University Education

By Hussaina Sufyan Ahmed

Following up on the meeting between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the federal government in the early morning of February 14, 2022, has declared a four week comprehensive and total strike.

On Monday, the President of ASUU, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, announced the strike at a press conference.

The strike takes effect from Monday, February 14, 2022.

He said, “The union tried to avoid the strike, but the Federal Government was unresponsive to the union’s demands.”

Prof. Osodeke also said that ASUU NEC faulted the creation of new universities.

“NEC resolved to embark on the four-week roll-over total, and comprehensive strike as the government has failed to implement the Memorandum of Action it signed with ASUU since December 2020.

By Ahmad Deedat Zakari

Kogi State University, Anyigba (KSU), has officially changed its name to Prince Abubakar Audu University.

The Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Kogi State Governor, Onogwu Muhammad, announced on Friday, January, 28.

In a Facebook post, the CPS wrote, “In honour of one of the State’s illustrious sons, Late Prince ABUBAKAR Audu, Kogi State Governor, His Excellency Yahaya Bello announced in 2019 that the Kogi State University, Anyigba should be re-named ‘Prince ABUBAKAR Audu University, Anyigba’

He made announcement in Anyigba and followed it up. Today, the name of that University has officially been changed to Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba.”

The late Prince Abubakar Audu died while at the verge of winning Kogi gubernatorial election for another tenure in November, 2015.

ByBilyamin Abdulmumin

At the beginning of a new session, usually from this period that many schools release admissions, fresh students often in the euphoria of the admission have their optimistic bar in full scale. Everyone has a plan for a result they want to graduate with, perhaps for what lies ahead: the labour market, scholarships, or any other opportunities.

But at the end of the study, looking back from the beginning, the dreams of a majority cannot be said to have been achieved. Although much potential would have been blown along the journey, few fittest would survive the perilous journey unscathed.

But there’s good news; having orientation at the right time, tutorials, mentorships, attendance, references, and past questions can help the freshers’ yearnings come true.

Fresh students come to meet arrays of tutorials from which one has many to choose. The school associations at the departmental, faculties, or states deem it their responsibility to provide headway for the newcomers. The religious bodies are also offering among the best tutorials on the campus. As a new to the environment, there could be so many areas of distraction, but tutorial venues should always be among the focal points. 

Like tutorials, studying past questions gives the 1-million-dollar idea about courses and the length and breadth the lecturer can go with questions. Past questions accord a student with knowledge for how the same question can be asked. These save a lot of time during the actual exams, even if exact questions are not asked. Past questions help students develop ideas on how to go about answering some questions. With past questions sufficiently studied, the student can deliver a marking scheme.

One should belong to the right group of friends. If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go farther, go with others. Interacting with some coursemates more prepared offers a chance to leverage from them. Many students who attend extra moral studies such as Zaria refresher or similar are friends material. Students who participate in such programs are usually ahead of what lies ahead.

References are another goldmine when it comes to smart study. Reference implies the materials, especially the book (s) a lecturer uses. In class, you hardly get the average gist of a lecture, and you might already jot down a chunk of a mix-up. Reference is the undiluted notes that would allow a comprehensive digest of the lecture. In other words, references are like having the original copy of a story. It helps you go through the story without interfering with anyone else’s opinion.

With regards to exams, references can be the holy grail. One of my undergraduate memories came in 300 Level. One Chemistry course from the Chemistry Department made students decry to high heaven. To make matters worse, the course coincided with a hectic day for us; it was offered after six hours of laboratory work. But this is not to justify the massive failure that followed. One of the notorious test questions that led to the catastrophe happened to be examples from a particular textbook – Castellar, I think – the reference I couldn’t lay my hands on at the right time. I passed the course with credit, but I always remember the scenario with my index finger bitten, hoping in retrospect that I had read the book (reference) just at the right time. Having a lecturer’s references is reassuring because, with it, you have your lecturer on the palm.

