Education

By Muhsin Ibrahim

A few weeks before the 2023 general elections, I came across a campaign video featuring students sponsored by the Zamfara State Government to study in Cyprus. I criticised the video, stating that students should refrain from getting involved in politics.

It was not wise for the students to campaign for the governor. Although they might have felt obligated to do so, I was concerned about the consequences if Bello Matawalle, the governor at the time, lost the election. Unfortunately, that is precisely what happened.

As I feared, Dauda Lawal Dare, the new governor of Zamfara, abandoned those students. Today, they live in destitution, struggling to feed themselves in a foreign land. Some don’t even have a befitting accommodation. While their precarious situation may not be connected to that video, it might have added insult to injury.

Governments in Kano, Zamfara, or any other state must reconsider sending people to foreign universities. Of course, those universities are often better than our local ones. However, we need to wake up to the current realities. Our currency (i.e., Naira) has lost much of its value, and inflation is higher, among other unfavourable realities.

Irrespective of the political landscape, it is incumbent upon the government of Zamfara to provide for those students. They are, without a doubt, the government’s sole responsibility. After all, governance is about continuity and the welfare of its citizens.

If the government is unable to meet its financial obligations, it is only fair that it brings these students home and enrols them in local universities in Nigeria. This is the least they deserve.

It is high time the government started paying attention to its citizens and acted upon their requests.

Muhsin Ibrahim, PhD, wrote from Cologne, Germany. He can be reached via muhsin2008@gmail.com.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Here are the steps to check your JAMB score:

– Online Method:

– Visit the JAMB eFacility Portal at https://efacility.jamb.gov.ng/login.

– Enter your login details (email address and password you used during registration).

– Click on the “Check UTME Results” button.

– Your UTME score for each subject will be displayed on the screen.

– SMS Method:

– Open your messaging app. – Compose a new message.

– Type “RESULT” (all caps) followed by your JAMB Registration Number.

– Send the SMS to 55019 or 66019 (the official JAMB result from SMS numbers). – JAMB will send a reply SMS containing your scores for each subject taken.

Remember to note that the SMS method incurs a charge of N50, which will be deducted from your mobile phone airtime.

 By Uzair Adam Imam  

The Borno State Government has employed 15 people with disability who have undergone formal educational system. 

The new employees were said to have obtained bachelor’s degree certificates, NCEs, diplomas, and vocational training certificates. 

The state governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, was disclosed to have approved their employment with effect from May 1, 2024. 

The governor commended their efforts for not being lazy, and despite their disability, they decided to pursue education. 

He directed Commissioner of Education Lawan Abba Wakilbe to review the activities of all the blind schools in Borno State in order to train more people with disability. 

Zulum also ordered the Ministry of Education to work out modalities for introducing the teaching of special education courses at the College of Education Bama. 

Borno State Branch Chairman Nigerian Association of the Blind, Mohammed Mustapha, expressed gratitude to Governor Zulum for approving employment for his members.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

Fahad Danladi, a proud father from Kano, Nigeria, who resides in the United States, has taken to social media to celebrate his daughter Fariha’s outstanding academic achievements.

Fariha was rewarded with a brand new bike for her hard work and dedication to her studies. 

Fahad, who was overjoyed by his daughter’s success, shared the news on Twitter, saying, “I’m beaming with pride to share that my 2nd daughter, Fariha Danladi, has been rewarded with a brand new bike for her outstanding academic achievements in school! Her hard work and dedication have truly paid off, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to see her excel. Congratulations, Fariha, on this well-deserved recognition!” 

Fariha’s achievement is a testament to the importance of hard work and determination, and serves as an inspiration to her peers and the Nigerian community in the US.

Her family and community appeared to be proud of her accomplishments.

By Dr. Fahad Ibrahim Danladi

Unfortunately, bigotry has permeated the fabric of our society, affecting some Nigerians. Recently, I was surprised to learn that the girls wearing miniskirts in the Lead British School, Abuja bullying video were Muslim students.

This incident highlights a concerning trend, also seen in Lagos, where students in private schools may be restricted from wearing modest attire that aligns with their religious beliefs.

In contrast, I’ve witnessed a more inclusive approach in the United States, where my children attend public school. Their schools accommodate diverse religious and cultural backgrounds by offering flexible dress code options.

For instance, my daughter’s elementary school has a uniform policy with various styles that cater to different religious and cultural needs. Similarly, my other daughter in middle school wears traditional Hausa dresses to school without issue.

In light of the Supreme Court’s ruling, it’s crucial for both private and public schools in Nigeria to adopt inclusive uniform policies that respect the two major religions in our country, promoting a culture of acceptance and understanding.

By Wonderful Adegoke

In a Northern Nigerian region plagued by stereotypes and obstacles to academic success, Khalilat Bello’s unwavering advocacy for academic excellence has defied all the odds and carved a path to success. Her journey is not only inspiring but also a testament to the power of perseverance and determination.

Hailing from Offa Local Government Area in Kwara State, Khalilat came to terms with her fate of studying Applied Chemistry at Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto (UDUS) after realizing that pursuing a medical degree would be a forlorn attempt. She accepted her new path and threw herself into her studies, determined to make the most of her time at the university.

