Deep Thought

 Nigerian Youths: Time Bomb Waiting to Explode? II By Prof MK Othman   Still, as parents, what can we do to prevent the bomb from detonating? What are the roles of the government in stopping this trend? These questions were raised in the first part of this piece. One elder statesman said that the bomb is being detonated; may Allah intervene to prevent the explosion. However, we all have moral responsibilities to help address these issues.   First, the children of the three categories of parents —those who overwork and overpamper their children, the hard-hearted, irresponsible parents, and the highly disciplined, do-not-spare-the-rod parents —all have to coexist as Nigerians.  These young people have the responsibility to see themselves as the most important part of society and the nation. The future of the country depends directly on the prosperity of its youth. In 2024, the unemployment rate for young people (ages 15–24) was 8.4%. The number of unproductive adolesce...

 Nigerian Youths: Time Bomb Waiting to Explode? By Prof MK Othman In the last five years, I have written five articles on the Nigerian youth and their future, including "Nigerian Youths and Nation's Future: A Time Bomb Waiting to Explode?" I and II in 2021, and "Nigeria-2023: Crying Aloud for the Youth" I, II, III in 2022. Instead of improving, the situation appears to be deteriorating, prompting updates to my previous articles. Young people are the future of the nation, and the nation's prospects rely on the quality and quantity of its youth, as they can lead to prosperity or a perilous abyss of decadence with murderous consequences. Nigeria is a country of youth, but not for the youth, as we fail to prepare, train, and orient them to take over the mantle of leadership, nor do we properly plan for a smooth transition. Yes, Nigeria is a country of youth; young men and women under the age of 30 constitute approximately 70% of the Nigerian population. A signif...

 Prof Roko's Death: Ordeals of Academics in Nigeria By Prof MK Othman Amidst thousands of unread WhatsApp messages, with more flowing in as Sallah day, Friday, June 6, 2025, progresses, I noticed an unusually lengthy message sent to my direct message (DM) by a well-respected senior professor; I couldn't help but pay attention to it. It was a message announcing the death of Professor Abubakar Roko from the Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Physical and Computing, after failing to crowdfund an N13 million medical bill in Egypt. In quick sessions, three articles on the matter were posted on the ASUU ABU Platform: When the System Hates Knowledge by Dr. Kabiru Danladi Lawanti, Nigeria Has Murdered Another Professor: The Shameful Death of Prof. Roko by Dr. Muhammad Lawal Ibrahim, and Nigeria: A Country Where the Ruling Class Thrives on the Corpse of Its Intellect by Haruna Adamu. Despite the festivity, I was sad, shocked, and dismayed beyond description by the attitude of Ni...

 StopASUUStrike-Yayale's Unfinished Tasks By Prof MK Othman On Tuesday, May 27th, 2025, I caught a glimpse of Alhaji Yayale Ahmed and even shook his hand. The ASUU’s warning of industrial action from the week before flashed in my mind, reminding me of Yayale’s arduous tasks. I could imagine the heavy burden placed on this elder statesman since the day he was appointed to tackle two demanding, herculean responsibilities: leading the government delegation to resolve the over-decade-long FGN-ASUU crisis and chairing the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria Governing Council and its pro-chancellor.  However, I was amazed to see him relaxed and cheerful, and I concluded that our prayers for his success, as major stakeholders, along with his skilled technocracy and indefatigable determination, are yielding positive results. Nonetheless, it is not yet over until it is completely done, as nearly cannot kill a bird. ASUU members are restive and eagerly awaiting their enhanced pay packag...