Education
Don tasks African writers to depict brighter image of Africa
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja.
PROF. Ayodele Anthony Bamidele, a professor of English and African Literature, has called on African writers to begin to envision and invent imaginatively, a better and brighter image of Africa, full of hope for a better tomorrow.
Prof. Bamidele made the call while presenting the 22nd Inaugural Lecture of the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) with the theme: “Beyond Entertainment: Unravelling the African Novel as a Utilitarian Art”, on Wednesday in Lokoja.
He urged that the African novel necessarily, has to be committed to the agenda of making Africa a better place to live in rather than pursue the bourgeois formalist school of thought which negates the colonial and post-colonial reality of Africa.
The professor said that after colonialism came the struggle for nationalism which saw African writers file up side by side with politicians to agitate for the independence of African countries.
He described the eventual “Flag Independence” as a sham because the gains of independence did not diffuse from the new men of power to the masses thereby, negating the essence of the agitation.
The Professor of African Literature pointed out that with African leaders imbibing exploitative capitalism of the West, the flag independence became a huge disappointment leading to disenchantment and disillusionment that enveloped the entire African
continent.
He said that what the vast majority of the people did not know about the flag independence was that it was a mere treacherous exchange of batons between the outgoing master and his few trusted heirs.
As a result, he noted that the Africans who took over power from the colonialists had their loyalties to the external authority in Europe and America instead of Africa with Brenton wood institutions dictating the economic growth and pace of African nations.
“Since independence, in most African nations, it has been tales of woe that betide Africa. It is a sorry tale of coups d’état, civil wars that occasioned bloodshed, political trickery, and socio-economic
dysfunctionality.
These he said, culminated in estrangement and disillusionment on the part of the masses of Africa adding that the scenario set the stage for the poetics of liberation struggle in Africa and highlighting the nexus between Literature and Politics.
Prof. Bamidele faulted the argument by some scholars that literature should have nothing to do with politics describing the statement itself as a political statement.
“Literature
finds content and sustenance in every facet of society and is thus necessarily emblematic of the society that that produces it”, he said.
He therefore implored African writers not to be daunted or circumscribed by Neo-colonialism apologists but envision Africa from a new perspective of brighter light at the end of the tunnel.
In his welcome address, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, Vice Chancellor of the University reiterated the place of inaugural lectures as requirement for confirmation of an academic professorship.
Prof. Akinwumi applauded the inaugural Lecturer, Prof. Bamidele as he scored his presentation, composition, currency, choice of words, resourcefulness and analysis all above board and more than “fantastic”.
The Vice Chancellor announced that the Professor of English and African Literature did not disappoint him saying that Bamidele, had proved his mettle and was therefore, “discharged and acquitted” and now, fully confirmed as a professor. (Ends)
The Managing Director and CEO of the Bank of Industry (BOI), Dr. Olasupo Olusi, has called for a comprehensive curriculum overhaul in Nigerian universities to better align with global trends and equip graduates with practical skills. Speaking at the 10th special convention of the Ekiti State University Alumni Association in Abuja, Dr. Olusi highlighted the urgent need to bridge the gap between theory and practical application in Nigerian higher education.
Dr. Olusi noted that while Nigeria is rich in human and natural resources, progress in technology and economic development remains slow due to universities’ focus on theoretical knowledge over hands-on training. He emphasized that significant investments in research and technical skill development are essential for positioning Nigeria as a competitive force in the global economy.
Echoing this sentiment, Ekiti State University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ayodele, called on alumni to contribute to their alma mater, emphasizing that alumni support plays a critical role in building a strong academic foundation and fostering innovative research. The institution’s Chancellor, Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, similarly urged alumni associations to prioritize initiatives that support university growth and student success.
Global President of the Ekiti State University Alumni Association, Dipo Bamisaye, stressed the need for Nigerian universities to continuously pursue excellence to remain competitive globally. Dr. Wale Jegede, Chairman of the institution’s Board of Trustees, commended the state governor for his dedication to quality education, particularly through the appointment of capable academics to guide the university’s progress.