Khalilat recounted, “Reflecting on the past, there has never been a record of my struggling in the field of chemistry. When I graduated from secondary school, I was awarded for being the best student in chemistry. Moving forward, my interest in the subject deepened.”

Khalilat’s Resolute Grit

Fully aware of undergraduates’ volatile academic experience, she subsisted her academic pursuits by attending lectures regularly and taking tutorials on obscure courses.

“Earning 4.89 on a 5.0 CGPA scale in 100-level compelled me to give it my all,” she enthused, revealing how she persevered among a class of brainy students who were in healthy competition with each other.

“As an ardent believer in hard work, I spent countless hours reading and writing, thoroughly studying the materials. Attending tutorials, brainstorming and sharing ideas with my classmates helped out in some challenging courses.

On the subject of long-term concentration during reading, “The goal I had in mind kept me going and helped manage distractions.”

Though actively involved in extracurricular activities and has served as the one-time Vice President of her departmental association, she added, “All engagements are brought to an abeyance during tests and exams.”

“I’m immensely grateful to God for being the top student in my department with the highest CGPA of 4.85. I attribute this achievement to the self-discipline I developed in my early days and the encouragement I received from my friends and family.”

Remain Committed — Khalilat advises undergraduates

Khalilat warns against inconsistency and advises undergraduates to be committed and hardworking. “Hard work helps mitigate against gratuitous results.”

By Sulaiman Mohammed

Education is often regarded as the foundation of every society, the key to unlocking prosperity and success for nations and individuals alike. Yet, despite its importance, the individuals responsible (teachers) often find themselves not only underpaid but also underdeveloped.

The most common complaint among teachers in private schools is the poor payment as monthly income they receive for their hard work and dedication. As a profession (teaching), it requires significant time, effort, and skill. Many hours are spent planning lessons, grading assignments, and providing individual student support. Teachers play a crucial role in shaping the future of society, yet many are struggling to make ends meet.

The low salary that many teachers receive fails to reflect the importance of their work and makes it difficult for them to support themselves and their families. This affects their well-being and their ability to teach and inspire their students effectively. 

In my community (Rigasa, Kaduna state), I know of many qualified and experienced teachers who left school for another or even a different profession outside of teaching, all courtesy of underpayment and undervaluation to the detriment of the students. 

Finally, to ensure that students receive a quality education, teachers need to be adequately compensated in terms of fair salary, access to benefits, and other professional opportunities for staff sustainable development. Only then can we ensure that our schools are staffed with dedicated and passionate educators who can provide the best education. 

This is in dedication to Mallam Salihu, Bn Masood, Yunusa Bala, Mallam Umar, Haruna Bala, and several other teachers in this profession. Keep on keeping on; the students and society are our concern.

Sulaiman Mohammed wrote via muhammedsuleiman213@gmail.com.

By Abdullahi Adamu 

The description recently by Senator Comrade Adams Oshimole, again at his best, advocating for good funding and monitoring of Universal Basic Education of the ever-rising number of out-of-school children across Nigeria as a “time bomb” is a repetitive sound bite. The reality of a large population of uneducated Nigerian youths has been a talking point for decades and is still rising. It is a pointed reflection of the incompetence, neglect and utter lack of vision of successive federal and state governments.

Talk is cheap; Senator Adam urged the state governments and the elite, including FCT, to take the necessary extraordinary measures immediately to defuse the deadly incendiary situation they created.

UNICEF adds that one in three children in Nigeria is out of school, totalling 10.2 million at the primary level and 8.1 million at the junior secondary school level. It said one in every five out-of-school children in the world is in Nigeria. These statistics are depressing; state governors can no longer afford to nurture another generation of illiterates.

The worst and increasingly incorrigible offenders are the Northern states and the region’s elite. Over 60 per cent of the total is in the North.

Out-of-school children are a social and serious security problem for us. I want to say that there are more than 20 million out-of-school children because the 20 million we are talking about are possibly only in basic education, that is, primary school and junior secondary school; what about those who have finished junior school and are unable to go back to Senior Secondary School? 

“We must be talking about 30 million out of school. That is a vast population and is a major issue. This is one issue that the state and federal government must take seriously,” Senator Lawan said.

Education is the key to Nigeria’s development. Oshiomhole stressed that Nigeria appears to be failing in its national plan for growth due to the lack of basic education. “It is not right for us to boast of an ultra-modern government house and have the most dilapidated schools and even employ teachers not to pay them.”

We have angry and hungry people in the classroom; they can’t be nice to our children, and when they show no kindness to those children, those children grow up without care, without feeling, and believing that society is uncaring.

This is a call to the government to embark on a comprehensive and radical educational curriculum review across Nigeria and prioritise skills rather than old-fashioned theories and colonial educational system expansion to help human economic growth, skills acquisition, and small-scale industry expansion.

The government must take a close look at what is happening to our children in Nigeria and the opportunities they are missing out on because they lack education. 

