Education

Ishaka Mohammed

In a recent report by DAILY NIGERIAN, a reporter called Umar Audu worked under cover and obtained a degree certificate from Cotonou in Benin Republic within six weeks instead of four years, and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) mobilised him for the mandatory national service. 

Although the report contains a lot of disturbing revelations, only one thing surprises me. The said Umar Audu is a genuine graduate in mass communication who participated in the NYSC scheme from 2018 to 2019. Yet, the agency mobilised him again in 2023 and captured his fingerprints without catching him for multiple registrations. It’s scary to realise such poor data management in a scheme which, since its creation, has been headed mostly by high-ranking military officers.

Concerned Nigerians have discussed the benefits of data harmonisation and the effects of its neglect. One of the numerous consequences of scattered data in Nigeria is the presence of people receiving multiple salaries from government ministries, agencies or departments. This is widespread in the same country where millions of citizens, regardless of their qualifications, battle with unemployment, hence suffering from poverty and hunger. With a standard database management system, the suffering of Nigerians can be reduced significantly. 

I sometimes wish that Nigeria would be a country with mandatory registration of children at birth. I dream of a country where every birth certificate would contain the bearer’s national identification number (NIN), which would be the chief of the eligibility criteria for free or affordable basic and secondary education, SIM registration, admission to tertiary institutions, employment, visa or passport application, etc.

I imagine a nation with a central database management system which makes everybody’s identification number and fingerprints verifiable. My ideal country is where every government ministry, agency or department can verify anyone’s date of birth, level of education, employment history, etc., using the person’s fingerprints. With all these in place, it would be impossible for one to simply outsmart a federal government agency just like Umar Audu did.

By the way, I commend everyone involved in that investigation. Stories of illegal Cotonou degrees can no longer be called baseless rumours. I’ve heard of similar racketeering in Kogi State but have yet to obtain any tangible proof.

By Aliyu Nuhu

I saw a post by a friend advising people not to check their symptoms on internet and should go to hospitals for all their complaints. He was partially correct, but wrong in underestimating the power and importance of internet-based knowledge.

Medicine recognizes home treatment for non emergency medical conditions. But there is a caveat that you should consult a doctor if symptoms persist or get worse.

Always remember that doctors themselves know a lot about their speciality, but they also know little in a vast ocean of knowledge in other fields of medicine. You can know better than them if you choose to read.

My son was given about fifteen medications to take after heart surgery. But because I have knowledge of the disease and drug options,I was able to engage the doctor and at the end the drugs were reduced to four. Take note that I did not reduce the medication on my own. I only used my knowledge of pharmacy to engage the doctor and get him to reduce them himself. Some of the drugs were to be taken for few weeks and to be discontinued. Some were doing the same job and one of them has to go. Some were to alleviate symptoms, and if the child didn’t have the symptoms what was the need for them? Some were for pains from surgery and if the wound was healed there was no need for them. I once educated a doctor for asking a child to take calcium for bone strength, but he obviously didn’t know that the body would need vitamin D to successfully process calcium. Medicine is so vast that doctors must also read the internet to keep abreast.

There are treat-at-home symptoms you can learn from internet. I successfully treated myself for common illnesses through internet and over the counter medications. Why should I for instance go to hospital to treat nail fungus? You are your own best doctor. Arm yourself with knowledge before approaching your doctor.

There are symptoms that you know you need professional help. You know the red flags for potentially life threatening symptoms. When you can’t breathe you don’t need anyone to tell you to rush to get medical help at the hospital. When you have severe headache and other symptoms you never had before you should know that you need an immediate medical emergency.

I know when to see a doctor. The important thing for you is to also know when to see your own doctor. Even when meeting with my doctor, my vast knowledge of medicine prepares me for drug options and procedural choices. Internet makes you even choose the right doctor. If you have blood in your urine check for the possible causes. The regular GP may not detect if your condition is postate cancer. Oncologist knows what other tests to do and confirm if you have the condition. If you have shortness of breath, painful arm, etc, the cardiologist is the person that will know that you need angiogram to know if there is blockage in the circulatory system.

