Sunday 21 October 2012

ABU @ 50: REALISING THE VISION OF AHMADU BELLO…WHERE ARE WE?


The drums have been rolled out as this October is really merry for students and alumnus of the great Ahmadu Bello University Zaria. The great ABU is fifty. Officially launched on the 4th of October 1962 in a colourful ceremony presided over by its first Chancellor, Sir Ahmadu Bello the Sardauna of Sokoto, Ahmadu Bello University Zaria has over the decades attained a worldwide reputation for excellence. 
One of the largest and most extensive of all universities in Sub-Saharan Africa, the University is standing up to the dreams of its founding father who envisioned it to grow and become a world citadel of learning. But the pertinent question is, “Has the Vision of Ahmadu Bello been realised within its 50 years?” Clearly there are some calls for fanfare and celebration, but yet a great call for sober reflection.
Sir Ahmadu Bello at his installation and first convocation of the University on November 23, 1963, stated clearly the philosophy of our Alma Mata “The first duty of every university is the search for and the spread of knowledge and the establishment of truths…But it must also serve the need of the nation.”  This philosophy is imbibed in his saying “The cardinal principle upon which our University is founded is to impart knowledge and learning to men and women of all races without any distinction on the grounds of race, religious, or political beliefs”  indeed this is one tenet that has consistently been the backbone of this institution. ABU is notable among Nigeria’s universities for the breadth and national character of its student recruitment. ABU had been founded to be the University of Northern Nigeria, yet more than any other of Nigeria’s universities; it has served students from every state and facade of the Nigerian federation. The very fact of ABU’s strikingly “national character” in terms of drawing students and staff from an unusually broad range of Nigeria’s regional, ethnic and religious communities has earned it a particularly important place among Nigerian universities. Ahmadu Bello University is the most cosmopolitan tertiary institution in Nigeria both in terms of staff and student profiles. Every Local Government Area of Nigeria has student(s) in the University, notwithstanding; all States of the Federation are equally represented in the staff profile of the University. It is without doubt the only truly federal University in the country. It has thus, carved a niche for itself as the country's symbol of national unity and integration just like the Great Sardauna had projected.
As a Center of Excellence with a vision “Ahmadu Bello University shall be a world-class University comparable to any other, engaged in imparting contemporary knowledge, using high quality facilities and multi-disciplinary approaches, to men and women of all races as well as generating new ideas and intellectual practices relevant to the needs of its immediate community, Nigeria and world at large” there is need for solid assessment of the journey; the storms; the complacency; the development; and the potentials of this citadel. It is surely no mean feat to attain such an important and significant milestone.
From the beginning, ABU was scrupulously outstanding for its breadth and ambition. Under the tutelage of its pioneer Vice-Chancellors Dr Alexander Norman and Dr Ishaya Audu, ABU was creating a range of programs that only the very most comprehensive foreign developed nations’ Universities could boast of. As such in the hay days, ABU was strongly established as Nigeria’s largest university and among Africa’s strongest academic institutions and a force to reckon with in the world.
Indeed growth has continued, but stuttering. The journey has been plummeted by external events and challenges. The sharp delineating funding characterised by the deterioration of the nation’s economy as a whole coupled with the increasing need to cope with the ever increasing student population with meagre resources has left the University to be a far cry from the Vision of its Founding Father. High quality facilities and multi-disciplinary approaches have fell short as Staff salaries were reduced rapidly in cost-of-living terms, and funding for facilities grossly inadequate.
With an enrolment of about 50,000 students (undergraduate, post-graduate and sub-degree), the increasing student population versus the staff strength and paltry resources available has limited the dissemination of proper, standard and adequate intellectual practice to the university communal. Depreciation of infrastructure caused by wear and tear and inadequacies has been supplemented by the population increase and demand pressure.
So in the end, at Ahmadu Bello University “Where Are We?” It is not so much relying on history and past glory, but in understanding the strengths and weaknesses and how to harness their potentials; understanding the challenges and how to leapfrog them; drawing out pivotal blueprints and seeing to their enactment; then and only then shall the Sardauna’s Dream be vividly articulated, to be in consonance with world best practices.
It has been a long prosperous journey, many have dedicated, many have sacrificed, the ride has been pleasant, and at times the road hasn’t been so smooth. We’ve benefited immensely from the labours of our predecessors to this University, their prudence and their perseverance, it’s now our time to set a new course to attain the vision, to meet the growing challenges of a 21st Century University and the competitive higher education market place. “…We must develop our own pattern to suit our present background and our future needs…”
Ahmadu Bello University shall continue to improve; we have a cause for celebration, to showcase our uniqueness, our achievements and our challenges. “…Only if it adheres to those freedoms can it become truly great…” We shall keep true the dreams and ideals of its founding fathers, we shall celebrate a Golden Jubilee worthy of its status. It is right that the Nigerian economy and beyond, should benefit from the top class training and research capabilities of such a University “…Our University must grow out of our own soil. We shall be a truly Nigerian institution and not the mirror image of some alien body…”
So here’s a toast to the most prestigious University in Nigeria, the giant of African Universities providing learning without borders to all races. Long Live ABU ZARIA!
PUBLISHED ON DAILY TRUST OF 11TH OCTOBER 2012

