for as eggheads, one would have thought it’s their duties to help create or provide a darling environment. One would have thought they are capable of radical solutions for the development of their respective countries. I doubt if European or American scholarship students in Africa or somewhere else are in the habit of staying behind after their studies. It simply exceeds bounds of reason or moderation.

I understand it’s much easier to finish one’s study, get married to the citizen of host countries, and reside permanently there. But they need to take the bull by the horns. They must pay their debts to their different countries. They owe their respective countries big time. Eggheads should not behave like "hustlers" or street ones as the late Nigerian ambassador to Hungary, Gershon Guyit, reportedly described those of us who are not students.

I remember a former senior diplomat introducing a Nigerian to President Obasanjo as a successful scholarship student who has settled down in Hungary. Obasanjo’s countenance says it all: you must be a compound fool to attribute success to that. Meanwhile, it further shows that many African diplomats do not even know their right from left. I mean how on earth could a scholarship student who has refused to pay his debt described as being successful. Until these rare breeds initiate a certain programme which would alleviate the unnecessary woes that pervade their continent, let them not celebrate.

Refusing to return after their studies is characterized by that laconic chasteness which Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and Bob Marley found characteristic of low mentality or mental slavery. African scholarship students should embark on fasting. They need a very fair reflection upon the way in which they must meet the great expectation. Putative as it, Africa desperately needs its sons and daughters who read engineering, medicine, pharmacy and other equally important subjects, to bail it out.

To be fair, I am not quite sure I would be any different if I were a scholarship student. I mean returning to where? Where there’s no provision for jobs, food is scarce, and environment not conducive for human progress! But then, finding solution to these problems suppose to be a task these scholarship students must not run away from. Since they are a rare breed, a fountain head; living in Europe, America, Australia etc, after completing their studies, is a testimony to Africa’s backwardness. Let them bail us out.

Yar'Adua's Babangida's Style

Before he became the anointed Nigeria’s President, I have had cause to compare him to former President Shehu Shagari who was not corrupt but headed a very corrupt government. The two men were once teachers and seem gentle by nature. At the centre of their historic transformation is also an Owu man who is being rumoured to have been fathered by an Igbo man. It was he who handed over his inheritance to both men in a controversial manner. Remember OBJ’s the best candidate may never win ala Shagari, and now "a do or die affair" ala Yar’Adua.

But Yar’Adua seems to be following in the footstep of Babangida’s system of government rather than that of this stubborn Owu man who elevated himself to a Supreme being during his eight-year rule; and who is now reading theology, a field where most Nigerians play to oppress other Nigerians. See, I just won’t leave the poor old man alone.

Hum, Yar’Adua released Asari Dokubo from the gulag of Obasanjo whom Dokubo had accused of trying to bribe him while in prison. There’s no doubt such gesture scored political point. It was also the right thing to do. Let the same generosity be extended to Ralph Nwazurike, who is currently languishing in jail for the same offence. However, such move or gesture reminds me of Babangida who released jailed politicians and journalists during the early days of his agony eight-year rule. It was after all a fancy gimmick.

Babangida was quickly termed a listening military President by the Nigerian elite. His style was obviously in sharp contrast to his predecessors who had brutalized the mind of Nigerians then. While Tunde Idiagbon and Muhammadu Buhari did not see any reason to smile, Ibrahim Babangida stole our hearts with his gap-toothed grin. He cried out, beseeching us to call him President instead of Head of State. We obeyed his gentle but cunning command like the docile masses of an enslaved nation.

Even sage Awolowo was consistently carried along by Babangida’s pretense. Or have you forgotten how he robed my main man, Tai Solarin who had vowed never to put on Agbada. It was an evil genius move which cleared the way for another era of military barbarity that forever exposed hypocrisy in our nature. I remember our Noble laureate also worked under him.

It was a military mentality that dwarfed the intellectual establishment of hopes. Since then Nigeria has never been the same. Like then, Yar’Adua is now courting esteemed Nigerians including Wole Soyinka and Anthony Enahoro through PRONACO, an organization that has affiliated itself to these two prominent Nigerians.

