Education

Colleagues and former students of Abdulrazak Gurnah, from the Department of English and Literary Studies, Bayero University, Kano, congratulate him, as he emerged this year’s winner of the prestigious Nobel prize in Literature.

According to one of his former students, Ibrahim Garba, “we already foresaw than in him, since the 1980s when he taught us in the department, here in Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria. He deserves it. Gurnah has always been enthusiastic about Literature and today he attained the highest and most popular status. Congratulation sir”, he said. He added that “Bayero University, Kano would be equally happy and part of this achievement, as a place where Gurnah worked and served diligently.

According to the Guardian Newspaper, UK, the “Tanzanian novelist is named laureate for ‘uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism’

The Nobel prize in literature has been awarded to the novelist Abdulrazak Gurnah, for his “uncompromising and compassionate penetration of the effects of colonialism and the fate of the refugee in the gulf between cultures and continents”.

Gurnah, who grew up on one of the islands of Zanzibar and arrived in England as a refugee in the 1960s, has published 10 novels as well as a number of short stories. Anders Olsson, chair of the Nobel committee, said that the Tanzanian writer’s novels, from his debut Memory of Departure, about a failed uprising, to his most recent, the “magnificent”, Afterlives, “recoil from stereotypical descriptions and open our gaze to a culturally diversified East Africa unfamiliar to many in other parts of the world”.

No black African writer has won the prize since Wole Soyinka in 1986. Gurnah is the first Tanzanian writer to win.

Gurnah’s fourth novel, Paradise, was shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 1994. Olsson said that it “has obvious reference to Joseph Conrad in its portrayal of the innocent young hero Yusuf’s journey to the heart of darkness”, but is also a coming of age tale, and a sad love story.

As a writer, Gurnah “has consistently and with great compassion penetrated the effects of colonialism in East Africa, and its effects on the lives of uprooted and migrating individuals”, Olsson told gathered journalists in Stockholm.

Gurnah was in the kitchen when he was informed of his win, said Olsson, and the committee had “a long and very positive” conversation with him.

Gurnah’s most recent novel Afterlives tells of Ilyas, who was stolen from his parents by German colonial troops as a boy and returns to his village after years fighting in a war against his own people. It was described in the Guardian as “a compelling novel, one that gathers close all those who were meant to be forgotten, and refuses their erasure”.

“In Gurnah’s literary universe, everything is shifting – memories, names, identities. This is probably because his project cannot reach completion in any definitive sense,” said Olsson. “An unending exploration driven by intellectual passion is present in all his books, and equally prominent now, in Afterlives, as when he began writing as a 21-year-old refugee.”

Afterlives by Abdulrazak Gurnah review – living through colonialism

Worth 10m Swedish krona (£840,000), the Nobel prize for literature goes to the writer deemed to be, in the words of Alfred Nobel’s will, “the person who shall have produced in the field of literature the most outstanding work in an ideal direction”. Winners have ranged from Bob Dylan, cited for “having created new poetic expressions within the great American song tradition”, to Kazuo Ishiguro “who, in novels of great emotional force, has uncovered the abyss beneath our illusory sense of connection with the world”.According to Ellen Mattson, who sits on the Swedish Academy and the Nobel committee: “Literary merit. That’s the only thing that counts.”

The Nobel winner is chosen by the 18 members of the Swedish Academy – an august and mysterious organisation that has made efforts to become more transparent after it was hit by a sexual abuse and financial misconduct scandal in 2017. Last year’s prize went to the American poet Louise Glück – an uncontroversial choice after the uproar provoked by the Austrian writer Peter Handke’s win in 2019. Handke had denied the Srebrenica genocide and attended the funeral of war criminal Slobodan Milošević.

The Nobel prize for literature has been awarded 118 times. Just 16 of the awards have gone to women, seven of those in the 21st century. In 2019, the Swedish academy promised the award would become less “male-oriented” and “Eurocentric”, but proceeded to give its next two prizes to two Europeans, Handke and Polish writer Olga Tokarczuk.”