Friday 30 March 2012

DILEMMA OF A PHARMACY STUDENT


Gosh…and the weekend is over. Long time no see abusites, I think this was the only week that actually ended since ASUU pursue us back and that’s the real dilemma of a Pharmacy student in ABU Zaria, and pardon me for not complaining.
Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences located at the so called ‘Bermuda’ axis believe me you comprises of the most distinguished abusites all-rounder. Don’t mind those engine boiz that claim harsh conditions (mostly lectures) but still maintain swag, if a Pharmacy student that is having lectures 7am to 6pm, still not that I’m complaining displays full swag all those engine boiz will comot for road.
If it is rocking till-day-break trust me my people always dey there, provided all things being equal (test no dey tomorrow morning). You might even begin to wonder t-d-b for jacking yesterday now t-d-b for partying, I’m telling you pharmacy students get mind. Still not that we’re complaining.
If you haven’t known yet, the pass mark for a normal pharmacy course is correct 50% and that’s excluding the (abnormal) 60% courses. Plainly speaking, if you score 59 in that course na next year be that, that’s if you are lucky it’s not a pre-requisite which might amount to one more year in this internment. (Still you scored 59 in the course oo). I haven’t complained yet oo.
Talking about pre-requisites sef, if you are looking for a faculty with the longest chains of pre-requisites then have a seat, you’re home and dry. Let me explain hear, in simple English if you fail that stupid Jambito course PHYS 131 once (physics student no mind me oo) na plus 1 year in ABU be that, if you carry am again na plus 2 be that, and if you’re so unfortunate to do ZAKS again…do the maths. So don’t worry if you see a reg. no. U99 in your class, na condition cause am. Nobody has complained yet.
Upon all this, the confidence of the Pharmacy Student is still oozing all over the campus. Taking a look at a large number of political offices in ABU, from SRC to NANISS, NAKS, NAKATSS….to name but a few its no gainsaying that we are the backbone of all these associations and yet every semester Pharmacy Students always do graduate. Creating time out of that no time, we have never complained.
When it comes to super duper gals, common do I need to tell you that? Yeah ABU gals are hawt, but mehn…Pharmacy gals are red blitzing hawt then, with correct IQ to go with, and despite the rigours and vigour that hotness hasn’t complained yet.
So next time you see any pharmacy student near you, abeg hail them, they are the jack of all trades as long as ABU is concerned and still keep that swag, sociality, partying, politics, intelligence, confidence, sense of humour and instant maturity intact.
We don’t complain but ‘As Men of Honour…’ yeah ‘We Join Hands’

