Efficiency and effectiveness require that things be done well. Decisions supported by good planning and execution are more likely to succeed more cost-effectively than otherwise. The Igbo of Nigeria say that doing things well prevents problems down the road. Universities that will offer quality education should not come about on wheels of expeditious or unscrupulous convenience. When they do, they are more likely to deliver benefits later rather than sooner They may also be less cost-effective.
I do not believe there are any forum participants who doubt the good intentions of President Jonathan in establishing new federal universities. There is no denying however, that existing federal universities are grossly misdirected, mismanaged, and underfunded. They are not accomplishing for Nigeria, what good universities in more serious countries are more easily and readily able to do. Once upon a time Nigeria’s universities did. Why should any truly concerned Nigerian be confident therefore that new federal universities will fare better. Believers are usually hopeful but. What if hope is forlorn?
There is the matter of what Nigeria’s priorities in education should be. The system is broken by most informed accounts. How should the system be rebuilt if it is to be salvaged. From the bottom up it seems to me. What about reinvesting in primary and secondary schools at which levels college readiness happens first. There is some good in a competitive educational system but why rig the system in favor of private schools by unconscionably underfunding public schools?
Otuoke is indeed a town in Nigeria but is it the best location for a new federal university in Bayelsa state? I do not know. Would it be if a properly constituted committee was charged with choosing an optimal location for a university albeit in Bayelsa state? Would it be if Jonathan was not president? This matters because the cost of the university will be mostly met from limited public funds that are subject to competing demands and must therefore be allocated and utilized with utmost prudence. What is the opportunity cost to Nigeria, of locating a university sub-optimally one may ask? Does anyone remember what happened to steel plants in Nigeria? They became ultimately uneconomically unsustainable. Was their location part of the problem? Is there anyone who does not believe that there must be other federal government investments that may be better located in Otueke? This said, I understand Jonathan’s choice of Otueke for this investment.
oa
From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Ifedioramma E. Nwana
Sent: Thursday, February 21, 2013 4:53 PM
To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - FU OTUOKE MATRICULATION: The Matriculation Speech by VC Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, and the University Anthem
The language of criticism or condemnation is the easiest and sometimes sweet tasting to the ears! The language of distinguished Professors are usually more mellow than what I can read below! What has happened? If it takes many years in some areas to do a feasibility study, some others can do it in less number of years. Why do we always assume that a project would fail not minding who is involved? Is it possible that we can give ourselves chance to fail before condemnations. Perchance the fellow we think would fail may indeed succeed. With what I have read on, from and about Prof. Aluko I would think he has a chance of laying a good foundation at Otuoke. As for why Otuoke; why not Otuoke? Is Otuoke not a town in Nigeria?
'Bolaji please give your task the best you can and do not be diverted.
Ifedioramma Eugene Mary Nwana
Professor of Agriculture & Economic Entomology
From: "Nnaemeka, Obioma G" <nnaemeka@iupui.edu>
To: "usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com" <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, 19 February 2013, 3:38
Subject: RE: USA Africa Dialogue Series - FU OTUOKE MATRICULATION: The Matriculation Speech by VC Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, and the University Anthem
There is no wisdom (finite or infinite) in what this clueless President Jonathan is doing. The most egregious crime Jonathan and his fellow travelers have inflicted on Nigeria is the gutting of the educational system. Few months after this guy came into power, he established not one, not two, but NINE "universities." Within one year of his misrule, numerous glorified secondary schools ("universities") started popping up all over our landscape. He ensured that one of these "universities" is located in his village, Otueke (Otu who?). One wonders which feasibility study was done in a couple of months to throw up Otueke as an ideal location for an institution of higher learning. Only blatant abuse of power can manufacture this hasty thoughtlessness. I am convinced that Nigeria, Jonathan or no Jonathan, cannot in a year build a university and open its doors to students. True universities are not built that way. What solid arrangements were made for suitable infrastructure, adequate instructional resources and curriculum development, and hiring of a critical mass of reputable faculty? The violence that is being inflicted on our young citizens in the name of "education" will have a long history, unfortunately. As an educator, I weep for my country (Nigeria) and the current generation of Nigerians who are denied the access to top-notch education that Nigeria offered to my generation. I hear that Jonathan is planning to build more of these so-called universities. Nigeria does not need and certainly does not deserve these phony "universities" that spew thousands of half-baked graduates each year. What Nigeria needs is to take two initiatives simultaneously in the next few years--go back to basics by investing in solid primary and secondary education and make serious and sustained effort to rebuild, revitalize and salvage existing universities.