We have good doctors no doubt but always know that we have imposters, some that did not even read medicine in the university. Our hospitals are populated with half-baked professionals that only knowledge could save you from their deadly mistakes.

A whole teaching hospital treated a relative of mine for cerebral malaria when she actually had tuberculosis of the spine. My son was diagnosed with truncus ateriosis when in actual fact he had tetralogy of fallot. Without internet I would have been lost. However, a careful check gave me better understanding of the symptoms and led me to the right laboratory that identified the right disease. Internet led me to the right doctors abroad.

It will be suicidal just to rely on doctors without having elementary knowledge of your symptoms and treatment options. Drugs have side effects and also, interaction issues with other drugs or foods. If you don’t read you won’t know. Your doctor is human and has many patients and will not have time to educate you. Educate yourself. Knowledge is not only power, but in medicine it can be a life-saver.

Aliyu Nuhu writes from Abuja, Nigeria.

By Ishaka Mohammed

In its latest recruitment exercise, which commenced on December 18, 2023, Kaduna State University (KASU) is demanding ten essays from every applicant seeking a lecturing position. 

The Daily Reality gathered from an applicant that the writing section is one of the ten steps in the application process. The essay topics revolve around technology in education, teaching philosophy, assessment formats, critical thinking development and journaling.

KASU opened its recruitment portal on December 18 for qualified individuals seeking lecturing jobs in the various departments. The positions include contract, internship, graduate assistant, assistant lecturer, lecturer II, lecturer I, senior lecturer and professor.

The application is completely online, and interested individuals are to create accounts at https://recruitment.kasu.edu.ng and submit their applications on or before December 31.

Founded in 2004, KASU has about 40 academic departments and is the only state university in Kaduna.

By Ibrahim Tukur

Teaching, a practice dating back to the inception of human civilization, remains the cornerstone of knowledge dissemination and societal development. Across diverse forms, teaching has wielded a profound influence in shaping our lives and the world at large. It is the vessel through which knowledge, information, and invaluable experiences are preserved and transmitted across generations. In the structured confines of schools, students engage with various disciplines, not solely to absorb knowledge but also to challenge, reframe and contribute to a brighter future.

Yet, despite being the progenitor of all professions, Nigeria seems to overlook the significance of the teaching profession. Unlike professions like law or medicine, where extensive training and years of study are prerequisites, teaching frequently appears as an accessible career path, sometimes attracting individuals without the essential pedagogical skills or comprehensive subject mastery.

This oversight manifests glaringly in the under-appreciation of teachers by the Nigerian government, notably in the form of insufficient compensation. The meagre salaries offered to educators fail to recognize the intricacies and demands inherent in their roles, severely limiting their ability to perform optimally and affecting their morale.

Additionally, the teaching landscape in Nigeria grapples with a multitude of challenges which impede effective delivery. Inadequate infrastructure, including scarcity of classrooms, laboratories, libraries and teaching materials, acts as a significant barrier to effective teaching and learning processes. This scarcity, coupled with a shortage of qualified educators and deficiencies in teaching methodologies, hampers students’ ability to reach their academic potential. The lack of comprehensive and quality teacher training programs stands as a significant challenge faced by educators in Nigeria.

Many teachers enter the profession without adequate preparation, lacking essential pedagogical skills and updated teaching methodologies. This deficiency in training directly impacts their ability to effectively engage students, cater to diverse learning needs, and employ innovative teaching techniques. Insufficient training also hampers educators’ efforts in adapting to evolving educational trends, impacting the quality of education imparted to students across various levels of schooling.

Consequently, Nigeria’s education system suffers, and the negative ramifications are dire. If not rectified, this neglect of teaching – the bedrock of all professions – will perpetuate the birth of under-qualified professionals. It’s a situation that could escalate brain drain, where competent educators seek opportunities abroad where their expertise is appreciated and duly rewarded.