The most important tip that a student can take to the bank is attendance. Imagine getting information from chains of narrators. Usually, the integrity of the information fades as it cascades down from one narrator to another. It is safe to compare this scenario with missing a class. Even if one attends a class, it is not plug-and-play. So, the hope of understanding the lecture becomes blurry when a student copies from another who basically writes his side of the story. If you decide to rely on friends’ notes, the chance is that you tell a different story from that of a lecturer. Hence, you shall get ready for angry-looking results. 

Bilyamin Abdulmumin is a PhD candidate in Chemical Engineering at ABU Zaria. He is also an activist for a better, informed society.

By Salisu Uba Kofar-Wambai  

Functional education is the key to solving most of the joblessness and unemployment predicament Nigerians face today. Therefore, the philosophy of education matters a lot. Moreover, the kind of philosophy under which a particular curriculum operates determines the quality of graduates a particular system of education breeds.  

The idealism philosophy, which Nigeria’s education system subscribes to, contributes grossly to the condition of our graduates. They frequently end up chasing shadows, seeking jobs when in reality, there’s none. This is because the idealism philosophy emphasizes and dwells so much on book knowledge. The students are made to jampack and cram all the knowledge and ideas in their heads, but practising the knowledge is ultimately zero.

In other words, the idealism philosophy thrives in theoretical aspects. And this British model has since been abandoned by many countries of the world, as it has no successful ends and doesn’t suit 21st-century challenges.  

However, more innovative countries like China, Germany, and Japan that adopt a pragmatic philosophy of education in their curriculum are getting it right regarding employment issues. Most of their graduates are fully equipped with the specific skills required to handle jobs effectively and efficiently. Moreover, even before graduation, their students are already into temporary employment. 

The functional education practised in such countries has made their graduates vibrant job-providers instead of perpetual job-seekers we see here in Nigeria.  

It is a mammoth challenge for our education policy formulators to do the needful. They should help us migrate from idealism to pragmatism as a system. Students will then have practical skills or functional education that will enable them to establish their businesses based on their acquired skills, not just memorizing books and blowing grammar all over.

When a mechanical engineering professor could not repair a simple technical fault on his car until he refers it to a local technician, you know there’s a massive challenge with such a system of education.

I think these entrepreneurial studies and industrial training introduced by our institutions of learning are equally astute and sagacious towards achieving the desired goal. But they’re not close to where we’re aiming at. So, we must change the philosophy in its entirety first to have enough roadmap on the ground.   

The sooner we migrate, the better for us.

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

By Sumayyah Auwal Usman

The Governing Council of the Kaduna State University has named Prof. Yohanna Tella the acting Vice-Chancellor of the university. Tella, a professor of mathematics and the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, was announced on Thursday by the Governing Council.

Prof. Tella takes over from Prof. Muhammad Tanko, whose five-year tenure ended. This was after a heated debate lasting about five hours. The new acting Vice-Chancellor will act for six months before the appointment of a substantive Vice-Chancellor. 

The Daily Reality had earlier reported that electing the institution’s new VC has been tense due to clashes between various interest groups in and outside the university.

By Aminu Mohammed

I must confess that I wrote this article due to a post made by a Facebook friend who just completed the NYSC scheme in Jigawa state. In the post made last week, he mentioned his readiness to fall back on his skill as an iron bender to fend for himself, pending when something better comes up.

I was impressed by his sense of reasoning and his zeal to drop his certificate and embrace a vocation to escape idleness and poverty. This has become apt given the current realities in Nigeria, where jobs are pretty limited and difficult to come by.

I know many people, especially recent graduates, will sneer at me for commending this young man for the courage to take responsibility for his own life. They may even wonder why I praised him for choosing to do a “menial job” below his status as a graduate.

But the reality today, coupled with the dwindling economy and limited opportunities for the teeming youths in the country, warranted me to write this article. The era of youths waiting for white-collar jobs is over. Many graduates are roaming the streets looking for elusive jobs. Typically, the few jobs available will be taken by the best candidates and those with a connection at the high places. Thus, most applicants are left with the option of either staying idle at home or embracing any vocation or skill to earn a living.

