Opinion

By A.F. Sesay

It’s difficult to fathom how a region of such numbers, resources, and beautiful cultural heritage/pedigree came to become such a scourge on national conscience in a space of forty years. What happened to the passion of the Sardauna, the native pride and dignity of your people, the welfarism that always motivated your brothers from the south or neighbouring countries to stay beyond those initial dates of return or even decide to be permanent residents?

If you were to canvas for answers,  different answers would come from different sources based on intellectual and cultural biases or leanings. That’s also the case with all matters of human endeavour. So, no shaking! And the more complex the issue the more divergent opinions and perspectives.

But in the case of recent events in northern Nigeria, with an emphasis on the Muslim hemisphere, there is something striking in the people’s unwanton love for the material side of life, contrary to the previous cultural ethos. Equally matched by this is the fear for death which naturally comes with more cravings for the transient pleasures of life. What happened to the studious efforts of the serious and sincere ulama (religious scholars)?

Let me hazard a few guesses. While some unscrupulous elements in both local and international media make it look like Arewa is Africa’s human abattoir where people are killed for the fun of it, non-northerners who have lived there before this litany of crises have fond memories of a people who are peaceful to a fault. This peace, which was largely a product of a contented heart, died with the pressure to keep up with the Joneses. And in that pressure was buried the deep fear of death. Before this, you knew people who were courageous, who stood for what they believed in no matter whose axe was gored and no matter the deadly consequence.

Crimes like kidnapping and banditry couldn’t reign supreme because criminals weren’t feared. We all remembered the courageous youths of Azare who risked their lives to confront armed bandits in 2012. Instances abound when community leaders (mai unguwas) coordinated young people to serve and defend the community within the ambit of the law. So, what happened?

How did we come to this period of life when people in a region of over 100 million people stood by and watched unknown faces and small groups of scums hack away their future and that of their children, one local government at a time?

Maybe we should look at the trends and evolution of materialism. Look at a few nations whose socio-economic progress have been meteoric in the last 50 years and look at northern Nigeria, you will see a striking lack of priority as well as a  lack of agency and urgency. And what underlies all this is the base love for material things among the elite which oozed out into the wider society rubbed off on the talakawa (proletariat) Suddenly, suddenly every Bala wants this: a luxurious house with a tall gate, a fleet of cars, tall, fair and wide-eyed women and other fine, yet fleeting things of life. Yet, neither the education nor the economy was tailored to sustain this onward rush to glitters: new trends come up annually in the design of houses, new brands of cars, new phones and so on.

Whoever is going to keep up with that has to have unrestricted access to money either through commerce or a job that pays an incredibly high salary. In the absence of this is another companion to money: stealing and everything extortion. Under this falls the myriads of problems we see today: unbridled corruption in governance, banditry, kidnapping and the rest in this nefarious family of ills.

Let’s say we flipped the conversation and say the fault is not in the people, but their enemies. It is logical to think that a region this steeped in tradition, with such great potential in numbers and unexplored resources is bound to be a target of both visible and invisible enemies, what is not logical though is when this becomes an excuse for inertia, baseless polemics, cancel culture and hurling of insults left right and centre. About enemies, who hasn’t had one? About insults, we haven’t seen one- I mean- we haven’t had an economy built solely on the foundation of the people’s ability to hurl insults at each other.

While there are certainly smithereens of enmity and animosity smothered on all of the region’s myriads of problems (a common case is a bias in data and reportage on and about the north, but let’s not digress), there is certainly a need for deep introspection. What happened? Are these manifestations of problems long foretold? Could something be wrong with the very approach to problem-solving? Or is this a huge cultural gap nobody is willing to talk about? Does it have something to do with population or outright carelessness on the part of the ruling class?

The north, in its long political sojourn as part of a nation in which it was severely disadvantaged in education, yet extremely well-positioned in Politics and Administration, has had its fair share of wins and losses. What remains to be seen is the ingenious manipulation of pluses and minuses. The world is watching and history’s pen is looming over you!

All told, the current state of affairs should remind you of the popular hadith of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). And if this is a behavioural problem like it was rightly observed, then it’s going to require a behavioural solution: moderate the wanton love for material things and be courageous enough to confront death when your dignity and that of the generations unborn are at stake. 

A.F. Sesay sent this via amarasesay.amir@gmail.com.

