By Sadiq El-Saye

Aisha Sani Maikudi is a 41-year old professor of International Law, and since July 1, 2024 the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja. She is among the 80 scholars from within and outside Nigeria who have applied to become the next substantive vice chancellor of the university.

There appears, however, to be a well-oiled campaign of calumny, rooted in a conspiratorial grand plot, to stop her, ostensibly – and ironically – because of who she is: a young (too young they argue), beautiful, and exceptionally brilliant and administratively savvy female academic from Katsina. On another day these should have counted as the qualities that recommend her for the job.

In this, 21st, century that has witnessed the emergence of a number of 40-something-year old (and even less) presidents and prime ministers across the world, including in some of the most developed countries, age – not accomplishments, competence and experience – is being bandied by some obscurantists and chauvinists as an obstacle to becoming a vice chancellor. The hypocrisy, nourished in intellectual dishonesty, is that these nay-sayers have conveniently forgotten numerous instances within the very Nigerian university system where dashing young academics held forte as vice chancellors (Iya Abubakar and Akinkugbe in the 1970s, Jibril Aminu in the early 1980s, A S Sambo in the early 2000s, J.D. Amin, Gwarzo and others in the last decade and half). In the same University of Abuja, Gambo Laraba Abdullahi was in 1999 appointed VC in her forties, and she was not even a professor as at the time (just like many others before and after her).

The falsehood being peddled by those opposed to Aisha Maikudi is that she cannot be VC because only a professor of 10 years and above can be. That is pure hogwash. The easily verifiable fact is that there is no such provision in the Universities Miscellaneous Act and the University of Abuja Act (the two legal instruments that decide who becomes VC in the university). As a matter of fact, a simple check can reveal that more than half of the vice chancellors of all Nigerian universities (federal, state and private) attained the positions with less than 10-year experience as professors as at the time of appointment. Faruk Kuta, the incumbent Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Minna, was promoted professor in 2021 and became VC less than two years later. Within the last one year, more than half a dozen federal universities have sought to fill vacant vice chancellors positions. The powers to appoint VC rests solely with Council, and each has the discretion on the kind of experience a candidate should possess. Only few days ago, the University of Nigeria Nsukka pegged 8 years as a minimum number of years a professor wishing to be their VC should be on that rank (earlier on, Usumanu Danfodio University Sokoto like the University of Abuja did not fix any minimum number of years on the professorial rank).

Another falsehood being deliberately and maliciously concocted and spread is that standard was lowered in the second advert (placed in August) to enable Aisha Maikudi apply. Nigerians could vividly recall how ASUU in particular (and some of the people now complaining) protested and insisted that the first advert must be canceled (or at least reviewed). ASUU even embarked on an 83-day strike action to press home their demands. Eventually, Council conceded and reviewed the advert to the open elation of many. For two months all was calm – until when it emerged that Aisha Maikudi was among the 25 fresh applicants!

Those who are opposed to Aisha Maikudi are simply scared stiff of her intimidating CV: academic and administrative accomplishments. For instance, she is the only one among the applicants who has been Head of Department, Deputy Dean of Faculty, Director of one of the key centres of the university, Deputy Vice Chancellor and Acting Vice Chancellor. This is in addition to being a world-class scholar and international citizen with vast contacts that she has deployed for the service and benefit of the university.

Clearly Professor Aisha Sani Maikudi is a towering intellectual titan and proven deft administrator. This reality is very difficult to accept by her detractors and those angling to return UniAbuja to the years of the locust.

Dr El-Saye is of the Faculty of Social Science, University of Abuja.

By Bala Ibrahim.

For the late part of Monday, 07/10/24 and the early hours of Tuesday, 08/10/24, the rumour mill was busy with stories, to the effect that, the Cameroonian President Paul Biya had died. Although no details were given on the time or place of his alleged death, because he has not been seen in the public since his official visit to see China over a month ago, the alleged death was easily believed by many. The news was moving from mouth to ear with caution, circumspect and complete carefulness. Everyone was being close-mouthed, because, Paul Biya is more or less seen as a symbol of personal durability.

He was born on the 13th February 1933 and has served as the second President of Cameroon since 1982. Previously, he held the position of the fifth Prime Minister of the country from 1975 to 1982. Despite his old age and long years on the throne, Biya is viewed and feared by many, as a mortal with an immortal soul. In Cameroon, the subject of his death is a technical taboo. No one is permitted to talk about the likelihood of Biya dying. To speculate his death, is akin to speculating the demise of the nation. Such is the kind of fear injected in the minds of the people of Cameroon, as far as Paul Biya is concerned.

