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ASUU Stance:Same Old Story Same Old Song

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Bala Ibrahim

 

By Bala Ibrahim.

When a friend, who is also an academic, received my previous article on ASUU, captioned, Is ASUU Asking For The Anger of Allah?, his response was, “yayi mallam B. Muna jiran reactions”. The meaning is, it’s okay mallam B. We await reactions. Indeed I knew there would be reactions, some of which would be unpalatable, but I am ready to damn the consequences, because, like late Mallam Saad Zungur said, tell the truth and prepare to be damned.

One of the reactions, which broadly reflects the general overview of them all, is, “Bala Ibrahim should keep his mouth shut. He’s lost touch with the reality as far ASUU’s strike is concerned. For example, the man is still trying to compare IPPIS to UTAS, while the Federal Minister for Communications and Digital Economies has just last week told the world that IPPIS has been compromised, and that he has been mandated by Mr President to inaugurate a presidential committee towards ameliorating its deficiencies. This goes to show that either Bala Ibrahim has lost touch with facts on the ground or he’s a hired agent by the Federal Ministry of Education in their bid to set the students against their lecturers”

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I expected something like this and even more, because ego is at work. However, because I anticipated their coming, my instinct simply classified them as comments in conformity with the song of Randy Crawford- Same old story, same old song.

In Nigeria, once you go against the position of any union that is fighting the government, regardless of the reason, if the union is self-centred, or preoccupied with the gratification of it’s own desires, your name is, the paid agent of the government. It’s same old story same old song.

In her song, titled, Same old story, same old song, Randy Crawford said:

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“It goes all right till it goes all wrong. Now you’re going, then you’re gone. Same old story, same old song. One hand will take, one hand will give. That’s all we know, that is how we live. One day hello, the next day goodbye. And everyone just stays high. Same old story, same old song.
One builds you up, one tears you down. To some you’re a saint, to others you’re a clown. What can you do but just see it through. And hold on to what is left of you? Same old story, same old song”.

I expected some of these critics from ASUU, particularly those of them in the English and Mass communications departments, to do a quick clinique on the article, and correct my grammatical blunder, where I said, By the same talking, instead of, By the same token. But because ego is at work, they were blinded by anger, because the truth was told. Hence the resort to singing the song of Randy Crawford- Same old story same old song.

The issue ASUU is refusing to look at is the moral position of the teacher, and the righteousness of the teaching profession. Some of us have taught before, and we know since then that, money and material possessions are the last in the curriculum of the teacher. Materialism, or the tendency to consider material possessions and physical comfort as more important than social values are not suppose to be in the dictionary, or even constitution of the conscientious teacher.

Teaching is classified among the sacrificial services, which means, doing good works even when it’s costly, inconvenient or challenging. There is an African saying that: “Teachers’ reward is in heaven”, which simply means, the reward for teachers’ daily sacrifice, and hard work in shaping the minds and lives of the future leaders of the society, can never be adequately rewarded in monetary terms.

But ASUU, under the present leadership, is refusing to agree with that, rather, it is trying to change the narrative. And doing so by putting parents and students under unbearable pains.

Late Julius Nyerere, the former President of Tanzania, who preferred the title of Muallim, or the teacher, to the prefix, President, once said, “If I had known that the status of the President is less than the prestige of the teacher, I wouldn’t have left the classroom to become the President”.

Such was the stimulus in the motivation to teach, or be seen as a teacher- sacrificing your comfort today, for the progress and comfort of the students tomorrow.

If medical doctors for instance, whose course and period of training is adjudged as extremely tasking, were to ask for commensurate compensation for their sacrifices, and contemplate downing tools until such compensations are made good in monetary terms, public life would crash, or cease completely.

ASUU, under the leadership today, is hell-bent on crippling the future of education in Nigeria, and from all indications, the reasons are inseparable from the personal profit or pleasure of the leaders, whose agenda seems in concert with the agenda of an unpopular political party, that is working towards disuniting Nigeria. Why?

So long as ASUU keep our children away from the universities, we shall continue to voice out their insensitivity, without regards to whose ox is gored. And we know they would only react with the same old story and same old song.

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Jigawa State Government to Renovate Government College Birnin Kudu

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Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has pledged to renovate the old premier Government College, Birnin Kudu, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to strengthening legacy educational institutions in the state.

The governor made the pledge during the 45th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Birnin Kudu Old Boys Association (BIKOBA), held at the college premises. He was represented at the event by the Secretary to the State Government, Malam Bala Ibrahim.

According to the governor, priority attention is being given to long-established schools because of their historical significance and the calibre of leaders they have produced over the years. He noted that the history of Jigawa State cannot be adequately told without reference to Government College Birnin Kudu, given the role its alumni have played in the state’s development.

In his address, the National President of BIKOBA, Alh. (Dr.) Ja’afar Usman Muhammad (Turakin Gaya), highlighted the association’s sustained commitment to the growth of its alma mater, working in synergy with government and development partners. He commended the Jigawa State Government under Governor Namadi for allocating funds for the renovation of the school, describing the intervention as timely in view of prevailing economic challenges.

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Dr. Muhammad outlined BIKOBA’s interventions over the years, including support for water supply, desks and chairs, hostel facilities, laboratories, medical supplies, learning materials, and sporting equipment. He also acknowledged the contributions of partners such as the Dangote Foundation, Ganduje Foundation, Qatar International, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), as well as class chapters and individual members.

