₦airaland Forum

'I’ve often thought it unfair that women are expected to stay at home when there’s a fight to be won. If a woman has the strength to bear a child, she can swing a sword as well as any man' This thought is once again affirmed. You deserve it Aliciakeys. Accept my hearty congratulations for emerging the champion of this maiden event.

Mazi is great too. After i read his essay, i was persuaded to have a rethink on my initial proposition that our tertiary education should be free although i am still undecided

Samtolly4JESUS & Deschyco were good and logical in their submissions. You guys did wonderfully well.

I personally, have learnt a lot from this historical event. A big thanks to the organisers and our hardworking judges. You guys rock! May God spare our lifes to see next year's edition. Regards!

Aliciakeys: Being hardworking, focused and will-powered will surely get you a scholarship. Being hardworking will get you jobs. being focused will enhance progressive thinking. Being will-powered will see you through the storms

Very persuassive. But do you know that MOST scholarship programmes available today are always meant for exceptional brillant students? How about the average students? And the ones given by governments are nothing to write home about as they are bedevilled by irregularities and corruption.

Also about getting job, how manage do you think it will be easy for an hardworking medical student to cope with cutting grasses in order to make ends meet?

@Deschyko, an unanswered question is up there for you

Aliciakeys: Never say never. With will-power, hard work and focus, there is nothing like CAN NOT, sorry to say, but that is what Nigerians fail to understand. It has being deposited in us to do all things.

So are you saying that poor Nigerians that have not been able to send their wards to tertiarry institution due to the fees status are not hardworking, focused and will-powered?

@Deschyko; Great article. You made mention of Canada committing 7% of her budget to education and things are working fine, so you now suggested same for Nigeria. Now my question is this; Do you realize Nigeria allocates about 9% of her annual budget to education at the moment and things are not going in the right direction still? Not even forgetting the fact that tertiary education is still been paid for. Don't you think it will be a suicide mission if the government embarks on a free education policy when the paid one is not even working well?

@Aliciakeys; Wonderful write-up i must confess. However, you failed to say something about those that won't be able to afford paid tertiary education. Is ignorance the only option we have like you suggested?

♥Dεs•Chγκσ♥:
I asked a question relating to this and I was made to understand it can be exceeded. Just so you don't reverse what has been debated on. Thank You.

I was not aware of that. Thats sorted now. Best of luck!

Aliciakeys: my own iyaf pass...

Eeya.. i think a debater is now saying you have the privilege to go pass that limit... Goodluck!

Hello pals, hope you guys are doing great? I noticed some contestants are not been careful of the instruction for the finale.

NOTE:
3.) The essay should be in
maximum of 750 words.

All thesame, wishing you guys the very best of luck! We are waiting to see who wears the crown

spywareczar: shey na free logo u want?? Thre u hve it, fuel no be free, food no be free and water no be free.. Why not go to a hospital and tell a doctor to do u free surgery? Mstchewww if u want a logo, pay for it

Alright. Thanks.

spywareczar:

Ginni?? lols, abeg gimme something better o

Hello designers in the house, please i need someone to help me design a free logo for my forum. Its a forum comprising of students that went through OAU predegree programme or that are currently predites. We hold discussions and interact there.

Name: OAU Pre-Degree Forum
Colour: Blue and Gold


Thanks in anticipation.

Hello designers in the house, please i need someone to help me design a free logo for my forum. Its a forum comprising of students that went through OAU predegree programme or that are currently predites. We hold discussions and interact there.

Name: OAU Pre-Degree Forum
Colour: Blue and Gold


Thanks in anticipation.

RedBenson: @topic, nigeria and nigerians are in a big mess. When u allow power into the hands of clowns, these are what u get. Inspite of serious calamities beddevelling the nation currently, the clown is there busy, striking guitar strings laughing foolishly and shamelessly. Smh!

What satisfaction do you guys derive when you bash your president on social platforms? Does that really brings an end to your shortcomings? I don't get. Because you see him playing a guitar in a church service, your started to insult him again. If he was not playing that guitar, i am sure he will still be there doing something else. Is it that 5 minutes he has spent on the guitar that will profer solution to Nigeria's problem? Common! Let our criticism be logical and constructive.

Wow... this is lovely

Chiamaka01: Idowuogbo? Is that a yoruba name?

I think she mentioned once that there is a mistake with that name and she is still engaging Seun to help her correct it. Idowuogbo i think is not the full name but i know she is a Yoruba.

I rep Oba Awon Unifasiti!

@Tomzman, thanks so much for your explanation. I will try and read more about it.

tomzman: @Davo93, I see a lot of sense in your posts. The issue of strategic dialogue makes a whole lot of sense. However, let me quickly remind you that this is Nigeria, I doubt if such idea would work. The legislature is also part of government and the Nigerian government as a whole is insincere.

My brother, yes i agree with you that the legislature is an arm of the government but i strongly believe they can help us. The reason why they are better than the Executives most times is that, not all of them are from thesame political party, hence, they have divergent views on matters. Though the corruption admist them is a worrying factor but they have helped in time past on some crucial matters. I never knew Nigeria could reject the same sex marriage proposal by the western world despite all treats but the legislature took a firm stance on it. This and many more issues where the National Assembly has been very helpful. Giving them a shot is not going to be a bad idea.

We all know the benefits of the PIB, yet the same legislature has refused to pass it.

Kindly forgive my ignorance, i am not too conversant with the PIB matter, can you shed a lil light on it please. I tried searching on Google but nothing understandable seems to pop up.

