Deep Thought

 45th ABU Convocation: Okonjo-Iweala’s Unpalatable Message to Africa By Prof. MK Othman Nigeria stands at a decisive crossroads. With youthful potential, resources, entrepreneurial drive, and intellectual talent, we still struggle with policy inaction, weak institutions, and overreliance on outside approval. I have highlighted how stories of competence and integrity can transform Nigeria's global image. This aligns with university values: seeking truth, engaging in evidence-based dialogue, and nurturing active citizens. Thus, the significance of ABU's 45th Convocation is clear, especially in light of Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala's candid message to Africa. This year’s ABU Convocation was more than an academic ceremony; it became a forum for critical discourse on national and continental issues. By inviting Okonjo-Iweala for the pre-convocation lecture and awarding her an Honorary Doctor of Science degree, ABU reiterated its dedication to tackling key development issues through e...

 Muhammad Hassan Sale: The Demise of an Academic—One Death Too Many By  Prof. M. K. Othman On Tuesday, 10th February, 2026, as I stepped out of my official car at the university clinic, the crowd’s solemn eyes were fixed on me, rife with unspoken questions. Why did the cold hand of death snatch away Muhammad Hassan Sale, a Lecturer II, a gentleman, and a promising, hard-working academic in the Agronomy Department? What will become of his nursing wife and their two little children? Just two hours earlier, Sale and his wife had left their home together; she was hurrying to the hospital for postnatal immunization, while he rushed to catch a university bus headed over 60 kilometers away for the day's work, unaware of the tragedy that awaited his family. Inside the bus, he was comfortably seated, but soon he began gasping for air. The driver diverted to the university clinic for immediate medical attention. As is customary, the university Director of Health Services called to infor...