The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • State of emergency on education in Taraba: rhetoric or reality?

    State of emergency on education in Taraba: rhetoric or reality?

    Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas has declared a state of emergency on primary and secondary schools. Victor Gai xrays the government’s decision.’

    About a week ago, the Taraba State Governor Agbu Kefas, at a meeting with reporters in Jalingo, declared a state of emergency in education. The declaration caught the attention of Tarabans and the media, considering the timing and the implication of the action.

    Kefas was barely a week in office when he made the statement; and placing a “state of emergency” on a sector only suggests that there is a problem that needs attention. This is coming against the backdrop of the media hype on the achievements of former Governor Darius Ishaku Dickson-led administration in education.

    Governor Kefas’ justification

    The question is: Did the education sector in Taraba deserve a state of emergency? Kefas explained: “We need to do something about the state of our primary schools and the environment in the secondary schools. We already have samples and templates of what we want to do in the schools. Also, we will include training of teachers for effectiveness. So, when we appoint our commissioners, we will be able to take up that one as soon as possible.

    “But the one that is a must is to declare a state of emergency on our primary and secondary schools. We are not talking about security, because that is the  standard and the primary responsibility of the government to provide to its citizens. Security is my constitutional responsibility.”

    Facts on ground

    However, the Ishaku-led administration made major inroads in the education sector.

    For instance, Ishaku recruited 3,000 teachers to man secondary schools. Initially, they were recruited as casual workers known as “rescue teachers”. But, in May 2023, just before he handed over, they were recruited as permanent teachers. This single effort was applauded by stakeholders, considering the neglect of secondary education by past administrations.

    The massive recruitment of teachers contributed to the success of the state in WAEC/SSCE. In the 2019 WAEC performance data by states, Taraba was 14th with 85.74 per cent.

    The then Commissioner, Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Johannes Jigem, gave reasons for the success. He said the factors behind the success and improvement of the WAEC results in recent years in the state was the regular payment of examination registration fees in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019 for pupils of Special Education Centres and students of two exchange schools by the state government.

    “This has enabled many indigenes and non-indigenes and physically-challenged pupils to participate in the examination without stress.

    “Employment of 3,000 teachers by the state government was also a major leap forward in reducing the huge students/teacher ratio in core subjects and also boosted the level of learning across schools in the state.

    Read Also: ‘Pay attention to children’s moral education’ 

    “The supply of instructional materials by the state government to secondary schools was also key to the recent successes recorded in the examination,” Jigem stated.

    However, one of the lows of the Ishaku-led administration was the poor handling of the welfare of primary school teachers, which lingered throughout his administration. Unfortunately, he left without tackling the issue of salaries of primary school teachers. This attracted the attention of labour leaders.

    During the last May Day celebration, Chairman, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Taraba State chapter, Peter Jediel, called on Ishaku to pay the backlog of teachers’ salary.

    “We want to draw the attention of the government to the plights of workers in the state. The major one has to do with the outstanding six months salaries of local government staff and five months for primary school teachers as well as the non-payment of yearly increment, which stopped since three years.

    Taraba’s worst education indices

    Despite the successes and challenges, Taraba has some of the worst education indices in the country, which need the attention of any serious government.

    Data published in 2018 by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) shows that Taraba is among the 10 states housing more than half of Nigeria’s out-of-school children. According to the data, Taraba has 499,923 out-of-school children behind Kano State with 989,234, Akwa-Ibom (581,800), Katsina (536,122) and Kaduna (524,670).

    Civil society coalition and others speak

    On the pronouncement, Chairman, Coalition of Civil Society, Taraba State, Joseph Gimba, expressed shock at the pronouncement by the governor, but at the same time praised him.

    “I must say that I received the news with shock and awe at the simple fact that politicians do not invest in public education but private. Most of those politicians you see, their children are in private schools and not public schools. But, for him to come out and say he has declared a state of emergency on primary and secondary school education is something commendable. We should be able to give him that allowance. Let’s see to what extent that declaration can translate to something concrete and tangible,” he said.