Let me clarify that I am not a motivational speaker, and neither do I claim to have a magic wand to turn silver to gold. But I believe in pragmatism, and the ability one has to achieve his goal if he has passion and works towards it. Passion is the only thing that can keep a man steadfast in his pursuit of success irrespective of the difficulties on his path. Your certificate will amount to nothing if you cannot shun pride and seek a means to earn a living.

I still recall my NYSC days nostalgically in the Numan, Adamawa state, 19 years ago. I did my primary assignment at Government Secondary School Pare, Numan, which gave me ample opportunity to engage in external activities. I kept myself busy outside school hours by selling clothes and shoes to augment the N7500 NYSC monthly allowance. I didn’t spend much out of my monthly stipend throughout the service year because my side business could cover my living expenses. I completed my NYSC in 2003 and engaged in various activities to earn a living for three years before I got my first job in August 2006.

During the service year in Adamawa state, I observed a stark difference in the mindset between some southern corps members that I interacted with and their northern counterparts. While some southern corps members engaged in all sorts of activities to earn income, some of their northern colleagues see those activities as demeaning to their status as graduates. Some of the southern corps members then decided to stay in Adamawa after the service year to continue their hustle, and many have prospered.

I still remember a friend we served in the same local government area, Mr Ifeanyi, a pharmacist from Anambra state. He did his primary assignment at the General Hospital, Numan and subsequently moved to Yola to set up a pharmacy after the service year. He was able to prosper a few years after the NYSC scheme due to his doggedness and zeal.

I decided to narrate this story to encourage our youth to shun pride and find a means or trade to improve their wellbeing. Acquiring education is just a means to enable you to unlock your potential. That you have a degree should not make you despise other vocations. Instead, find a work you are interested in and try to acquire the requisite skills to support yourself. Life after NYSC is tough, and the labour market is almost saturated due to many unemployed people seeking jobs.

I am not saying that our youth should focus only on entrepreneurship alone and abandon their certificate by not seeking jobs. Of course, not everybody has an inclination towards business and entrepreneurship. But for those that have no interest in entrepreneurship could learn other skills via the internet. Skills such as digital marketing, affiliate marketing, and web development are there for people interested in learning to earn an income.

In Germany, young people acquire skills in various fields through the vocational system popularly called “Ausbildung”. I admire the German Ausbildung system because a student attends school and works simultaneously. The student acquires theoretical and practical knowledge during the duration of the apprenticeship, which usually lasts three years. The training focuses on practical skills for actual work and includes several skills such as plumbing, software development, landscaping, mason, baking, painting, salesperson, nursing, care for the elderly, and electrician.

Those who completed the training earn very well just like their counterparts who obtained a degree in Germany. Ausbildung is highly valued in Germany, and the need for craftsmen is always on the rise here. German society has been structured so that virtually all jobs are accorded due respect. Nobody looks down on a painter, electrician, carpenter or mason in Germany, unlike what we do in Nigeria. Most of our youths, especially graduates from the North, shy away from doing those jobs as they see them as not befitting their status. Some prefer to remain idle at home while hoping to get a job. There is dignity in labour, and it is quite normal to see a female painter, mason or female plumber in cities across Germany.

Therefore, the onus is on the youth to follow their passion and strive to achieve their personal goals. Efforts should be placed on personal development through reading and skills acquisition. For instance, if you have an interest in baking, do not hesitate to go and learn it to support yourself, likewise any other skill. Life favours the meek and those who shun societal pressures and go after their passion and dream.

I will also urge our young men, especially new graduates, to leave their comfort zone. If you think that opportunities are very limited in your locality, there is no harm in moving to another city to take advantage of better opportunities there.