Compiled by Aisar Fagge

Today, October 5, is designated as World Teacher’s Day. Students across the globe are celebrating the day with their teachers by sending them flowers, cards, taking them out for dinner and writing goodwill messages on various social media platforms.

The Daily Reality collects some opinions of Nigerian students about this day. Here are some:

IN MOST CASES, we look at many successful people without remembering those people that held the lamp for them. Teachers are the light-bearers of success, the beacons of progress and the building blocks of a good generation. “Islamiyya teachers” at the top, and the Boko teachers; they all hold lamps for us. But they are less assisted, remembered and appreciated.

By Khadija Muhammad

It has been widely circulated that the Senate of Bayero University, Kano, has extended its resumption time from October 4, 2021, to the first week of November. However, students were worried as nothing was mentioned concerning the actual time of closing registration. Nevertheless, today, The Daily Reality newspaper has seen and verified a Facebook post of the Dean, Student Affairs, Bayero University, Kano, Professor Shamsuddeen Umar. The Dean posted as follows:

“Dear BUK Students.
1. With [the] extension of the resumption time, the registration time has also been extended accordingly. So the registration portal will not close and even if it closes it will be opened again. So there is no cause for alarm.

2. The Vice-Chancellor has increased the number of students to benefit from the Indigent scholarship. The list will soon be pasted and this year close [to] 500 students will get #50,000 each to help them register and do other things.

3. The Vice-Chancellor has also directed for the employment of interested students, to do some work during their lecture-free time in the University and they will be receiving payment weekly to enable them [to] cater for themselves while studying.

I wish all of you success,
Prof. Shamsuddeen Umar
DSA

By Abubakar Muhammad Musa

The Nigerian Institute of Translation and Interpreters (NITI) formed Kano State Council*

Shortly after the International Translation Day organized by the National body, then a three member committee (the NITI National President Prof. Hafizu Miko Yakasai, NITI Publicity Secretary Mustapha Adamu Indabawa and Associate Professor Isa Yusuf Chamo HOD Linguistics & Foreign Languages, Bayero University Kano) coordinated the formation and inauguration of Kano State Council of the Institute. The following executive members were unanimously elected:

1. Mustapha Adamu Indabawa, MIIMA, MNITI – Chairman, Kano State Council.

2. Muhammad Sagir Abdullahi, MNITI: 1st Vice Chairman.

3. Dr. Halima Umar Sani, MNITI: 2nd Vice Chairman.

4. Yagana Ali: 3rd Vice Chairman.

5. Abubakar Muhammad Musa (Saraki), MNITI: Publicity Secretary.

6. Nadiya Muftahu Garba: Treasurer.

7.Dr. Isa Muhammad Inuwa, MNITI: Secretary General.

8. Ibrahim Is’haq Ɗan’uwa Rano: Assistant Secretary General.

9. Prof. Mustapha Ahmad Isa Former Vice Chancellor Yusuf Maitama Sule University Kano: Ex-Officio.

10. Dr. Aminu Bello Muhammad, Registrar Kano University of Technology, Wudil: Ex-Officio.

Similarly, the NITI Kano State Council had seen the need for the formation of two special committees that would handle organization of the ITD at State Council level and Trainings for members of NITI at the State Council level. Thus, the two special committees were formed as follows:

i) A special Committee on International Translation Day, with Malam Nura Ahmad of Arewa24 as Chairman, while Malam Badsha Mukhtar and Patience Abo would serve as members of the Committee.

ii) Training and Capacity Building Committee: This Committee would handle seminars, capacity building workshops and professional trainings on translation and interpretation or anything relevant, this Committee would be under the watch of Dr. Muhammad Sulaiman Abdullahi, as Training Officer I and Dr. Jamilu Abdullahi – Training Officer II. Plus two other members fom the media.

Abubakar Muhammad Musa (Saraki), MNITI, Publicity Secretary NITI Kano State Council

The Federal University Birnin Kebbi (FUBK) inaugurated a Joint-committee on collaboration with Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi on Thursday, September 23, 2021.

The collaboration which is aimed at promoting symbiotic relations between the two institutions would be geared towards experience sharing, staff and students exchange, use of instructional and workshop facilities, among others.

