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Opinion

How not to be a Professor

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Sheikh Isa Ali Pantami

 

Abdulgaffar Amoka

The press release from ASUU after the Unilag NEC meeting that directed all ASUU branches not to recognize Dr. Pantami as a Professor opened up another discussion on his appointment by FUTO as a Professor of Cyber Security in 2021. Some people that are lazy to even read the press release are questioning the right ASUU has got to withdraw the appointment.

Dear lazy and misinformed fellows, ASUU did not withdraw any appointment and this was the statement. “NEC hereby rejects in its entity the purported appointment of Dr. Isah Ali Ibrahim Pantami as a professor of cybersecurity. From the evidence available to us, Dr. Pantami was not qualified, and the said appointment violated the established procedure for the appointment of professors in the university”.

You and the VC of FUTO can address him as a Professor, but the ASUU NEC directed all members and branches of our union across the nation not to recognize, accord, or treat Dr. Isah Ali Ibrahim Pantami as a professor of cybersecurity under any guise. That statement should not be too difficult to comprehend.

As the argument on the ASUU position was ongoing, a hilarious trending piece titled “Where was ASUU?” was on social media. Of course, ASUU was there and still there. Dr. Jerry Gana was a Reader in ABU before he got into politics in1983 on leave of absence from the University. From the university rules and regulations, staff on leave of absence is entitled to his next promotion. That qualified Dr. Jerry Gana to become Prof. Jerry Gana in 1985 while holding a political appointment. The same happened to Ngozi Osarenren, Abdul-Rasheed Kunle Lawal, Misbau Babatunde, etc, mentioned on the list that held political appointments. They were promoted by the same university they left on leave of absence for a political appointment. Pantami’s case was not the same and not even close.

Pantami; Now that you are a Professor!

The name that got me to laugh loud was that of Wole Soyinka. How can you mention the name of a Nobel laureate in this kind of situation? A Nobel laureate fa? Unbelievable? They should have put every other name but not Wole Soyinka. Haba! Ignorance is not an excuse to be stupid. It made the compiler look stupid. Meanwhile, as of the time Wole Soyinka was appointed as a Professor, PhD was not a criterion to becoming a Professor, his scholarly contribution was just enough. Until recently, you don’t even need a PhD to become a Senior Lecturer. But now you can’t be a Senior Lecturer without a PhD. So, the rules keep changing.

Pantami is a great Islamic scholar, was great as the DG of NITDA, and doing well as a minister. If I were him, I would have focused more on my responsibilities to complement my existing achievements and carve a niche for myself. But he wants the title of a Professor. This looks like a case of a man desperate to kill two birds with one stone. I still ask myself what is the big deal on that title that some people want at all costs.

Meanwhile, his PhD and the nearly 3 years post qualification experience in Saudi Arabia was in Information science. Not sure if cyber security is embedded in his information science. So, if it is, what are his scholarly contributions to cyber security? One of the FUTO’s criteria was web presence but we could not find that record of his presence on the web. The hailers should be telling us where to find the record and not emotional blackmail.

Some people brought religious colouration to create sympathy. His hailers were on it, passing fatwa, and MURIC Director nailed it. Note that the criticism of the appointment has no religious dimension else the first critics of the appointment would not have been Muslims. Farooq Kperogi and some Professors from the North were among the first people to write about it. MURIC felt that some branches of ASUU in the North may not heed to ASUU NEC directive. MURIC Director doesn’t seem to know ASUU well. Dear sir, every single branch is in agreement with the directive from NEC and will heed to it.

Another person that claimed to be a Professor from IBBU brought in the triple helix model. The triple helix model of innovation refers to a set of interactions between academia, industry, and government, to foster economic and social development. It is a brilliant idea and we need it in our society for national development. I had a triple helix experience. The project that I did a postdoc on at NTNU Trondheim was funded by the industry and the Norwegian government. During the project work, we had meetings that consists of us (the project team) in the academia, the industrial partners, and the government representative. We are also currently working on a project that involved TETFund, ABU, and TCN/Kaduna Electric. That is a triple helix. How Pantami’s controversial professorial appointment fits into the triple helix model is what I am trying to understand. Was his appointment a purposeful hiring to execute a triple helix project? Which cyber security project was he employed to handle at FUTO? Who is he representing? It can’t be the industry because he is not in the industry and has never worked in one.