    He alleged discrepancies in the recruitment and posting of teachers in Taraba, saying spouses of highly-placed civil servants and politicians were favoured at the expense of others.

    “If you look at the recruitment, you will discover that at the state level, wives of directors, commissioners and other big civil servants are in schools within the township and hardly do what they are supposed to do. In the villages, we do not have teachers. To counter this, it would be good that recruitment and training are done at the local level, so that people can fill the spaces at the local level,” he said.

    On the best strategy to adopt to ensure the success of the plan, Gimba said: “The state of education in Nigeria and Taraba State is not better. Infrastructure are in decay, lecturers, teachers’ salary do not come as at when due, there is no motivation, and in whatever government’s policy, teachers are not considered. Even if they are considered, you discover that the response towards them has always been very poor. So, I hope that, before he starts, he should have the basic understanding of the state of decay of basic education in Taraba State. And after making that declaration, we hope that the governor constitutes a high-powered committee from all shades of opinion, private sector, civil society and opinion leaders that would sit and look at the issues on ground. We want him to depart from the previous administration in the area of funding education.”

    Also, the spokesman of the APC Taraba State, Aaron Artimas, welcomed the development, describing it as a positive one.

    He, however, said funding was key to the success of the plan.

    “It is a positive and promising statement. It shouldn’t only be  rhetorics. Government must investigate to determine the scope of the problem. Funding is very fundamental.

    “When I was in government, the Ministry of Education had a monthly running cost of N10 million, which is shared among schools.

    “He has to go into all these in order to know the level of destruction before he would know what to do,” Artimas advised.

    Also, the immediate past Commissioner of Basic Education said he was satisfied with the pronouncement and that he did not see any thing extra-ordinary with the term “state of emergency”.

    Jigem made reference to the successes of the immediate past administration such as in the WAEC examination, which he said the present government could improve on.

    “He has to start from where we stopped. Education is a bottomless pit. You can’t satisfy every sector. He has to improve. That word ’emergency’ doesn’t mean anything, it is normal,” he said.

  • Does Sanwo-Olu truly care? (2)

    Does Sanwo-Olu truly care? (2)

    In Lagos, death is another story that must not be talked about. The rising spate of commuter deaths along the straggling tract of the Lagos-Abeokuta highway should not be brought to the attention of Governor Babajide Sanwoolu, railed a hyperactive loyalist, last week.

    Clearly, only the ‘hostile’ local and international press are allowed to do that. When they do, Governor Sanwo-Olu and aides would scurry to project their fetching narratives about the achievements of his government via hastily conceived interviews otherwise known as ‘damage control.’

    Apology to Sanwo-Olu but the squalor and deaths afflicting the Lagos-Abeokuta highway are direct consequences of some failure in governance and public agencies; the incessant deaths caused by reckless driving, road rage and the penchant of motorists to ply the wrong way (one-way) while facing oncoming vehicles at full throttle are failures of the government at asserting its authority over lethargic subsidiary agencies.

    Some would argue that the problematic corridor is “a federal road” and thus falls under the purview of responsibility of the Federal Ministry of Works; if that is the case, why does the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences (Enforcement) Unit’s task force prowl the highway to arrest traffic offenders?

    It is noteworthy that the task force persistently staged a gung-ho-styled intervention, arresting reckless drivers along the route until a few months before the 2023 elections, then they suddenly withdrew from the route to placate furious commuters cum prospective voters perhaps.

    While it may be argued that the departments in charge of public works and maintenance of traffic law are seriously in need of an overhaul – at the federal and state levels – given their inadequacies at curbing the spate of accidents and deaths prevalent on the highway, the buck stops on Sanwo-Olu’s table being the Number One administrator of the state.

    This minute, calamity and death run the Lagos-Abeokuta highway amok. Last night, while it rained, a mother of four was sandwiched between two trucks whose drivers dragged her menacingly towards a larger truck and a Volkswagen LT Commercial bus bearing down at them at the bloody Meiran junction, not minding that they were plying the wrong way (one way).