Obioma Nnaemeka, PhD
Chancellor's Distinguished Professor
President, Association of African Women Scholars (AAWS)
Dept. of World Languages & Cultures Phone: (317) 278-2038
Cavanaugh Hall 543A 317-274-7611/0062 (messages)
Indiana University Fax: (317) 278-7375
425 University Boulevard E-mail: nnaemeka@iupui.edu
Indianapolis, IN 46202 USA
-----Original Message-----
From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com [mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Cornelius Hamelberg
Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 5:16 PM
To: USA Africa Dialogue Series
Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - FU OTUOKE MATRICULATION: The Matriculation Speech by VC Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, and the University Anthem
Sir Adeshina Afolayan,
Methinks that you think that in this context the Nigerian President's " Infinite wisdom" is nothing short of a little sincere diplomatic sycophancy from Professor Bolaji Aluko´s great store of learning and wisdom. In his infinite wisdom and mercy, President Dr. Ebele Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR might soon be releasing some more much needed funding to the University. You must understand this Sir.
It's nothing as crude or simple as the fox and the raven
http://www.google.co.uk/#hl=en&sugexp=les%3Bcrnk_timediscountb&gs_rn=3&gs_ri=psy-ab&cp=21&gs_id=7&xhr=t&q=The+fox+and+the+raven&es_nrs=true&pf=p&tbo=d&output=search&sclient=psy-ab&oq=The+fox+and+the+raven&gs_l=&pbx=1&bav=on.2,or.r_gc.r_pw.r_qf.&bvm=bv.42553238,d.bGE&fp=938c58edee3526d8&biw=1024&bih=634
And if the President were a young maiden, some relevant poetry could come in handy....
On Feb 18, 9:26 pm, "Anunoby, Ogugua" <Anuno...@lincolnu.edu> wrote:
> Now we know that there is one more employee who believes that their employer is possessing of infinite wisdom. President Jonathan for me, is a wise man with a tough job at a tough time in a putrescent system. Is he possessing of infinite wisdom? No. Not if he is human as even he acknowledges that he is. Let us just say that somebody misspoke.
>
> oa
>
> From: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
> [mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of
> shina73_1...@yahoo.com
> Sent: Monday, February 18, 2013 11:17 AM
> To: usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - FU OTUOKE MATRICULATION: The
> Matriculation Speech by VC Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, and the University
> Anthem
>
> "So I first ask that you join me in thanking our major benefactors - the Otuoke Community and the Federal Government of Nigeria, and especially His Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Ebele Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, who in his infinite wisdom ensured that this was one of the nine universities set up in 2011 in consonance with his Transformation Agenda"
>
> Prof. Aluko.
>
> Please pardon my ignorance, but I got to this part of your "very, very short speech" and I was compelled to pause. My mind refused to accept the ascription. So I went back up the speech and read down again with the same result. Did you ascribe 'infinite wisdom' to Jonathan? Is that admin-speak? Or a typo? Or maybe I am missing some contextual import of the speech?
>
> In spite of that, allow me to express my pride in what you have began to do at FUO Sir. I am proud of your energy and optimism robustly outlined in the maiden matriculation speech. The Lord Almighty in his INFINITE WISDOM will elevate you and make your dreams come to pass!
>
> Adeshina Afolayan
> Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN
> ________________________________
> From: Mobolaji Aluko <aluk...@gmail.com<mailto:aluk...@gmail.com>>
> Sender:
> usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com<mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegrou
> ps.com>
> Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2013 23:50:30 +0100
> To: USAAfrica
> Dialogue<USAAfricaDialogue@googlegroups.com<mailto:USAAfricaDialogue@g
> ooglegroups.com>>; NaijaPolitics
> e-Group<NaijaPolit...@yahoogroups.com<mailto:NaijaPolit...@yahoogroups
> .com>>;
> naijaintellects<naijaintellects@googlegroups.com<mailto:naijaintellect
> s@googlegroups.com>>;
> OmoOdua<OmoO...@yahoogroups.com<mailto:OmoO...@yahoogroups.com>>;
> nigeria...@yahoogroups.com<nigeria...@yahoogroups.com<mailto:nigeria..
> .@yahoogroups.com%3cnigeria...@yahoogroups.com>>;
> Ra'ayi<Raayir...@yahoogroups.com<mailto:Raayir...@yahoogroups.com>>;
> ekiti
> ekitigroups<ekitipan...@yahoogroups.com<mailto:ekitipan...@yahoogroups
> .com>>
> ReplyTo:
> usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com<mailto:usaafricadialogue@googlegrou
> ps.com>
> Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - FU OTUOKE MATRICULATION: The
> Matriculation Speech by VC Prof. Mobolaji Aluko, and the University
> Anthem
>
> [http://fuotuoke.edu.ng/sites/default/files/slideshow/Matric_Visitor's
> ...]