In their separate remarks, Vice Chancellor Prof. BB Shehu and Rector of Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Birnin Kebbi emphasized that the collaboration could not have come at a better time as the University started ten (10) new programmes in relevant of common interests.

The Vice Chancellor who frowned at frightening statistics and low-level gap of educational status in northern Nigerian states, particularly Kebbi also disclosed that the University would commence twenty (20) new programmes in 2022. This includes Urban and Regional Planning, Estate Management, Industrial Design, Software Engineering, Biotechnology, Medical Laboratory, Science Laboratory Technology, among others.

He highlighted that while the Polytechnic groom students to attain Diplomas and NCEs, the partnership would enable them to secure regular and top-up Degree Programmes in their various fields of human endeavour at the University.

In appreciation, the Rector who was represented by Deputy Rector, Dr. Usman Tunga acknowledged the “speedy” transformation of the University. He said the Polytechnic is delighted to affiliate with the University to commence new programmes on Environmental Studies and other relevant fields.

He further appreciated the University for accommodating staff of the Polytechnic on sabbatical and visiting appointments, hoping that the dream of the collaboration would come true in no time.

Meanwhile, the Registrar of the University Mal. Abubakar Aliyu and his Polytechnic counterpart, Mal. Atiku Muhammad Bello harped on optimal synergy while presenting members of the Joint Committee.

FUBK Bulletin reports that the Committee is chaired by the Director Post Graduate Studies of the Polytechnic, Dr. Sani Ahmad Alhaji, while Barr. Abdulkadir Abubakar of the University Legal Unit serves as Secretary.

Members of the Committee from the Polytechnic are Director Academic Planning, Isiyaku Abdullahi; Director Environmental Studies, Dr Utenge Jonathan and Head of Statistics Department, Dr. Abubakar B. Dallatu.

Other Committee members from the University include the Dean of Post Graduate School, Prof. UM Chafe; Director Academic Planning, Dr. Aliyu A. Turaki and Director, Management Information System, Dr. Abdulhakeem Ibrahim.

(Signed)

Jamilu M Magaji,
Public Relations Officer,
Federal University Birnin Kebbi.
September 28, 2021

As the National Universities Commission (NUC) names 67 illegal universities in Nigeria, The Daily Reality found out that there are many Christian universities that fall under the illegal list.

The NUC has published a list of 67 illegal universities in Nigeria. AbatiMedia reported that “the Executive Secretary, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed signed a public notice on the NUC website.”

The names include those claiming to be affiliates of foreign universities in the country.

In the list (below), institutions that have ‘other campuses’ are indicated with “others”; those ‘operating anywhere in Nigeria’ have “anywhere” as suffixes.