We need to look towards communities—leaders, parents, teachers, and caregivers—and together, find the best strategies to ensure that all children enroll in school, have access to continuous learning, and emerge with quality skills that equip them for a prosperous future. The situation has even worsened since then, up to 2023.

The government also need to ensure that children are safe when they are in school – no child should be afraid to enter a classroom – afraid their school might be attacked or that they will be kidnapped. And no parent should fear sending their children to school.”

In 2021 alone, there were 25 terrorist attacks on schools. A total of 1,440 children were abducted, while 16 children were killed. In March 2021, about 618 schools were shut down in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Niger and Yobe states over the fear of attack and abduction of pupils and members of staff.

Nigeria’s education system can be transformed through adequate funding.

Abdullahi Adamu wrote via nasabooyoyo@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam 

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has said that more than 1,500 schools across the state, particularly in the eight frontline local government areas, are without proper fencing. 

Speaking to stakeholders from all 23 local government areas, Governor Sani stated the urgency of addressing this issue for the safety and security of students. 

The governor unveiled a plan to address this shortfall by enlisting the support of prominent Kaduna-based business figures, Alhaji Adamu Atta of Fifth Chucker and Alhaji Bukar Shettima of Barbados.  

Together, they will fund the construction of fences for 100 schools as part of the Safe School Initiative.  

Governor Sani noted that education is a top priority for his administration, seeing it as the key to unlocking potential and opportunity. 

The need for action became even more apparent following a tragic incident in Kuriga, where 137 children were kidnapped.  

Governor Sani cited this event as a catalyst for a comprehensive assessment of school infrastructure across the state, revealing a dire need for security measures, particularly in junior secondary and primary schools. 

Highlighting security as paramount, Governor Sani commended the efforts of the service chiefs, singling out the Chief of Defence Staff for establishing a military base in Kachia. 

Bello Hussein Adoto

The tragic deaths of two students and the injury of 23 more at the botched distribution of palliatives at Nasarawa State University on Friday is a disturbing addition to what has been a troubling period for undergraduates in Nigeria.

Just last Friday, nine students of Federal University Gusau regained their freedom after spending over 170 days in terrorists’ captivity. On Thursday, three medical students of Abia State University died in a road traffic accident while returning from their seniors’ induction.

Unlike these other tragedies, however, the Nasarawa stampede could have been envisaged and prevented. The successful distribution of similar palliatives at the University of Ilorin shows us how we can do things differently.

Following subsidy removal and the attendant inflation in the country, several state governments distributed palliatives—foodstuffs and stipends—to ease the economic burden on citizens. Some states like Kwara and Nasarawa recently extended the palliatives to students in their tertiary institutions.

The initial distribution of the palliatives across institutions in Nasarawa state was peaceful. A government statement released after Friday’s stampede noted that previous distributions were “a huge success.” Students got two 7.5 kg bags of rice and 5,000 naira each.

However, events leading to the stampede at Nasarawa State University, Keffi, points towards a mismanagement of crowd control by the organizers responsible for distributing the palliatives. According to media reports, the palliatives were scheduled at the university convocation square until students arrived in large numbers and disrupted the distribution.

“After our arrangement for the distribution of palliatives to the students which was to hold at the University’s convocation square, they (students) suddenly arrived at the venue in their numbers and overpowered the security,” said Yunusa Baduku, National President of the Nasarawa State Students Association, in a Punch Online report.

He added that the students “broke through the gate into the Convocation square where the bags of rice was to be shared,” leading to the stampede that consumed the two students and injured many more.

Sadly, such chaos is not new. In February, the Nigerian Customs Service had to suspend its sale of seized bags of rice after seven people died at one of its centres in Yaba, Lagos. Some two years ago, 31 people died at a stampede at the King’s Assembly in Rivers state church during the distribution of palliatives to church members; seven more were injured.

Although the state governor, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, was quoted as calling the tragedy “a needless stampede,” the state could have prepared better for it. Distribution events, especially those intended to provide aid or relief, tend to draw large crowds, making effective crowd control essential.

In Unilorin, for instance, where students received palliatives—cartons of noodles—from the Kwara State government, distributions were such that students did not have to gather in their numbers at the arena or use vouchers.

The government sent the palliatives to the university, who distributed them to the faculties. From the faculties, they were distributed to departments, where class representatives from each level went to retrieve the packages for their class. It was as seamless as public distributions go.

I suppose the Unilorin model could help other tertiary institutions plan more effectively. The university leveraged student associations and divided the population into manageable chunks. Such divisions made it difficult for hoodlums to gatecrash, as the class reps knew their colleagues. The strategy also eased accountability.

While I admit there is a risk of student representatives appropriating the palliatives or shortchanging their colleagues, this is more manageable than asking a crowd of desperate undergraduates to gather for government handouts.

A departmental or level advisor can be mandated to coordinate the distribution, even if he has to be paid or receive palliatives, too. It is not likely that the coordinator will conspire with the student reps to loot the palliatives. In the rare event that that happens, then so be it. Nigeria students have suffered enough than to die in avoidable stampedes.

Adoto writes from Ilorin via bellohussein210@gmail.com.