Opinion

ASUU: Asking For The Anger Of Allah

Published

2 years ago

August 18, 2022

Bala Ibrahim

By Bala Ibrahim.

I had stayed clear from comments over the protracted protest of the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, on purpose, because I have many friends in the academia, some of whom may not be happy with my position, which is almost always completely against them. Yes, as far as this particular strike of ASUU is concerned, the leaders of the union have been insensitive to situations, and from the look of things, having angered the government, the parents and the students entrusted to them, they seem set to anger Allah, the maker of the union and it’s members.

I don’t know what chance ASUU stands against kismet, but the leaders are acting at variance with the thinking of those who reckon with nemesis.

It may be recalled that, on Monday, February 14, 2022, ASUU embarked on a nationwide strike, blaming the government for failure to meet some of it’s pressing demands, amongst which are the release of the earned allowances for lecturers, deployment of the University Transparency Accountability System for the payment of salaries and allowances of lecturers, the release of revitalization funds for universities, as well as what they call, poor funding of public universities.

From the very beginning, many were sympathetic to ASUU, especially with regards the issues of the revitalization funds for universities, and that of poor funding of public universities. These are genuine and germane demands that should be supported by all education enthusiasts, because it is the duty of every responsible parent to support the learning of their children.

By the same talking, it is the duty of every responsible teacher to partner with parents in order to extend learning beyond the classroom. And these can only happen, where there is a tripartite arrangement between the teacher, the parent and the students, to seek the source of funds for the success of the mission.

So when sometimes towards the end of last year, the Federal government said it was in the process of disbursing N30 billion as revitalisation fund to public universities, the news was received with joy by everyone that has interest in education.

We all know that poor funding has a negative effect on the opportunities for students to meet their academic potential. Lack of funding means the students would not be able to invest in what matters for them. But the question is, in the search for such funds, must we be engaged in egotism and self-absorption?

A reasonable mind would say NO, but for reasons best known to them, ASUU, under the leadership of Professor Victor Emmanuel Osodeke, is compelling everyone to conclude that the answer is YES.

For reasons of time and space, this article cannot give details on the series of meetings held between ASUU and the Federal government, nor can it comment much on the outcomes of such meetings, but it can say something about the anguish of parents, and the agony of the students, who have been harmed, and academically injured, because of what is perceived as undue pride on the side of the leadership of ASUU. Hence the question, Is ASUU asking for the anger of ALLAH?

People are particularly questioning the reason behind the insistence of ASUU to have their own invention of UTAS, as the system of paying the University workers remuneration instead of IPPS. And ASUU’s rejection of FG’s position that State Governments should be allowed to implement what each can afford to pay, rather than a uniform national wage for university workers, at a time when some states can not even pay the national minimum wage to their workers.

Already, because of the incessancy of the strike, and the seeming intransigence of it’s leadership, accusations of sectional prejudice has began to enter, alluding that, the strike is so prolonged, to work to the disbenefit of a particular section of the country, which has already been at a disadvantage, historically.

There is a particular cliché with such sentiment that is circulating in the social media, viz:

ASUU STRIKE UPDATE !!!

It is *common knowledge* that even without strike; *65 -70 percent of NYSC members serving in each state of the federation are from the South*( Check current Statistics of Participants per state) .

Now with *more than half of a year on the strike,* what Will be the Ratio of next batch of NYSC participants in January 2023, since more than 90 percent of Private universities are located in Southern Part of the country?

*Answer* : lt may likely *be 90-95 percent Southern corpers as participants and 5 -10 percent Northern corpers as participants.*

What this means is that *the strike is further widening the educational gap between north and south.*

*It is my considered opinion that Northerners, (particularly Lecturers) should have a second thought about continuing with the strike.*

*Please note:* some State Universities in the South are not on strike for a single day since ASUU started strike, eg , Lagos State has 3 state universities and none of them is on strike.

*Hattara mutanen Arewa*

A word is enough for the wise!

Hattare mutenen Arewa means, the people of the north should be wary.

With the coming of such sentiments, alongside the directive of the minister of education, Adamu Adamu, that students should sue ASUU because of the strike, coupled with the long standing anger of parents and students, I think the leadership of ASUU needs to revisit it’s conscience, to ensure that it does not plunge Nigeria into an unwarranted crisis, or earn the anger of ALLAH.