Recognizing the pivotal role which teachers play in shaping society, there’s an urgent need for substantial reforms. It starts with acknowledging and properly compensating teachers for their arduous task of moulding minds and futures. Additionally, investing in comprehensive teacher training programs, extending the duration of educational courses to allow for a more thorough mastery of teaching methodologies, and implementing stringent selection processes for educators are imperative steps.

The government’s commitment to furnishing all schools with adequate resources and facilities is equally crucial. This holistic approach is essential to ensuring seamless teaching and learning experiences, vital for the nation’s educational advancement.

In conclusion, it’s paramount to accord teachers the reverence and support they deserve. Their pivotal role in shaping both individuals and the world demands not only acknowledgement but also concrete actions aimed at rectifying the systemic deficiencies currently hampering the teaching profession in Nigeria.

Ibrahim Tukur is a hearing-impaired individual who hails from Ingawa town in Katsina. He earned his first degree in Special Education/Sociology. He is a Disability Rights Advocate and can be reached via inventorngw@gmail.com.

By: Hassan Idris

Christmas is an annual festival that’s primarily celebrated to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. It’s duly observed on the 25th of every December as a religious and cultural celebration among millions of people around the world. Notwithstanding, Christmas, of course, is a Christian holiday that’s celebrated by many around the globe as a religious holiday with religious rituals, values and relationships. This schema for understanding what grips society together also applies to Christmas as a secular holiday. Christmas is a beloved holiday and for good reasons. It’s a time for parties, delicious seasonal beverages, feasting, gifts, and for many, a time of homecoming, but underneath the surface of festivity, there’s quite a bit going on, sociologically.

Sociologically, Christmas holds the social value of rituals as Classical Sociologist Emile Durkheim tends to shed more light on this. Durkheim, a functional Sociologist, developed a still widely used theory for explaining what holds society and social groups together through his study of religion.

Durkheim identified core aspects of religious structure and participation that sociologists today apply to society in general, including the role of rituals in bringing people together around shared practices and values; and ways that participation in rituals reaffirms shared values, and thus reaffirms and strengthens the social bonds between people (which he called social solidarity); and the experience of “collective effervescence,” in which people tend to share in feelings of excitement and are unified in the experience of participating in rituals together. As a result of these things, people feel connected to others, a sense of belonging, and the social order as it exists makes sense to them. They feel stable, comfortable, and secure.

Furthermore, the secular rituals of Christmas are very pertinent in the sociological discussion of social solidarity. Christmas, of course, is a Christian holiday, celebrated by many as a religious holiday with religious rituals, values, and relationships. The rituals involved in Christmas are decorating, often together with loved ones; using seasonal and holiday-themed items; cooking meals and baking sweets; throwing and attending parties; exchanging gifts; wrapping and opening those gifts; bringing children to visit Santa Claus; watching for Santa on Christmas eve; leaving milk and cookies for him; singing Christmas carols; hanging stockings; watching Christmas movies and listening to Christmas music; performing in Christmas pageants; and attending church services.

However, what Christmas does is bring us together with the people we hold dear and give us an opportunity to reaffirm our shared values. When we participate in rituals together, we call to the surface of interactions the values that underlie them. In this case, we can identify the values that underlie these rituals as the importance of family and friendship, togetherness, kindness, and generosity. These are the values that uphold the most beloved Christmas movies and songs, too. By coming together around these values through participation in Christmas rituals, we reaffirm and strengthen our social ties with those involved.

Also, Christmas performs a deeply important social function for us. It makes us feel like we are part of a collective whole, whether that be with kin or chosen family. And, as social beings, this is one of our fundamental human needs. Doing this is what makes it such a special time of year, and why, for some, if we don’t achieve this at Christmastime, it can be a real downer. It’s easy to get wrapped up in the hunt for gifts, the desire for new goods, and the promise of letting loose and partying during this time of the year.

