Education

By Uzair Adam Imam

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Prof. Mamman Lawan, has described government’s interference in court’s decisions as one of the major challenges facing judges in Nigeria.

Prof. Mamman Lawan  stated this Tuesday, 4th October, 2022 during a one-day seminar organized by Faculty of Law, Bayero University, Kano, in collaboration with  Bn Baaz, Kariya and Naseeha Foundations.

The seminar held at Islamic Forum of Nigeria Hall, Farm Center, Kano, was themed: “Justice as a Panacea to Insecurity in Northern Nigeria.”

He decried how big office holders and politicians stick their noses into the courts’ decisions, thereby making it difficult for judges to do justice in their decisions.

Lawan stated: “Politicians used to interfere with the courts decisions and spend millions of naira in the cases they have interest in.

“Therefore, judges and lawyers need to know that it is ethically wrong to collect bribe and do injustice. Without justice, there would be no society and there would be chaos and insecurity.”

Govt needs to increase allowance for judges, lawyers to tackle corruption

Corruption roams our courts today and affect their decisions. The reason was believed to be unconnected with poor salary and allowances by the government.

One of the Judges confidentially told the TDR reporter after the event that the monthly salary of judges is between N100,000 and 180,000 and N125,000 as furniture allowance after every four years.

Lawan said that there is a need for government to increase allowance for the Nigerian judges and lawyers to tackle corruption in the courts.

He added, “Government does not provide our judges and lawyers with enough allowances to halt corruption in our courts.

“This will help stop the judges from taking bribe from any politician,” he suggested.

Lawyers contribute to injustice in Nigeria

Also speaking, the Kano State High Court Judge, Justice Saminu Nasiru, blamed Nigerian lawyers for contributing to injustice in court decisions.

He said, “For this reason, it has become necessary for lawyers and judges to fear God and to remember meeting with their lord in the day of judgment.”

By Murtala Muhammad, PhD

In July 2015, Reuben Abati, the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Goodluck Jonathan, bemoaned that his phones that rang endlessly remained deafeningly silent when his boss was voted out of power. Sadly, the phones of thousands of colleagues, family and friends of Abdullahi Ali Yakasai stopped receiving goodwill messages from him from the fateful morning of Tuesday, 20th September, 2022. The phone calls and messages ceased coming. The calls, messages and personal visits did a vanishing act. The daily admonitions and glad tidings dried up because Comrade Abdullahi Ali Yakasai was no more. Our phones remained deadly silent from his messages. His death is indeed devastating and heart breaking for the people of: Yakasai Quarters, National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT) community at both Branch and National levels, Association of Science Laboratory Technologists of Nigeria (ASLTON), the teaching and non-teaching staff at Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil and the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Kano State Chapter, mourned one of its most formidable and reliable comrades.

Without a shadow of doubts, Abdullahi Ali Yakasai was a man of many facets – a family man, public servant, labour leader, community developer and humanist. Yakasai’s patience allowed him to win the hearts of many. In Yakasai, Abdullahi was an expert who could see beyond short term gains with admirable consciousness in the promotion of togetherness and socio-economic development. He, alongside other leaders of Yakasai Zumunta mobilised resources for the execution of basic infrastructure and amenities that raised the living standard of the community. To keep the restive youths from the allure of anti-social gambits, they floated community funds mobilisation to pay SSCE fees for the less privileged students. He also participated actively in the provision of the material needs of the poor widows and vulnerable members in the community. The forum also floated scholarship awards to ensure that indigent and intelligent secondary and tertiary school students acquire the 21st Century skills for self-sustenance.