    The woman kept screaming “Egbami! Egbami! (Save me! Save me!) while her four children screamed in fear. This happened in the thick of a gridlock that had motorists travelling from Sango-Agbado Kollington jostling for the right of way with reckless drivers plying the wrong way all the way from Ahmadiyya Junction en route to Meiran-Agbado-Kollington.

    Fellow commuters paused in abject fear and consternation at the imminent fate of the mother and her kids. Luckily, the container and Volkswagen bus drivers stepped on their brakes thus allowing rescuers to extricate the bonnet of the woman’s badly mangled Kia Rio from underneath the oncoming truck.

    Like a blood-dimmed tide loosed upon a grassy plane, tragedy splashes about the route, drowning lives and innocence in a passionate, intense swirl of ghastly auto accidents.

    From a distance, the piercing and indiscriminate glare of sunlight and moonshine desecrate the highway, like tombs slipshodly carved along its greying tract, which connects Lagos to Ogun State. Closer, the pedestrians and motorists plying the route take shape like a stream of accidental shadows, their hard fates striking one’s face and making the senses numb with jarring clarity.

    Their noiseless undertones, however, evoke intense feelings of awe and curiosity. Sad desperate glances of the commuters inspire a thirst for buried narratives that they miserably learn to endure as unfeeling jests made by death.

    Should His Excellency continue to neglect the human suffering emblematic of the pale ghost of that troubled part of his coastal “City of Excellence.”

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu: we must collaborate to end plastic pollution

    Is he unaware of the deaths and squalor prevalent on the highway? At least, he understands the significance and likely benefits of fostering an urgent rehabilitation of the road.

    Would he continue to ignore the decline of the highway, where decay and death spit venom at hapless citizenry, like Siamese cobras every day?

    Cynics would argue that Sanwo-Olu is unmoved to affect a heartfelt response to the Lagos-Abeokuta highway tragedy. Still, I would love to believe that he is making spirited gestures even as you read to rescue imperilled and disillusioned commuters in the area.

    Ignorance is not an excuse for denying the citizenry good governance and their fundamental human rights, like access to good and safe roads. It is never “politically expedient” to neglect a class of the governed just because, by will or circumstance, they inhabit parts of the state the ruling class would rather not lose sleep over, except at the time of election or re-election.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu is spending his second term in office which makes it even more essential for him to consolidate on his achievements during his first term.

    When the All Progressives Congress eventually presents its candidates for public office in 2027, the rehabilitation of the Lagos-Abeokuta highway could be one of its glowing achievements aside from the rehabilitation of major bypasses.

    Both federal and state governments’ intervention is needed by the poor citizenry braving the perils of the Lagos-Abeokuta highway, every day. The route constitutes an eyesore to the Lagos enterprise. Nonetheless, a zealous apologist argued that Sanwo-Olu could not be blamed or involved in goings-on along the road corridor.

    Anthony Storr, a late British writer and psychiatrist would term this one of the many delusions that render the Lagos-Abeokuta highway’s ugly reality justifiable for Sanwo-Olu’s zealots, and as such, jealously defensible against admonishment and reason.

    Save an empty promise made by the  Ogun state governor, Dapo Abiodun, in the early days of his administration, when he claimed that he, and his Lagos State counterpart, Governor Sanwo-Olu, had gotten approval from the federal government to repair the highway and earn a toll from it, nothing has been done to rehabilitate the treacherous stretch.

    Sanwo-Olu must learn from the failure of ex-Ogun governor, Ibikunle Amosun, who neglected the dangerous state of the Lagos-Ibadan highway simply because it was “a federal road.”