Furthermore, in 1925, Anthropologist Marcel Mauss theorized that gift-giving is actually all about the giver: Mauss identified three obligations associated with gift exchange: giving, which he equates with the first step in building a social relationship; receiving, which signifies acceptance of the social relationship; and reciprocating, which demonstrates the recipient’s integrity. If gifts are refused or unreciprocated, relationships can be threatened. Decoration and gift giving are some of the prerequisites of Christmas and strengthen relationship bounds and solidarity amongst people all over the world.

Coming down to the Christmas celebration in Nigeria, it is pertinent to know that Nigeria is a rich country, given its endowed natural resources. Nigeria is a large nation populated by different multi-ethnic and cultural groups. It has an estimated population of over 200 hundred thousand people. It’s now generally estimated that there are some 400 ethnic groups of varying sizes that are found in Nigeria. However, there are definitely nothing less than 400 languages in this diverse country which makes people wonder how the British were able to determine that a united country was possible in such a diversity. And in this kind of complex diversity Nigerians celebrate Christmas happily and peacefully.

Christmas in Nigeria is a family event, a time when lots of family members come together to celebrate and have fun. Most families, that live in cities, travel to the villages where their grandparents and older relatives live. The end of the year is usually a great time for most Nigerians, and this is not just because it signals a time of relief for most people aching for a vacation or rest from all the hard work and back-breaking activities of the previous months; it is also because December time is Christmas time!

Christmas Day in Nigeria is a public holiday that is marked by the emptying of towns and cities with excitement in the air. People travel to their respective states of origin to celebrate with their loved ones, it is often a time for family reunion, a time to re-strategize and focus, it is a time to seek the face of God and make new year resolutions and also bless those who are less fortunate, and other general acts of random kindness.

As the towns and cities empty, people jam the West African markets to buy and transport live chickens, goats and cows that will be needed for the Christmas meals. On Christmas Eve, many families will throw Christmas parties that will last all night long, traditional meals are prepared and served according to the traditions of each region. Instead of having sweets and cakes, Nigerians as a whole tend to prepare various dishes.

In the South, a dish called Jollof rice or fried rice is served with stews of various meats along with fried plantains; in the North, rice and stew, as well as Tuwon Shinkafa, a rice pudding, served with various meat stews, are preferred. An alternative in both regions (but more favoured in the South) is a pepper soup with fish, goat meat or beef. Served with these foods are an array of mainly alcoholic drinks such as the traditional palm wine or various local and imported beers and wines; children and women may be served locally-made soft-drink equivalents instead.

Many different languages are spoken in Nigeria, and with different ways of wishing one another a happy Christmas. In Hausa Happy/Merry Christmas is ‘barka dà Kirsìmatì’; in Yoruba it’s ‘E ku odun, e ku iye’dun’; in Fulani it’s ‘Jabbama be salla Kirismati’; in Igbo (Ibo) ‘E keresimesi Oma’; in Ibibio ‘Idara ukapade isua’ and in Edo it’s ‘Iselogbe’.

However, on Christmas morning, Christians go to church to give thanks to God. Homes, restaurants, workplaces and streets are often decorated. Most homes will have an artificial Christmas tree. Children love to play with firecrackers at Christmas. The church choir may visit the church congregation in their homes to sing Christmas carols to them. Christmas cards are sent to friends and family members. Presents are exchanged amongst family members, and some families may take their children dressed in new outfits to see Santa Claus, usually referred to as ” FATHER CHRISTMAS in Nigeria.

In the villages, people would be greeted by the numerous masquerade groups formulated by the younger people who gently display their dance moves in exchange for foreign currencies. These dance groups make the Christmas experience soothing and comforting. The young girls also have their dance groups, though without a masquerade but with palm fronds tied to their left feet as a sign of bravery in some cultures. These young girls also make money by displaying their well-thought-out dance steps.

