Gombe University: A Dream Come True

By

Mohammed Bala

mohammed.bala@ashaka.lafarge.com

The kind gesture behind the giving rather than what was given, is the most important aspect of giving out anything as a whole. The Goje led administration has won the heart of friends and foes alike by its singular act of establishing a University in Gombe State. Likewise for the teeming number of our youths that are eagerly looking to elsewhere for University education, it is a big relief of some sort, coming at the right time. The question before, on every lip was when, where and how do we get placement for our teeming qualified secondary school graduates, that has now turn to become, when are we possibly going to witness the first convocation ceremony of our own pioneer University graduates? The answer, ofcourse is, patience and time.

Some critics and discerning citizens of the State are of the view that instead of establishing its own University, the government should have invested more into our primary and secondary schools. But what the critics are missing is the fact that ofcourse, we have to start from somewhere. There is a beginning in whatever is to be started freshly and expected to blossom successfully  into the future. The establishment of our University is indeed the beginning of a viable, equipped and well organized University that will come to compete with any existing one in the country. Afterall, even big Universities like ABU, started from the scratch before becoming the big citadel of learning it is today.

Already the site for the University has taken an enviable shape with the amazing solid structures put in place like lecture theaters, halls and dining halls. It has become a mecca of some sorts to the people that daily troop to the site to behold the almost unbelievable achievement so far made in such a very short  time of the Goje led administration. It is indeed a good omen to our people that our leaders are reflecting fully on the enviable position of education in the emancipation of the people.

We must also sincerely appreciate the appointment of a seasoned and proven academician to run the affairs of the University. Professor Abdullahi Mahdi's appointment as the pioneer Vice Chancellor is indeed a welcome development. It has put to rest the hitherto erroneous belief of some citizens of the State that the erstwhile University  administrator may reject his appointment as the  Vice Chancellor.  It was a very big relief when the good people of the State learnt that the Professor has finally accepted the offer, and  are now eagerly waiting to see how the ex ABU VC will water the seed that Governor Goje has planted. It is equally gratifying to see that all the lecturers so far recruited for imparting knowledge on the lucky pioneer students, are well and exceptionally qualified in their respective fields.

In early nineteen eighty (1980) when students from the then Gombe Division were taking more than eighty (80%) of scholarship grants of Bauchi State, the State government the decided to zone the granting of scholarship to Bauchi, Gombe and Katagum Divisions. As a result of that many students from Gombe division could not qualify for the grants and subsequently lost the opportunity to further their education. The School of Basic Studies and the Advance Teachers' College were located in Bauchi and Azare respectively, while Gombe was having only secondary schools and with the highest number of primary and secondary school graduates that was more than Bauchi and Katagum's combined! Our new University offers to us the opportunity to now spiral our sons and daughters in achieving the much needed educational standards in the near future, and  to be able to catch up with their counterparts in  other States.

The running of the new University should not be left to the State government alone. All affluent and well meaning citizens of the state must endeavor and fully contribute with all available resources at their disposal to this all important aspect of human life. Private organizations that are located within the state should begin to identify with the efforts of government and render assistant towards the successful nursing of this golden baby to maturity, by especially erecting edifices within the campus, like student hostels and lecture theaters, that could persuade the University authority to name such structures after the donor's name. The Government has fired the first salvo in establishing the University with the sanction given to it by the National Universities Commission (NUC) after fulfilling all the criteria and the yardstick of establishing a University, it remains to be seen whether we can manage it into a full pledged accredited o ne.

A vital aspect of University administration that has bedevilled most Nigerian Universities, is admission racketeering that negates the principles of selecting only the qualified candidates. Our University must put in place a very tight screening process before any applicant is admitted. This process must have be implemented and strictly observed if the confidence and regards it deserves and earns, are to be maintained. Right from day one, standards have to be maintained so that "half baked" graduates are not produced. Doing that will ultimately spell doom for the University, and render the good intention of establishing it by the government as a hoaxing fluke. The University authorities must therefore guard against this monstrous and illegal act of admission maladministration if it is to develop into a fully pledged, highly respected and serene citadel of learning.

Another cancerous and still unmitigated in many Universities across the country, is the abominable conduct of some students in cultism and exam malpractices. The Federal Government and various State governments have employed different strategies and modes of fighting these vices, when it is becoming clear that those efforts were not making the desired impact. The earlier our University authority puts up rules and regulations governing the conduct of students, the better for all. Stringent and tough measures of containment have to spelt in black and white for all students and their parents with emphasis that the University will NOT and will NEVER tolerate any act of lawlessness and indecency on its campus. Punishments ranging from outright dismissal and prosecution in courts should be recommended for any erring student, no matter how highly placed his parents could be, if the confidence of the people reposed on the University authority is to be maintained. There is no meaningful progress to be achieved by the University and its community if courtesy, good neighborliness and respect to one another are thrown to the dogs.

There hardly people in the State who can adequately sponsor their qualified wards to study up to University level due to lack of means. The government is called upon to look at these type of parents whose sons and daughters are quite capable of undergoing University education but could afford to and give armful support to them by way of scholarships. Although the government is awarding grants to students, it might do better if the system is expanded for Local Governments to equally explore possible means of funding the educational needs of their undergraduates. I believe, the pursuit for education is a task that we cannot wish away at this material time of our survival. No waste in the quest for modern education.

Their is no iota of doubt, that Gombe State can adequately account for a sizeable number graduates and postgraduates. We are blessed with seasoned, tested, proven and dignified academicians that can stand the test of time, the world over. I want to avail these noble sons and daughters of our State, to reflect in wisdom and astuteness, to offer the current erudite Vice Chancellor support and encouragement. I think I will not run the risk of being labelled as selfish, if I call upon some of you to abandon whatever you are doing elsewhere and come back home to offer such support! Yes, indeed the University is in place, while those who had the vision and wisdom in establishing it could not be there forever, the institution will remain possibly forever. It is now our collective responsibility, individually and in groups to shirk whatever differences that might be existing between us and develop it for the generation of Gombe citizens, yet unborn.

The issue of security of lives and property on the campus should taken with all the seriousness it deserves. Crimes and criminals are daily becoming more and more sophisticated all over the world. White collar crimes are rapidly becoming the order of the day, while criminals perpetrate crimes with reckless abandon and disdain. Measures like fencing and running of an internal security system could tremendously help in tackling security breach. By having its own internal security outfit, the University could be able to monitor adequately and systematically all security activity within the campus.

The "academic freedom" enjoyed by students in some University campuses across the country should be carefully watched and monitored as per as our University is concerned. It was interesting as well as pleasing, when I read in the papers sometimes ago that the University of Lagos has banned indecent dressing by female students on its campus. If Universities like the one of Lagos can see the wisdom in curtailing the menace of immodest and reckless dressing attitude of its female students despite their being perceived as somewhat "civilized", our University should equally adopt salient measures in checking these type of vices. It is better for the authority to start now than to wait until when it is too late. Other people's children, are absolutely our children too. We must endeavor to nurture them in becoming good and productive citizens of not only our state, but of the whole nation.


Mohammed Bala
(Matawallen Funakaye)
Funakaye LG,
Gombe State.