MARCH 26 2012

Tuesday 31 January 2012

UNJUSTIFYING BOKO HARAM


In Nigeria of today, the most frequent used words in any gathering, peer group, social event, or any other of sort is without doubt ‘Boko’ and ‘Haram’. These words contrast each other in every respect. ‘Boko’ is traditionally a Hausa word used earlier by the natives to describe the alien form of education brought about by the whites, while ‘Haram’ in itself is an Arabic root word emphasising anything forbidden.
So in essence, why would any sect brand itself, Boko Haram (Western Education Forbidden)? The truth is, the sect Jama’atu Ahlissunna Wal Jama’atu Liddaawati Wal Jihad itself never operated on this coinage, rather it has reiterated times without number that calling them ‘Boko Haram’ is in fact a ‘Haram’ itself. (I wonder if President Jonah really knows the name of the sect he is busy fighting).
Now it is pertinent to ask, who actually labelled them Boko Haram? Or is it the case of the world not knowing Al-Qaida till the CIA actually told us their name and made us believe? Is someone trying to achieve a sinister motive through the continuous terrorisation of the populace? Or who wants to really create panic to divide the nation and what will they achieve with that? These are the questions which answers cannot be justified by any means.
If it is really an Islamic sect, then it is unjustifiable for any Muslim to carry out such menace as the religion of Islam is that of Peace. The position of Islam is that Muslims must at all times; conduct their affairs by mutual consultations and peacefully (Qur’an 42:38). Therefore the issue of Islam has been totally unjustified.
If it’s the government that is sponsoring the violence, then what on earth will the government achieve through the killing of its own citizens? Relief or revenge? But for what purpose? It is true that government establishments have not been attacked anywhere, but does that justify the government will maim its own people?
Now some are of the belief that the hard economic plight and conditions of living had led to the insurgency of this sect. Hard to believe. Was it not just some few years back that we were branded the ‘Happiest Nation’ on Earth, not because we were really satisfied with the way we are living but because of the Nigerian spirit of contentment. So how can we justify that my fellow brother because of poverty will blow himself up together with hundred others. Really unjustified.
The most unjustifiable fact however is the claim of enmity of ‘Boko’ by the sect. If ‘Boko’ is to be taken as western civilisation, then the sect has without doubt benefited from it. The first message of the sect was on You Tube a western creation. The letters sent by the sect are in plain pen and paper and written in ‘Hausan-Boko’ the western way of writing and not in Ajami (the Arabic style) so clearly, ‘Boko’ is part and parcel of the sect itself.
We can continue to beat around the bush without any tangible meaning to this events, because in fact that’s what our so called security chiefs have been doing, beating around the bush, and groping around for what to do only after the deeds have been done, while the President tries to apportion blame to the various axis of his cabinet that he claimed have been infested by the sect but still deems it fit to retain the cabinet with the virus in it.
Therefore unless these questions are appropriately and satisfactorily justified, the real truth will still be lurking in somewhere, while terror takes its toll on the populace, and tensions and conflicts continue to be triggered.