Christmas in Nigeria consumes money and the flow of gifts. It’s a time for celebration and reconnection, the experience is always an unforgettable one. Visitors are welcomed, and there is no house that is left without the aroma of chickened stew, especially in places where the celebration is ongoing. Nigerians are kinder to each other during the holidays.

Families and organizations take time out during the holidays to share good cheers and give out gifts to each other and the less privileged. Some people also organize causes and donation points for others. The most lit parties happen at Christmas time. From carols to street carnivals to concerts, people are bound to have the utmost time of their lives during the holidays.

In conclusion, the sociology of Christmas is wonderful and unique as it is important to remember that Christmas will be most enjoyable when it is designed to foster togetherness and also share and reaffirm the positive values that bind Christians together.

Hassan Idris can be reached via idrishassan035@gmail.com.

By Dr. Dikko Muhammad

I’m surprised that some people find the said letter of Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi surprising. The fact is that many Nigerians see the courts as departments for the pursuance of politicians’ interest and more often, as stalls for the sale of “justice” to the highest bidder. And they have reasons to believe so. Why?

Senator Bulkachuwa told the Senate, on camera, that his wife, a former President of the Nigerian Court of Appeal, “extended her help to his colleagues” while in office.

A recently retired justice of the Supreme Court complained a lot of its workings. Not to mention the complaints against the top Oga of the Supreme Court who once led other justices to complain against the former top Oga of the Supreme Court.

Series of conflicting judgments are becoming a defining feature of ours courts.

The idea of the court as an umpire is fast becoming extinct. If any unknown backbencher politician wants me lock up tomorrow, being Sunday, don’t be surprised for the lines of judges ready to grant his request.

Where justice is delayed and denied, fears and favours determining verdicts, faith in the court is eroded. This is why our country has become a planet of jungle justice. People think that the courts are haven for criminals. The densely populated prisons in Nigeria are a repulsive testimony to the putrid stench of our entire judicial system.

So, it’s now left for our courts to either redeem their battered image or continue to sink into the abys. They’re designed to be the last refuge for the oppressed, not a refuse for the oppressor. If writing a letter would make it deliver justice, we should all be letter writers to the Supreme Court.

Dikko writes from Katsina State, Nigeria.

By Ukasha Rabiu Magama

The last time the Bauchi state government recruited teachers in its primary and secondary schools was in 2014-2015 when Dr Malam Isah Yuguda was in power. Since then, no single teacher has been employed again in the sector, though there have been cases of retirement, changes of cadres, and death.

It may not interest readers to hear that with these sad and unwelcome developments, Bauchi state has been enumerated among the states with many out-of-school children in Nigeria. According to UNESCO, in October 2022, Bauchi had the highest figures, amounting to 1,239,759.

These alarming figures are not unconnected to the government’s failure to recruit apt teachers, provide enough instructional materials and non-payment of staff salaries. This weird and mind-boggling development has thrown thousands of Bauchi kids out of school and, sadly, others to street begging and other criminal activities. 

Imagine a primary school having one teacher with a population of about 350 pupils. There are many schools in the Lame district of Toro local government with only one teacher. Also, not just Lame district but almost all primary schools in the state’s rural areas face similar problems. Pupils receive classes under the shed trees with no chairs. Hmm! Primary schools and even our secondary schools are in terrible condition.

Recently, the Daily Trust newspaper reported how the lack of teachers and infrastructure forced the closure of many primary schools and turned pupils into farmers in Alkaleri, the governor’s local government. Still, Daily Trust gathered that multiple public primary schools, especially in the semi-urban and rural areas of the state, are either run by volunteer teachers hired by the community development committee or by public-spirited individuals in their quest to attract parents and children who are shunning school.

Surprisingly, the authorities are aware of the situation. There was a time when Korijo Usman, the SUBEB director of state, told journalists that there were 79 primary schools in Misau’s local government, and each school had one teacher.