By Aisha Ahamd Jalingo

I barely have many memories of him beyond his signature, white clothes and red cap because I was a child when he passed away, but my husband insisted that I write a tribute for him today, being 11 years since his demise. All I know is Baba was an inspirational personality which means different things to different people. A father with a great sense of humour, a mentor that gave his all irrespective of differences in ideology or creed, and a unionist who fought to protect all till his last breath.

Everyone who knows him at Bayero University will always say how he jokes around with everyone. Whether you were his students, who I heard would rush to M block for his lectures because of how educative and entertaining his classes were, or his colleagues who always ran to him to seek support, morally or otherwise. He treated everyone equally with respect.

During his lecture, he would have the theatre filled with some students not because they registered for the course but only to listen to him speak.  Baba Jalingo was very religious. It is his norm to go to the BUK Central mosque for Magrib prayer and wait till after Ishaa before returning home. A pillar in the mosque is called ‘fillar Jalingo,’ meaning Jalino’s pillar. He would sit there from Magrib till Ishaa. I once saw someone write on Twitter that no one even dares sit in that spot, as when he arrives, he jokingly asks the person to get up. 

His kindness knows no bounds. One memory of his that keeps coming to mind is that whenever we travel home to Jalingo, we normally stop at Gombe to stretch our legs, pray, and eat at a particular filling station. Baba would sit with the people there and chat. He would buy what they are selling, most of which we don’t need. I heard an incident when Baba and our Mom were returning to Kano. Unfortunately, they had a flat tire in a village, Durbunde, just after Gwaram. He met a man who helped them fix the tire. Since then, he always stops at the village to see him, till date that man still visits our family. He named his son after Baba Jalingo when he passed away, named his daughter after mother and recently named another daughter after me.

The same thing happens around Dakatsalle just before Kano. When returning from Kaduna or Abuja, Baba would stop and sit with all those selling chickens, vegetables, fish and whatnot. He usually tells them, “kaima kawo abin da kake sayarwa” (“you too bring what you sell”). He will come home with so many things. 

When it comes to supporting family, I have never seen anyone who supports his family like Baba Jalingo. I know he helped my mother up to the rank of Professor, which she earned shortly after his death.  I heard he often travelled with her to Usman Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, when pursuing her PhD. He was her biggest cheerleader through it all.

I can remember the last incident when she was the HOD of the Economics Department, Bayero University, Kano. A conference was organised in the department, and he was then the vice-chancellor of Taraba state University. I remember him coming to Kano to attend the conference, and he was among the first to arrive, sitting in front with his signature white clothes and red cap.

He often travelled back from Taraba State for the termly visits to our school. Baba never got tired. I remember his last visit passionately during our Qur’anic graduation ceremony. In the picture, I can never forget smiling when he was called to give a speech all over the place. I could not remember what the speech was all about. All I know was he talked for a while, returned to his seat at the front row, walked back on the stage, and took a group picture with all of us when we were called for our recitation.

It was after his death we realised how much he had been sponsoring and taking care of other families without the knowledge of anyone. That is the kind of man Baba was. He made all of my siblings, and I feel special, that every one of us considers ourselves to be his favourite, though I firmly believe it is me because he calls me “kingin Baba.”

Late Prof. Ahmadu Usman Jalingo, fondly called “Baba Jalingo” by everyone close to him, was a UK-trained political scientist, a veteran, a renowned scholar, a great man who played it all around. A veteran unionist and academic per excellence who raised through the rank and became one of the earliest political science professors in Northern Nigeria. Baba was the secretary to the State Government old Gongola and Vice-Chancellor of Taraba State University, a position he held until his death.

Baba was very close to Malam Aminu Kano. He was, precisely, Malam’s personal secretary. I can remember loads of Malam Aminu Kano’s personal diaries we found in his estate when he passed, which my Mom officially wrote and handed them over to the centre for Democratic Research, Mambayya house. In the tribute written by one of his students, Onoja, I read that Baba Jalingo confided in him that the one thing Malam Aminu Kano had in excess was socks. He says he never wore the same socks twice.

He was among the 49 men committee under the able leadership of Chief Rotimi Williams, Alhaji Idris Gidado, secretary, established in September 1975. This committee was the brains behind the creations of ‘CLUB NINETEEN MOVEMENT’ and the ‘NATIONAL MOVEMENT’. Malam Aminu Kano and many northern representatives created the ‘’National movement in Lagos. They later changed its face to become a political party named the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). The National Movement launched recently was originated from the work of this committee. 

Baba Jalingo was a man of the people, loved and respected by all. He passed away peacefully in his sleep on March 1, 2011. March 1, 2022, marked 11 years since his death, but his memories are still very much fresh in our hearts. We will forever live in his image and will in sha Allah continue with his legacy. 

