Time, history, events, circumstances and human nature are very important issues that no serious person should joke with.
I learned that the Jigawa state governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar was in the state varsity (Sule Lamido University, Kafin-Hausa) on Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at the opening ceremony of the first National Conference ‘Covid-19 Pandemic, Educational attainment and Labour Productivity’.
It was organized by School of Preliminary Studies, Sule Lamido University Kafin Hausa. While delivering his address, His Excellency said it is expedient to tie education to the needs of the society”
The governor promised to build more hostels in the state university and provide timely and adequate scholarships to our students among others
To be candid, I appreciate the governor’s plan to sponsor and educate the children of the poor especially in respect to Jigawa indigenes sent to study medicine abroad
It takes a prudent leader, courageous mind, passionate soul and a visionary person to take this kind of steps. However, I have reservation about his plan to send 160 Jigawa state indigenes to study medicine in another country not Nigeria or in the North even.
I am of the view that studying at home would be better because of cost, sustainability, safety opportunity improve our own state varsity and culture clash.
I know of somebody who knows two persons (doctors) who studied in Ukraine and Sudan but failed to make it after sitting for over five years. So what’s the point studying abroad only to come home and not being able to pass local examinations such as medical and dental council exam. Above all, what if there is change of government?
The money that was used in sponsoring 60 students to study abroad (China)/in the first batch and the plan send another set of 160 students is enough to build faculty of medicine or medicine department, hostel and other things in the state varsity.
My findings have indicated that the average tuition for a medical degree in Sudan is ten thousand dollars (which is 5 million naira) per annum. The total for 160 students without living expenses, study materials and accommodation is 800 Million for a single year. This amount for a minimum of five years will cost the Jigawa tax payers a staggering 4 billion naira. Our university can start a medical faculty with as little as 500million naira. This is unacceptable for a regime that flaunts a calculator and claims financial prudence!
I extol Sule Lamido for establishing Jigawa State University in order to afford state indigenes more access to higher educational opportunities.
Before the establishment of the state University, many eligible candidates of Jigawa origin who seek admission into higher institutions in other universities failed due to lack of opportunities, hence the warm welcome with which Jigawa citizens received the establishment of the state university, which was named after him. “Sule Lamido University Kafin-Hausa”
I appeal to governor Badaruto establish a college of medicine in SLU with a fraction of the money he intends to put into the Sudanese economy. Even students from other states can benefit from it most especially because of relative security of the state, good conducive environment and the facilities there in etc. This will create and improve the revenue (income) of the state and increase economic activities in the town and the state as a whole.
Sustainability is another issue. The episode that happened in our neighbouring state of Kano should serve as a lesson. Apart from moral issues, parents will be able to continue in an event of government’s failure.
One important thing to note is, there are still medical graduates who are not fully employed but rather collecting or paid allowances. How will Jigawa state government address or reconcile that issue?
I understand that phonically-challenged are complaining of neglect or deprived of benefitting from this package. Government is not fair to them.
Gov Badaru should do something urgent to prove he has the interest of the varsity at heart proving right that all the major works going on at the moment are all TETFUND funded
I appeal to Jigawa governor to look into this issue with sincerity of purpose and focus. We want the varsity to improve, we want Jigawa to move to a greater height and we want people to be carried along and we want people to a have sense of belonging. Please build the faculty of medicine or college of medicine in our own university.
Adamu write from Kafin-Hausa, Jigawa state.