The governor had once condemned the system while expressing dissatisfaction with the Dumi school’s bad condition. He stated that he was unhappy with SUBEB and the state’s ministry of education. 

Therefore, if the governor can condemn the system and nothing has been done to fix it, then our kids’ future is at stake. Also, the government has indicated its ineptitude to restore the system.

If the World Bank and other NGOs could donate huge funds, just revamp the system. I accused the state government of embezzling the funds since nothing has been done yet.

However, the dilapidating condition of the schools must be attributed to the activities of vandals and the negligence of the host communities; government negligence contributed to nearly 70% of the problems. It is undeniable that unscrupulous elements are carting away schools’ belongings, having government agents as masterminders.

Therefore, education in Bauchi state is on the verge of collapse as there are many no’s. As such, I’m calling on the present administration of Bala Muhammad Abdulkadir to employ sufficient teachers, build enough classes, and renovate the abandoned ones as a matter of urgent public importance. 

Notwithstanding, paying teachers’ salaries on time and promoting those who are supposed to be promoted would help revitalise the education sector in the state; if not, the whole system will soon collapse, and the position of the state education sector will be nowhere to be found. 

Ukasha Rabiu Magama writes from Magama, Toro, Bauchi State, and can be reached at Ukasharabiu95@gmail.com.

By Muhammad Miftahuddeen Isa

The plight of secondary school students in government schools across Bauchi State is getting worse by the day, and their situation, if left unattended, would do a lot of harm to the future of the State. 

Education is the key to civilisation; it influences growth and frustrates mediocrity in thoughts and aspirations. It, therefore, becomes pertinent to teach the right mindset to students, teachers and those saddled with the responsibility of providing quality education to our brethren. However, while orienting our brothers and sisters in secondary schools on how to succeed in life, we were baffled to learn that our schools lack adequate teachers to teach and guide students towards a prosperous future. 

BALAWSAN Law Week was my way of bidding farewell to the one-year service to the Bauchi State Law Students’ Association of Nigeria—as its President. But contrary to what people had imagined, all my programs centred on secondary school students. At least, that’s what many would say, even though the Members of BALAWSAN were never left behind.

We intended to unveil young men with great potential and build more capable leaders through mindset reorientation and capacity building. We have achieved that— through the direct beneficiaries of the programs— our members and the secondary school students—most especially during the Debate Competition we organised between Secondary Schools, where young, intelligent students were given the platform to display their oratory prowess and consequently, the chance to realise their worth and capabilities. I am happy with how things turned out, for I am confident now that we do not lack talents in Bauchi State; we lack the will to invest in them. I will explain this further in the subsequent paragraphs.

On the 26th of October, 2023, my team and I arrived at Sa’adu Zungur Model Secondary School at about 11 am for a Career Awareness Program, with which we declared open the first BALAWSAN Law Week, 2023. The School is among the most reputed Public Schools in Bauchi State, and naturally, we would expect their standards to fit their public image. The Principal gave us a warm welcome, after which we were ushered into the Hall booked for the event. 

My friend, who coupled as the Master of Ceremony, introduced the purpose for which we were there, after which I was invited to deliver a brief lecture on “what it means to be a Lawyer” and subsequently, Miss. Atika Garba Hassan and Mr. Bilyamin Aliyu Salisu— both fresh graduates of Law— delivered lectures on “The Requirements for Law Admission in Nigerian Institutions” and “The Mindset for Success”, respectively. It was both an exciting and impactful program for everyone until we started dishing out questions, and as expected, the students answered passionately. 

As is the practice, we allowed for questions from the audience. Both students and staff asked many important questions, but the one that occupies my mind even as I write this piece is: “Literature in English, as Miss. Atika has explained it is a requirement for a person who intends to pursue a career in Law, and we have no Literature on English teaching in this school. Not only in this School but in the whole of Bauchi State, we had two of them, one of whom is deceased now. The Government is doing its best. The question now is, how could our students be qualified to study law under this circumstance? Another thing is that we do not have sufficient teachers to teach Government.”

