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By Mallam Musbahu Magayaki

Humanity is the only language individuals of proven hospitality and character best understand; people with big hearts are the light of society. 

The star of our community has done it again, shining and brightening people’s lives. On March 25th, 2023, the Babayo Mustapha Charity Foundation, under the chairmanship of Bello Mustapha and Kogunan Katagum, distributed over 400 bags of rice, maize flour, and sugar to the economically disadvantaged individuals as Ramadan support for them to break their fast. 

This foundation has been positively impacting the lives of the less privileged for quite some time now, ranging from financial assistance to the downtrodden to academic support to undergraduate students in different higher institutions of learning.

Also, part of his community services is furnishing mosques with mini solar inverters, a gesture that the people of our community immensely appreciate. 

Koguna is the true replica of the late Mustapha Babayo (may he continue to rest in peace) in assisting the people and wearing smiles on commoners’ faces. 

Many, including those outside the Azare community, celebrate the Kogunan of Katagum, a man of the people, the son of the soil, and the most celebrated pillar of our community.

Mallam Musbahu Magayaki writes from Sabon Fegi, Azare, Bauchi State.

By Mukhtar Jarmajo

Sir, you are aware that the 2023 general elections have come and gone and the dust it has raised in the Bauchi State All Progressives Congress (APC) is yet to settle. Also given that you are one of the prominent leaders of the party who definitely call the shots, most of the issues at hand clearly have your name, among others, written on them. It is therefore only right that you open up and clear the air on the grey areas where you are alleged to have worked in different dimensions with your party. This is important not only because it will help in making sure that your statesmanship and gentlemanly statue remain intact, but also because it will see to it that posterity remembers you as a true party man. 

Honorable minister, it is alleged that you did not support the APC governorship candidate in Bauchi State, retired Air Marshall Sadique Baba Abubakar in the just concluded general elections. It is also alleged that you did not support him because of the following reasons: 1. If the APC in Bauchi State gets a governor, you will seize to be the party leader in the state. You are therefore comfortable with the present arrangement; 2. If he becomes governor, Air Marshall Sadique Baba Abubakar may not be submissive to you unlike the present governor who you are alleged to have been working together with; and 3. The Katagum factor. 

While it is very difficult to believe all these allegations because of your known principles of altruism, you will do a great deal of service to your political party, the APC, if you clear the air especially when certain reasons are used to back the allegations. They are: 1. Throughout the campaign period, you did not attend any of the party’s rallies in Bauchi State; 2. The Bauchi State APC Chairman, who allegedly was brought by you from the Social Democratic Party (SDP), has also not been on ground to discharge his responsibilities. It was alleged that you were together in Abuja; 3. In contravention to the agreement that a state governorship aspirant was to coordinate the APC Presidential Campaign Council in his state, you allegedly worked day and night to replace Air Marshall Sadique Baba Abubakar with your friend; and 4. It is not yet clear whether or not you were in Azare, your home town, both during the presidential and governorship elections to vote.

With all these at hand, it is alleged that Mallam Adamu Adamu, the Honorable Minister of Education in an APC led administration worked hard to ensure that the APC presidential candidate, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu lost Bauchi to PDP’s Atiku Abubakar. Similarly, you allegedly worked to ensure that most of those who vied positions to the national assembly in Bauchi State did not win. Certainly, this scenario is difficult to understand just as the entire picture is hardly legible. But you are in the best position to clear the air. 

Jarmajo wrote from Kukadi/Gundari Ward, Misau Local Government. 

By Bashir Abdu Muzakkari, Ph.D.

The agricultural sector is the backbone of many developing countries, and Nigeria is no exception. The newly elected governor of Kano state, His Excellency Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf has made a series of commitments regarding the development of agriculture in the state. These commitments range from the rehabilitation and expansion of irrigation facilities to the promotion of women in agriculture.

These commitments are aimed at improving the productivity of farmers, promoting food security and boosting economic growth in the state.

One of the first commitments made by the governor-elect is the rehabilitation and expansion of irrigation facilities in the state. This is a critical step in ensuring that farmers have access to water, which is essential for crop production. With the rehabilitation and expansion of irrigation facilities, farmers in Kano state will be able to increase their yields and improve their livelihoods.