Now the Nigerian elite have started again. They have started commending Yar’Adua over asset declaration. Although it is going to be the first time that a sitting president will be declaring his asset, these people must remember that we are under an illegitimate government. Femi Falana, Human rights lawyer and President of the West African Bar Association (WABA), commended Yar’Adua saying, "The public declaration of assets by President Umaru Yar’Adua has elevated the Presidency, in spite of the legitimacy crisis confronting it as a result of the last elections".

In his own commendation, Gani Fawehinmi noted this would be the first time that a sitting president will start fighting corruption in a right way by publicly declaring his asset. Maxi Okwu, the National Chairman of the Citizens Popular Party (CPP), also shared the same sentiment saying, "It is my believe that this may well be the turning point in the unrestrained and hedonistic looting of public funds witnessed in the last eight years".

Reuben Abati of Guardian described it as "a demonstration of confidence, and a good moral and symbolic gesture". Even Bolaji Aluko of AC (Action Congress) in his article, "That One Billion Naira Public Declaration of Assets by Umar Musa Yar’Adua" praised Yar’Adua in a clever manner. These intellectual elite may be right in the assessment of Yar’adua, yet the question remains thus: was he voted for by Nigerians, or the election that brought him to power was massively rigged? There lies the good conduct.

Their commendation is similar to that of Ray Ekpu of Newswatch who quickly praised Babangida in the early years of his administration. The master dribbler later showed the stuff he’s made of, and the rest is now history. Are Nigerians still as gullible as twenty years ago? Particularly those who supposed to know better. Are they willing to repeat the same mistake? Can’t they see it? That this man is employing the same tactics eyploited by IBB in those troubled days? It’s called a policy of appeasement.

No one alerted the nation then that Babangida was only appeasing the nation so as to be allowed to eat his own cake. Cake? Nigerian cake? Therefore, Nigerians should be cautious in the policy of jumping to conclusion regarding their leaders. I wonder if Nigerians would ever learn from past experience. Here is a man who should not be the president in the first place due to blatant rigging of the elections that brought him to power.

Yar’Adua may be a good guy, but the fact that he is fighting desperately to legitimize himself cannot be overlooked. It is the same reason for his keen in forming government of national unity. Hum, conscience is an open wound. And suffice to say I would not only have praised him, I would have worshipped him for such noble exemplary method had he won the election without blatant rigging of which he had admitted.

Whether Yar’Adua vows to pursue constitution amendment or not; whether he adopts Abiola’s manifesto or not; whatever he does will only amount to a ruse unless the first hurdle – honesty, transparency, free and fair elections – is crossed. I expect Nigerians to understand that a new broom always sweeps clean. I’m not saying Yar’Adua’s declaration of his assets is bad, in fact, all public officials should do the same.

However, the key point of my argument is this: Nigerians should not fall for the bait to legitimize a stolen mandate. Ibrahim Babangida did the same but where did it lead us? Adopting Babangida or Obasanjo’s style or mixture will not help this former Chemistry teacher. Anyway, I see him as a Caretaker President until the Election Petition Tribunal decides otherwise.

Nigerian Embassy in Hungary Should Improve on Information Technology

The world is still aglow with a sense of victory for discovering what is now known as The age of Information Technology. It seems our existence is now largely depends on macroscopic of information. Computer for example is leading in this regard. All one need do nowadays is sit comfortably in front of the screen with keyboard and you have the world at your finger.

How un/fortunate we are. Good or bad, those who fail to embrace this madness would definitely find themselves at the bottom of the totem pole. They become the practical joke of their immediate environment. A father or mother who does not embrace IT craziness often becomes outdated in the eyes of his or her children.

Most especially, organizations are caught in the web of this madness. The smooth path to failure for any establishment is not to adhere to this simple fact, which has elevated IT graduates’ position. The culture of information has shaped our thinking; it has become our trust on how best to comport ourselves. It has improved us in all ramifications. The other day a student of mine was telling me how the internet has helped his Hungarian family find their lost relatives who had fled to the US in the 50’s. What a joyful tear.