Ordinarily, every good citizen would find it troubling to know that one of the best public secondary schools in Bauchi has no teacher available to teach one of the most important subjects for every Art Class Student— I am a good citizen. To call this a disappointment is the highest I could go in leniency, and to call a spade a spade. It is the zenith of cruelty perpetrated by the government of Bauchi State, every stakeholder in the state’s education sector, parents, and all the people of Bauchi State. How could this be happening without anyone saying anything? This is a time bomb, and unless it is dismantled, an abode is guaranteed in hell for all of us— both the Actors and Spectators. If this is what we found out in less than the Two hours we had been in the School, how much more does the Ministry of Education know? How much more does individual School Management know? And how much more do we need to know before we act?

It is common knowledge that even the Commissioner and Directors of the Ministry of Education and Principals and Teachers of Public Schools do not have their wards enrolled in public schools, which has contributed to the criminal neglect of the schools. How can you be selling to people what you cannot use yourself? How can you ask people to trust the institution you steer when you do not trust such institutions with your children? But it is okay. I know they would rather point fingers than do the right thing, but at least these students— the ones we have neglected— should have qualified teachers capable of helping them (the students) achieve their goals. 

I know many schools face the same or worse challenges, and it is equally public knowledge that the State Government has the means to build roads; why would those funds not be diverted to support the God-given talents of the thousands of students caged in cave-like classrooms, with goals and the willingness to pursue them, but with no teachers to teach important subjects? Why would Parents have the energy to supervise the distribution of palliatives but turn a deaf ear to the intellectual sufferings of their wards? Why would Student Unions continue to waste funds on frivolous events even after knowing the problems bedevilling our brothers and sisters in schools? There are many whys, but the most important is why we call ourselves “human beings” when we peacefully sleep at night ignoring the plight of thousands of young promising students who have no one but us to fight for them?! Why?!

To fight this menace, all hands should be on deck to champion the change required to restore public confidence in public schools. The Government should provide a conducive environment for learning, engage the services of qualified teachers for every subject— in every school— and improve the welfare of both the teaching and non-teaching staff in the Education Sector. Adequate measures should also be implemented to ensure those saddled with responsibilities discharge them effectively. Parents should be willing to inquire about the things being taught in schools through diligent inspection of notes and friendly conversations tailored towards finding out the needs of their wards about their plans and whether the school can cover those efficiently. 

Student Union Leaders should accept the responsibility that comes with their titles; they should prioritise quality education through advocacy, and tangible projects centred towards achieving access to quality education and career guidance. Private Organizations should utilise the resources available for their corporate social responsibility, or a reasonable percentage thereof, to support the Government in realising access to quality education. 

We must do what we can to curtail this menace that feeds on the foundation of our civilisation and progress. Every one of us must do what we can to uphold the integrity and standards of our Educational System. Every Child deserves a fair chance at proving their worth and capabilities, and no child deserves a school that lacks the facilities to support their dreams. Everyone must be able to speak up when they see anything undermining the quality of education received anywhere— in private and public schools.

Muhammad Miftahuddeen Isa writes from Bauchi State and can be contacted via Muftahuddeenisa@gmail.com.

By Mukhtar Jarmajo

Great leaders not only have vision, they also share it with others and inspire many others to create their own. Leadership is simply about understanding present problems as they affect the future and taking concrete steps to solve the problems in such a way that the future will be better and brighter. And in the annals of Nigeria, many visionary leaders, who Nigerians are still enjoying from the fruits of their visionary leadership, have come and gone. Talk about Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Nnamdi Azikwe, Ahmadu Bello, Obafemi Awolowo, Samuel Ladoke Akintola, Michael Okpara, J. S. Tarka, Sir Kashim Ibrahim and a host of their contemporaries, they are remembered for their struggle for Nigeria’s independence as well as laying the country’s foundation in its journey to nationhood.