Opinion

Let President Tinubu Rename University of Lagos After Gowon, Not Abuja

Published

4 days ago

December 18, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Adnan Mukhtar Tudun Wada

I was not happy when Northwest University Kano was renamed to Yusuf Maitama Sule University, as student leaders of that University then, we followed the interest of the students who were also not happy with the renaming at that time for one reason; the renaming was politically motivated, to hurt the founder of the institution Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso. I was busy mobilising students to protest, the next day I was invited to the DSS for questions where I spent hours and all the people we were mobilising the protest together ran and dissociated themselves from it. I have no option but to plead with the DSS to release me, assuring them that not a single student would protest the government’s action.

The renaming has affected many students who are seeking admission abroad; it’s Northwest University on my transcript and Yusuf Maitama Sule University on my certificate. This is kinda confusing and not good at all.

Politicians should immortalise individuals in their new projects not existing ones. The renaming of the University of Abuja to Yakubu Gowon University is not good for the university’s alumni.

The President should have found a new project or built a new University by naming it after the former Head of State.

I don’t support the idea of playing politics by renaming our universities and this happens mostly in Nigeria.

Imagine waking up renaming the University of Maiduguri to Mohammed Goni University, Yobe State University to Ibrahim Geidam University, the University of Ibadan to Abiola Ajimobi University, the University of Lagos to Lateef Jakande University.

It will be bad for the alumni of the aforementioned universities to come across this.

Why is this only happening in Africa? Look at Makerere University in Uganda, it was established in 1920 but despite Yoweri Mosevenni’s long reign; he didn’t for once attempt to change it to even his name for selfish reasons.

He didn’t think of renaming the Entebbe International Airport after him but in Nigeria, we have this culture of renaming everything after individuals.

If you want to be immortalised, leave a lasting legacy as Gowon did in establishing NYSC. That enough is Okay and better than naming an institution after him.

President Tinubu should have renamed the University of Lagos after Gowon, not Abuja. I’m sure his people will reject this not for any reason but because of the large number of people that will be affected by it.

The University of Abuja Alumni were all crying over this painful decision.

Opinion

Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya: Champion of Civil Society and Good Governance in Northern Nigeria

Published

5 days ago

December 16, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, is an influential Civil Society figure in Kano State and Northern Nigeria. He is currently serving as the Executive Director, Citizens for Development and Education (CDE), he has dedicated many years of his civil society activism as advocate for the promotion of democracy, good governance, anti-corruption, peace building and women empowerment

Amb. Waiya, holds number of academic qualifications, including a Higher National Diploma in Public Administration from Kano State Polytechnic, a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Usmanu Danfodio University, Sokoto, Master’s in Public International Law at Maryam Abacha, American University, Maradi, and he is currently pursuing a doctor of philosophy at Skyline University, Kano in International Relations

In the course of his career, he held several positions and managed a number of projects. He served as the Director, Alhilal Foundation, from 2003 to 2007, an organization which focused on women empowerment, through basic literacy and skills acquisition. He later coordinated the North West Zonal Office of the Mallam Aminu Kano International Foundation. Amb. Ibrahim Waiya, led and coordinated a number of Local Government Councils Elections Observation missions across 19 Northern states.

In 2011, Waiya managed the Campaign against Drug Abuse under the auspices of Northern Youth Assembly, a youth driven platform with leadership structures in the Nineteen Northern States. He served as Secretary, for both, Kano State Stakeholders Committee on Anti-Drug Abuse Campaign and Kano State Stakeholders Committee on Anti-Child Abuse, a project which was coordinated by the office of the Special Adviser, Child Welfare and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency. His involvement in election observation coordination missions and various public engagements, highlights his commitment to civic engagement towards community development, democracy and good governance

Waiya’s extensive experience includes free consultancy support services to numerous Government Ministries and Agencies such as: Kano State Ministry for Women Affairs and Social Development, Kano State Ministry for Community and Rural Development, office of the Special Adviser to the Governor of Kano State on Child Welfare, Ministry for Special duties, office of the special adviser, joint security services. He has facilitated numerous training workshops and seminars, impacting his knowledge, skills, experience on the community, particularly for community based organizations