Abba has also committed to the rehabilitation of earth dams in the state. This is another bold step in ensuring that farmers have access to water for crop production. With the rehabilitation of earth dams, farmers will be able to store water during the wet season and use it for irrigation during the dry season.

The establishment of agro-industrial estates in the state is another commitment made by the governor-elect. These estates will provide a platform for farmers to process their agricultural products and add value to them. This will not only increase the income of farmers but will also create employment opportunities for the people of Kano state. He has also committed to the establishment of commodity aggregation centres. These centres will serve as collection points for agricultural products and will facilitate the marketing of these products. This will help farmers to access new markets and increase their income.

In addition, the governor-elect has also committed to the upgrade of the Kano Zoological Garden and wildlife conservation in Falgore forest. This is an essential step in preserving the biodiversity of the state and promoting eco-tourism. It will also create employment opportunities for the people of Kano state.

Abba Kabir Yusuf has also committed to the provision of agricultural financing for farmers in the state. This is important in ensuring that farmers have access to credit to expand their operations and improve their livelihoods.

Furthermore, the governor-elect commits himself to the provision of agricultural extension services. These services will provide farmers with the necessary knowledge and skills to improve their agricultural practices and increase their yields.

Similarly, Engr Abba Kabir has plans for the promotion of climate-smart agriculture. This is an approach to agriculture that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. It will help farmers in Kano state to become more resilient to the effects of climate change.

Another commitment made by the governor-elect is the introduction of regenerative agriculture. This is an approach to agriculture that aims to restore soil health and improve biodiversity. It will help farmers to improve the quality of their soil and increase their yields.

Finally, the incoming governor intends to modernize abattoirs in the state. This will improve the quality of meat products in the state and create employment opportunities for the people of Kano state.

In conclusion, the proposals made by the newly elected governor of Kano state, His Excellency Engr. Abba K. Yusuf on agriculture are crucial in promoting sustainable agriculture, improving food security, and promoting economic development. The rehabilitation and expansion of irrigation facilities, the establishment of agro-industrial estates, and the provision of agricultural financing and extension services are essential commitments that will improve the overall agricultural productivity in the state.

The governor-elect’s commitment to promoting climate-smart and regenerative agriculture practices and empowering women farmers is also commendable and will have a significant impact on agriculture in Kano state. By fulfilling these policies, the agricultural sector in Kano state will be sustainable, resilient, and productive.

Bashir Abdu Muzakkari, Ph.D. writes from Kano.

By Ibrahim Siraj Adhama, Ph.D.

The governorship election in Kano has come and gone. The battle has finally been won and lost. No doubt it will go down as one of the most keenly contested guber elections in our State in recent history. At the end of it, a winner emerged in the person of NNPP’s Abba Kabir Yusuf, alias Abba Gida-Gida. While congratulating him, his party and his teeming supporters, it is our collective prayer that Almighty Allah will give him the courage, wisdom, guidance and tenacity to lead Kano to greater heights.

Not unexpectedly, the March 18th election has left in its wake several talking points that will continue to dominate public discussion and intrigues that may take years to unravel. Its outcome will go a long way in shaping the future of Kano politics for a long time to come. Questions will continue to be raised about the legality or otherwise of the returning officer’s result declaration when it appeared there were more registered voters affected by cancellations than the margin of lead between the two candidates with the highest number of votes against the provisions of the 2022 Electoral Act and INEC election guidelines. Not a few people will be tempted to suggest a spectre of legitimacy haunting governor-elect Abba’s declaration arising from that controversy until all doubts are justifiably cleared.

The purpose of this piece, however, is to x-ray the governorship contest vis-a-vis the heroic performance of His Excellency Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, candidate of the ruling APC, who, despite not winning the big prize, has given a very good account of himself as a great and promising young leader and politician with immense rich and potential. All fair analysts will give it to him that he had fought a good fight.

It is safe to argue that no candidate of a ruling party has gone into an election with many odds working against him as Gawuna in the just-concluded election. From his living under the burdensome shadow of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje to widespread disillusionment against his party, APC, across the levels, from Kwankwasiyya’s massive followership and unflinching determination to effect a change to highly biased and unfriendly media, Gawuna’s task of winning could not be more daunting.

Gawuna contested the election as Ganduje’s backed candidate and a possible successor. One needs to understand how unpopular Ganduje’s government has become to appreciate how much of a liability that was. Ganduje had been practically on a mission to cultivate as many enemies as possible for himself, his administration, his party, his family and everything associated with him. Ganduje had, for a better part of his administration, pressed the self-destruct button.