    The world would never forget in a hurry, the poor, helpless souls that thrashed out and gave their final gasps in grotesque, bloody accidents on the road on Amosun’s watch. Omolade Ogunnoiki, 17, was a 100 Level History student at Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU). Together with her friend, Funmilayo Pampam, 18, and Olatunji Dairo, a 2014 Physics graduate of OOU,  she was crushed to death. They were casualties of an auto accident involving a truck carrying an unlatched container and their Lagos-bound passenger bus, on the Ilishan- Sagamu highway in Ogun State. The accident claimed nine other undergraduates and the driver of the bus.

    Omolade and Funmilayo probably nursed dreams of greatness. Dairo too. Their parents laboured to educate them,  they wished they would grow to become the pride of their families and their comfort in their twilight. Those dreams lie six feet under red earth, with the crushed teenagers and the Physics graduate. In a bid to avoid bad portions on the road, the driver of the truck reportedly drove against the traffic until its container fell off its hinges, crushing to death the two friends, Dairo and nine other OOU students. At the time of their demise, Ogunnoiki and Pampam were 17 and 18 years old respectively.

    Perhaps Governor Sanwo-Olu would answer as the humane, proactive administrator he is deemed to be and protect commuters on the Lagos-Abeokuta highway from such a gruesome fate.

  • Labour licks own wound

    Labour licks own wound

    Joe Ajaero’s Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) bolted into battle.  Pat, it ran into an ambush.  Now, it’s left to lick own wound.  In its lament, it claims the “government has procured a court injunction restraining congress …”

    That might well be, even if “procurement” here is grumpy and in clear bad taste.  But you don’t smack a child and expect the child not to cry, do you?

    Nevertheless, NLC should have been more honest with itself: the court intervention wouldn’t have arisen if it had had more tact; and resisted the temptation to flaunt its “aluta” macho, by declaring a premature strike.

    Trade Union Congress (TUC) and NLC began initial talks.  That was May 31.  Both were to resume on June 4.  But instead of talks — which TUC did though it maintained its stance — NLC rushed to declare a strike, for which it couldn’t even boast overwhelming public support.

    After getting hooked by the National Industrial Court (NIC) exparte injunction, it had no choice, shame-faced, but to rush back to belated talks to save face!  It was all absolutely unnecessary. 

    Read Also: No agreement yet with Fed Govt over subsidy removal – Labour

    You don’t flex muscles all of the time because you boast intimidating biceps!  After needlessly eating crow, Ajaero’s NLC must learn to be calmer — and wiser — next time.

    Still, NLC must have been routed in the open salvos.  But that doesn’t mean it would lose the war.  Indeed, no one need lose any war.  As a matter of fact, there should be no war, if good sense prevails across the isle.

    Subsidy removal is a big socio-economic disruptor that must be handled with utmost care.  That’s why the Federal Government and Organized Labour must be earnest with each other.  

    There is a humongous, nay explosive, social cost to manage.  The government needs the cash from subsidy removal to make life easier for all.  Labour needs honest and quality information to explain the situation to its constituency, aside from securing them fair deals to tide them over.

    What both need is a thriving and mutually beneficial partnership to vault past this challenging moment.  That is what the present situation demands; and both sides can secure it with mutual confidence building.

    Let the government lead by offering reasonable proposals; and after, let its word be its bond, by faithfully implementing whatever agreement reached.  Let Labour approach the negotiations with patriotism and an open mind. 

    Both can secure a win-win if they put their minds to it.  The country demands no less, at this very tetchy and delicate juncture.

  • LASU VC advises students on use of bicycles

    LASU VC advises students on use of bicycles

    Vice-Chancellor, Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, Prof. Ibiyemi Olatunji-Bello, has advised students and staff to adopt the use of bicycles to keep their health sound, ensure mobility and decarbonise the environment.

    Prof. Olatunji-Bello, who was represented by Prof. Charles Asenime, Dean, School of Transport and Logistics, LASU, spoke at the celebration of 2023 World Bicycle Day, tagged: “Royal Edition” in Lagos.

    The theme of the programme, organised by LASU and Asian – African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI), was: “Promoting Mobility, Good Health and Sustainable Environment”.