Saturday 14 January 2012

NIGERIANS SENSE OF HUMOUR


Believe me, Nigerians are really hilarious. Despite the adversity anticipated with the removal of fuel subsidy, Nigerians really made it all worthwhile to have a little laugh about it (or rather a really big laugh). From pictures, to conversations and photoshoped celebrities, the social media was the tool of hilarious and really entertaining epics generated from the subsidy removal saga.
One of such was an acronym of the president himself, check it out:
J. O. N. A. T. H. A. N: Just On National Assignemnet to Harm All Nigerians
It seems Madam Patience is finally heaving a sigh of relief as the comic bandwagon is finally shining away from her.
Trust a Nigerian to make a joke out of any situation, even if it’s his death bed. No wonder some while ago we were labelled ‘The Happiest Nation on Earth’ no matter the hardship we always find a way to make our neighbour smile. That’s the Nigerian spirit.
One of the recent conspiracy jokes going viral in the cyber sphere is:
ASUU STRIKE                      DECEMBER                4,
FUEL SUBSIDY REMOVAL        JANUARY                    1,
NLC STRIKE                        JANUARY          9.
NIGERIANS BEWARE OF THE DIGITS                 (419)
This is just but a few, and not forgetting the overwhelming comedy on the ‘I had no shoes issue’ let alone talking about ‘Fresh Air’ comical sessions, trust Nigerians to have their different spices and comical varieties.
Some of these I have no idea whether it’s English or what, because you’ve really got to crack your tongues and your ribs to get through them. This is credited to a former Hon. Member of the House of Reps (you all know him):
“I have read with acatalectic disgust, government’s asinine and puerile ratiocinations attempting to justiceate the proposed removal of subsidies from petroleum products. It has asseverated that its intention is guided by the need to checkmate the odoriferous excesses of a Machiavellian cabal. O and I have said to myself, what a shame? What hocus-pocus? What an anathematous disdain for its citizenry? Must the people now bear the brunt for government’s ineptitude, inefficiency and pusillanimity in squaring up with these economic philistines and fat cows? I feel even more nauseated and vexed that the Governors Forum has post-haste conferred an apocalyptic imprimatur on this genie. Lets not forget that majority of these same Governors had earlier called for this state of affairs as a condition sinequanon for paying the minimum wage. What opprobrium? What a depreciable descent from the sublime to the ridiculous? It’s up to us all to put this Presidential and Gubernatorial genie back into the bottle but are we prepared?”
(Yeah, I didn’t get a hint what he was saying)
And now before my generator fuel gets siphoned while am busy laughing my heads off, let me leave you with the call centre in case you need more.
WELCOME TO SUBSIDY ONLINE ASSISTANCE SERVICE:
To know the price of fuel in your zone, PRESS 1
If you’re stuck in the village, PRESS 2
In case you need fuel but don’t have the money at present, PRESS 3
To get in touch with a black marketer in your area, PRESS 4
If you’re interested in marrying an oil worker especially a fuel attendant PRESS 0
To assist in protest of subsidy, PRESS 150
To end this call, visit this site again”
HAPPY READING, HAPPY STRIKE, MISS YOU ALL LIKE N65 PER LITRE.


Monday 9 January 2012

OCCUPY NIGERIA: HISTORY IN THE MAKING

On the 2nd of January 2011 the Federal Government of Nigeria lifted the subsidy on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) which rocketed fuel prices nationwide high ward to as high as N200 per litre in some locations. This is however no longer news but the phenomenon that encapsulated the withdrawal of the subsidy. History was in the making, Nigeria the once regarded most ‘Happiest Nation on Earth’ was turning the tables. ‘Enough is enough’ was what was demonstrated by thousands of patriotic Nigerians propelling out in numbers to Occupy the nation until their rights were ensured.
As I also adorned my Occupy garments, carried my placards and my marching boots to Occupy Nigeria in my own locality, it was history in the making. I could feel the waves of time passing by as I signed the Protest register at the Murtala Muhammad Square in Kaduna amidst profound security presence. Yes, I was part of history and when the liberation is over in years to come I can have the guts to tell my offspring with full sense of humility that I played a part in saving their future, I was there when we revolted against oppression, revolted against cluelessness and most of all revolted for our voices to be heard in the building of this nation.
Historically, the Occupy movement is an international protest movement which is primarily directed against economic and social inequality. The first Occupy protest to receive wide coverage was Occupy Wall Street in New York City's Zuccotti Park, which began on September 17, 2011. By October 9, Occupy protests had taken place or were ongoing in over 95 cities across 82 countries, and over 600 communities in the United States and were inspired by the occupy protests of the Arab Spring. As of December 20 the Meetup page "Occupy Together" listed 2,751 Occupy communities worldwide. So as the year turned, we Nigerians have proudly inscribed our golden names and etched them into history, we occupied Nigeria also.
The Occupy Protests for Nigerians is more than a quest for economic rights; it is a quest for justice, a fight about the ruling class’ war on Nigerians. They cannot claim our country to be broke when President Goodluck Jonathan continues to feed fat on N3 million worth of food everyday. They cannot claim to be broke when the first lady just spent N5 billion furnishing an office and they cannot claim to be broke when the whole budget is about their salaries and allowances.
This is a fight for all of us: students, bike-men, taxi drivers, traders, teachers, lecturers, parents, barbers, mechanics, vendors, civil servants and any other Nigerian from every nook and cranny. The movement, which has been described as a "democratic awakening" by Cornel West, is difficult to distill to a few demands, so lets give the government a ride for their ‘money’. We must come out, we must shout, we must let our voices be heard, WE MUST OCCUPY NIGERIA.
ALUTA CONTINUA, VICTORIA ACERTA