By Ishaka Mohammed
Sometime in 2023, I wrote about a PhD holder who couldn’t get a lecturing job because of his third-class bachelor’s degree. Neither his postgraduate qualifications and a significant number of journal articles nor his vast experience in education could override his weak first degree, thanks to supposed standards set by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
A few years after obtaining a third-class Bachelor of Science in Geography, this man started teaching in a government secondary school and, with his diligence, experience, and additional qualification (a postgraduate diploma in education: PGDE), he became a vice-principal.
He later obtained a postgraduate diploma (PDE) as part of the requirements for a master’s degree (due to his weak first degree), successfully completed an MSc, and was a short while into his PhD program when he lost his job.
It was a big test, especially for a family man, but he faced everything head-on and acquired his PhD in 2020.
Dr Ali Ameh Danbaba had always wanted to be a university lecturer, so he submitted applications despite having heard of the obstacle (his third-class bachelor’s degree) before him. Two universities had almost employed him when they noticed the class of his bachelor’s degree. I saw the situation as a case of someone being denied admission to tertiary institutions because of their poor primary school results.
However, Dr Ali Ameh Danbaba is perseverance-personified. At the time of his last rejection, he was already doing another bachelor’s degree (though as a part-time student). He spent four more academic sessions and obtained a first-class Bachelor of Science in Geography.
One amazing aspect of his doggedness was the uncertainty of his financial sources. Despite living with his wife and children and being mostly unemployed during his PhD program, Doctor (as he’s fondly called) persisted, majorly freelancing with his academic prowess.
Outside his academic life, he’s famous for his joviality and frequent calls to prayers. His humility could be easily mistaken for timidity. Despite his qualifications and age (with his first child already at university), he is never condescending. He takes my relationship with him like that between age-mates.
I was away from town and on the phone with him when he broke the heart-warming news of his employment to me. This job was his target for years. I’m delighted that he finally got it.
Success has multiple meanings, one of which is the magnitude of one’s wealth, but the meaning I often refer to is the achievement of one’s goal(s). Dr Ali Ameh Danbaba wanted to become a university lecturer, and now he is. I see him as a successful man, and, among other things, I’ve learned much from his life, especially his perseverance and humility.
Until his latest employment, he was the Chairman of the District Education Committee, Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State.