He had all the opportunities to develop a career in academics to the highest rank but left as Assistant Professor to pick up a political appointment. If he was so passionate to teach and FUTO is so in need of his expertise and experiences, the VC should have appointed him as a visiting professor. That is a lesser evil and there won’t be much noise. But a fresh tenured professor for a serving minister whose last academic position was an Assistant Professor? Haba VC! Let’s even forget about the fact that his last position in academia was Assistant Professor. Visit the FUTO’s website for the advert for the vacancy. His about 3 years post qualification experience in academia has knocked him out since 12 years post qualification experience was a criterion on the FUTO vacancy advert and not 3 years.

He has been addressed as Professor even before he started lecturing there. Most people are beginning to think that the appointment may possibly not be about his experience or service to the university but the title for him and the opening of opportunities to explore for the university or the VC. He possibly wants the title “Prof” on his name like most of us also want. The race for the acquisition of titles in Nigeria has shifted base to academia.

Let’s be honest with ourselves, what experience has he got in cyber security as the DG of NITDA and now a minister that qualified him to be a Professor? Such appointments are more of an administrative job to coordinate the activities (technical and non-technical) and the people doing the job. A DG or a Minister won’t be in the lab to develop codes for cyber security. He does not have time for that even if he wants to. He is not involved in any technical department doing the real lab work or fieldwork.

For example, a Chemist is appointed as the Director of the Equipment maintenance and development centre of a university for a period of 4 years. He will coordinate the activities of the Engineers at the centre to get the job done toward achieving their mandate. Does that suddenly qualify him to be a professor of equipment maintenance?

I have no problem with people that insist that he is qualified for the fresh academic position even as a serving minister. But what I want to read is not emotions and blackmails but information on what qualified him for an elevation from the last position of an Assistant professor in information science to a Professor in a field he never did his PhD or have hands-on experience while In academia. What cyber security problem has he solved? What are his breakthroughs in cyber security? What cyber security system has he developed? Has he got any patent? Where are his scholarly contributions to cyber security? How many MSc or PhD theses has he supervised in cyber security? In which university? Who are the students? Why does FUTO want him?

We have discussed the reckless promotion to the rank of Professor in Nigerian universities that is making some people become uncomfortable having “Prof” with their name. A respected senior colleague once said that we have two classes of professors in the university. I look at the profiles of the likes of Prof. Ibrahim Gambari, Prof. Deborah Ajakaiye, Prof. S.B. Ojo, etc, and I still wonder if as an academic I will ever be truly qualified to be called a Professor.

We’ve got several issues to deal with in the university. Adding a ridiculous appointment of politicians to the rank of Professor to our numerous problems in the Universities is like adding salt to injury. You definitely don’t want to open that door in public universities. The Nigerian university system is already messed up and some of us still wonder how we can regain the lost glory. We need to ensure that it is not further messed up by politicians or some self-serving university management.

To Dr. Pantami, you are still relatively young and will be done as a minister in about a year from now. If the appointment is not about the “title” to add to your name but “service” to FUTO and Nigeria, If I were you, I will honorably let go of the controversial appointment and pick up the academic job after my tenure as a minister.

To the hailing hailers that have got no idea how the university works and the difference between Assistant, Associate Professor, and Professor but arguing left-center-right, ignorance is not an excuse to be stupid.

©Amoka

Opinion

Adaora’s Appointment: Behind Zenith Bank Staff Jubilations

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Adaora

 

 

By AbdurRaheem Sa’ad Dembo

There is no doubt about the fact that the staff of Zenith Bank were over the moon, over the appointment of the first female Group Managing -Director/Chief Executive Officer of the bank,Adaora Umeoji. My interaction with some of them gave credence to this. Yes there were jubilations across their branches nationwide. The viral video where staff were rejoicing by hailing her is another testament that she is loved hugely by majority of the staff.

I have said it repeatedly in many of my articles or opinionated pieces in the past that great men or great women were synonymous with humility. This was one of the reasons the staff of Zenith Bank were happy on the announcement of her appointment. Whatever your class in the race of life, humility is key.

It has been discovered that most of the people that have worked with Adaora had a wonderful experience, because of her tenacious tendency in ensuring that staff welfare was not relegated to the background. Of course, in every corporate organization in the world staff welfare is key to effectiveness and performance of staff and the progress of the organization at large.