Rest on Baba, till we meet in Jannah….where we will be reunited forever in sha Allah

Aisha Ahamd Jalingo (Mrs) sent this article via jalingoaysha@gmail.com.

By Abubakar Suleiman

“Why waste your money to study your family tree? Just go into politics, and your opponents will do it for you free.” – Mark Twain

The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, has become the subject of public scrutiny lately, after members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) deserted university classrooms for a one-month warning strike to drive home their demands.

To compound Mallam Adamu Adamu’s ordeal, the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) President, Asefon Sunday Dayo, threw decency, good English grammar and coherence to the dogs and confronted him for the way forward on these incessant strikes. The Minister, within his rights, could not stomach zingers from the NANS President; hence, he peacefully walked out.

What the Nigerian academics and critics need to crucify Adamu any day is to comb his past articles on the sorry state of education in the country and the possible solutions he highlighted in addressing the anomaly, notwithstanding the practicability or sustainability of the solutions. Blessed with astonishing writing prowess, Adamu doesn’t pull punches whenever he decides to take the government of the day to the cleaners on education.

Mallam Adamu is not alone in the blowback of past written or spoken words. Isa Ali Pantami, Reno Omokri and Reuben Abati are good examples of how venturing into public service can force critics to chew some of their words or elegant analyses raw. They get to see, first hand, the depth of the rot in the system they seek to reform. Moreover, thanks to their fantastic writings, their readers or fans expect them to do wonders, including unrealistic expectations actions.

History is replete with critics who ended up being the worst versions of the people or policies they obsessively criticised. So also, the grave is filled up with critics whose know-it-all dispositions and elegant solutions never get tested.

Criticism is sweet and romantic. However, it is undeniably required to hold elected or appointed leaders accountable as humanly possible. It helps improve a system and checks leaders’ excesses, thereby insulating them from being despots or demagogues.

However, criticism should be accompanied by good knowledge or grasp of the subject matter, moderation, realistic approaches, and viable solutions. The quick urge or attitude of some critics pontificating on, or criticising, everything under the sun without critical thinking is among the reasons many critics presumed as messiahs ended up as disasters.

Nothing humbles most critics like public service. So, they either choose sheer populism or face the realities or challenges that come with purposeful leadership amidst competing demands, meagre resources, criticism and tough decisions, which are often unpopular. With the latter, they get more kicks than halfpence.

As it is true with an onlooker who sees most of the game, their opinions are birthed from the outside on the premise of poor exposure and little information, which invariably make them see complex and daunting challenges as straightforward.

Interestingly, opinions could change due to contexts or circumstances. People learn from exposure, old age or new knowledge. We may find ourselves opposing some views we hold so dear today in the future when we are eventually called to serve the people. Therefore, if you are called to serve the people, don’t hesitate to oblige. However, be ready to get your fair share of kicks and past opinions unearthed.

Abubakar Suleiman writes from Kaduna and can be reached via abusuleiman06@yahoo.com.

By Isma’il Alkasim

Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today— Malcolm X

Unequivocally, the educational sector requires critical and colossal funding from various stakeholders, whether civil society or a particular individual, not only the government. The intervention programs, which are basically designed to address the critical challenges bedevilling the sector, contribute a greater percentage to the educational sector’s wellbeing. 

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization has recommended that 20—25% of the country’s budget be allocated to the educational sector to ensure the sector’s effectiveness. 

Notwithstanding, Benjamin Franklin, asserted that an investment in education pays the best interest. This has been a rejoinder to the elites who had no clue what would guide them through, thereby emanating a cohesive plan towards the educational reform.

A concert series of strikes, declared by the Academic Staff Union of the Universities (ASUU), leave a deep scar in the memory of the students whose interest and ambitions were solely dependent upon their studies. And this is a serious threat to the nation where insecurity and poverty threaten the lives of its citizens. The ASUU and the government should understand the gravity of the tension this strike may accelerate.

Furthermore, the last industrial action in 2020 through 2021, which ASUU has spent almost a year striking, led to a gigantic imbroglio to university education. Meanwhile, nearly every university could not fulfil its academic calendar in a duly prescribed time. This strike, all despite a whole year spent due to the outbreak of the Covid—19 pandemic, but both parties, the government and ASUU, had failed to get rid of the strike before the lift of lockdown. This indicates how lackadaisical the government is to prevent the ASUU from continuing an indefinite, elongated, and pervasive strike.