Despite this advancement (?), I was dazed to hear that many Nigerian Embassies all over the world did not know about the death of a Nigerian dastardly killed in Spain while being deported. It’s simply an implausible excuse for Nigerian representatives abroad to claim ignorant of such magnitude incident, because Concerned Nigerians Worldwide did a very good PR job. Every avenue was used to its fullest in order for the world to hear and listen to our cries.

So what happens to networking among the Nigerian Embassies across the globe. For instance, what prevented the Nigerian Embassy in Spain where the incident took place to inform its counterparts? Or what exactly is the purpose of a circular letter? Or are Nigerian Embassies as divided as walnut? Are they not in contact with one another especially during emergency?

I was doing a research recently when I stumbled on the websites of the Nigerian Embassies. Whilst that of Germany, Austria, Atlanta, could be described as standard because of the juicy and abundant information, the same thing could not be said of our Embassy in Hungary, which provides scanty information about the services to Nigerians living in Hungary. And if anybody thinks I’m only being mischivious, let him or her visit the Embassy of Nigeria in the The Haque's website to actually catch a glimpse of my argument.

For instance, Citizen Identification, Forum, Q & A, Age Declaration, Qualification Update, should be included. Besides, why can’t the Nigerian Embassy here authenticate documents unless in Abuja whereas its counterparts in Atlanta and Austria render such services even though with extortionate prices? The Nigerian Embassy websites should be unfettered competition in the informative arena.

The websites of the Nigerian Embassies in Atlanta and neighbouring Austria and Germany give more useful information like News, Events, Mission, Gallery, Press Release, Visiting Nigeria, Education in Nigeria, Foreign journalists, and even 419 scam. Why is the Nigerian Mission here in Hungary different? I think it should emulate the aforementioned Nigerian Consulates.

I kinda like the introduction by the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Prof. Tunde Adeniran, who states categorically that the website "was created in fulfillment of my promise to Nigerians of the creation of a Web Site that would serve the needs of the information age". And that’s what I’m talking about.

Although the website of the Nigerian Embassy in Hungary extensively focuses on business and investment, it does not provide enough data on factors that may make potential investors shun the country. I mean how can any Nigerian Embassy be talking about business without equally talking about 419 scam which has become an epidemic outbreak of embarrassment for our country.

In fact, I strongly believe and thus recommend that the Nigerian Embassies should always educate their different hosts about this advanced free fraud which is powerful enough to deter potential investors from going to any region in Nigeria. Example of this can be found on the website of the Nigerian Embassy in The Haque where a rejoinder was placed on the news section, disparaging the misinformation about 419.

Does our Embassy here keep records of news concerning Nigeria or Nigerians in Hungary? I should think so. I once did a story titled, "Governments React to Scam " published by the then Budapest Week. I expect such story to be displayed on the Embassy Information Board, or even made available where potential investors could read it. It does not augur well for Nigeria’s image if 419 information or news is not given enough coverage. Worse still, if potential investors have to rely on American or British websites for such information. It is our problem and we must lead in this regard.

Additionally, it would be a thing of joy if one can read Nigerian newspapers, and or magazines at our Embassies across the globe. Well, this may not be that necessary as one could easily read them on the web, and the links are lusciously provided by Nigerian Missions. This is laudable.

Finally, why did it take weeks after the Ambassador’s arrival in Hungary before her name was eventually included on the staff list? Most Nigerians have known, or have seen her here and there before the website was updated. Up till now the Nigerian former President’s name has not been changed to the new one. This is the usefulness of news or press release section which can be used to educate Nigerians. Over to the new Nigerian Ambassador to Hungary, Mrs Adeola Adebisi Obileye (Mni).

Ambassador’s Refusal to Meet the Union Caretaker Committee

So the new Nigerian Ambassador to Hungary, Mrs Adeola Adebisi Obileye, refused to meet with the Nigerian Union Caretaker Committee. To tell the truth, I am not surprised at our Madam’s decision, after all, the position is a sacred one. Only a gullible Nigerian would be so ignorant of the fact that our public officials have gradually switched the aphorism civil servant to civil master.