The convention also honored notable alumni who have made significant contributions to the university’s development. Among those recognized were Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, former presidential aide Mr. Kingsley Kuku, Chancellor Dr. Tunji Olowolafe, Vice-Chancellor Professor Joseph Ayodele, and BOI MD Dr. Olasupo Olusi.
Reinforcing its commitment to the institution’s advancement, the Bank of Industry recently proposed a 2.5 billion Naira development fund to Ekiti State University, underscoring its dedication to driving growth in Nigeria’s educational sector.
The Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU) and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU) have announced a nationwide indefinite strike beginning Monday.
This decision, coordinated by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) of non-teaching university staff unions, is in protest of unpaid salaries withheld during a past strike involving the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) under the previous administration.
The JAC, in a circular addressed to branch chairmen of NASU and SSANU, stated that the strike, initially set for October 23, was postponed to October 27 to align with the Trade Group Council meeting held in Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The document, signed by NASU General Secretary Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President Comrade Mohammed Ibrahim, cited delays from the Ministry of Finance in implementing President Bola Tinubu’s recent directive to release 50 percent of the outstanding four-month salaries.
The unions expressed frustration over the government’s perceived lack of commitment to resolve the issue, emphasizing their readiness to maintain the strike until all withheld salaries are released.
The JAC’s circular read: “We express our deepest appreciation for your steadfast commitment to the leadership and we affirm our determination to persist in this struggle until ultimate victory is secured.”
The decision highlights ongoing labor tensions in Nigeria’s education sector, as non-teaching staff urge the government to uphold previous agreements and fulfill financial obligations.
By Friday Idachaba, Lokoja
A professor of Political Science and former Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akoko Akungba, Prof. Nahzeem Olufemi Mimiko, has advocated reimagining as the only way to overcome challenges bedeviling Nigerian universities.
He said that reimagining was requisite to make the institutions to be competitive, and capable of driving wholesome national development
Prof. Mimiko made the remarks in a lecture at the 8th Convocation Lecture of Federal University Lokoja (FUL) on the the topic: “Reimaging Nigeria’s (University) Education For Wholesome National Development” held at Felele Campus, Lokoja.
He also identified poor funding and corruption in the system as some of the major obstacles to the nation’s university education system
Mimiko noted that corruption has assumed endemic proportion requiring reimaging, radical rethink to reposition Nigeria’s university education system away from the negative status quo.
The foremost Nigeria. Educational Administrator and the only Vice Chancellor delegate at the National Conference in Nigeria held in 2014 under the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan decried what he called mediocre level of funding of universities in Nigeria.
According to him Nigeria remains one of the countries in the world that are yet to meet the UNESCO-recommended threshold for education funding, at 15 to 20 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (UNESCO, 2015)”
Prof. Mimiko noted that physical facilities for teaching and learning in the Nigeria’s tertiary education were inadequate, dilapidated, overstretched/overcrowded and improvised.
The Professor of Political Science and International Relations reiterated his stance that the dearth of basic learning resources could equally be attributed to corruption adding that majority of the universities in the country were grossly understaffed.
“I reference corruption here not just in the narrow sense as financial corruption, but also reflected in inanities like provincialism; and cultivation of crop of indolent staff.
“The only way to overcome challenges bedeviling Nigerian universities is the reimagining requisite for making these institutions to be competitive, and capable of driving wholesome national development”
Comparing university education with that of Polytechnic, Professor Mimiko recommended that university education in Nigeria should remain focused on the more conceptual dimension of the knowledge enterprise.
He said that technical education as being administered by polytechnics should be devoted to producing middle level manpower in technical competencies.
Prof. Mimiko also maintained that the nation must adopt learning and teaching in local languages for it to grow and develop adding that teaching in the local languages remain the panacea.
He stated that the nation’s present educational system where learning is done in foreign languages was counterproductive urging Nigeria to take a cue from China, India, Japan among others that teach in their local languages.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi said that the lecture is geared towards providing intellectual discuss and described the guest lecturer as erudite scholar who knows his onions.
“We are committed to celebrating our academic excellence as the topic of the lecture is very relevant to our future career and guidance
“The lecture no doubt will contribute immensely to Nigeria’s educational and economic landscape” Professor Olayemi Akinwumi said. (Ends)
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