Are we really serious?

Probably, not; we are not serious at all. If the government and ASUU can’t sit and share the same cup of tea to find the lasting solution to this horrendously, repulsive and awful strike, as citizens of conscience can’t hold both parties accountable? Why can’t to come out en mass and protest against the lackadaisical of both parties? It worked in an EndSARS protest, so we need to borrow and use the same language as a last resort.

The worst part of this ASUU—FG drama is that those at the centre of the controversy do not value the Nigerias’ education system. Perhaps, their sons and daughters aren’t the victims of the elongated strikes since they spent or are spending their educational journey abroad; the great countries that have done everything possible to redefine and standardise their educational sectors.

The United Kingdom, for example, had spent at least 900 solid years revitalising and meliorating their educational sector before it came to fruition and privatised the industry. This indicated that the suggestions and recommendations made to the government of Lugards’ amalgamation in 1914 to take a bold step towards commercialising the sector would not yield any positive result. Instead, it’s a giant stride to uplift, breed and enhance corruption in the educational sector. More so, privatising the sector is unbecoming. The reason is that the educational sector is a system that is a babysitter that has weaned and breastfed every individual in the Nigerias’ domain.

How should it be?

On a lighter note, we should embrace ourselves collectively. As a whole entity, we shouldn’t lie to ourselves; there’s a limit to what government can achieve within its capacity about the economic status. This deserves no clarification to any discerning individual, but that shouldn’t be an excuse to circumvent and leave our educational sector (not only universities) in the stage of mediocre. We must value the system to make progress.

The education we are supposed to give our utmost priority is the basic education as the foundation ground and necessary stage for all citizens. But, until we resolve the odds vexing the UBE, the thirst to get rid of our universities’ problems can’t be quenched. So, at this juncture, the clamour to refine and redefine the universities system in Nigeria by ASUU is graceless and unbecoming.

May Nigeria prosper.

Isma’il Alkasim writes from Garki, Jigawa State. He can be reached via kogasgarki@gmail.com.

By Sabo Ibrahim Hassan

The seemingly endless abuse of creativity and intellectuality in Nigeria is exponentially becoming pervasive. Perhaps this is one of the primary reasons we are yet to be promoted from the developing class to developed countries. Aside from other countless resources Nigeria is blessed with, humans’ can never be overemphasized. I am not more concerned about the figure; I am rather concerned about the productive aspect of the figure, capable of portraying our competing capacity as a nation.

An endowed nation like Nigeria should not have been where it is if things were managed appropriately. We are so blessed that an average Nigerian can do the unbelievable in terms of intellectual display. Still, because of our disregard for this special gift and lack of governmental support, we ended up losing our best brains to other countries.

Creativity means the use of imagination or original ideas to create something. On the other hand, intellectuality refers to the state or quality of being intellectual, whereas, according to Wikipedia, an intellectual is a person who engages in critical thinking, research, and reflection about the reality of society, and who proposes solutions for the normative problems of society. Only a head with no brain will argue how endowed my country is in this regard. In fact, it is not hyperbolic that an average Nigerian comparatively performs excellently.

Apart from the regrettable failure of the country to identify and tap from the potentials of its citizens, the way our leaders abandon several talented Nigerians is quite irksome. Take, for instance, the report of a boy by Channels TV, who built Nigeria’s first locally-made drone. Another young Nigerian made an electric transformer, another young man from Delta invented a mini flying aircraft without a school degree. Another report is of another young Nigerian by CCT, who built an electric-powered car.

Additionally, a 16-year-old Nigerian who converted his bicycle to a motorcycle as reported by the BBC, will not be left untold. These and many other examples will prove how blessed this nation is with brains. But, does the government empower and support these talents? I will leave this as an open question. Where are these innovative young guys? Don’t be surprised to hear that they are in their various communities wrapped by idleness since the government has no spirit of willingness, let alone be ready to support and promote them.

Another perspective on how the country abuses creativity and intellectuality is how countless dreams have been shattered by our unfavorable, challenging, and careless education system. Many graduates are not the very products of what they aspired to be. On the contrary, the system forced most Nigerians to study what they had never dreamt of or desired. This, in turn, has drastically affected our productivity, where many passionless and zestless graduates are continually added to the already super-saturated labour market.

For instance, ask many graduates about their initial dreams and listen to the wonders that will flow out of their hearts. The issue of requirements regarding a course of choice is an imperative factor contributing to this effect. But, notwithstanding, since our country is not the only nation with a requirements policy. Think about the creativity and enthusiasm of a person whose dream has been shattered.