Even the former Nigerian President, Olusegun Obasanjo, systematically turned himself to God during his eight-year rule marked by unjust severity and arbitrary behaviour. Sarcasm apart, is our Madam right or not? Follow me down the path where you and I must discard sentiment for proper reasoning.

Before I go in perspective, I would like to point out that I intend to be balanced and objective as much as I could. Hum, here we go again; hiding under objectivity to perpetrate crime of subjectivity. Don’t be fooled, for objectivity sometimes means act of subjectivity. See, I am on the horns of a dilemma, precisely the same dilemma which has always disquieted me.

I am going to deal with the Ambassador’s justification for not meeting with the Caretaker Committee. I would try to highlight the reasons as well as proffer solutions. Since the 2nd Secretary, Ms Abimbola Aiyenuro, insisted that a protocol had to be followed, let’s reason together. I would have imagined a situation like this:

The Ambassador could not meet with riffraff. Go and table whatever problems facing you before my able and competent Head of Chancery. He will alleviate your acute mental or physical pain and if he couldn’t, make you carry your wahala go back Nigeria. What are you doing here anyway? You just dey spoil our country name. I beg commot make I see road o jare.

By not passing through the appropriate authority, the C.T.C may have transgressed, which the Embassy abominated. The Head of the Chancery may also have been angered along the way. The man has been here for a while as the head of the mission in the absence of the Ambassador, no one booked an appointment with him; then suddenly the problem became so urgent to meet with the new Ambassador!

Does it mean that the C.T.C would never have tabled the issues unless there’s an Ambassador? It’s what I was saying when I suggested that the C.T.C should tarry a little before meeting with the Ambassador. I had argued it was too early, even unnecessary for now. But I was accused of criticizing the Committee. It should not be lost on us that most Nigerian diplomats are here for Nigeria and not for Nigerians, an attitude antithetical to my beliefs.

I hope the C.T.C has learned a valuable lesson. It is impossible to beat the diplomats in this diplomatic game. This is the main reason I had alerted the C.T.C to trudge with caution. I wonder why the experienced member of the Committee didn’t propose the fineness way to go about it. Perhaps consultation with the former executives would have done the magic.

Dr Husain Omar who had worked at the same Embassy for example, should have enlightened the other members about the significance of diplomatic protocol. Public officials cherish it like my seven-month-old boy breast feeding. In my humble opinion earlier communicated, I had stated that it would have been better if the Committee allowed the Ambassador herself to initiate such meeting. Better still, the Committee should have had her address the Nigerian Community as a whole. But no one listened to a small voice of "dissent".

There’s no doubt the fact that the issues tabled before the Embassy are monumental, and I had written about them somewhere else. Standard Machine Readable Passports (MRP) if procured will definitely solve the problem of proxy passports in Hungary which is tarnishing the country’s image every now and then. It’s quite unfortunate that Nigerians must travel to Nigeria or neighbouring country before obtaining a Nigerian passport.

Likewise the verification and authentication of Nigerian documents. I think the C.T.C asks the right question: "how come we have an Embassy in Budapest and all documents concerning Nigerians have to be authenticated in Abuja?" I shall deal with this in my next article. Consular Day for Nigerians is not a bad idea either which if accepted will be a sign of respect for Naija citizens in Hungary. However, I do not share the sentiment that Nigerian Embassy needs Nigerians.

The C.T.C did make a few general observations though, especially "that the Nigerian Embassy has a very negative impression of Nigerian resident in Hungary". I would add that it’s an open secret that Nigerian Embassies all over the world do not respect its citizens. How would they when the lies we often told have reached their desk. And how do you expect them to even respect the Nigerian Union in Hungary when certain former executives have been caught in the web of shoddiness and, or ostentatiousness.