In recognition of his contributions, he was appointed to several key positions, such as the President, of the Kano Civil Society Forum, Chairman of the Conference of Northern States Civil Society Networks, Convener, Nigeria for Peace Project, Managing partner, United Nigeria Project, Head of Secretariat, Kano Peace Committee, Secretary General, National Action for Women Agenda,(NAWA), chairman, Board of Trustees, Northern Youth Assembly, (Majalisar Matasan Arewa) Fellow, Institute of Security and Strategic Studies, Fellow, Institute of International Peace and Secure Society, Fellow, Institute of Business Diplomacy and Financial Management, member, Commission of Inquiry on Missing persons, member, Implementation Committee, on the Recommendations of the Report of the Commission of inquiry on missing persons, member, Commission of Inquiry to investigate, various political violence and cases of missing persons, that occurred in the State from 2015 – 2023, member, Commission of inquiry to investigate protest, arson and destruction of public and private properties that occurred from 1st – 10th August, 2024 Amb. Waiya, served as Consultant on various government projects, such as: Kano State Security Trust Fund, Safe Corridor, Campaign against Drug Abuse, across the 44 Local Government Council Areas. Amb. Waiya”s active participation in peace building, policy advocacy and legislative reform has continued to impact positive change in Kano State, the North and Nigeria at large.

Opinion

“I Transition to PR and Digital Marketing to Transform Brands Globally” – Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah

Published

7 days ago

December 15, 2024

Nigerian Tracker

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As 2024 comes to a close, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah reflects on his journey from journalism to public relations (PR) and digital marketing. With over a decade of experience in media and communications, Ibrahim’s transition was fueled by a desire to empower businesses—starting with Northern Nigeria but extending globally—to build impactful narratives and achieve sustainable growth.

“Every brand, regardless of location, deserves access to the tools and expertise needed to thrive in today’s fast-paced world,” Ibrahim says. “My goal has always been to bridge the gap in strategic communication, ensuring that no business is left behind.”

From Journalism to Strategic Communication

Ibrahim’s illustrious journalism career spans over a decade, during which he served as a Senior Reporter at TVC News, covering critical developments, including the Kano State Government House for three successive administrations. His work involved breaking major news stories, producing multimedia content, and engaging audiences through digital platforms.

“I’ve always been passionate about communication, but I realized I wanted to do more than report stories—I wanted to help brands craft their own,” Ibrahim shares. “That’s what led me to pivot into PR and digital marketing.”

To equip himself for this new journey, Ibrahim pursued advanced studies, earning a Master’s in Communication Studies and a Master’s in Public Relations from Bayero University, Kano. He further honed his expertise with a Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing from the London School of Business Administration and a Master Diploma in Digital Marketing from the Digital Marketing Skills Institute. These credentials underscore his commitment to mastering the art of strategic communication.

Empowering Brands Through Ayrah Media Concept

As the CEO of Ayrah Media Concept (AMC), Ibrahim leads a PR and creative agency that provides businesses with tailored solutions, including PR consulting, social media management, corporate campaigns, and digital marketing.

“My vision is to empower brands to connect with their audiences, tell compelling stories, and achieve global relevance,” Ibrahim explains. “Through AMC, we’re showing businesses—whether in Northern Nigeria or beyond—that they can reach new heights with the right strategies.”

In 2024, AMC worked on several impactful campaigns, including Ibrahim’s role as a Lead Consultant for the WOFAN-ICON2 project in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, where he developed and executed PR and communication strategies to amplify the project’s impact.

Changing Perceptions and Building Bridges

Transitioning into PR and digital marketing came with challenges, including shifting perceptions about its value.

“Many businesses see PR and digital marketing as optional rather than essential,” Ibrahim says. “But the results are transformative. Strategic communication is not just about visibility; it’s about building trust, credibility, and lasting connections with your audience.”

This philosophy drives Ibrahim’s approach, ensuring that businesses of all sizes—whether local startups or established corporations—can access high-quality PR and marketing services.

Looking Ahead

Ibrahim’s vision for the future extends far beyond regional boundaries. While his roots and passion lie in Northern Nigeria, his focus is on creating strategies that resonate globally.

“Brands in Kano, Lagos, Abuja, or even New York share a common goal: to connect with people and make an impact,” he says. “My mission is to ensure that every business, regardless of size or location, has the tools and strategies to achieve that.”

In 2025, Ibrahim plans to document his professional journey in a book that will explore his experiences as a journalist and PR expert, offering insights into the evolving landscape of communication and its role in business success.

A Message of Gratitude

As he reflects on the year, Ibrahim expresses his gratitude to those who have supported his journey. “I’m incredibly thankful to my mentors, collaborators, and clients who have believed in my vision. Together, we’ve shown that impactful communication has the power to transform lives and businesses.”

With a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Ibrahim Ayyuba Isah is poised to lead the way in redefining PR and digital marketing, not just in Nigeria but across the globe.