Do not hesitate to read good books, as it opens your mind to great possibilities. Scholarships are also available for those who are interested in studying abroad. You can use Google to search for scholarships in various universities across Europe, Asia, Canada and the United States. There are multiple scholarships worldwide for you to apply for, and there is no harm in trying. You could be lucky to get one if you meet the requirements and expectations even though it is highly competitive. Do not be discouraged if your application is rejected but continue to persevere and reapply to other scholarships. I also faced many rejections while seeking admission in Germany.

Take a look within your locality and find something to do. You can volunteer your time and energy to learn something new or even work on a farm. Don’t bother about what people will say; so far, you have a target and a dream of where you want to go. Try to get busy with something no matter how small it is, pending when you get the desired job. Remember that many big organisations and establishments that you see today started small several years ago. May Allah bless our hustle and efforts as we strive to achieve our goals this year.

Aminu Mohammed is at the school of Sustainability, Christian- Albrechts- Universität zu Kiel, Schleswig Holstein, Germany. He can be reached via gravity23n@gmail.com.

By Lawan Bukar Maigana 

I learned tailoring before I finished secondary school. I can still remember when my patient father asked my mother to stop me from going to the tailoring shop. I begged her to beg him to allow me to continue going. Thus, she politely explained the importance of allowing me to be an entrepreneur. Luckily, she okayed everything she said and allowed me to continue learning.

I took myself to my boss Babakura Lawan. I was passing by and saw my friends working in his blessed shop. I stopped by, met him, and told him that, “You are my older brother’s friend. Thus, please, teach me how to tailor.”

I knew the way I talked to him wasn’t friendly at all. I was battling childhood at that time. He kindly responded, telling me that he agreed and would teach me if I genuinely wanted to learn it.

It was an unforgettable experience. Guess what! I started sewing in two weeks because of my commitment to learning it. It worked out for me. Tailoring has helped me a lot in both Polytechnic and the University. I would have disturbed my father with many monetary requests if I had been unskilled.

I can’t describe how much grateful I am to my boss. He helped me a lot. I can still remember the times I reported him to my father because he bombarded me with many works. He told me that he gives me more work than others in the shop because he trusts my work.

Graduates who are still unemployed and seeking jobs shouldn’t feel they are late to learn paying entrepreneurial skills such as tailoring and carpentry.

My brotherly advice to graduates is: do not allow arrogance to consume them. Whoever is arrogant may fail in life, especially if they are poor. It is not too late. Stop spending much time on social media. Learn some skills, hard or soft, online or offline.

Look for any learnable skills and learn. We all know that there are no available jobs for poor Nigerians. Only a few will have the opportunity to be employed. So kill the arrogance in you!

Babakura Lawan is a graduate of accountancy from the University of Maiduguri. He has trained more than 25 people in Bolori I, Maiduguri. I called on the federal and Borno State governments to please engage people like him to teach as many graduates as possible. We need many of his likes in Nigeria. 

Lawan Bukar Maigana wrote from Maiduguri and can be reached via lawanbukarmaigana@gmail.com.

By Aisha Musa Auyo 

Coursework lasted for four months. I enjoyed it as it’s Psychology, and got excellent results. But I couldn’t go back as planned, as I had already enrolled my kids in school. I complained to my parents about my lack of a job and how relatively boring it was to stay without my husband. They promised to do something about that. I ventured into the catering business full-time while my husband and I were still making plans to reunite. Fortunately, another transfer was by the corner, so the goal is to wait and see the posting. Living alone was getting harder for him and affecting his work productivity. No man wants to go home to an empty house. No man wants to be eating out every day; the inconveniences are just too numerous.

On my side, I felt empty and taking care of the home and raising the kids alone was taking a toll on me. He could only come once a month and spend two to three days. His kids saw him as a stranger. Although we were constantly on video calls, it’s not the same as being present.

An opportunity for a university job came, but I rejected the offer, explaining that we were leaving as soon as the transfer came out. The one and half years we did apart as couples have taught us never to try that again; I’ve changed my decision on work. I called my husband, told him about the offer, and made it clear I was not accepting it. He advised I should not do anything hasty, but I remained unshaken. Any job that would tie me to one place and make me apart from my husband is not worth it. At that time, the transfer came out, and the location was not travel-friendly. His workload too would not allow unnecessary travel, so the job is a big No for me. 