1. University of Accountancy and Management Studies

2. Christians of Charity American University of Science and Technology, Nkpor, Anambra (& others)

3. University of Industry, Yaba, Lagos (& others)

4. University of Applied Sciences and Management, Port Novo, Republic of Benin (& others)

5. Blacksmith University, Awka (& others)

6. Volta University College, Volta Region, Ghana (& others)

7. Royal University, Izhia in Abakaliki, Ebonyi (& others)

8. Atlanta University, Anyigba, Kogi (& others)

9. United Christian University, Macotis campus, Imo (& others)

10. United Nigeria University College, Okija Anambra (& others)

11. Samuel Ahmadu University, Makurdi, Benue (& others)

12. UNESCO University, Ndoni, Rivers (& others)

13. Saint Augustine’s University of Technology, Jos, Plateau (& others)

14. The International University, Missouri USA, Kano and Lagos (& others)

15. Collumbus University, UK (anywhere)

16. Tiu International University, UK (anywhere)

17. Pebbles University, UK (anywhere)

18. London External Studies, UK (anywhere)

19. Pilgrims University (anywhere)

20. Lobi Business School, Makurdi, Benue (& others)

21. West African Christian University (anywhere)

22. Bolta University College, Aba (& others)

23. JBC Seminary Inc. (Wukari Jubilee University) – Kaduna illegal campus

24. Western University, Esie, Kwara (& others)

25. St. Andrews University College, Abuja (& others)

26. EC-Council USA, Ikeja, Lagos Study Centre

27. Atlas University, Ikot Udoso Uko in Uyo, Akwa Ibom (& others)

28. Concept College/Universities (London) Ilorin (& others)

29. Halifax Gateway University, Ikeja (& others)

30. Kingdom of Christ University, Abuja (& others)

31. Acada University, Akinlalu, Oyo (& others)

32. Filfom University, Mbaise, Imo (& others)

33. Houdegbe North American University campuses in Nigeria

34. Atlantic Intercontinental University, Okija, Anambra

35. Open International University, Akure

36. Middle Belt University (North Central University) Otukpo

37. Lead Way University, Ugheli, Delta

38. Metro University, Dutse/Bwari Abuja

39. Southend University, Ngwuro Egeru (Afam) Ndoki, Rivers

40. Olympic University, Nsukka, Enugu

41. Federal College of Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Abuja

42. Temple University, Abuja

43. Irish University Business School, London (anywhere)

44. National University of Technology, Lafia, Nasarawa

45. University of Accountancy and Management Studies, Mowe

46. University of Education, Wenneba, Ghana (anywhere)

47. Cape Coast University, Ghana (anywhere)

48. African University Cooperative Development (AUCD) Cotonou, Benin Republic

49. Pacific Western University, Denver – Colorado, Owerri

50. Evangel University of America and Chudick Management Academic, Lagos

51. Enugu State University of Science and Technology (Gboko campus)

52. Career Light Resources Centre, Jos.

53. University of West Africa, Kwali, Abuja

54. Coastal University, Iba Oku, Akwa Ibom

55. Kaduna Business School, Kaduna

56. Royal University of Theology, Minna, Niger

57. West African Union University, in collaboration with International Professional College of Administration, Science and Technology (anywhere)

58. Gospel Missionary Foundation (GMF), Theological University, Egbe Ikotun, Lagos

The NUC confirmed that others are undergoing further investigations/court actions in a bid to prosecute the proprietors and recover illegal fees/charges

1. National University of Nigeria, Keffi, Nasarawa

2. North Central University, Otukpo, Benue

3. Christ Alive Christian Seminary and University, Enugu

4. Richmond Open University, Arochukwu, Abia

5. West Coast University, Umuahia

6. Saint Clements University, Iyin Ekiti

7. Volta University College, Aba, Abia

8. Illegal Satellite Campuses of Ambrose Alli University

9. L.I.F.E. Leadership University, Benin, Edo

By Ishaka Mohammed

Dear Professor Ibrahim Dantani Wushishi, we are aware that you have reached the pinnacle of your career as a Nigerian academic. That means you must have directly interacted with an overwhelming number of Nigerian students. We also know that you specialise in education. Therefore, you should know better than many of us the pros and cons of educational policies.

As the current registrar of the National Examinations Council (NECO), you think that the Federal Government of Nigeria should consider removing credit passes in English language and mathematics as criteria for admission to Nigeria’s higher institutions. This is further proof that you know Nigerian students and how difficult it is to pass these subjects in their Senior School Certificate Examinations (SSCE).

Similar to your suggestion, the current registrar of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Professor Is-haq Oloyede, once advocated that a credit grade be removed as an admission criterion for the arts and humanities in polytechnics and colleges of education. I subscribe to his submission.

However, considering the status of the English language in the 21st century and the fact that it’s our official language, I think it’s costly to abolish a credit grade in the subject (English language) as a criterion for admission into our tertiary institutions.

It’s glaring that despite the presence of this criterion which forces many of us to learn the language, we’re far from attaining true proficiency.

Prof., if you seek a paragon of “nobody is perfect”, just pay attention to how we (Nigerians) use the English language, starting from this write-up. Even the highly educated are prone to uttering or writing wrong English expressions. Concerning this claim, many people argue that no one is above mistakes, but I say that mistakes aren’t the same as errors. When one’s use of a wrong expression results from one’s unawareness of the correct pattern, that’s an error.