If you are a Chief Executive Officer of an organization, don’t ever joke with the welfare of your staff, because they can make or mar the progress of the organization. Many people have failed in this regard, that’s why whenever they are eventually removed from office, the staff spur into jubilation. You can only reap what you sow.

The new CEO has particularly been described by her staff as a hardworking personality, because she had her youth service with the bank before she was retained based on sterling performance.

According to some staff of Zenith Bank, she can go to any length to assist them whenever they needed help. She has empathy and focus. In the words of one of the staff “I have never seen a woman as passionate and hardworking like madam”. Olamide Obe, who is also a staff of Zenith Bank could not hide his joy as he shares Adaora’s remarkable journey into Zenith Bank as read in IntelRegion online .He said,” Adaora was someone every corper, ET and EA in Zenith Bank looked up to as role model those days. It’s so pleasant hearing that she has been appointed as the new MD of Zenith Bank. I wish her a succcessful tenure.”

Her success inspired many on social media platforms as netizens shared congratulatory messages. It is interesting to note that those who rejoice with her outnumbered her adversaries who were trying to disparage her. This is life and this is who we are.

If you listen to people’s challenges and you went all out to provide succour; you are invariably helping yourself. God does not forsake the doers of good. Just a prayer from one person could catapult you to a higher pedestal without your knowledge but with that of the Almighty.

She is proactive according to a source, which is also in conformity with the standard in any corporate organization. It is also one of the indices of a good Chief Executive as this can be captured in the words of Arnold Glasow: “One of the true tests of leadership is the ability to recognize a problem before it becomes an emergency.”

To Madam, the woman of the moment and the
newest CEO of a bank in town, it is imperative that she does not digress from the excellent attitude people have known her for, over the years. That could surely be a catalyst for her success. She should continue to be large-hearted and kind to her staff and humanity. Finally, she should not forget that moving her bank to a new height is of utmost priority.

She will resume officially on the 1st June,2024 as the new CEO

abdurraheemsaaddembo@gmail.com

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Opinion

Sports journalists versus Kano Pillars FC matters arising

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By Abdulgafar Oladimeji.

I have read with dismay the presd statement issued by our great association, SWAN Kano chapter bordering on Kano Pillars FC and its media recalcitrant technical crew led by coach Abdul Maikaba . I harbor pains over how one of the best football tactician, well travelled and expose , Abdul Maikaba allowed himself to be dragged to the centre of the brouhaha with sports journalists in Kano.
Maikaba has not acted differently anyway , he is only toeing the path of those before him, like Salisu Yusuf , Ladan Bosso, Okey Emordi, Babaganaru, maybe in exception of Kadiri Ikhana,who sometimes also would.not hesitate to display his other side too.often too.
These coaches and their paymasters, during their hey days with the Kano darling side. They had prefeered working with journalists based in Abuja or Lagos creating the feelings that SWAN Kano members were second class journalists.
Then and today no SWAN Kano member enjoys direct access to Kano Pillars coaches or players, you had.to rely on second hand interviews
The players were.mentored to see journalists as their potential destroyers, creating such hoaxes psyche in their camp to shield the world.from.the truth about their fraudulent dealings with players. Who had their salaries shared with some.coaches and.officlas.
They didn’t want the players to disclose the Alibaba surrounding the transfer and sign on deals associated with their movements in naira and in foreign currency without accountability .
Kano FA that would have helped the state government unravel the lack of transperrancy in the activities in the club, is suffering from one man show, under Sharu Rabiu Inuwa Ahlqn and.lack of functional secretariat, which solely should represent the interest of the state government is fast asleep under the supervision of one Shehu Buhari, who had failed to use his executive powers ,for reasons best known to him.