Meanwhile, I quite understand the C.T.C’s frustration. I mean if the Ambassador had agreed to meet with them, why renegade on her promise? But then her responsibility as the Ambassador is to delegate authority. Isn’t it? Hum, diplomacy palaver. Whatever the case may be, I prefer a "symbiotic working relationship" rather than a "master servant relationship".

Finally, as we await the feedback from the Embassy, let me part with this: leadership, says former Turkish President, is not about being nice but about doing the right thing. I trust both parties would not be swayed by the sentiment they represent.

A Salute to Purpose and Tenacity

The roughshod treatment and eventual death of a Nigerian by the Spanish agents has exhibited perfect lineaments of Nigerians that had been repressed by unknown soldiers or government. That unheralded destruction of Osamuyia on June 9, 2007 evoked the sweetest passions among Nigerians all over the world. It was an unprecedented move which will from now on define how Nigerians are treated abroad.

Having confirmed the truth that led to the unceremoniously brusque manner in which Spanish government stuffed out Osamuyia’s life, Nigerians moved in a swift sense to alert the universe about the way we have been silently killed by different law enforcement officials.

Within a twinkle of an eye, Nigerians all over the world mounted a protest letter, which was signed by over three thousand comforters. They followed this by a peaceful march to Spanish Embassies around the world on Friday 29 – to deliver their sorrowfulness neatly packaged inside the envelope.

I salute these Nigerians. I take my hat off to them. It was an action likely to place them in a golden book when the history of Nigeria is truly told. No intention to exaggerate. I know I’m being sentimental but please allow me to wallow as a relief; you may criticize me later.

My sympathy is not actually for the dead, but for the living. I am mournful and pensive because of you and I. I tell thou the lamentable tale of me because of my children and yours. I am heavyhearted but gladden because Nigerians all over the world have set the pace. They have cried to heaven to stop the primitive culture of torture being exhibited by these western officials.

I salute their purpose and determination. I salute the oneness spirit that gears the hearts of Nigerians to a call. I salute the sweat of our grandmothers who have originated our thought; and so we don’t have to wait for Godot, because expecting manner from our government to protect us is like self mockery.

I salute Ahaoma Kanu of National Daily Newspaper who is also the coordinator of the June 29 protest to Spanish Embassies. I salute Nigerians all over the world. Bennie Attoh, Kingsley Iwu, Simon, Bosede Olatunji, Reginald, Peter, Kaycee K Theo, Peter Clever, Angel, and Benin Union in Ireland, Ugo Daniels and Baba Aeniyi in Cyprus, Chris Isiguzo in Finland, Ogbemudia T Ode-Idahosa in Egypt, Olasupo Babatunde in Turkey, Gbenga Odjo in Burkina Faso, Taiwo Danjuma in Switzerland, Ofonime Andrew in Canada, Elie Smith and Kola Afolabi in France, Adigun Olosun in Germany, Charles Ezugha in China, Adeola Aderounmu, Iriemenam Emeka, Peter, Sola Balogun, Henry in Sweden.

Derrick Dog, Malaysia; Olufemi Oladehin, South Africa; Peter O A Jolad, Brazil; Oguzie J.J, Italy; Sam Adebowale, Spain; Tunde Solanke, NAR, Paul Adujie, Taiwo Olorede, Bolaji Aluko, Oluwaseye Olusa, Anaelechi Onwnwanne, Ogaga, Efrain Perez in USA; Charles Ezugha, China; Victor Oshioke, Austria; Onome Akpodiete, Japan; Walter Obiora, Senegal; Temple T. Nwafor, Algeria; African Community Netherlands; In Nigeria are Eezeebee, Kunle H.T. Olakunle, Okey Martins, Ugochukwu Okafor, Nathaniel Oriasotie, James ezenwa, Gemini T-Okoeguale, Simon Apeh, Ebi, Rose Mordi, Sunny, and Anthony Obonade.