Elsewhere around the world, custodians are working relentlessly to identify where the talent of its individuals lies, provide them with everything necessary and force their spirit to go along the most appropriate direction. The story is sadly different in my country. If we had utilized our manpower judiciously by doing all necessary to keep them, Nigeria would not have been the giant of Africa nominally, nor would it have been a superpower without power.

More lamentably is how Nigerian medical doctors keep increasing the workforce of countries such as the UK, USA, Canada and many more. Moreover, they are found to be among the best brains over there. The ‘Women and Men report 2021’ by the National Bureau of Statistics revealed that 39,912 doctors were available in Nigeria as of 2017. The number of doctors increased to 44,021 in 2018. But this number reduced drastically to 24,640 in 2019. Again, the president of the Nigerian medical association, Dr Francis Faduyile, also noted that the high rate of insecurity, unemployment, low remuneration, bad roads, and poor healthcare system are some of the reasons doctors are leaving the country in search of greener pastures. He noted that 75,000 Nigerian doctors were registered with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), but over 33,000 have left the country.  

It is needless to dwell on the causes of the emigration of these intellectuals. I will instead concentrate on the effects of this negligence and unwillingness by the government to support these brains through providing a healthy environment empowered with cutting-edge technology have on our development as a nation. For instance, a research report by the World Bank revealed that in the Human Capital Index, Nigeria ranks 150 out of 157 countries in the year 2020. Moreover, income inequality and disparity in economic opportunities remain high and have consequently affected the government’s efforts on poverty reduction.

Where on earth will a country that is blessed like mine will remain where my country is? Therefore, we need to stop this dragging attitude. It’s even mandatory if the country is seriously serious about its development. Until our government and other authorities do their work well, we will keep going irreversibly directionless.

Sabo Ibrahim Hassan sent this article via Ibrahimsabohaassan60@gmail.com.

By Omar Muaz

In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful. All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the world, the Creator of death and life, the Everliving, the Self-subsisting by whom all subsist; slumber doesn’t overtake Him nor sleep; whatever in the heavens and world is His. “Every soul will taste death, and you will only be given your [full] compensation on the day of resurrection. So he who is drawn away from the fire and admitted to Paradise has attained [his desire]. And what is the life of this world except the enjoyment of delusion” —Qur’an

My uncle, Hamza Muaz, is the best definition of detachment as far as the world around me is concerned. “Had it not been our culture to wear babban riga and to put on caps, I would spend my life wearing jalabiya—a white ankle-length shirt, with long sleeves, that buttoned up to the neck.” he once said that to us while advising us to renounce luxuries and worldly pleasure for the one in the afterlife.

I have seen humble people on this earth and have read biographies of thousands of humble people, but what kind of my uncle’s humbleness? That? I have never seen nor have I ever read of its ditto. I have lost words to highlight his positive features. But I know, and yes, they’re confirmed by many people who know who he was, that he was religious, trustworthy, loyal, devotional and very determined.

Hamza Muaz was born in 1982 in a small village of Hawul Local Government Area of Borno state. He attended The Islamic University of al-Madinah al-Munawarah, where he held a Bachelor’s degree in Hadith and Islamic Studies. It’s still fresh in my mind the reading moment we had together. Around 2019, when I visited him in Abuja, I remember he taught me Hadith throughout the days. So, I can say without a number that his hobby was “teaching.”

While battling the throes of his illness, “Only in this world,” he paused, and I realized he needed water “…learn, learn because it’s only through that, you could earn light for the hereafter.” So he told me after taking the water. He barely talked in his sickbed, but whenever he got to, he injected into us “knowledge.”

There was a night when everyone was sleeping except him and me. He smiled and reminded me of two prophetic traditions on sickness. “No fatigue, nor disease, nor sorrow, nor sadness, nor hurt, nor distress befalls a Muslim, even if it were the prick he receives from a thorn, but that Allah expiates some of his sins for that,” I said indeed. He said, “I am nothing compared to our beloved prophet, Muhammad (PBUH)…” while shedding tears, “Aisha (R) reported that she had never seen anybody suffering so much from sickness as Allah’s Messenger (PBUH).”

“This is true!” I interrupted. “Therefore, If Allah wants to do good to somebody, He afflicts him with trials.” He concluded with this Hadith and dozed off. May his soul rest in peace. All he did in the hospital besides taking his medication was reciting Qur’an and teaching people.