>
> Prof. JD Amin (VC FU Dutse), Prof. Mohammed Farouk (VC FU Kashere),
> Prof. Mobolaji Aluko (VC FU Otuoke), Prof. Allison Ogoru (SSG, Bayelsa
> State), Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufai (Federal Minister of Education) on the
> Maiden Matriculation procession of Federal University Otuoke (February
> 16, 2013)
>
> [http://fuotuoke.edu.ng/sites/default/files/slideshow/FU%20Otuoke%20st
> ...] Undergraduate Students of FU Otuoke taking the University's
> Matriculation Oath
>
> [http://fuotuoke.edu.ng/sites/all/themes/global/logo.png]
>
> FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OTUOKE
>
> MATRICULATION ADDRESS
>
> BY
>
> Professor Mobolaji Ebenezer Aluko
> Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Otuoke February 16, 2013
>
> Your Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan GCFR, ably represented by the Federal Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai OON; the Governor of the State of Bayelsa, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson, ably represented by Prof. Allison Ogoru, Secretary to the State Government, Bayelsa State, the First Lady of the Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan, represented by the First Lady of Bayelsa State; the Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie, ; the Federal, State and Local Government Legislators here present, Our Fathers and Mothers Temporal and Spiritual here present, in particular the Obanema of this great community of Otuoke, HRH Lot Justin Ogiasa Oke X, as well as the visiting king of my hometown of Ode-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Adara Aderiye; my colleague Vice-Chancellors Prof. Mohammed Farouk of Federal University Kashere (Gombe State), Prof. J.D. Amin from Federal University Dutse (Jigawa State), Registrar Mr. Jalingo from the sister Federal University Wukari (Taraba State), also representing the Wukari Vice-Chancellor Prof. Geoffrey Okogbaa , the staff of our great University, the Matriculating Students of the Federal University Otuoke, their parents and other family members and friends, distinguished members of the Media, my mother Mrs. Joyce Aluko, who is present with us here today, members of the university's Academic Brief team here present who laid the academic foundations of this university, ladies and gentlemen. I say, Welcome to our neat and friendly town of Otuoke, the only town in the world in which the home of the President of the Nation; its one and only primary school; its one and only junior secondary school; its one and only senior secondary school and this one and only new federal university of ours are all on the same street, and on the same side of the street!
>
> Alua o, nua o, do oh, ekaabo, welcome!
>
> I do not intend to make a long speech but it gives me great pleasure as the Pioneer Vice-Chancellor to address you on this Sixteenth Day of February, 2013, on this momentous occasion of the Maiden Matriculation Ceremony of our university. You may be aware that we were slated to hold this event back in October 2012, when the 282 students who you see to my right here started an orientation week that was to culminate in a Matriculation Ceremony. However, the great floods of 2012 intervened, and caused first a two-month hiatus from orientation/class related activities, followed by a period to restore our campus after acting as a refuge for flood victims from the Otuoke community during the period. Ironically, it was this same flood-victimized Otuoke community that had tasked itself for the past two years now to both contribute and raise money to build from ground up all of the main blue-roofed structures that your eyes can see on these grounds on just 15 hectares out of a 200-hecatare lot donated by the community This magnanimity was rewarded with federal government money through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund to upgrade the innards and externalities of three of the eight buildings in order for the university to commence academic activities in the shortest possible time.
>
> So I first ask that you join me in thanking our major benefactors - the Otuoke Community and the Federal Government of Nigeria, and especially His Excellency the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr. Ebele Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR, who in his infinite wisdom ensured that this was one of the nine universities set up in 2011 in consonance with his Transformation Agenda effort of ensuring equity, greater access, quality, regional focus and direct Diaspora leadership input in tertiary education in the country. We also thank the State Government of Bayelsa for its financial contributions to the university so far, for carrying out the geographical survey of the land of the university and ensuring its gazetted turning over to the federal government. In addition, the Bayelsa State Government is undertaking the ongoing building of ten blocks of staff quarters (which you see with red roofs to our right).
>
> The 282 pioneering students whose day it is today are drawn from a pool of about 10,000 applicants from 22 states, of which 465 were given admission, 292 paid their full fees, and out of which 282 eventually reported for classes, and remained continuously reporting five weeks into the start of the semester. The 282 students comprise 98 females and 184 males drawn from 19 states of the federation - that is all of the 17 Southern zonal States and 2 states (Benue and Kogi) of the Northern zonal states. 142 of them are in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (with two departments and six programs), and 140 of them are in the Faculty of Science and Engineering (with three departments of six programs), the only two Faculties that we have at this time. The students are enrolled in twelve programs across the two faculties and five departments: English and Communication Studies, History and Internal Relations; Accounting and Finance, Economics and Development, Sociology and Anthropology, Political Science and Strategic Studies (all in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences), as well as Biochemistry, Microbiology, Chemistry, Mathematics with Statistics, Computer Science and Informatics, and Physics with Electronics/Power, all in the Faculty of Science & Engineering. 89 of the 98 females have University residence, while 103 of the 184 male students have chosen university residence.
>
> So secondly, I ask you to join me in thanking their parents and family members who have expressed their confidence in us to be in loco parentis to these their precious wards for the next three, four and hopefully not five years before they graduate.
>
> If you were to look closely at the quality of our student intake and
> staff employed, and the excellence of our facilities - which facilities I invite you to visit after this Matriculation event - what you will find is that what we have begun to create here at Otuoke is a citadel of learning, teaching, research, and community service for the generation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge (in consonance with ...
>
> read more »
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