The BIKOBA president, however, drew attention to lingering infrastructural and administrative challenges facing the college, appealing for increased financial support to rehabilitate secretariats and address critical needs. These include the reconstruction of hostels gutted by fire, renovation of dilapidated classrooms and administrative blocks, upgrading of computer centres, staff quarters, the college mosque, and conference and dining halls. He also urged government authorities to investigate alleged lapses in admission practices and restore proper entry standards to safeguard the school’s academic quality.

Chairman of the occasion, Pharmacist Hashim Ubale Yusuf, called on individual members to continue supporting the alumni association, describing such commitment as a legacy and source of inspiration for younger generations.

Also speaking, a former President of BIKOBA, Colonel Umaru Malami, cautioned members to use their time judiciously to positively impact themselves and society. He described age as transient and urged adherence to values taught by Islam. Colonel Malami further called on governments at all levels to focus on people-centred policies capable of improving living standards, rather than making empty or unrealistic promises.

The AGM concluded with calls for collective responsibility in preserving the heritage and academic standards of Government College Birnin Kudu.

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Court Restrains Anti-Corruption Commission, Others from interfering in MAAUN’s Affairs

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A Kano High Court has granted an interim injunction restraining the Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission (PCACC) and four other parties from interfering in the internal and external affairs of Maryam Abacha American University of Nigeria (AAUN), Kano.

Justice Sanusi Ado Ma’aji of the High court of Kano Judicial Division issued the order, while ruling on a motion of ex parte filed by the management of the university.

The respondents in the suit are the Kano State Government, PCACC, Kano State House of Assembly and the state’s Attorney-General and concerned parents of the institution.

Justice Ma’aji in the court order dated December 11, 2025, restrained the respondents or any other person acting on their behalf from inviting officials of the institution or interfering in the administrative and academic activities of the intuition, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

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The court also directed all the parties to maintain status quo in relation to the matter between the applicant and the first respondent, pending the determination of the originating summons.

Speaking after the ruling, MAAUN’s counsel Zahraddeen M. Bello, said that the court’s decision reaffirmed the rule of law and the need for due process, saying the university will continue to operate within the confines of law, while the case is pending.

However, the court granted leave to the applicant to serve court processes on the fifth respondent at its office located at No. 224 Sabo Bakin Zuwo, Kano.

The matter was adjourned to December 29, 2025 and the order was given under the hand and seal of the presiding judge and was duly endorsed by the Principal Registrar of the court.

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Jigawa Trains Local Government Chairmen on 2025 Tax Reform Act

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The Jigawa Joint Task Committee has commenced a two-day capacity-building training for local government chairmen and policymakers. The two-day capacity program focused on the new Nigeria Tax Reform Act (NTA) 2025, which is scheduled to take effect nationwide on January 1, 2026.

The training gathered a contingent of state and local revenue stakeholders, including all 27 local government chairmen of Jigawa State, led by the Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), revenue officers, and key policy and tax experts.

The core objective of the session was multifaceted: to enhance understanding of the NTA 2025 and its specific implications for local government administration, strengthen collaboration between state and local tiers for revenue harmonization and joint administration, and improve the technical capacity of local government leaders in deploying modern revenue processes and digital systems.

During the event, the Executive Chairman of the Jigawa Internal Revenue Service (JIRS), Dr. Nasir Sabo Idris, commended the state government’s leadership for its commitment to fiscal autonomy.

“I wish to acknowledge the immense support of His Excellency, Governor Malam Umar Namadi, FCA,” Dr. Idris said.

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According to Dr. Idris, Jigawa Governor’s commitment to revenue generation has been unwavering, ensuring a consistent improvement in the state’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).

Dr. Idris pointed out that the upcoming launch of JigiTax, a wholly digital platform designed to streamline and modernize revenue collection across Jigawa State, is underway.

He said the move is seen as a direct response to strengthening transparency and blocking revenue leakages.

On his part, the Jigawa State Commissioner for Local Government, Ibrahim Graba Hannun-Giwa, whose address was delivered by the Director of Research, Malam Samaila Yusuf, said:

“The Ministry of Local Government is doing all it takes to continue supporting the visionary policies of Governor Namadi and driving policies that will shore up the revenue base of our local governments,” Malam Yusuf stated, emphasizing a unified approach to fiscal strength.

The dividends of the collaborative efforts were highlighted by the ALGON Chairman, who also serves as the Chairman of Dutse Local Government.

Speaking to newsmen, he asserted that the state’s disciplined approach had fundamentally altered the financial landscape at the grassroots level.

“With the commitment shown by Governor Namadi and the diligent efforts of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee, no local government in Jigawa now seeks intervention,” the ALGON Chairman declared.

He said, “Revenue loopholes are being systematically blocked, and improved compliance by different stakeholders, including markets and motor parks remitting their taxes, has significantly boosted our revenue drive.”

He further confirmed that the local governments had already undertaken a series of awareness trainings for all relevant stakeholders to ensure a seamless transition to the NTA 2025.

Barrister Aliyu Abdullahi said the in a paper presentation titled “State and Local Government in the Law,” by a legal practitioner. The paper specifically called for the legislative institutionalization of the Jigawa Joint Revenue Committee by the State House of Assembly. This institutional backing, the practitioner argued, would solidify the collaborative framework for revenue harmonization and ensure its longevity beyond the current administration.

 

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