In community planning, Abdullahi was visionary. He planned projects with cognitive maps allowing him to organize his plans and tease out flaws. He chaired and served as member to committees celebrating outstanding sons and daughters of Yakasai. He was a man who was responsible and accountable to his commitments. Comrade Auwalu Mudi Yakasai claimed that “being a community leader is not an easy task.” One of the major dilemmas faced is the conflict between responding to the needs of the family and the collective needs; both are legitimate concerns. To one’s astonishment, Abdullahi balanced the two. He also became magnets of other tasks in the community. Having proven that he could be depended upon, he was eventually appointed into all other tasks. He sets aside his personal ambitions in order to facilitate the development of others. He absolutely excelled at everything he puts his attention to. With a personal mantra of, “do the right thing, the right way, and right now” he lived and died in activism and community development.

The Chairman, Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), Kano State, Comrade Kabiru Ado Minjibir, said: “NLC honours and cherishes Comrade Abdullahi for what he has done for labour and recognizes his life well spent for better labour in Kano State and Nigeria.” Abdullahi served in the capacity as Treasurer, NAAT-KUST, Wudil; Treasurer, ASLTON at the National level; Member, State Executive Council, NLC, Kano State; Chairman, Gamji Memorial Association, Kano State Chapter; Member Executive Committee, KUST Multipurpose Cooperative Society; Member, Old Boys Association among many other positions. Abdullahi Ali lived up to billings of his name “Comrade”. He was extraordinarily generous in sharing his time and wisdom with younger comrades; most notably in his role as a mentor. Across his decades-long career as a union activist, organiser and leader, he was completely dedicated to empowering workers to take action to win improvements in their lives at work and in broader society. He campaigned for dignity, respect, peace and for a better world for all.

Abdullahi was friendly and accommodating. His messages were delivered through SMS, Facebook Messenger, Instagram DM and WhatsApp on daily and weekly basis. Many confessed that his message alerts announced to them, it is Friday. Speaking to me, Umar Abdurrahman, a staff of KUST, described Abdullahi as a colleague of inestimable value, who cared and loved everyone to a fault. He noted that his memories would remain indelible. “I received SMS from Abdullahi every Friday. More fascinating, I never met him in person. He treated me like a friend. He was someone who spread happiness and peace. His care will be missed forever. His legacy lives and breathes kindness. His efforts to give pieces of valuable advice and hard work among other virtues, will be remembered.” The response of many after the announcement of his death was “we have lost a friend.”

May Allah in His infinite mercy forgive Abdullahi Ali Yakasai, a lovely person, kind and generous not just with material things but with his time, intelligence wealth of experience. May Allah give his family the fortitude to bear the loss of a tireless advocate of any just cause.

Dr. Murtala Muhammad is an Associate Professor of International and Strategic Studies,
Kano University of Science and Technology, Wudil.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero has called on women to follow in the footsteps of Prof. Umma Ahmad Jalingo, the president of the Nigerian Economic Society (NES).

He made the call Thursday at the closing ceremony of a 3-day conference on Fiscal Sustainability and Policy Response for Economic Recovery in Nigeria held in Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (MAAUN), Kano.

The Emir commended her efforts and tasked her to work to the best of her ability to ensure success and to also be the subject of example in the history of NES and Nigeria as a whole.

He added that the conference and the papers presented were very relevant to current Nigeria’s economic situation.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

A renowned Kano lawyer, activist, commentator and philanthropist, Barrister Sunusi Musa was among the 62 lawyers elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

The LPPC, in a statement signed by its secretary and the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Hajo Bello, disclosed this on Thursday, September 29 2022. Hajo also disclosed that the new SANs would be officially conferred with the rank on November 21, 2022.

The title of SAN is the equivalent of the Queen’s Counsel in the United Kingdom. It is conferred on persons qualified to practice as barristers and solicitors of the Supreme Court of Nigeria and who have distinguished themselves in the practice of law.

Over the years, the rules governing the conferment have been amended to accommodate law teachers and scholars who have contributed immensely to the teaching and learning of the law. Federal and state prosecutors who have excelled in the practice of law within the dictates of their engagement are also now considered for the SAN title.

The LPPC, which is chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, also have members like the Attorney General of the Federation and distinguished heads of courts and reputable senior advocates as its members.