Ganduje’s controversial land grab and conversion policy, his poor handling of education and students’ welfare, the falling standard of healthcare and poor state of hospitals in the State, his mismanagement of A Daidaita Sahu cyclists, his apparent lack of empathy towards such vulnerable groups as junior workers, pensioners and retirees, his failure to provide leadership towards resolving his party’s internal wranglings thereby causing the defection of key members to opposition parties, among other terrible blunders and unforced errors, Governor Ganduje has made things a lot easier for the opposition NNPP.

With Ganduje, you needed no enemy; he was his government’s number one detractor and his party’s foremost de-campaigner. His largely self-inflicted injury had overshadowed his modest achievements, especially in peace and security, urban renewal, expansion of economic opportunities and general infrastructural development. Hardly do people take note of these achievements.

Consequently, the opposition succeeded in making every declaration of support for Nasiru Gawuna as an endorsement of Ganduje’s litany of “atrocities”. Efforts to prove that the Deputy Governor might not himself be happy with Ganduje’s ways and will almost certainly correct those mistakes, given a chance, were taken with a pinch of salt. Many who campaigned for him faced the daunting challenge of convincing other voters that he would act differently. It’s that difficult!

As the ruling party in control of the centre, the APC did not help matters either. In a move that had the potential of jeopardizing the chances of the party’s candidates nationwide, the Federal Government announced a plan to redesign the country’s currency ostensibly to curb vote-buying and payment of ransom to bandits and kidnappers. This policy, coming on the eve of general elections, fueled speculations within the ruling party itself that certain fifth columnists close to President Muhammadu Buhari were part of a plot to rock the ship of the APC, considering how unprecedented cash crunch riled up already suffering Nigerian masses against the ruling party. Though APC has somehow managed to win the Presidential election and maintain control in most States, the damage done by this ill-advised policy to the party’s electoral fortune could just be imagined.

That His Excellency, Deputy Governor Nasiru Yusuf Gawuna, was able to score nearly nine hundred thousand votes is no mean feat given these circumstances. For me, he should be grateful to Almighty Allah, who made it possible for him to harvest this massive figure in spite of all attempts to rubbish him or undermine his chances using Ganduje’s failures. This feat is majorly attributable to his ability to connect well with some key segments of society who stood by him.

In appreciating Gawuna’s performance, though, I pay little heed to reports of widespread vote-buying. This is due to the realization that both NNPP and APC were culprits; available evidence has shown that the two major parties had tried different tricks at voter inducement. And as experts would say, vote-buying itself works on nothing, and it mostly targets undecided voters.

Since his foray into politics 20 or so years ago, Gawuna has been rising and rising. The outcome of this election represents a temporary setback which does not in any way signify his downfall as naysayers would want to believe. For careful observers of his trajectory in politics, it’s just a matter of time before he recovers and continues to rise higher and higher. Let his detractors know that the man is not going down anytime soon.

With the highest number of votes obtained by an APC gubernatorial candidate anywhere in Nigeria, Gawuna looks set for something very great, especially with an APC federal government of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu in place. No doubt, Gawuna will be an invaluable asset in Jagaban’s cabinet, going by experience. After serving for 20 years as Local Government chairman, commissioner and deputy governor, who knows if Allah is preparing him for national service? Only time will tell, and our prayers are with him now and always!

Dr Ibrahim Siraj Adhama is a Senior Lecturer from the Department of Mass Communication, Bayero University, Kano and can be reached through isiraj.mac@buk.edu.ng.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

A staff of Federal University, Kashere, has developed a moblie app to aid lecturers and visitors navigate their way in the university.

The genius staff, Usman Shehu Muhammad, hailed from Fagge, Kano revealed his technological exploitation in a Facebook post on Monday.

Mr Shehu created the Federal University of Kashere Mobile GIS, a mobile software that aids navigation in the university.

Muhammad said in a post: “I’m to introduce a newly developed Android Application, called FUK Mobile GIS. The purpose was to make it easy for visitors, students or lecturers to identify and navigate buildings within the University.

“The application interface is simple to use, it displays the University logo and gives a lists of drop down building names which you can click to search for a building.