And especially the UK Group. Wale Akin, Uncle Tisha, Angela Bruce, Anoited, Eja, Anne Mordi, Folayan Osekita, Tony Ishiekwene, Ishola Taiwo, Abike-Ade, Victor Akara, Babajide Ojo, Kelechi Akwiwu, Bukky, Owoh, and of course Uche Nworah who anchored the interviews and wrote to many organizations including the Amnesty International. You are all marvellous in this regard because you have infused therapeutic solutions into the veins of Nigerians.

While the death was a harrowing experience for most Nigerians, their government prevents from decaying their usual strong silence. The murder of a Osamuyia in Spain is less important. After all, Nigerian former first lady also died in that region. The culture of dying in Spain with puzzling terseness may gradually becoming an addiction. Interestingly enough, a Spanish citizen, Ruth Diaz-Ufano, strongly condemned the killing saying, ″It is absolutely terrible. I am ashamed to be Spanish″.

Although we have set an example for Nigerian government to follow, the journey has just begun. As from now on, any inhumane treatment of a Nigerian should be treated with integrated social concern. If it pleases our embassies, let them not open their ears or eyes to our cries. But one thing is certain: the era of silent killing or animal-like killing of Nigerians is over. We have moved to curb their untoward ribaldry.

It is perhaps ironically humorous, for it takes this vicious kicks of Osamuyia before one can appreciate the other side of Nigerians. Even if we are not actually doing it for Osamuyia, the message of our grief is clear: we can protect ourselves. We put our differences aside to create a symbolic in depth game worth the candle. I salute what we stand for – in this regard.

Egun nla nii Kehin Igbale. How can I forget Big K (that’s what they call him, and I have an insane wish to see his name longer than this) whose quick response unfolds the protest. These Nigerians are using the power of technology to define the way Nigerians all over the world should be respected like a glorious spring morning. And by this they have managed to divulge further the frivolity of their government when it comes to welfare or shielding them from danger. In case they don’t know, nigeriavillagesquare.com has gradually become a young child whose talents excite wonder and admiration; she is a voice.

The story is the same from Brazil to United Kingdom to America to Lebanon: strong and annoying silence from Nigerian government over the controversial deaths of its citizen in foreign countries. Or has anybody have any information that our government is actually doing something over Osamuyia’s untimely death. Or there’s nothing concern Osamuyia’s government regarding his demise? I just need to know. Hum, Bi oni igba ba se pe igba re, la se ba pe (whatever the owner of the calabash call it is what others will call it for him. I beg where is Wole Soyinka or Chinua Achebe?)

For example, Paul Adujie described how his efforts to make the Nigerian Consul General in New York, Ibrahim Auwalu, stamp the protest letter was cunningly thwarted. But Adujie should have known better. That’s the reason I didn’t bother myself going to our embassy here in Budapest. Says Taiwo Olorode, "There was even a lady employee of the Consulate who went our of her way to alert security people to remind us not to distribute the leaflet (in our Nigeria House fixtures) or anywhere around it".

In his own contribution, Nigerian Deputy High Commissioner in London, Dozie Nwanna, engaged the "protesters in free for all fight that brought the police to calm the situation," according to NVS. Well, twenty days after the killing, Nigeria Tribune reported that Osamuyia’s government gave the order in writing through the NCAA (Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority) to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Nigerian Embassy in Spain for action. Hum, it’s never too late but I am much more interested in the outcome rather than the beginning, because such investigations had been suppressed in the past.

Meanwhile here in Hungary where I am hiding like a timid rabbit, it’s quite a task to organize a protest of this magnitude, especially when the incident occurred somewhere else. Besides, most Nigerians here often feel unconcerned about an issue unless it directly affects their lives. Please don’t blame us, for the language barrier is another ball game. Anyway, I informed the Nigerian Union Caretaker Committee about the protest but never heard from them. Perhaps they have an important and serious issue at hands for now.

So off I went to the Spanish Embassy in Budapest on Friday 29th after a slightly tentative approach. I called the Spanish Embassy and informed the Ambassador’s office about my intention. Half a loaf, they say, is better than none. I eventually spoke with one Hollai Zoltan who told me I could come to the embassy at noon according to my request. And so I delivered my sorrow and that of others in a neatly parked white envelope.