After them, many others have followed their foot steps. In the cause of time, Nigeria has had leaders whose footprints on the sands of time are indelible. The late Gen. Murtala Ramat Mohammed and the late Umaru Musa Yaradua are, respectively, remembered for both their anti-corruption posture and drive for national unity. In the same vein, Mallam Isa Yuguda, an economic czar, Nigeria’s former minister of transport and aviation respectively, and erstwhile Bauchi state governor, is celebrated for making immense contributions in the development of Nigeria’s banking sector, transforming the nation’s transport and aviation sectors as well as raising Bauchi state to a higher threshold of development.

Last Saturday, 16th December, 2023, in its maiden combined convocation ceremony, the Sa’adu Zungur University, Gadau, Bauchi state, awarded Mallam Isa Yuguda an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Management. At the ceremony, 7,543 graduates from six academic sessions were presented for the award of graduate and postgraduate degrees. At this juncture, it’s instructive to note that the point of interest is not that Isa Yuguda received an award or that the university has thus far graduated more than seven thousand students. Rather, what is most fascinating is the fact that Mallam Isa Yuguda established the University back in 2010 when he held sway as Bauchi state governor. Thus, through his visionary leadership, the erstwhile governor established what has become a prestigious center of excellence in learning.

At the time the University was established, there was the problem of many Bauchi state indigenous students not being able to gain admission into federal universities largely because of quota system and distance, especially for female students. But education is so important that at whatever cost, it must be gained. And given that one of the primary responsibilities of government is to ensure the security, safety and well-being of the citizenry through upholding law and order as well as providing healthcare services, education etcetera, the Isa Yuguda administration thought of building the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, a new Specialist Hospital and the Sa’adu Zungur University.

Speaking on behalf of the awardees at the convocation ceremony, Mallam Isa Yuguda noted that the University is a beacon of hope that will not only prepare the youth for future challenges but will also cause rapid socioeconomic development in Bauchi state. This is how visionary leaders shape the future of a nation. Mallam Isa Yuguda’s visionary approach in leadership is an example to present and future leaders and his Honourary Doctorate award by the Sa’adu Zungur University is a testament to his remarkable impact on education in not only Bauchi state in particular but also the entire nation in general.

Jarmajo wrote from Wuse 2, Abuja.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

A young lame Nigerian man who defied expectations to not only graduate with a Master’s degree in Public Health and Health Promotion from Brunel University in London but also become a beacon of hope for those facing adversity. 

Overcoming the challenges of polio since childhood, Mahmud Abdullahi recently took to Facebook page to share his inspiring journey, a message that resonated deeply with many. 

His post, a blend of personal reflection and a call to action for fellow graduates, quickly went viral, sparking jubilation and admiration across social media. 

“My story is a blend of challenges and triumphs,” he wrote. “From battling poliomyelitis since infancy to standing here with a Master’s degree – it’s been a ride.” 

But for Mahmud Abdullahi, these challenges were not obstacles, but defining moments. “Challenges don’t define us; they refine us,” he wrote, his words echoing a message of unyielding spirit. 

His achievement goes beyond a personal victory 

Mahmud sees his graduation as a celebration of diversity, inclusion, and the boundless potential of education. 

“Today, I wear this cap and gown not just for me,” he stated, “but for everyone who defies expectations.”

He inspires a generation of changemakers, urging his fellow graduates to become “agents of change” in the field of public health, entrusted with the well-being of communities and the pursuit of equity. 

The journey wasn’t easy 

The late nights, forged friendships, and unwavering support of mentors are memories he cherishes. But above all, it’s the “spirit of resilience” that he credits for bringing him and his fellow graduates to this point. 

As they embark on the next chapter, he leaves a powerful message: “No obstacle is too great. Our stories are proof that we’re capable of overcoming anything.”

His story is not just an inspiration for Nigeria, but for anyone who dares to dream and fight for a better future, proving that even the most difficult paths can lead to remarkable achievements.