However, People judge from afar and couldn’t hide their disappointment of me not working in a cooperative world. A neighbour looked into my face and told me, ‘if you reject the job because of your husband, I swear you will regret this decision’.

 I was not saying I would not work outside my kitchen, but whatever my work is, it shouldn’t be the one that would split my family apart. One should not be surprised if they see me working outside home tomorrow if the work was within the place I stay and can offer transfer whenever we are made to leave the state. So, yes, my future work should revolve around my husband’s work state.

But for now, I choose catering, and I decide to do what works for me. Who knows it, feels it. Those who mattered have accepted and made peace with my decision. The challenge now is balancing the catering business with my PhD thesis.

Let me explain why my parents want us to pursue these degrees. They are university professors, have few kids, with guaranteed pension and gratuity. So, they don’t need any financial help from us. But they want us to be independent and financially stable. In addition, they want us to be highly educated and respected. As parents of girls, in this era of divorce, irresponsibility, and many life uncertainties, they know the best they could give us is this education.

Our parents often tell us that they’re not rich; they won’t leave us with mansions and millions when they die. This education is the only legacy they have, and I understand them. The University environment does that to its inhabitants. This is a general problem ‘we quarters’ children’ face.

A neighbour of mine whom we came from the same quarters made a similar decision not to work or further her education. She told me how her dad used to compare her to coursemates, that they’re all PhD holders now and doing great things in the university. Thus, he always begged her to at least further her education. To our parents, a bachelor’s degree is never enough.

To say I’m grateful to my parents is an understatement. Wallahi, I often cry, knowing I can never pay them for all they did to me. They’ve given and are still giving me the best of everything; we are over-pampered. We are the envy of our peers, and we have achieved so much at young ages due to their persistence and guidance. It’s not only Boko (Western education) they gave us; they also ensured all of us have memorised the Quran at young ages and have attended multiple Islamic schools and conferences.

Moreover, they have our best interests at heart; they are even overprotective. So I’m not only grateful, but I always feel indebted. All I do is pray for them to have the best of here and hereafter. Now, this story is history as I’ve eaten my cake and still have it. I’m doing my PhD while my family have been reunited. A postgraduate program is temporary and flexible. I’m glad I followed my parents’ advice, thanks to them, I’ll be a young Dr soon inshaAllah.

The lessons here are:

1. Allow, guide and encourage children to follow their dreams and passion. The result is a win-win, as parents won’t have to push the kids to work or study hard. Passion naturally breeds excellence.

2. Don’t make or set life goals too early. Be open-minded. The definition of success is very dynamic. Our dreams can change as we advance in age and transition from stage to stage in life.

3. Accept people’s decisions even if you have power over them. Just pray, and let them face the consequences. If it turns out good, that’s great. If it turns out bad, that’s a lesson, not a failure. All decisions are born from real-life experiences and or reading that change one’s line of thinking or learning an idea somewhere that sparks one’s interest in something.

4. When your passion is what you do for a living, your life will be happier thus healthier. The fulfilment and peace are on another level.

5. Diversify your knowledge and skill. Don’t just dwell on a single niche and plan your life around that. Don’t pigeonhole your thinking into believing that “I am a civil servant” or “I am a business person” and nothing else. It’s too dangerous. Life is dynamic; even if you chase degrees, learn a skill or trade. Government jobs are not guaranteed. Priorities also change, especially for women. For instance, my catering business has never been affected, even though I’ve been moving around. Cooperate jobs will not have been this flexible. 

6. Read, read, and read. Learn, unlearn, and relearn. Reading is an art that teaches one about life beyond their daily reality. Reading could help you avoid many problems, crises, and misunderstandings. Reading changes one’s outlook towards life makes one understand himself, those around him and the world better.

