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#StopASUUStrike-Yayale’s Arduous Tasks: Can His Name be Written in Gold?

 #StopASUUStrike-Yayale’s Arduous Tasks: Can His Name be Written in Gold? By Prof. MK Othman I resisted writing on the above subject for an apparent reason, but the force of necessity outweighs the force of resistance, and I have to cede to the momentum’s law. Reflecting on the crisis bedeviling the Nigerian university system in the last one and half decades, one cannot but sympathize and pray for Alhaji Yayale Ahmed’s success in the arduous tasks of resolving the unending crisis and leading Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria Governing Council, which is set to midwife a new Vice Chancellor in the next few months. I do not envy Yayale’s assignments – Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, ABU Zaria, and Chairman of the 2024 FGN-ASUU negotiation team. The assignments are so tasking that one can hardly accomplish them without scratching one’s integrity.  Malam Adamu Chiroma and Engr Bunu Sheriff (all of blessed memory) were given the same assignment earlier as Pro-chancell
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Salamatu-WOFAN Succor: Story of Amadu and his Neglected Community

 Salamatu-WOFAN Succor: Story of Amadu and his Neglected Community By Prof. MK Othman   Even a stone-hearted devil cannot but must be undoubtedly empathetic to the plight of Mallam Amadu Yakubu, a devastatingly physically challenged person living in one of the most neglected communities in Jigawa state. Amadu lives in Kudai, a suburb of Dutse, which is the state capital of Jigawa. Amadu’s limbs, the two hands and legs, are crippled, born with disability. And he can neither walk nor use his hands to do any physical work for his livelihood. He crawls with difficulty moving even for a short distance, except when carried to aid his movement. Despite his disability, Amadu acquires a large, ambitious heart to be a lawyer or journalist. This ambition made Amadu think of going to school, which made him skillful in writing with the fingers of his legs. The day Amadu started practicing writing with his mouth and finally settled to write with his legs, his father wept. Amadu’s perseverance, resil
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Sasakawa Africa Association: Three Decades of Fight against Hunger and Poverty in Nigeria,

 Sasakawa Africa Association: Three Decades of Fight against Hunger and Poverty in Nigeria, By Prof MK Othman On Monday, 7th October 2024, my book with the above title was unveiled at the Coronation Hall of the Kano state government house before a high-level audience from ten countries and twenty states across Nigeria – a story for another day. This week, I am presenting the book review by Prof. Aliyu Aisha Ammani, an erudite professor of agricultural economics at Ahmadu Bello University Zaria, literary guru, and social media activist. Happy reading   Book Author: M.K. Othman, Book title: Sasakawa Africa Association: Three Decades of Fight against Hunger and Poverty in Nigeria, Book Pages: 336, Publishers: Sasakawa Africa Association, Nigeria-office. ISBN: 978-978-782-568-6 Reviewer: Professor Aliyu A. Ammani The author, Professor Mohammed Khalid Othman, holds a Ph.D. (Irrigation Water Management) from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, M.Phil. (Hydrology/Hydraulics) from ENGREF Mont
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NNPC-Dangote Impasse: Tinubu Should Save Nigerians

 NNPC-Dangote Impasse: Tinubu Should Save Nigerians By Prof MK Othman I had two encounters with Dr. Aliko Dangote. One from a distance when he presented the 2016 ABU Zaria convocation lecture and the other when I was in the ABU Council delegation to condole him over the death of his brother, Alhaji Sani Dangote. In the first encounter, Dangote presented a paper titled "The Role of Entrepreneurship in National Development: The Story of Dangote Group," where he revealed the business model by which his company blossomed into a successful conglomerate, making him the most successful business magnate in Africa. His business touches the lives of several million people in Africa and beyond through direct employment, job and wealth creation, businesses, and philanthropy. The second encounter coincided with the visit of the All Progressives Congress (APC’s) presidential candidate for the 2023 election, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accompanied by then-sitting Governor Abdullahi Umar Gand
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Dogged and Kindhearted Hassan Gimba: Celebrating Four Decades of Bosom Friendship

 Dogged and Kindhearted Hassan Gimba: Celebrating Four Decades of Bosom Friendship By Prof MK Othman Our friendship, forged in the crucible of the School of Basic Studies of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, was a unique bond that transcended the typical student camaraderie. We were both teenagers and graduates of our secondary schools, where we emerged as local champions and gained admission into the famous school, SBS. Gaining admission into ABU, the most admired university through its famous gateway, SBS was the lofty dream of every form five (final year) student who intellectually constituted the top 5% of their class.  The SBS summer term was a harvest of brilliant students from various secondary schools nationwide whose names were listed in the national newspapers as successful candidates after the entrance examination. Fresh from secondary school, the breeze of academic freedom on the university campus blew as we schemed to find our feet and cope with the cutthroat demands o
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#StopASUUStrike: Can the Nation Afford ASUU’s Strike?

 #StopASUUStrike: Can the Nation Afford ASUU’s Strike? By Prof M.K. Othman Perhaps the 10-page Press statement presented to the media by the ASUU President, Prof Emmanuel Osodeke, issuing a 21-day ultimatum was a bit disappointing to ordinary ASUU members. The document did not fully convey the urgent need for action to address the dire state of the public university system nationwide. Perhaps Osodeke was displaying his new diplomatic mien, not to strike a match stick in a highly explosive atmosphere considering the growing tension after the recent hardship protest that claimed many lives with no significant change in the lives of ordinary Nigerians.  This could be why the 21-day ultimatum did not mention the resumption of ASUU's suspended industrial action if the government fails to do what is needed after the warning period. Whatever the case, the truth must be told to avoid repeating the ASUU-FGN imbroglio of yonder. The university system in Nigeria faces several herculean challe
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Readers’ Comments on Dangote’s Refinery and Food Security

 Readers’ Comments on Dangote’s Refinery and Food Security By Prof M.K. Othman A weekly article has always been a tasking assignment in the face of several contending issues demanding time and attention. Academic activities- teaching, research and knowledge dissemination, community services – consultancy, mentorship, etc- are time-consuming and attention-seeking events. So, the best way to sustain weekly articles is to allow the views of my readers to be published from time to time. This week, I am publishing views on two critical issues – Dangote’s refinery and food security. The articles on these issues were published some weeks ago.     Dangote Refinery: Pride to the Nation and Beacon of Hope Many odd things are happening in our oil industry in quick sessions and getting out of control. The sector has been tirelessly working to produce overnight multi-billionaires while milking the nation and impoverishing the citizens. First, the International Oil Companies work upstream of the ind
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