Each search you make it displays the hole University buildings in the map highlighting the needed building also a fastest rout either by car or by foot is calculated, identified and drown on the searched map, the map also shows the picture and attribute information about the building like the name of the building, address, distance by foot or road taking.”

He also revealed that the said app would soon be uploaded to Playstore.

By Muhammad Suleiman Yobe.

Jigawa State Ministry of Health has confirmed 141 new cases of Cerebrospinal Meningitis that claimed eight lives in the state.

The ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Salisu Mu’azu, confirmed the cases to Daily Reality in Dutse, the state capital.

The Permanent Secretary, who spoke through Dr Sabi’u Muhmmad of the disease control department in the ministry, outlined some areas in Kaugama, Birniwa, Gumel, and Maigatari Local Governments the cases were identified.

Dr Muhammad said 134 out of the 141 patients were infected by Neisseria Meningitis type C, and 6 contracted Strept pneumonia while one was identified with Neisseria Meningitis type X and among the cases identified, about eight death were recorded.

He said that all measures had been put in place to avert the pandemic. He further advised communities in the affected areas to be conscious and refer a suspected case to the nearest general hospital for all necessary action. The state government has procured free medication for patients with such cases.

By Muhammadu Sabiu 

The Kaduna State Government confirmed reports from security agencies on the recent kidnapping of about 10 students in the state’s Kachia Local Government Area.

This is contained in a statement released on Tuesday in Kaduna by Mr Samuel Aruwan, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs.

He noted that the 10 students are from the Government Secondary School, Awon (a day secondary school).

“The exact location of the incident is yet to be ascertained, but detailed reports being awaited will clarify whether the incident occurred within the school premises or elsewhere.

“The government will issue a public statement accordingly when these reports are received,” he said.

By Abba Ado

Investing in technology and the sciences will undoubtedly play a significant role in enhancing our socioeconomic development. The World Economic Forum reports that innovation is critical to the future well-being of society and the driving force of economic growth.

In the past, people used their energy, physique, and animals in different industries, such as agriculture, transportation, and communication, to attain economic growth. The emanation of the first industrial revolution (industry 1.0) came with a paradigm shift in various industries when people began to use steam engines instead of their bodies or animals. The second industrial revolution (industry 2.0) created a profound development with the discovery of electricity, unprecedentedly enhancing economic stability and growth.

Another remarkable achievement is the emergence of the Third Industrial Revolution 3.0; at this stage, digital computers were developed, which improved our communication sector and enabled people to store and share data. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4.0) is an emerging epoch of industrialisation that will undoubtedly revolutionise every sector. Because industry 4.0 is a knowledge-based economy that requires manpower, creativity, and innovation, embracing industry 4.0 will significantly increase our economic development.

Despite some portable advancements in current technology, we desperately need to pertain to science and technology to be competitive and achieve a palpable objective in the outlook of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The 4.0 Industry is an emerging technology that would revolutionise humanity in almost every aspect of our lives, including health care, agriculture, energy, and various industries. Moreover, the 4.0 industry uses the assortments of the physical, biological, and digital worlds to design and develop disruptive technologies to shape and alleviate numerous humanitarian crises. 

The fourth industrial revolution, otherwise called the “4.0 industry,” is a technological epoch encompassing artificial intelligence, automation, biotechnology, and the digital economy.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a potential and multidisciplinary field that impacts various industries. According to Accenture’s estimation, clinical healthcare with AI applications will have a future increase of $150 billion in savings only in the healthcare sector by 2026. McKinsey reports that the global GDP of AI will be significantly boosted by 1.2% annually. Modern technology will emerge in the healthcare industry that can execute hospital services without human intervention. For example, timely automotive machines can accurately diagnose nefarious diseases like cancer and provide reliable treatment. Surgical robots are another AI approach that can effectively perform surgical tasks without medical doctors. 

Artificial intelligence in agriculture is another milestone development that will indisputably increase the rate of crop production. Innovative AI technology in agriculture can detect plant diseases, impoverished nutrients, and pests. In addition, automotive devices can be influential in quality harvesting. AI technology is a widespread approach applicable in numerous areas, such as renewable energy, climate change, and the financial sector. 