7. People should learn to mind their business and respect other people’s choices. Every individual is entitled to their decision. Making derogatory comments, asking personal questions, or judging based on half-baked information hurts. Many people think my husband, as an Ustaz, dictates my decision to be a housewife for now. On the contrary, he supports, pushes, and encourages me to work hard on my school projects. When I told him about the university job offer, he was willing to sacrifice. I single-handedly decided to reject it. He promotes my thesis and business on their tv channels. He pays for my air tickets whenever I need to see my supervisor and lots more.

8. Sometimes, one needs to stand firm on his decision, especially about his own life. Sometimes, one needs to put himself first; it’s not selfishness.

9. A married woman can actualise her dreams, career, and aspirations with a husband’s support.

10. To achieve greatness, one needs to make sacrifices. Success has never been achieved without struggle.

Finally, and most importantly, pray hard for God’s guidance on whatever decision or journey you want to embark upon. With a clean heart and good intentions, trust Allah to be always there for you.

Aisha Musa Auyo is the CEO of Auyo’s Cuisine and wrote from Abuja. She can be contacted via aishamuauyo@gmail.com.

By Aisha Musa Auyo 

Today, as a wife and mother, my definition of success is being an excellent homemaker that nourishes and nurtures my family in the best way possible. I want my topmost contribution to the world to be a set of individuals who are peaceful, loving, respectful, intelligent, honest and hardworking people. I want to be more successful as a homemaker than in school. I want to be always there for my family, not relying on others to discharge my primary responsibilities. Today, this is my priority!

In the world of academia, nothing counts better than degrees and working in the university. I was born and brought up in that world. My parents are academics, and their dream for us is to have as many degrees as possible and as early as possible. We know nothing but books. And lucky enough, the books love us.

I finish secondary school at 16 and my bachelor’s degree at 20. I wanted to be a doctor like every brilliant student, but life had it; I had a chronic ulcer in my teenage age. Thus, I was always in and out of the hospital. That ailment made my dad change his mind about letting me study medicine. He said he couldn’t stand seeing my dream and hard work being crushed by (University) Senate committees because I was sick and couldn’t write or pass medical school examinations. “I’m in the committee for years, and I know these things”, he told me.

That’s how I was advised to study education. It was not what I wanted, so I wrote exams to pass, not to fail. I graduated with a 3.46 CGPA, below almost everyone’s expectations. I’m always known for acing my exams. The least they expected from me was 2:1. I learned not to do what I didn’t want from that result, never again. It’s either “A” or nothing. 

I have a passion for cooking, and it’s known to everyone around me. So, after graduation, my mom enrolled me in a catering and hospitality management program –to ‘kill’ time before the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme. I gave that program my all and finished with an excellent result.

I got married a few days after my catering program. The plan was to live in our state, but my husband was transferred to another state two weeks after marriage. So, NYSC came, and I was posted to my home state as planned. However, I was alone, and my husband had to travel to and fro every week to his place of work and his new bride. It wasn’t easy on us, and we decided to stay together after service.

But before finishing my service, my parents advised me to register for a master’s degree. So, I started lectures a few days after my POP. Unfortunately, this delayed our decision to stay together with my husband, as we are constantly travelling to meet each other whenever we have a break in school and work, respectively. Fortunately, the master’s coursework is an 8-month program. So, I left the state immediately to settle with my husband, coming to school every month to see my supervisor. But this time around, I decided to study what I wanted.

I had to convince them that I couldn’t give it my all if it were something I didn’t like. Let’s negotiate; you want master’s, huh? Let it be something I like so that I’ll bring you the “As” you always want, I said to them. My parents wanted me to major in Biology, but I wanted Psychology, as it’s the only thing that caught my interest in education. It’s the only thing close to my medical career dream. Thus, I studied it with passion and graduated with First Class honours!