The basic requirements for a lawyer to be elevated to the inner bar include:

1: Good Character and calm temperament;

2: Must be qualified to practice as a legal practitioner in Nigeria for not less than ten years;

3: Must have appearances at the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal and other courts of record;

4: A good law office and law library are considered in the case of lawyers in private practice, amongst other things.

Few privileges are also enjoyed by SANs to the exclusion of other lawyers. These include:

1: Sitting at the inner bar or front roll and being given the opportunity of mentioning their cases before junior counsel;

2: Must appear with a junior counsel in a civil case;

3: Appear in a distinct robe on certain legal occasions;

4: The title also attracts more legal fees and professional patronage from clients and members of the public.

By Muhammad Aminu

The Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) has charged higher education institutions that benefit from its interventions to ensure strict compliance with the public procurement process to prevent corruption.

TETFund Executive Secretary, Architect Sonny Echono, disclosed this while opening a three-day capacity-building workshop on the public procurement process for TETFund beneficiary institutions organized by TETFund in collaboration with the public procurement Bureau (BPP) in Kano.

He said the training was for the institutions from the Northwest and Northeast subregions of the country to get equipped with the procurement processes to curtail corrupt practices in the agency’s projects.

He noted that the training would serve as a refresher training for desk officers of TETFund in the 246 enlisted beneficiary tertiary institutions across Nigeria.

Echono further called on the participants to utilise the opportunity and enhance their knowledge in public procurement law to achieve the desired objectives.

In his presentation, the Director General of the BPP, Mamman Ahmadu, said the workshop that intends to ensure attaining the provision of the public procurement Act came at the right moment.

”We are here today to build the capacity of accounting officers, principal officers, public officers and other key players in the procurement value chain.”

He said BPP would ensure that all provisions of the procurement act are strictly adhered in procurement in the Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.

By Muhammad Sabiu

The National Universities Commission, on behalf of the Federal Government, today rescinded the circular that earlier instructed vice-chancellors, pro chancellors, and governing councils to reopen federal universities.

Recall that it was early on reported that all vice-chancellors, pro chancellors, and chairmen of governing councils of federal universities received a circular with the subject line NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135, directing them to reopen their institutions.

However, the commission reverses the directive few hours later, in a subsequent circular with the reference number NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/136, which was also signed by Sam Onazi, the NUC’s director of finance and accounts.

Without categorically stating the reason behind the U-turn, the letter tagged, “withdrawal of circular NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135 dated September 23, 2022” noted, “I have been directed to withdraw the NUC Circular Ref: NUC/ES/138/Vol.64/135, and dated September 23, 2022, on the above subject.

“Consequently, the said circular stands withdrawn. All pro-chancellors and chairmen of governing councils, as well as vice-chancellors of federal universities, are to please note. Further development and information would be communicated to all relevant stakeholders.

“Please accept the assurances of the Executive Secretary’s warmest regards”

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Federal Government Monday has ordered the universities’ vice-chencellors to re-open schools to allow students to resume lectures.

The FG gave the order through the National Universities Commission (NUC) on Monday, September 26, 2022.

The directive was contained in a letter singed by the Director, Finance and Accounts of the NUC, Sam Onazi, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the commission, Professor Abubakar Rasheed.

NUC instructed that all vice-chancellors; Pro-Chancellors and chairmen of governing councils of federal universities should re-open schools.

The instruction reads: “Ensure that ASUU members immediately resume/commence lectures; Restore the daily activities and routines of the various University campuses.’’

It could be recalled that, with the deadlock in negotiation between the FG and ASUU members, the federal government went to court to challenge the action of the association.

In its latest session on the case, the National Industrial Court, through Polycarp Humman, the presiding judge, granted the federal government’s application for an interlocutory injunction to restrain ASUU from continuing with the strike.

Recall that ASUU has been on a strike since February 14, 2022. The university lecturers have down tools to press their demands home on issues that boarder on improved work environment, facilities, and upholding of various agreement entered between the union and federal government.