Biotechnology is another 4.0 industry with massive agriculture, biodiversity, and human diseases capabilities. Using a technique called “Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats,” popularly known as “CRISPR Cas 9,” is a classical gene editing tool that paves the way for inserting or expelling genes of interest from an organism. This technological tool allows for rewriting plants’ “genetic composition” and disposing of unwanted genes from plants to improve plant growth. It produces genetically modified crops, thus addressing food security and production challenges. Also, CRISPR Cas 9 will probe into the human genome to decipher the onset of diseases and discover new treatments for different types of illness. Animal breeding is another integral part of biotechnology, with the aid of increasing biodiversity for economic growth. 

The digital economy will not only provide profits and economic growth, but it will also curtail the unemployment rate in Nigeria. Engaging the youth to leverage the digital economy will provide independent jobs to the citizens, and the gorgeous aspects of the digital economy are manageable, so an individual can start with zero capital and build a high-dividend startup. 

According to the International Business Machines (IBM) definition, “technology” is a field where human infusion is substantially reduced. Therefore, automation is an important part of economic growth and development. Automation machines can effectively perform a duty that humans can do; the era of automation will displace labour work in various industries. Self-driving cars are an example of automation that would help manage and prevent fatal car accidents. It can also be a substitute for vehicles or engines that require gasoline or diesel to tackle carbon dioxide emissions in the future. Automation will also play a role in business, climate change, and the energy industries. 

We must embrace “science and technology” as a significant economic growth and development source. Several studies have shown that R&D, incorporated into science and technology, is the primary driver of socioeconomic development. But, according to an essay written by Adamu Tilde titled “CBN’s Inconsistent Policies,” is this true? A quick response to Dr Sheriff Almuhajir. In this essay, he points out that “knowledge” is the ultimate goal for success in modern economic development.

Adamu adds, “There have to be deliberate, continuous efforts in producing and training skilled manpower with the required expertise to navigate the thorny terrain of the modern economy.” This would take decades.   But a journey of thousands of miles starts with a step. Let’s start with primary and secondary education. Until then, no amount of crying wolf about exclusion, unfair treatment, and harsh requirements would solve the sorry state of our economic development because the modern economy is not a respecter of sentiment. “You have to compete.” And the tool for the competition is knowledge.

Eventually, with the infatuation with the oil-based economy, the Nigerian government will neglect various other ways of economic growth. Therefore, the Nigerian government needs a paradigm shift in its economic policies. Capacity building in diverse sectors, such as artificial intelligence, agriculture, and the digital economy, can solve Nigeria’s economic problems and, at the same time, provide jobs for the youth. 

Accentuating science and technology programmes in our media and newspapers will entice the government to impose strategies that will hasten economic development and encourage the youth to engage in a knowledge-based economy. For the past centuries, when the world heavily relied on a material-based economy, war was the only way to gain wealth and economic development, and many countries invaded their neighbours to seize their resources. But we are in the 21st century, where knowledge cannot be halted. In his book Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, Yuval Noah Harari asserts that “the current source of wealth is knowledge.” Bargaining on mineral resources such as gold, oil, and silver is no longer the best approach for economic growth; knowledge, which requires skills, creativity, and innovation, is one of the major sources of economic development. Therefore, our domestic media companies and newspapers should have a special programme or weekly column covering the importance of technology, research, and growth in economic diversification. 

Abba Ado wrote via abbaadomusa0@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Suleiman Yobe.

The controversy over getting the ticket for the APC in Yobe North senatorial district between the President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan and Bashir Machina has created a serious gap and misunderstanding among the people of the region.

Yobe North region is the most populace senatorial district with 6 local government areas in the state. These are Bade, Nguru, Jakusko, Machina, Karasuwa and Yusufari, and 99 per cent of the residents are Muslims living peacefully with one another despite the fact that there are differences in languages and ethnicity.

The majority of the residents are Manga [ Kanuri ] Hausa, Badawa, Fulani and other minorities, but these differences do not cause problems for the residents for more than 1000 years, as history revealed, more especially if we consider how residents are joking between tribes.

Of course, many things happened between 2022 to 2023. Some happened before primary elections, during the primary and after the primary election as well as the general election that was held this year.

Recalled that in May 2022, Bashir Sheerif Machina won Yobe’s north senatorial primary election, unopposed as organized by the All Progressive Congress, APC.

But the senate president Ahmed Lawan was said to have participated in another primary organized by the APC after he contested the presidential ticket unsuccessfully in June.