At 22, I was the youngest and the only one without a job in our class. The result proves to me passion breeds excellence. Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad, and Angela Duckworth’s Grit taught and encouraged me to make employment out of what I love. They taught me how working on one’s passion can bring money effortlessly. I learned and practised making money out of what I love – cooking. Catering allows me to work in the comfort of my home, regardless of the location. People must eat anywhere, and many of them appreciate good food. Nonetheless, this passion of mine generates controversies.

Since I was young, those who have known me always thought this girl’s future was in academia. She’s a bookworm, brilliant, etc. So, they’re disappointed; such a waste of intelligence! Some bold ones even ask why I don’t work. Won’t your husband let you work? Why are you furthering your education since he will not let you work? Why continue wasting time, energy and resources on school if you don’t want to work? This and that.

Back to my academic life, I continued travelling from where I stayed to where I schooled, and vice-versa for my thesis until another transfer came – too far away location now. At that time, I was almost done with my master’s thesis as I was waiting for external defence. I had to wait for good eight months before I was called. Travelling from the new location to the university was far and stressful, as one had to travel by air.  So, there’s additional strain on travelling and financing. I had two kids then, and I travelled with them whenever school called.

We went for the viva, which was so relieving. At least now we can rest, I thought. A few weeks later, my parents advised me to register for a PhD. I tried to convince them that the distance was too much, promising them that I’d do that whenever I settled in one place, not now that I’m on the move. I also told them PhD was for those with a career in academia and that I was not working yet.

Moreover, a PhD is expensive, and I have never seen a self-sponsored unemployed candidate doing that. I even argued that at 26, I was too young for a PhD. But no, they would not hear me. I didn’t want to hurt them or make them think that I put my husband before them; I applied. They were delighted.

I went for the aptitude test, and my score was high. I was ranked the second-best; my admission number is 00001—the first to be given admission that year. But deep down, my husband and I were not comfortable with the decision. We thought it was too early to be living apart as our marriage was still young, less than ten years. Within me, I have this fear of what would happen to my marriage? Should I leave my husband and come to pursue worldly degrees? It’s not like he failed in any of his responsibilities. He is, in fact, the one sponsoring the PhD.

Being in the barracks has opened up my eyes to the realities of life. Sadly, gentlemen turned to womanisers due to a lack of family around. I have seen how northern Muslim men change or are lured and tempted by the evils of the world. I have seen many scary things that I had never thought could exist or happen. Even though living alone should not be an excuse for their behaviour, their bad behaviour couldn’t have escalated to that level. I vowed never to leave my man at the mercies of those home breakers, so I planned to go back immediately after coursework.

Aisha Musa Auyo is the CEO of Auyo’s Cuisine and wrote from Abuja. She can be contacted via aishamuauyo@gmail.com.

By Aldelghaffar Abdelmalik Amoka

When I was admitted into the Ahmadu Bello University School of General and Remedial Studies (SGRS) in the 1992/1993 academic session, I registered with the intention to study medicine after the one-year remedial program. During the program, I started having a second thought on medicine and was considering Engineering. But by the end of it, I was offered Physics. I was like “what will I do with physics?”. This is a subject you can hardly find a qualified teacher to teach in secondary schools. So why physics? I wanted to change, but transfer rules changed that same academic year, and changing courses, especially to the so-called professional courses, became difficult.

I had two choices at the end of my first year when it was obvious I can’t change from physics. It was either I carry on with my studies or leave. So, l chose to stay but without any love for the subject. That continued till my final year when we were taught Solid State Physics by this Professor, an Indian, that changed my mind about physics. He made us see the beauty of physics. He made us see how basic physics is changing the world. He told us how physics concepts like the total internal reflection in optics have revolutionalised medicine and telecommunications. He was an inspiration. What he taught us in 1999 came to my mind when I had a shoulder operation in the UK in 2011 that was done without a visible scar on my shoulder.