Rest in peace, Abban Hammad. He was married with a son, Muaz, named after our grandfather and nicknamed “HAMMAD”, which has overtones of being praiseful. Treasure? I know he left behind over 1000 books (may the books be beneficial to the world). That was him. O Allah, forgive my uncle, Hamza Muazu, and elevate his station among those who are guided. Send him along the path of those who came before, and forgive him and us, O Lord of the worlds. Enlarge for him his grave and shed light upon him in it.

Omar Muaz sent this article via muazuumar45@gmail.com.

By Tahir Ibrahim Tahir Talban Bauchi. 

I am an active member of The Habu Mamman Foundation group. So when I came across a message shared by Uncle Habu Mamman himself, it got my rapt attention. Uncle Habu is an Engineer turned politician, along with another Uncle, Nuhu Gidado, former Deputy Governor of Bauchi state and commissioner of education. When I got the audio file, I could feel Uncle Habu’s roaring and infectious laughter, but realising that it was a 45-minute long recording, I knew he meant business. I steadied and listened to it.

It was Dr Tilde’s voice, the Commissioner for Education in Bauchi state. I could feel his pain in his voice, and as he spoke, his breath delivered his anger, yet, in a soft-spoken manner. Dr Tilde was the pioneer Chairman of the Bauchi Special School’s Management Board during the Ahmed Adamu Mu’azu administration of 1999-2007. He was sought after by the administration of M. A. Abubakar Esq. (2015-2019), to which he was unavoidably absent. Present-day Bala Mohammed’s government got his services as the Education Commissioner. 

Dr Tilde’s sterling achievements during the Ahmed Mu’azu Administration have brought us to the current efforts to revamp and revitalise the state of education in Bauchi. He spoke at length of the rot in the system, the poor quality of teachers in the sector, and the corruption that is eating away the resources that would have otherwise helped in uplifting the standard of education in Bauchi. He is battling an entrenched system of corruption that doesn’t care about the children’s future—a system where people get paid for doing no work at all.

It’s a system where school children could not write a sentence, neither could they read one, and if they write a word or sentence, you could not read what they’ve written. During his 45 minute delivery, he reflected on the work done during Ahmed Adamu Mua’zu’s administration. He was always pontificating at what they achieved during that time, how they did it, and the quality of the products they hatched at the time. Finally, he declared that today, if you go to the Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital in Bauchi, you will meet doctors, lab scientists, pharmacists and many other professionals who are products of the special schools of the Ahmed Mu’azu era. 

During Ahmed Mu’azu’s tenure as governor, primary school students’ enrollment rose from 438,350 to 1.3 million within six years. Before he became governor in 1999, only 279 students passed their WAEC exams with five credits or more. That figure rose to 9000 students under his watch in 2005. His achievements in the education sector in the history of Bauchi state are second to none. The quality of education was simply outstanding. 

The Abubakar Tafawa Balewa Teaching Hospital, Bauchi itself, houses a lot of the infrastructural projects of the Ahmed Mua’zu administration when it was the Bauchi Specialist Hospital. The quality of the wards, laboratories and equipment installed are second to none and are still being utilised today. The Amenity ward stands as a perfect example of the standard of works executed at that time. There is no difference between the National Hospital Abuja and the Amenity division of the Specialist Hospital Bauchi.

Ahmed Mu’azu built over 1000km of intra-state roads and over 230km of urban township roads. His rural development strides saw the electrification of 800 towns and villages, where they were connected to the national grid. The Federal Ministry of Information ranked him as the best governor in rural development, and the second overall best in all areas, in the country. 

Ahmed Mu’azu’s first degree is in Quantity Surveying, and his master’s is in Construction Management. I believe this accounts for his quest for excellence when he delivers his projects. He was recently honoured by the Federal University Wukari with an honorary Doctorate, as Doctor of Science, in recognition of his selfless service and visionary leadership. Additionally, he has five other honorary doctorates from notable institutions: the Federal University of Technology Akure, University of Uyo, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Bauchi, Igbinedion University Benin, and University of Maiduguri.

Ahmed Mu’azu is widely travelled and well-known across the country, with friends and associates in every nook and cranny. So many groups and movements have sprung up, urging him to run for the Presidency. Even though he hasn’t made any declaration yet. He is undoubtedly an administrator with a most enviable track record of excellence in service delivery, filled with legacies from his tenure as Bauchi governor. Dr Tilde got me nostalgic over our unforgettable Mu’azu of Bauchi state.