Machina was reportedly asked to step down for Lawan, but he insisted that he was the rightful candidate.

Amid the controversy, the APC submitted the senate president’s name to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as the candidate for Yobe north.

The electoral commission subsequently refused to list any candidate for the district.

Aggrieved, Machina instituted a suit asking the court to declare him as the authentic senatorial candidate.

In September 2022, a federal high court in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital, ordered the APC and INEC to recognize Machina as the candidate.

A month later, an Abuja court of appeal affirmed Machina’s election as the candidate of the APC for the Yobe north senatorial district.

On 6th February 2023, the supreme court sitting in Abuja affirmed Senate President Ahmad Lawan as APC candidate for the zone and was re-elected for the fifth time in the just concluded 25th February presidential and national assembly elections.

This tussled between Lawan and Machina has caused serious problems and enmity between the residents of the area from the supporters of each side.

Each side accuses its opponent of harming and exchanging unpleasant words, especially on social media sites, which is why in this month of Ramadan, the supporters of one side prayed badly for one of the leaders.

In the same way, during the election campaign, there were conflicts and political divisions between each party, which is a strange thing in the region.

During the election, there were some factions with a massive anti-party, and there were some factions that fought other, which led to bad fighting between them.

This conflict has once again created enmity between the residents of other towns, especially regarding the local governments’ origin of Bade and Machina.

In the same way, this problem has created division in the management of the development of the towns in the area and divided the members of the APC, which is the reason why the party lost the election of a member representing Bade Jakusko in the green chamber and two Yobe state members house of representatives, representing Nguru outside and Bade Central.

Surely, this is the right time for traditional rulers of the zone, politicians and the entire leaders in the state and country should sit and reconcile these politicians for the development of the state. Because this coast has nothing to do with the development of the region except for regression.

Muhammad Suleiman Yobe wrote from Jigawa state. He can be contacted via muhammadsuleiman190@gmail.com.

By Tordue Simon Targema

Last week, I posted on Facebook the key requirements of international scholarships that prospective applicants need to fire successful shots. The post was necessitated by the fact that many graduates seeking international scholarships do not know what to have handy while applying for these scholarships. Such graduates often lose out, given the tight deadlines of most scholarships. Thus, I felt obliged to highlight these key requirements for prospective applicants.

Interactions from the post encourage me to get it published in a platform that has a wider range of prospective applicants beyond my Facebook followers. I must mention from the onset that the list below is not exhaustive, but captures just the basic requirements of most international scholarships.

Moreover, each of these scholarships has specific documents it requires from prospective applicants. Notwithstanding these specifications, few requirements continue to recur across scholarships. These are highlighted as follows:

• International passport: this is a major requirement for most, if not all international scholarships. Sadly, this is an “unaffordable luxury” for most graduates grappling with the savageries of life and survival after graduation. The last time I checked, international passport costs about twenty-five thousand Naira. This is not to mention the delay that applicants encounter in some states of the federation while trying to get the passport.

More saddening is the fact that you could get the passport without clinching a scholarship till it expires [oops]! Never to mind this, you can use the expired passport to “intimidate” immigration officers on the highways while travelling if it doesn’t fetch you a scholarship. They respect it a lot. But on a serious note, you just need this document to fire shots at international scholarships.

• Transcript: there is this heck about Nigerian universities and transcript! They say it is confidential. Wonder if foreign scholarships aren’t aware of this confidentiality: they keep asking for transcript from applicants! I was devastated few days ago when a friend received early-stage disqualification mail from Commonwealth Scholarship because of transcripts even as he met EVERY other requirement. Alas! The bureaucracy in MOST Nigerian universities over transcript is simply annoying. Maybe this is one reason I must have to delve into alumni politics someday: willing graduates should be giving their transcript upon request without much headache, after all, it is their performance and useful to them alone.

Anyway, regardless of this bureaucracy, you MUST get your transcript handy- whether the official copy or certified student copy- to fire good shots at international scholarships. How you do this, I don’t know. But for sure: you need your transcript to stand a chance at international scholarships.

• Your essays! Very important. This is a major requirement of most- if not all- international scholarships. They want to know you. They want to know your skillset. They want to know your leadership potentials. They want to ascertain your “development impact”. The best way they can ascertain these is through your essays.