That interaction in our final year made me desire I do my final year project under his supervision. I eventually returned to do MSc Physics under his guidance to tap more from his wealth of knowledge and personality. He introduced me to the field of dielectric physics, the field that opened the opportunity to my travel to some countries and has made me meet great minds. At the end of the MSc program, his recommendation got us a job in the department in 2005. I was walking towards the ABU North Gate when Prof’s call came in: “Amoka, where are you? Congratulations, the VC has approved your appointment. Please inform Tajudeen”. The best news for an unemployed graduate.

I was employed as an Assistant Lecturer under his guidance, registered for PhD in ABU in December 2005, and the work on dielectric physics continued. In August 2007, I informed him of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) scholarship opportunity that my brother told me about. Like he knew he had not more than a year to live from then, he encouraged me to apply. He followed it up till I submitted the scholarship application with the full PhD proposal that I was working on under his guide. A few weeks later, I was returning from Italy on a 2 weeks workshop trip in October 2007 and I called to inform him that I had arrived in Lagos when he informed me that he was sick and on his way to the airport. He got to India and was diagnosed with Cancer of the Colon. I became scared.

In January 2008, I received a handwritten note from him with a prayer request to make it through the cancer treatment. From the handwriting, I could figure out he was weak. I prayed hard that he get well and return soon. It was a shock when I made that call to India that early morning on Thursday, 17th April 2008, and I was informed that Prof was no more. The Giant was gone. He gave up that morning after about 6 months of battle with Cancer. I was broken. I have never seen anyone as humble as him. He has regard for everyone and he finds it so easy to relate with everyone including the cleaner. As the Head of Department, he made me realize that with proper management and financial discipline, which we lack these days, you can achieve a lot with little.

While I was still wondering how to proceed with the PhD without the only person that could supervise research work in material physics in the department, I got an email from IsDB of an award of scholarship for PhD under their Merit Scholarship Award for High Technology. The scholarship application was successful. It was unbelievable. Then the University of Leicester offered me admission for PhD in engineering research. That was how I met the famous Prof. John C. Fothergill, another Giant that I am standing on his shoulder.

Prof. Fothergill was such an amazing supervisor and shared similar characteristics with Prof. Hariharan. The 3 years 3 months with him was an amazing one with lots of memories. He doesn’t just bother himself with your personal development and the progress of your research but also your welfare. As he commends your efforts so do he point out the weakness to work on. With his tight schedule and the head of the department, I was always on his priority list.

Even after the PhD, John was concerned about my career development in my home institution. He sends to me any materials he finds useful to help my career growth and development. His notification and recommendation for a postdoc job in Norway got me the 2 years job. The postdoc job introduced me to partial discharges in power equipment components. He inspired me to start a lab. I did not just learn how to do dielectrics and electrical insulation research from Prof. John C. Fothergill, the British Professor of Engineering also taught me the benefits of writing in simple sentences. The Giant is still there for me to this day.

In my struggle to survive as an academic with all the peculiarities in our Universities in Nigeria, my path crossed with another Giant on whose shoulder I am standing. Academics are trained critics. They are also expected to have leadership skills. While I enjoyed being a critic right from my university days, I run away from leadership responsibility till I got a phone call in May 2020 during the ASUU strike about a letter for me and I told the caller I will pick it up when I get to the university later in the afternoon.

I opened the envelope and it was an appointment letter. I didn’t see that coming and could not run. The Giant found me worthy to lead (head) a Unit of the University. I was confused and scared as I have always had this feeling that critics hardly make good leaders. I later took it as a chance to see the other side of just being a critic. It has been tough but an amazing experience and have made me learn a lot. A colleague jokingly told me that I am an expert in reviving dead areas. I hope I will be able to live up to that expectations.

I think I am really lucky to have got many Giants on whose shoulders I am standing to see farther. If I have ever inspired or impressed you with my little efforts as an academic in the university, it was because God made it possible for me to meet these Giants in my life. They among other people paved the way for me to get here.

As the 2021 calendar year comes to an end in a few days, I wish to appreciate Prof N.I. Hariharan, Prof. John C. Fothergill, Prof. Kabir Bala, and all the giants on whose shoulders I am standing.

©Amoka