    She said that cycling enhances blood circulation to vital parts of the body, even as it strengthens the muscles, giving no room for blood-clotting.

     “World Bicycle Day event is in line with the “T.H.E.M.E.S” Agenda of the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and our institution has also keyed into the agenda.

     “This celebration is for everybody and it is designed for each and every one, not only to be able to move easily, but to become healthier.

     “Instead of spending hours on the same spot on a treadmill, get a bicycle for good health, mobility and to decarbonise the environment,” Prof. Olatunji-Bello said.

    She said the use of bicycles would go a long way to reduce carbon print.

     “Students who live around the Iba community can also make use of bicycles to their various departments and faculties in the university,” Olatunji-Bello said.

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    Asenime, speaking in his own capacity, said that this year’s royal edition was apt as it had come at a time when the petrol subsidy was removed.

    Asenime said it came at the right time in Nigeria when the people were complaining of no money for short distances.

     “I encourage Nigerians to get their bicycles, mount, and embark on short distances; it is safe.

     “I also appeal to motorists to accommodate bicycle riders, as they too are equally road users and have to be respected as well,” he said.

    Mr. Anrinle Adekunle, President, Asian – African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI), Nigeria, said that the event was meant to encourage the usage of bicycles as a sustainable means of transportation.

    Adekunle said that they were collaborating with LASU to start the advocacy on the need for what is known as cycling infrastructure.

     “LASU is one of the foremost universities in Nigeria and it comes first when we talk on innovations,”he said.

    About 260 people registered and took part in the 2023 World Bicycle Day competition.

  • FUOYE workers praise VC for providing new bus

    FUOYE workers praise VC for providing new bus

    Members of staff of the Federal University Oye- Ekiti (FUOYE) have lauded the management of the institution for providing a new 60-seater bus for them.

    The bus, according to the management led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Abayomi Fasinato, is to cushion the effect of the removal of fuel subsidy.

    The Public Relations Officer of the university, Mr. Funso Ogunmodede, who spoke on behalf of the staff, noted that the vice chancellor had never betrayed their expectations.

    Ogunmodede said that this was in spite of the various ongoing projects within the twin campuses in Oye and Ikole-Ekiti.

    “We cannot thank God enough for making Prof. Abayomi Fasina, the FUOYE Vice Chancellor at a time like this.

    Read Also: Students, staff hail FUOYE’s VC on second anniversary

    “The vice chancellor has changed the face of leadership in FUOYE with his numerous achievements in providing infrastructure, promoting staff welfare and enhancing an enabling environment for the students.

    “This no doubt, with his administration’s open door policy, is the best to have happened to FUOYE in recent times because he has no doubt registered his name in gold as the best administrator of FUOYE.”

    He noted that the bus would go a long way in tackling the effects of the fuel subsidy removal, adding that the staff were excited with the development because the VC had not deviated from ensuring that the staff got the best treatment.

    “We are very happy, because Prof. Fasina has transformed every aspect of the university. We are happy for this latest gesture, God bless him for us,” he said.

  • TETFund inaugurates five digital projects in Oko Poly

    TETFund inaugurates five digital projects in Oko Poly

    Nigeria’s quest for quality education for its teeming citizens at all levels has remained largely a pipe-dream. With increasing population of youths seeking tertiary education, coupled with limited resources and space, federal and state governments have continued to struggle to meet the gap.

    However, the creation of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), an interventionist agency established by Act of Parliament with responsibility of disbursement, management, and monitoring of education tax to government-owned tertiary institutions, has provided rare hope for the nation’s tertiary educational development.

    One of such institutions is the Federal Polytechnic, Oko, Anambra State, which recently witnessed inauguration of five projects by former President Muhammadu Buhari. The iconic projects worth N697, 924, 427.23 included Multipurpose Hall, ICT Main Building, School of Renewable Energy Building, Agricultural Technology Engineering Building and Chemical Engineering Laboratory.