Tahir is Talban Bauchi and sent this article via talbanbauchi@yahoo.com.

By Engr. Mustapha Habu Ringim

There is a significant thing for university students doing nothing at home, in their neighbourhoods, or going from one town to another town. Still, some of these students just waste their precious time on social media, which can be described as a “waste of data.” Thanks to the students’ lack of the mindset to learn a skill or handwork.

Learning skills will benefit them even after graduating from university. Therefore, the fruitful result is that they will become employed or employers, instead of moving up and down looking for an even non-existent job, just like everyone following events in Nigeria knows today.

Engausa Global Tech. Hub hereby welcomes all enlightened students who have realised that we are now in the age of “Digital Technology”. Thus, because we know of such challenges and joblessness, we established EngausaHub.com, whose main aim is “Breaking Barriers and Bridging Gaps.”

Before suspending the ongoing ASUU strike, students can gain a lot. And even afterwards, what they must have learnt will benefit them, in and outside the university. In fact, it’s ridiculously unwise for a young person not to have where he acquires a modern skill or handwork. Otherwise, he would just be going to the university with an empty pocket, with nothing to buy anything they desire.

The universities themselves should have skills acquisition centres because it has become pervasive for graduates—sometimes, including master’s and PhD holders—to finish school and never get a job. They would just “enmesh” themselves in the so-called “Labour Market” without any fruitful result in the end.

Hence, I advise the ASUU, federal and state governments to establish vocational training centres in our universities and other tertiary institutions. Most of these sustainably developed countries also adopted this same method of getting exceptionally good young people. The Vice-chancellor of Skyline University, an Indian, confirmed this assertion to me when he recently paid us a familiarisation visit at ENGAUSA HUB. 

We seek Allah’s guidance.

Engr. Mustapha Habu Ringim is the Founder/CEO Engausa Global Tech. Hub, Kano. He can be reached via ringims@gmail.com or 070383224643. Their websites are www.engausahub.com and www.chosenglobalech.com.

By Mubarak Shu’aibu Hardawa

Nigeria is on borrowed time at the moment and not just because of an awful leadership it is experiencing, but for having that ‘onerous’ task of finding the marquee leader that would be her saviour. This arduous mission has become inevitable after many years of failed attempts that defied belief, much less explanation.

The leadership problems in Nigeria are structural and systematic, while the crisis at hand is long-lasting and accelerating. The system has become so overwhelmed by anger and frustrations that even the most basic task of any government, which is securing the lives of its citizens, is becoming increasingly impossible.

While good leadership is essential – especially in a country the size of Nigeria- the anticipation, grit, and determination to inspire the citizens to be there, unfortunately, that looks like a distant hope. Despite the arrays of potentials and the abundance of resources, which, if properly harnessed, would transform Nigeria into an unmatchable place, this runs contrary to reality. The result obtained is a satiric giggle. The reason may not be unconnected to the fact that our leadership group lack the requisite qualities to take Nigeria to a greater level of ceaseless progress and prosperity.

To put it simply, Nigeria has the capacity and nous to be as rich as the United Arab Emirates. Still, due to its poor choice of leaders, it is now as filthy as pigsty moving on India in the pecking order of countries with the highest number of citizens living in extreme poverty. This situation is avoidable. How? By not allowing ethnicity, religion, region and party affiliation to cloud our judgment when choosing the right leader.  

Thus, by eschewing leaders of a good character, grand ideas and strategy, we are restricted only to a bunch of clowns whose leadership style cannot inspire even a cheap hope in anyone. And what is obtainable from such leaders is a failure that we are now seeing as it has metamorphosed to a greater extent that most Nigerians no longer have faith in the government. 

As it is now, it will only take the starriest eyed optimist to make a case for believing in Nigeria at the moment. The dailiness of wanton killings, kidnapping, stealing of public funds, the meteoric rise in poverty index, corruption, and so on say everything about the kind of leaders Nigeria has. With what is obtained today, Nostradamus himself will hesitate to bet that wrecked Nigeria will be great in the near future. (I’m optimistic, though! As optimism oils the wheels of everyday living.) But such a level of demoralisation and crestfallen require a strong antidote whose composition is character and strategy combined to turn things around.

Since the return of democracy in 1999 to date, those touted with the leadership of this country come with asterisks—either of corruption, poor economic management, health challenges, ethnicity, ageing, nepotism, etcetera. Although there were numerous pros with President Yar’adua’s short shelf-life, the hopes were soon taken away by the inevitable finality which laid him and his famous anthem of “7 Points Agenda” to rest. The rest doesn’t have much to write home about.