Consequently, every scholarship you may wish to consider is likely to demand for the following: Personal Statement (or Statement of Purpose), Volunteer/Leadership Skills, Career Plans- short term, on the award and long term, and development impact: how your research/study area connects to, or can facilitate development.

All these have very tight word limitations, and require that you are articulate and informative enough, albeit, succinctly. A bonus point here is to have these essays handy for yourself so you could simply edit them to suit specific scholarship demands rather than having to write them afresh all of the time.

Besides, it pays to have your essays written and edited, and have others read through and critic them for you well ahead of time: very important. A final bonus point on essays: most of these essay types have their templates online! Google them and see how you can fit your information into the templates. These essays take a substantial chunk of the assessment process aside academic credentials.

• Letter of English language proficiency: proof of English language proficiency is a major requirement of most Anglophone scholarships. IELTS or TOEFL are the commonest among the numerous English language proficiency tests. However, these are expensive and require a lot of logistics – such as traveling, preparations (online tutorials), etc. 

An escape route from these tests [narrow one though] is a letter of English language proficiency from the Office of the Registrar- or any authorised official- from your institution confirming that you were taught in English language at the undergraduate or postgraduate level.

Although some scholarships do not accept this letter, some do, while others only accept it as an interim measure, implying that you must still provide the international tests after nomination. Whatever the case, the letter fetches a candidate some valuable points, and is far better than having nothing at all to show as a proof of English language proficiency.

Emphatically, however, if one has the financial wherewithal, taking the internationally recognised tests [and scoring the required points] significantly enhances one’s chances at international scholarships.

• Reference letters: this is one other key requirement of international scholarships. Typically, all international scholarships request for reference letters from candidates’ lecturers, heads of departments/institutes, research project supervisors or any other high ranking staff from one’s institution. For employed graduates, reference letters are also accepted from principals or colleagues at the office. Some scholarships accept reference letters from candidates in the course of the application, while others require candidates to supply referees’ email addresses where links are sent to them to respond directly on the scholarship portal.

It therefore pays for prospective applicants to request and have handy, reference letters from their chosen referees on letter-headed papers. This saves one the headache of always contacting referees for each application they are making, especially for scholarships that accept reference letters from candidates.

It is important to maintain good relationship with your lecturers so that they will be willing to reference you anytime you require a reference note. This relationship is very important as the process of submitting some of these references is usually tedious and require referees going through a lot to submit a reference.

Sadly, many students maintain very adversarial relationships with lecturers while in school, thereby finding it difficult to get reference notes from them after graduation. It is also important to use lecturers who know you closely as referees so that they can be able to comment authoritatively on vital issues- such as your academic performance, leadership, social and moral skills, personality traits and emotional quotient, etc. that typical scholarships demand from referees.

A big mistake that most candidates make is bumping into lecturers who scarcely knew them while they were students to ask for reference notes. Trust me; you cannot get the best from such lecturers!   

• Finally, patience! You need a large heart to accommodate rejections, oh yes! Although some lucky/well prepared applicants have clinched an offer at first shot, this is quite a rare feat. Be prepared to “chop breakfast” from scholarship bodies. This is not a negative prophesy anyway, but trust me, you are most likely to face rejection from scholarship bodies.

You’ll be told how thousands applied for the opportunity, and how they are not willing/able to consider your application any further [as if that is some piece of good news!] They delight in telling you that. Perhaps, worse are those that will go completely mute after application! Like the Hausa man says: Shiru Kaman an shuka dusa.

This could be extremely traumatizing given the enormous headache it takes to “successfully” apply for a scholarship and provide ALL that is required. All the same, you must keep yourself motivated at all times, pick up your broken self after each rejection and move on.

Seldom, some of the scholarship bodies are kind enough to tell you what disqualifies you. Nothing could be more benevolent than this! Work on that and fire better shots in the future. Your motivation all the times should be that one scholarship opportunity can change your life completely for better! Methinks you owe yourself this; hence, it should serve as enough motivation for you to take in good faith, as many rejections as may come your way and fire better shots. Success shall sure be yours someday, see you in glory, cheers!   

Tordue Simon Targema teaches in the department of Journalism & Media Studies, Taraba State University. He is currently a Commonwealth Ph.D. scholar at the University of Glasgow, United Kingdom. Email: torduesimon@gmail.com