Veteran journalist.and system boy, Mailkawa protected them from the dangers of the pen, they now thought , it is their birth right , that is why a simple question put to coach Maikaba , that ” why did you change your line up from the previous match “led to his being flared up and he allegedly resorted to raining abuses, because him don see Kano SWAN finish.
I blame.Malikawa and Ado Salisu , they have been protecting the crop of sports administrators and technical crew and coaches , who had been escaping the eagle.eyes of.sports journalists, , for years, I pray God will grant comrade Zahradeen Saleh and his team the strength to now take SWAN to the promise land.
You can not hate a child and like the mother. If Kano sports writers want to make a strong statement , to be taken serious on their new.stance on public interest sports journalism , they should boycot all KPFC activities , they should do so, they should go all out, not half way, no diplomacy,SWAN members are trade unionist not diplomats, boycotting Maikaba alone is lopsided. For long KPFC has been taking SWAN members for a prpfessuonal jolly ride, Malikawa was heavily guilty of shielding them from the ills of the pen hammer, this has been ongoing for years, many will testify and are .all living witnesses , how Malikawa had used his vast media network to protect Kano Pillars , amd.they have decided to hate him for daring to now reverse to do his job by asking the rightful question, that serves him.right, because he made them see evil.as good, good as evil, not asking relevant question by journalists as their birth right.
Evidence abound, why sports journalists count on their relationship with Malikawa to look the other way , whenever KPFC crossed the red lines.

if SWAN want to make a clear statement , then no half metted punishment, full dish should containing the media orishirishi should be served on KPFC.
Maikaba.and his gang should not be singled out secondly a letter should be sent to NPFL through SWAN national secretariat, thirdly no secret truce should be reached on this matter . But in all , one or two SWAN members like Malikawa and some others, like Salisu Musa Jegus, Muzamil Dalha Yola and Musibau Bala Chedi Yanguarasa should not be approached secretly as usual and they would start calling for secret truce , you naked me in the market place and you follow me to my bedroom to appease me , imagine. SWAN Kano members shine.your eyes.
The truth hurts oooh. But I will male bold to say that the Ibrahim Little KPFC administration has no professional respect or created a cordial working atmosphere for SWAN members and his administration from day one did not extend the fraternal hand of football friendship to SWAN , Mailkawa was.tryjng to manage the situation, if you understand, but today the truth is out in the open, Maikaba only acted the scrip of his paymasters.
SWAN Kano should take up the gauntlet and breath the courage to confront the KPFC paymasters, let SWAN not kill the message, but could kill the messenger, and also remember to kill the sender that is the encoder.

A ommittee should be set up to inesvitgate the matter and publish the report of the findings of the committee, I am ready to chair the committee , if given the task, to look.at happenings in Kano Pillars fc, in the past, present and way forward, and recommend necessary measures to forestall reoccurrence to the state government and general
public.
SWAN Kano should.go the way of what is known in the legal.system as.Amicus Curae.
The committee should.be mandated to look at Kano Pillars fc finances, recruitment of coaches and players, transfer deals, ticket sales, away matches,.sponsorship deals and.marketing and the general situation in the club and make recommendations to the state government and general.public, telling them what they need to know.
We have Kano Pillars fc that does not know the difference between sponsorship, patronage and patnership .
Most annoying is the attitude of Kano state government under His Excellency Emg Abba Kabir Yusuf towards the affairs of the club, Kano state government is treating Kano Pillars as the least of all lots.of its challenges, that is why Kano Pillars fc will be invited to international.meetings to meet with football investors, they will not attend not even to reply such letters of invitation , because they can always ran to Kano government house and they will.goven millions of naira, KPFC is now a prey on government meagre resources, even when it has the potentials to generate its own revenue into government coffers.
if other states do not know how.to run their football clubs to derive IGR, the incumbent KNSG should light the path,.other clubs don’t have the football revenue potentials of Kano Pillars.
If other states run their club for recreational and public relations purposes, Kano Pillars posses the potentials of achieving everything possible in the football business industry, ask anyone that know football business they will affirm this.
Ibrahim Little and his predecessors prey on government monies and even when the insignificant monies generated are been mismanaged SWAN Kano played the Ostrich , it kept quite, even when KPFC brand became a caricature , even in the face of face me I face you football management of the club, even when Alibaba and the 40 thieves managed the affairs of the club, SWAN was asked to remain cool to avoid distracting the players.
Now the bubble has burst .
Warning, with the brewing crisis between KPFC and sports writers in Kano, the father and son relationship between SWAN and KNSG commissoner of information and former president Nigeria Guild of Editors, NGE , a strong supporter of the association, Halilu Babadantiye MNI, may not save the situation.
The relationship between SWAN and Ibrahim Garba ,.the current CPS to Kano deputy governor may not save the situation.
Football news travels like wild fire in the wilderness, SWAN members have sharpen their swords , beware of the ides of March.