    Two other capital projects, namely Dean’s Complex and Food Technology Laboratory were also inaugurated by the Ag. Chairman of Governing Council of the institution, Hon. Omonibeke Kemelayefa.

    Speaking during the event, Buhari described education as critical element in socio-economic development of nations, stressing that the projects would in no small measure further enhance teaching and learning and improvement of academic standards.

    Represented by former Minister of State for Education, Goodluck Opiah, Buhari urged the polytechnic to take full advantage of the facilities and make good use of them for educational and vocational development of the students.

    Read Also: TETFund funded researchers develop prototypes for hunger, poverty

    Also speaking, Executive Secretary, TETFund, Sonny Echono, stated that the projects were testimony to government’s commitment to ensuring institutions across the country attained high global ranking, at the sametime become more competitive in their mandate as tertiary institutions.

    Represented by Director, Monitoring and Evaluation, Babatunde Olajide, Echono added that the commissioning of the projects was a major way of showcasing achievements of the current government in the tertiary education sub-sector in view of the large volume of funds released for the provision of needed infrastructure through the fund.

    Commending the polytechnic management for sticking substantially to the guidelines of the fund in managing the projects to completion, the TETFund boss implored her to ensure proper usage and maintenance of the buildings, to serve generations coming behind to acquire learning in the institution.

    Rector of the institution, Dr. Francisca Nwafulugo reiterated her administration’s committment to ensuring that the polytechnic remained a world class Institution.

    She praised the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) for its massive support to the polytechnic, revealing  that the institution was almost 100 per cent accreditation compliant, including mounting of new programmes namely Chemical Engineering and Viticulture with NBTE’s approval.

    Dr. Nwafulugo, however, raised the alarm over rampaging gully erosion that had posed serious threats to lives and infrastructure in the campus.

    She regretted that the 1.23km road built in the institution three years ago had already been washed away by the erosion, calling for Federal Government’s quick intervention.

  • Ondo deputy governor’s kinsmen kick against ‘impeachment’ plot

    Ondo deputy governor’s kinsmen kick against ‘impeachment’ plot

    Ilaje Development Summit Group (IDSG), kinsmen of Ondo State Deputy Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa, have kicked against alleged plots to impeach him.

    They said recent events and developments in the state were a great cause for concern for the Ilaje Nation.

    According to the body, there were plans to unlawfully impeach Aiyedatiwa from office so as to achieve objectives that are antithetical to the people’s welfare, good government and interests. It called on Governor Akeredolu to caution those behind the plot as it could strain the relationship between him and Ilaje.

    An open letter to Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, signed by the Deputy Executive Administrator, Rev. Ola Ajidibo, reads: “We have confirmed that the allegations of domestic abuse against the Deputy Governor, by his wife Mrs. Oluwaseun Aiyedatiwa, is a fabrication from the pit of hell and designed to generate an impeachable offence since there is no other ploy the plotters could employ. Aiyedatiwa could not be accused of financial impropriety, of being unfaithful to his wife, or of generally not living a disciplined life.

    Read Also: LP Rep – elect backs committee chair, Onuoha for deputy speaker

    “He has been a man of proven absolute loyalty to Your Excellency, hence the resort to crafting domestic abuse allegations. We also know that based on your own knowledge of your deputy, and interactions with him and his wife, you will easily give short shrift to such ridiculous allegations.

    “It is a great disservice to Ondo State and we respectfully urge you to call the perpetrators to order. It is possible you know what is happening while you are away, and feel reluctant to get involved, believing that politicians will always solve problems themselves. It is also possible that you are aware of what is going on and it is also possible that you are not completely aware of what is happening. Whichever is the case, Your Excellency, at this point as the Chief Security Officer of the state, your immediate intervention is of utmost urgency.”

  • Prioritise wellbeing of residents, counsellors urge governor

    Prioritise wellbeing of residents, counsellors urge governor

    Institute of Counselling in Nigeria (ICN) has congratulated Niger State Governor,  Mohammed Bago, on his inauguration as governor.