By Rabiu Muhammad Gama

Prof. Yuval N. Harari might be a fake scholar, as some critics are desperately “begging” us to accept and believe. Some critics also imply that he might be the most grossly over-hyped and rigorously marketed scholar in the West. Harari might be basking in unearned attention. He might even be an irritating know-it-all or an intellectual nuisance.

The scientific community might have debunked most of his claims. His works might be riddled with some historical and scientific errors here and there. He might not deserve the wide global acclaim he is receiving today. His works might be replete with idle speculations and groundless generalizations that many scholars find annoying.

However, you cannot dismiss the fact that Harari always asks the big questions – the earthshaking questions that every intellectual worth his salt should be obsessed with. And there’s some “indismissable” magic that seems to clothe his books: when you read his books, you can’t help but feel a bit smarter and/or more informed than anyone who hasn’t read them.

To say Harari is highbrow is a sheer understatement. He is a perfect definition of a polymath. He is blessed with an unusual brain, a razor-sharp brain. His grasp of the esoteric world of science and the humanities is as baffling as it is admirable. Very few scholars can merge science and the humanities as Harari does.

If anything, the torrent of bashings and roastings that Harari is receiving lately from some of the finest critics in the world is a testimony that he has come up with something fascinating that makes his readers curious and his critics restless. Of course, some people might like to dismiss him as a mere talented storyteller. Nonetheless, and at the risk of sounding hyperbolic, he is one of the greatest intellectuals around!

Rabiu Gama wrote from Kano, Nigeria via rabiumuhammadgama0@gmail.com.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Kano State Ministry of Education on Saturday conducted a screening test for the state’s candidates that would be sponsored to study in Bilingual College, Niamey, the capital city of the Niger Republic.

A statement Saturday by the Director Public Enlightenment, Ministry of Education Kano state, Aliyu Yusuf, said the test was in preparation for the 2021/2022 admission exercise.

Bilingual College is a joint initiative between the Kano State Government and the Government of Niger Republic to groom students in French and English languages.

The statement read in part, “The Screening test which was conducted across the 3 senatorial zones of the state was aimed at selecting 1 best candidate each from the 44 local government council areas of the state to study at the college.

“Similarly, another selection exercise will be conducted among the remaining candidates that have attended the screening test for the Bilingual College, with a view to admitting them into various Unity  Schools across 18 northern states that runs  Students exchange programme.

“In the same vein, the ministry has also facilitated the movement of another set of Kano state students that conducted an entry examination into Gifted Academy, Bamaina in Jigawa.

“The Successful students at the end of the examination will be sponsored to study at the Gifted Academy Bamaina by the Jigawa state Government,” the statement added.

By Uzair Adam Imam

Medical equipment worth N200 million was donoted to Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, in Ogun State, by one of the school’s alumni.

The alumnus identified as Dr. Tokunbo Ogunfemi, is a UK-based clinical scientist and lecturer at a university in London.

Ogunfemi stated that the donation was part of his efforts to give back to his alma mater.

He added that the medical instrument would allow students to gain practical knowledge in addition to theoretical aspects taught in class.

Ogunfemi was quoted to have said, “There are about 10 equipment and each is within the worth £ 23, 000. The other four set, is £20, 000, and the last set is about £15, 000. Like I said, I didn’t pay for any of them. I collected them from the hospital where I work.

“Twelve microscopes for malaria parasites; they can use it to detect if you have short blood; they can use it to test anemia, food poison, diabetes, low sugar etc.

“There is one for the detection of early cancer; there are also microscopes – for detection of microorganisms and microbes; there are instrument to check people with staphylococcus among others.

“All those instrument belong to them. They are in the range of N150 million to N200 million. I didn’t pay for it but, I used about N1.5 million to ship it.”

Ogunfemi was commended by the Chairman, Governing Council of the Polytechnic,  Dr  Veronica Ogbuagu, and the Rector, Dr Olusegun Aluko.

They disclosed that the donation was received during the council meeting to serve as honour to the donor.