The point where Nigeria looked set to hit the proper course was in 2015 when President Buhari came with his ‘Change’ mantra, but that ultimately goes to show that he is not the finished article based on his sheer lack of strategy. This imbalance left Nigeria without a vertebra in her spine for a couple of years. Although we had the chance to change the narratives in the 2019 election, with character (Buhari) coming up against strategy (Atiku Abubakar), Nigerians failed to the wisdom in the saying “A leopard never changes its spot” thus persisted with Buhari thinking that things will change in the second term. The majority of Nigerians at that material time held the view that his character, which fetched him the public appraisal of “Mai Gaskiya”, would wave wands and make things magically better. A dogma that is fruitless at best and hazardous at worst.

Some Nigerians even went vigorously beyond delimitation and common sense, arguing that Atiku was plotting to sell Nigeria (NNPC). While some purported that President of the Senate Bukola Saraki, Speaker House of Reps Yakubu Dogara, Senator Dino Melaye and co are the saboteurs of Buhari’s government in the NASS and must therefore be cleared off the deck to allow Buhari an enabling environment. These are publicly sold opinions and thus became very hard to change even when most of the evidence suggests that they should.

This premature decision under predicated conditions of illusionary belief backfired heavily as his weakness for lack of strategy has been laid bare even in the second term, with Nigerians paying the premium price to date.

Today’s Nigeria is unrecognisable from halcyon days, and her golden generation passes. However, some ethos is sacrosanct, such as having the leadership group to look up to, such as Tafawa Balewa, Dr Nmandi Azikiwe and Ahmadu Bello (the Sardauna of Sokoto). Even without the crude oil, they left Nigerians every reason to be optimists. That was a sheer display of character and strategy.

While you would hope to see a similar Nigeria sooner rather than later, the choice to be made should be factored into character and strategy. Nigeria is in a store for hectic decisions to make. However, the cold, hard reality is that Nigeria, like never before, needs a leader whose character will help unify the country through healing, dialogues and not by polarising the recent past. 

A strategic leader will find a way to midwife the return of peace to Nigeria, grow and maintain our economy, asphyxiate corruption, fix our education to be able to stand on our own, and cut down the unnecessary government expenditure all the recklessness we are known for. Meanwhile, a character will help that leader follow the right path in seeing through the above tasks.  All these sound plausible, right? Theoretically, it does. However, in reality, given the constraints of apparent options, debates were ignited on whether we could find such a man in our political arena (that’s a pulsating debate!). 

Nigerians must challenge and X-ray anyone who throws his hat in the ring to avoid falling foul of past mistakes. 

Finally, I insist on a person who embodies these invaluable assets (character & strategy). We hope our leaders and Nigeria itself are going to be alright! And reeling out the rationale for pitching tent behind such a person, Prof Zulum of Borno will suffice.

Mubarak Shu’aibu Hardawa wrote from Bauchi State via naisabur83@gmail.com.

By Salisu Uba Kofar-Wambai

Nigeria’s foreign policy of nonalignment is on the right track. Thus, I commend how we keep mute and only call for peace in this ongoing face-off and altercation between Ukraine (backed by Western powers) and almighty Russia under President Putin.

Nevertheless, any attempt to side with one of the warring parties can be a big blow to the international relations prowess we have been displaying over decades. History had it that Russia supported Nigeria during the Biafra civil war. Reportedly, Malam Aminu Kano served as a bridge and intermediary embodiment between the Nigerian government and Russia in arms purchase, which positively impacted winning that war.

Aminu Kano’s Communist stance captivated Russia. Therefore, he successfully had that bilateral thing with them. It was a critical moment for Nigeria when France was solidly behind Biafrans.

However, even our much-talked-about project expected to shoot Nigeria into the league of technologically oriented countries – Ajakuota Steel project – was Russian technology. As a result, many of our technocrats were and continue to be trained in Russia.

Despite the shift in our foreign policy from the East to the West and now to Asia, Russia still maintains fantastic and fine bilateral relations with Nigeria. So supporting Ukraine to please Western powers will not do us better.

We better keep to our callings for peace and leverage primarily on this soaring of oil prices in the international oil market, evacuate Nigerians caught up there. We shall continue to run with the hare and hunt with the hounds.

Salisu Kofar-Wambai wrote from Kano. He can be reached via salisunews@gmail.com.