    Umar Bago is one of the Advisory Board Member of the institute.

    The institute, in a statement by Provost, Dr. Tolulope Oko-Igaire, on behalf of  ICN, said his victory  reflects the trust and confidence the people placed in him and urge him to prioritise their well-being with people-oriented policies.

    “We congratulate Governor Mohammed Bago. It is a tremendous achievement that reflects the trust and confidence the people placed in him, and we are sure he will serve them with distinction.

    Read Also: PHOTOS: President Tinubu meets with Nigerian Governors Forum

    “As an institute, we have no doubt he will bring about positive changes and make significant contributions to development and progress of the state.

    “We urge him to prioritise the well-being of residents by coming up with business-friendly and people-oriented policies…

    “As he takes on this responsibility, we want him to know he has our support and that of others who share his commitment to building a better future for all. We are confident under his leadership, Niger State will continue to thrive and prosper.

    “On behalf of the institute, I wish him success in his new role.”

    Bago won the 2023 elections on the platform of All Progressives Congress (APC).

  • Change of baton

    Change of baton

    • •With fresh blood injected into governance in 18 states, we expect paradigm shifts in administration

    Eighteen new governors-elect joined 10 others who were re-elected March 18. Governorship election would be held in the remaining  eight states at some future dates. The states where new governors emerged are: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Rivers, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi and Enugu. Others are Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Ñiger and Plateau. The other states where power changed hands are Sokoto, Taraba and Zamfara. In the remaining 18 states, it is either the incumbents’ tenures had not lapsed or they were reelected for another four years.

    We congratulate the governors that have just been sworn in and wish them successful tenures.

    However, we must hasten to add that they must eschew bitterness, especially where there had been animosity between them and their predecessors, either as a fallout of the demands of governance or the political campaigns. Now, elections are over. We expect governance to take the centre-stage. What should be paramount in the minds of the new helmsmen is how to impact the lives of the people who voted them into power and not ego or other mundane matters. In some places, we are already seeing bitterness even as some of the new governors are yet to settle down.

    This is why some governors abandon projects started by their predecessors no matter the cost that would have been incurred on those projects or the benefits to the people. This is one of the reasons we have abandoned projects all over the country. Scarce resources should not be sacrificed on the altar of petty rivalries. If any project must be discontinued, it must be for genuine reasons of their irrelevance or misplaced priority. As a matter of fact, some projects cannot be abandoned again when we consider what has been spent on them. The new governors have to think through how to make a good case out of such a bad situation rather than abandoning those projects outright.

    Again, one good development since 1999, particularly in the Muhammadu Buhari years is the gradual movement toward federalism. Although we are not there yet, the situation is not as bad as it was in 1999 when we returned to civil rule. Then, virtually everything, including items that should be under the purview of state governments were being handled by the Federal Government. These included power, railways, central police force, etc. Today, however, the narrative is changing.

    Read Also: BREAKING: Tinubu in first meeting with Nigeria Governors’ Forum

    Not a few Nigerians hailed President Buhari when, as part of his government’s last-minute goodies he signed into law a constitutional amendment granting power to states to generate, transmit and distribute electricity. He did the same to railways which has now moved from the Exclusive Legislative List to the Concurrent List. There were at least 14 other items that the former president assented to their amendments last month, but power and railways would seem the most profound.

    With regard to power, it has long been realised that the Federal Government alone cannot ensure regular and uninterrupted electricity supply in the country but successive governments had been shying away from taking the bold step that Buhari took.

    The same thing applies to railways. States now having their own railways come with a lot of advantages too. Now, regional cooperation and collaboration would be facilitated and, aside the fact of saving cost, it would also help in the movement of people and goods which would also impact positively on economic activities as well as the lifespan of our highways.

    Although, state police is still not allowed in the country, some concession has been made in this regard too. That is why we have an organisation like the Western Nigeria Security Network code-named Amotekun in most states of the southwest, to enhance security. Similar outfits exist in other parts of the country.