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Opinion

Senator MT Monguno’s Impactful Initiatives: A Comprehensive Overview of Empowerment and Developmental Projects

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Senator MT Monguno

 

By Kashim usman sharif

Senator MT Monguno has been a driving force behind numerous impactful initiatives aimed at empowering communities and fostering development in some various sectors. His dedication and commitment to creating positive change have exalted in series of projects that have touched the lives of many individuals. In this comprehensive overview, we will delve into Senator MT Monguno’s key initiatives, highlighting the innovative approaches he has taken, the laudable results he achieved, and the lasting impact on the zone he’s serving. Join us as we explore the transformative work of Senator MT Monguno and celebrate the positive difference he continues to make through his empowerment and Developmental projects.

 

1. Senator MT Monguno’s background and vision.

Senator MT Monguno is a distinguished leader known for his impactful initiatives aimed at driving empowerment and Developmental projects in his constituency. With a rich background in public service and a steadfast commitment to community progress, Senator Monguno has emerged as a beacon of positive change in the political landscape. His vision revolves around uplifting the lives of individuals through sustainable programs that address key issues such as education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and infrastructure development. By leveraging his experience and expertise, Senator Monguno has championed various projects that have significantly improved the qualitative life for the residents in his constituency. Hon Kyari Manguno who is an Ex-chairman of manguno LGA is also rendered unflinching support towards the thriving of developmental projects in the constituency and are all attributed by distinguished qualities in all ramifications.Join us as we delve into the comprehensive overview of Senator MT Monguno’s transformative initiatives and the lasting impact they have made on the community.

 

2. Key empowerment initiatives spearheaded by Senator MT Monguno

Senator MT Monguno has spearheaded several key empowerment initiatives that have had a significant impact on the communities he serves. One of his most impactful initiatives is the establishment of skills acquisition centers aimed at providing valuable vocational training to empower youths and women in various trades. These centers have equipped individuals with the necessary skills to start their own businesses and become self-reliant. Additionally, Senator MT Monguno has been instrumental in promoting education by providing scholarships to deserving students, this enable them to pursue their academic aspirations sufficiently. Furthermore, he has initiated various community development projects such as the construction of schools, healthcare facilities, and roads to improve the overall quality of life for the people in his constituency. Senator MT Monguno’s commitment to empowerment and development has not only transformed the lives of many individuals but has also contributed significantly to the socio-economic growth of the region.

 

3. Developmental projects implemented in various sectors.

Senator MT Monguno has been a driving force behind numerous impactful development projects spanning various sectors. In the education sector, his initiatives have led to the construction of new schools, the provision of educational materials, and the implementation of teacher training programs to enhance the quality of education in the region. Additionally, in the healthcare sector, Senator MT Monguno has spearheaded the establishment of medical facilities, clinics, and health awareness programs to improve healthcare access and outcomes for the community. Furthermore, his efforts in the infrastructural sector have resulted in the construction of roads, bridges, and other vital infrastructure to connect remote areas and stimulate economic growth. Through his multifaceted approach to development, Senator MT Monguno has made a lasting impact on the lives of the people in his constituency, fostering empowerment and sustainable progress across various sectors. The Monguno’s chief of staff also have rendered unflinching support towards the thriving of developmental projects implemented in various sectors.

4. Impact and success stories from the communities served

Senator MT Monguno’s impactful initiatives have brought about significant changes and improvements in the communities he serves. Through various empowerment and developmental projects, Senator Monguno has positively impacted in the lives of his constituents. One such success story comes from a rural village where the senator’s initiative helped set up a women’s cooperative that specializes in handcrafts. The cooperative has not only provided a source of income for the women but has also empowered them to become financially independent and self-sufficient.

In another community, Senator Monguno’s efforts to improve access to education have resulted in the construction of a new school building. This school has opened up opportunities for children who previously had limited access to quality education. As a result, more children in the community are now able to pursue their academic dreams and build a better future for themselves.

These impact and success stories highlight the tangible differences that Senator MT Monguno’s initiatives have made in the lives of the good people of Northern Borno and Borno state at large. By focusing on empowerment and developmental projects, Senator Monguno continues to be a driving force for positive change in his constituency.

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