Sir, I think a few examples will suffice. Many Nigerian graduates wish to further their studies abroad, specifically in the United States and the United Kingdom, but their proficiency level hinders them in the English language. Each of the two main internationally recognised English language proficiency tests is difficult for most Nigerians to pass. Those who have sat for the tests or accessed their past questions can attest to my claim. Even an excellent Nigerian graduate needs intensive coaching to pass the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS).

Prof., if making English errors were a criminal offence, we would be in jail. But, of course, that’s if judges aren’t guilty as well.

Sir, it’s a known fact that exposure to news media content boosts one’s language proficiency. Although the reverse isn’t totally the case in our country, consumers of Nigerian media content had better be wary of heavily relying on their (the media’s) expressions. Other authorities, including dictionaries, should be consulted as frequently as possible.

Let me buttress the above point. Since 1961, the Nigerian Guild of Editors has been a network of experienced journalists who have attained editors’ positions in their respective organisations. Ordinarily, one would assume that every member of the network possesses an unquestionable mastery of the English language. But, no, this isn’t the case. Some of the past presidents of the guild have repeatedly published wrong English expressions not as mistakes but as errors. One of such expressions is “Buhari felicitates with”. I’m sure the president has media aides, two of whom have presided over the affairs of the Nigerian Guild of Editors in the past.

In a similar vein, many of the federal ministry of education documents aren’t free of English errors, neither are those from our schools.

The above instances speak volumes about our deficiency in our lingua franca. Being aware of this situation, isn’t it advisable that we adopt measures to encourage us to learn the English language? Will it then be wise to abolish existing measures? 

I believe in the saying that where there’s a will, there’s a way. Our determination to secure admission to tertiary institutions makes us learn English more than we would ordinarily do. The more we practise, the better we’re highly likely to become. Frequency and expertise have a significant relationship.

Therefore, Prof., let’s maintain a credit grade in English as a criterion for admission to our higher institutions.

Ishaka Mohammed writes from Kaduna. He can be reached via ishakamohammed39@gmail.com.

By Sumayyah Auwal Usman

The management of Kaduna Polytechnic has expelled 85 students for their involvement in examination malpractice and suspended eight others. 

A statement issued on behalf of the Registrar, Dr Muhammad Sani Musa, said the decision to expel and suspend the affected students was reached at a meeting by the Academic Board held on 25th August 2021, thereby recommending different levels of punishment for the students, depending on the degree of involvement. 

The list includes forty-four (44) HND students and forty-one (41) ND students. Their expulsion was said to have been prompted by the approval of the report of the Academic Board at its extraordinary meeting held last week.  

The affected students have been asked to vacate the institution’s campuses immediately and hand over all polytechnic property in their custody to their respective heads of department.

See the list below:

By Garba Sidi

It’s well-known that the Jigawa State government paid half of the registration fee to its indigenes each year. That’s how any governor in this state inherited it and continued it. Still, unfortunately, the present governor, Muhammad Badaru Abubakar, came with some injustice in this matter of scholarship. For three years, the money has not been paid.

The government conducted a screening exercise on 28/01/2021. However, after five months, they selected only three schools within the state and disbursed the money to some students, not all and stop till now. Then, they went on to the media and announced that they gave scholarships to all Jigawa state students. It is an injustice.

Sadly all these injustices that happened, neither the Jigawa state assembly nor the commissioner of education uttered a word about the matter. While students are suffering from poverty, and some even dropped their studies because of registration fees. Those House of Assembly members and commissioner of education are busy taking their children abroad to study in expensive schools.

Unfortunately, it looks like there is no Students Union Government in this state. This is because the Union has failed to discharge its responsibility to fight for students’ welfare. Unfortunately, the acting president of this Union is busy travelling from Kano to Katsina, and others state fulfilling the mission of another group he joined some time ago.

Days ago, leaders of Jigawa state schools’ chapters visited the state capital, Dutse. They met with Special Advisor on students matter on this issue of scholarship. His reaction was, if students protest, the government will not ever give scholarships to any indigenes of Jigawa state. That typically showed students have no freedom to struggle for their rights as the constitution of Nigeria gives to anybody.

May Allah bless us with good leaders.

Garba Sidi wrote from Jagawa State. He can be reached via sidihadejia@gmail.com.