    As we observed earlier, we may not be there yet, but the state governments should also begin by taking advantage of these few positive developments. We expect that the new governors particularly, would want to lead the way. They should come into government with open mind and hit the ground running.

    It would be better for them to collaborate with their counterparts in other states with a view to seeing how far they can go in controlling the resources in their states. As a matter of fact, it is private individuals, in some cases foreigners, that are exploiting resources in some states, albeit illegally. With unanimity of purpose, the state governments would make significant progress in taking charge of these resources and using them for the benefit of the people. Many states that are going cap in hand to Abuja for handouts every month do not have any business with such executive begging.

    All said, we look forward to having fresh ideas in governance in all the states, irrespective of whether the governors are new or old.

  • Second chance

    Second chance

    • •Reelected ASUU President has duty to lead the teachers with tact this time around

    Reelection of an official by any group or community is regarded as validation of the previous term. Therefore, when the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) held its National Delegates Conference in Jos, Plateau State in May, many Nigerians had thought a new leadership would emerge in view of Professor Emmanuel Osodeke’s rancourous first term. But, he was returned unopposed.

    What then should be expected in his second term? A major highlight of his first term was the longest industrial action in ASUU history since it was founded in 1978. He led his executive to take the Federal government to task for infidelity to a 2009 agreement. The union insisted that the pact must be fully honoured despite the inclement economic climate partly occasioned by a global recession and the devastation in the wake of the deadly Coronavirus disease.

    From February to October last year, the universities were shut, and the bewildered student population left roaming the streets, with some recruited into undesirable groups. Some may never recover.

    Drums of strike are being beaten again. This would not be in the interest of the society and tertiary education in Nigeria. The university teachers are calling for salary review, and payment for the eight months they refused to work. Citing the “no work, no pay” principle, the Federal Government said it would not pay for the eight months the union rejected pleas by governments and well-meaning Nigerians to cease fire.

    Just before the industrial action was called off in October, last year, the then Minister of Labour dragged the lecturers before the National Industrial Court (NIC) on the grounds that the strike was illegal. Following resumption of work, and government’s decision that it would only pay half salary for October, the teachers, too, sought judicial intervention. Now that the NIC has declared the government as operating from the right side of the law, we could only appeal for leniency in the interest of industrial harmony.

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    Truth be told, the situation in the universities is unsuitable for learning and research. There is the need for the authorities to look into the welfare scheme that would promote scholarship, improve on facilities on the campuses and check overpopulation. This calls for a wholesale review of the scheme of running the institutions. The governance structure that makes all public schools dependent on government funding is long overdue for change. The international best practice is that universities should be autonomous, thereby leaving the governing council of each to decide the template on which it would run. This is the only viable antidote to industrial discord in the schools. There is hardly any country where the government only bears the load of public tertiary education. Yet, ASUU is opposed to payment of fees in the universities. 

    It is gratifying that President Bola Tinubu has promised that the schools would, under his watch, be encouraged to charge viable fees to pay their lecturers and provide facilities, with scholarships, bursaries and loans made available for indigent students. 

    It should be noted that unless the country realigns its education system at all levels, development would remain a mirage.

    We hope Professor Osodeke has learnt useful lessons from his first term that only led to colossal loss to the lecturers who are usually expected to take calculated steps. The industrial action was called off without extracting any major concession from government.  He should have learnt that diplomacy is embedded in every negotiation. Inflexibility only leads to a disastrous end. The union, too, should not leave the leadership unchecked. There must be regular consultation to ensure that the best interest of members are served at all times.

    Last year’s strike led to fragmentation as the medical and dental teachers who hardly join in industrial actions had pulled out and were fully paid. Professor Osodeke whose second mandate expires in 2026 should have his eyes on the legacy he would be leaving for his successor. It is in the interest of all that our universities are turned around as institutions of excellence comparable to the best in other parts of the world.