And, lo and behold, within hours of the circulation of the rumour, the Cameroonian authorities came out with a statement, banning the media from discussing the health status of the President, particularly the rumours of his death. Interior Minister Paul Atanga Nji, told regional governors that the stories of Biya’s death disturb the tranquillity of Cameroonians. “Any debate in the media about the president’s condition is therefore strictly prohibited.” -Atanga. The Minister threatened that offenders will face the rigor of the law. I hope that rigor of the law would not catch up with me in Nigeria. In any case, I am not among the death speculators, I am only analysing the immortality of mortality. Period.

Paul Biya is 91 years old and has been in office for more than four decades. Yet, he is branded a mortal that is destined to be immortal. As Africa’s oldest head of state and the second longest-serving in Cameroon, Biya has been struggling to suppress a jihadist violence around Lake Chad, just as the country is also wrestling with a complex and often violent crisis around its English-speaking regions, including my country, Nigeria. With regards public appearances, Biya is known as a habitual non-attendee at many gatherings of African leaders. He is a leader whose absence at functions is considered normal.

However, despite the Governments denial of his death, his disappearance from the public eyes is now sparking the demands from some citizens, for proof of his well-being and a confirmation that indeed he is alive, as claimed. Since the country gained independence from France in the early 1960s, the Cocoa and oil-producing Cameroon, has had just two presidents, with Biya as the second and longest serving. The country, which shares borders with Nigeria through Adamawa state in the north-east, Akwa Ibom in the south south and Benue State in the north-central, is also strategically located as the gateway to the landlocked Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR).

The history of Paul Biya touches on how he rose rapidly as a bureaucrat under President Ahmadou Ahidjo in the 1960s, as Secretary-General of the Presidency from 1968 to 1975, and then as prime minister. He succeeded Ahidjo as president upon Ahidjo’s surprise resignation in 1982 and consolidated power between 1983–1984. Paul Biya staged a coup in which he eliminated all of his major rivals. Under Biya, some political reforms were introduced in the context of a one party arrangement in the 1980s, before the country accepted the introduction of the multiparty politics in the early 1990s. Biya won the 1992 Presidential election under serious controversy and was re-elected by large margins in 1997, 2004, 2011 and 2018.

Although Nigeria and Cameroon have enjoyed a long history of mutual respect, there is still the unsettled thorny issue of border claim between them and one that occasionally results in disputes. The Nigerian government claimed the border was that prior to the British–German agreements in 1913, and Cameroon claimed the border laid down by the British–German agreements.

The border dispute worsened in the 1980s and 1990s after some border incidents occurred, which almost caused a war between the two countries. In 1994 Cameroon went to the International Court of Justice, ICJ. After eight years of adjudication, the ICJ ruled in Cameroon’s favour and confirmed the 1913 border made by the British and Germans as the international border between the two countries. Nigeria confirmed it would transfer Bakassi to Cameroon. In June 2006 Nigeria signed the Greentree Agreement, which marked the formal transfer of authority in the region, and the Nigerian Army partly withdrew from Bakassi.

However, there are still some disquiet there, because, although the ICJ ruling instructed Nigeria to relinquish possession of the Bakasi peninsula, it did not require the inhabitants to move or to change their nationality. And amongst those picturing Paul Biya as the idolizing image of immortality in mortality, are the people of the Bakasi Peninsula. Is it for reasons of patriotism, or for the fear of fascism?

By Abba Anwar

Governor Dikko Umar Radda of Katsina State has once again demonstrated his unwavering commitment to tackling insecurity and promoting economic growth through the domestication of the National Policy on Nano, Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (nMSMEs).

Katsina state, under Radda, is the first state in the country that domesticates the National Policy on nMSMEs. This bold move underscores his administration’s dedication to empowering youth, fostering entrepreneurship, and stimulating economic development. With this unwavering move he beats the imagination of many of his colleagues, governors across Nigeria.

Few months into the domestication period, governor Radda recently celebrated the unveiling and graduation of 217 young entrepreneurs from Katsina State Employability Project, purposely designed to address youth restiveness, criminal activities and creating corridor for growth and development.

During the graduation celebration, that took place at Kofar Bai Conference Hall, Katsina, the governor reiterated his commitment to economic growth, when he reveals that, “Katsina state is the first in the country to domesticate the National Policy on MSMEs and develop our State nMSMEs Policy.”

To comply with the global best practices, this initiative gives priority to areas that have to do with modern technology and Artificial Intelligence. Those graduands acquired skills that include, web development, social media and email marketing, graphics and product design and entrepreneurial development.

This speaks volumes of how focused and committed the governor is. Which undoubtedly places him above many governors in entrepreneurial development and youth inclusion in the state economy, governance and social cohesion, among many others.

As the only governor in Nigeria with the distinction of having led the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Governor Radda brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. His vision for Katsina State’s economic development is anchored on a multifaceted approach:

1. MSME growth
2. Skill acquisition
3. Job creation
4. Poverty alleviation
5. Improved standard of living

The establishment of the Katsina State Enterprise Development Agency (KASEDA) marks a significant milestone in Governor Radda’s quest to drive MSME development and youth empowerment. Under the able leadership of Hajiya A’isha Aminu as Director General, KASEDA has recorded remarkable achievements, including:

– Launch of Dikko BDS Corp

– Training of numerous entrepreneurs

– Selection and Needs Assessment of Businesses with Growth Potentials

– Capacity-building training for KASEDA pioneer staff

– Partnership with the Bank of Industry (BOI) yielding the N5 Billion MSMEs Revolving Matching and Managed Fund

– Study tour to Lagos and Abuja to learn from similar agencies

– Ongoing training of 3 youth at Social Innovation Academy, Uganda

All within a period of one year! This is amazing from all standpoints.

Governor Radda’s commitment to transparency and accountability is evident in his directive for quarterly progress reports from KASEDA, ensuring the agency remains focused on its objectives.

The Katsina MSMEs Policy, carefully crafted to align with the National Policy on MSMEs and the Katsina State Development Plan (2024-2043) Framework, serves as a blueprint for sustainable economic growth. Key components include:

– Promoting entrepreneurship education
– Enhancing access to finance
– Improving business environment
– Encouraging innovation and technology

His leadership has instilled a sense of hope and optimism among the people of Katsina State. His administration’s strides in MSME development and youth empowerment offer a replicable model for tackling insecurity and promoting economic growth.

As we celebrate these achievements, we urge other state governments to draw inspiration from Governor Radda’s visionary leadership. His commitment to empowering youth and fostering entrepreneurship will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on Katsina State’s economic future.

Having studied his giant strides in all facets of life, as a governor, especially in the area of entrepreneurial development and youth empowerment, I have the following suggestions for sustainability purpose and good tracking system. Hence the following suggestions:

Short-term Suggestions of 0-2 years period. See below:

1. Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to track KASEDA’s progress. As the governor paves way for this, right from day one.

2. Develop a mentorship program pairing successful entrepreneurs with start-ups.

3. Organize regular entrepreneurship fairs and exhibitions.

4. Collaborate with financial institutions to provide access to affordable credit.

5. Intensify skills acquisition training programs.

Medium-term Suggestions of 2-5 years. See below:

1. Develop industrial clusters and specialized economic zones.

2. Establish partnerships with international organizations for technical assistance.

3. Create a venture capital fund to support innovative start-ups.

4. Develop an e-commerce platform for MSMEs to access global markets.

5. Introduce business incubation centers.

Long-term Suggestions of 5+ years. See below:

1. Develop a comprehensive entrepreneurship curriculum for schools.

2. Establish a Katsina State Entrepreneurship Development Fund.

3. Create a network of business ambassadors and investors.

4. Develop strategic partnerships with neighboring states for regional economic growth.

5. Establish a research and development center for innovation.

My governor may need the following Cross-Cutting Suggestions again. See below:

1. Ensure inclusive participation of women and youth in MSME development programs.

2. Leverage technology for efficient program management and service delivery.

3. Foster partnerships with private sector stakeholders.

4. Develop a robust database of MSMEs for targeted interventions.

5. Encourage sustainable and environmentally-friendly business practices.

I personally believe that, by implementing these suggestions, Katsina State can:

– Enhance entrepreneurship culture
– Increase job creation
– Stimulate economic growth
– Improve living standards
– Reduce insecurity

These recommendations will help Katsina State sustain and build upon the progress made in MSME development, ensuring a brighter economic future for its citizens.

Kudos to Governor Radda for his unwavering commitment to the people of Katsina State!

Abba Anwar writes from Kano and can be reached at fatimanbaba1@gmail.com