Do you want to tell me that the legislators do not know that the amount allocated to education in the annual budget is far below standard, why haven't they been speaking out or rejecting the budget? Dimeji Bankole visited a number of universities when he was the speaker of the lower house, what effort did he make bring about a change? Let me also remind you that ASUP carried the legislature along all through their own negotiations (to the best of my knowledge), yet they have nothing to show for it now. Finally do you also realise that ASUU is not the only union on strike as of now? See, the truth is the Nigerian government as a whole is grossly insincere and the way things are now, strike is the only way to re-awaken the government.

They are aware that the allocation going to education is not yet up to that suggested by UNESCO though but i wouldn't want us to be biased to understand the reasonable increase in budgetary allocation to education in the past two years. It might interest you to know that education sector had the largest share of the budgetary allocation for 2013. Even above defence and power. I am not saying the allocation is enough please. I'm only saying all these things could not have been possible if truly the National Assembly is not looking favourably at our education as you claim. Nonetheless, i think they can still do better. I also agree with you that the Nigerian government is just being insincere because if truly they are dedicated to changing our education for better, we can acrue funds by cutting expenses on other frivolous things like the huge salaries and allowances politicians are being paid. Also, they should set up anti-graft agency focusing solely on our education sector. The funds generated internally by our schools need to be accounted for! This is a huge money to be sincere with you, that can also help to develop our schools if properly accounted for.

Caracta: Good one OP. That's a good writeup. Very impressive. I noticed the progress too

Do you mind having this published on an online newspaper? Please send me a PM if you don't mind. Thank you.

I have sent you a message please. Thanks so much!

KingIOb: PROTEST

Like the fuel subsidy protest (you know that was not strike). ASUU can declare a day or two weekly for protest while not disrupting the academic calendar. The students can even join them on such protests. Dont forget what the press can achieve when such protests are carried out (eg quick resolution of the subsidy protests.)

That is another wonderful alternative!

ferking: in a family where the is no understanding, the is balm to be problem,chaos and crisis,even when the were good motive, life is all about understandind during negociation.and in negociation it must always favour the both party,i'm not saying that ASUU or other labour union should not have aspiration for greatness but the fact is as you are aspiring you should also put your legs in the other person shoes and see if it size will,even in a supper market that prices are Tah in all commodity it also gives room for negociation and discount in Some cases,We should no that We are not americans or Ghanains,and every country have their peculia problem.i no that education is very important in every nation which nigeria is not excluded,but the truth is that even all our anual budget is lebel to education it will not still salvage the problem of education in our country since We have so many issue on ground to settle without good seculrity no matter what , education will not successed,which We all no that the government need alot of capital to battle it.
No matter the amount of money put into education,if the is no electric power it will make the effort a total waste of time and resource,which We all no that the government are trying to improve it, in nigeria We have alot of sectors that need urgent attention.though it is a proper thing to aspire for devolopment,but whethere We like it or not,it doesn't happened automatic, but it take gradual process,so if We see the kind of stage that our nation is into then We want every sectors in it to change automatically it will lead to the collapse of our country economy,and if the economy collapses i don't think that our infratructure will b able to bail us out.
Though the government sigh an agreement that ASUU force them to sigh that was against their will but for the fear of what the students was going through.the problem is not forcing somebody to go into an agreement with you that you know it may not be possible to fulfil it,because when the time to dò the contain of the agreement and the is no capacity, the is nothing you can dò about it.
If you see the level of the increase it was not going to be possible,how on earth dò you think that a country that is struggling in all sector will increase a particular ration in the budget from 9% to 23% is not possible.if ASUU will continue on their stand the strike may not end even after ten years because another administration will not dò it,and even if they dò it they will not continue it for along time.
Let mé assume that the are genue in their demand,but i doubt it because the way i'm seing things It's the jealousy of ASUU over politicians that make union plan on an agreement that will make them richer than the politician and every other sector in the country,ASUU negociation should not always favour you with 100% but Some time less than that.
Afterall ASUU didn't build the university with their personal money,but the government build it and employ you to manager or run it,so you Don't have to kill nigeria because We can't make our university the best in the world for now. We will get there one day not long from now.the best way to win in argument is not always emerging the winner but Sometime losser win in a long run.
Take my advise ASUU.

I learnt a couple of things from your submission man. Kudos!

Tinkybabe:
...And quite frankly,if strike doesn't work,I doubt any other national action would except we seek international intervention.

It's just so sad that the innocent ones(students)are the ones to suffer the brunt of this.

Do you mean there is no local medicine to our sickness??

Anuoluwap: @Davo93, Your point is quite convincing but you should also be aware that there have been so many meetings on the agreement, so many dialogues since 2009.
But FG ignored it all, now, my bro which other method do you think the union should use? Lobbying?
Don't forget you're in Nigeria not white land, here the FG isn't easily convinced, if you think you can take them to court and win and they'll eventually succumb to the court's decision then you should rethink.

Quite persuasive! Like i said, there is still need for more strategic dialogue.

The strategic dialogue i mean here is trying to carry some necessary groups along. In a situation whereby we realize we have a stubborn government in power, there is a need to be more smart in dialogues. I believe involving the lawmakers of our land in such crucial matter will be helpful. They are in charge of the budget allocation verification and approval. I believe once they are successfully integrated in such dialogue, they will have to let the FG be aware of their commitements whenever a budget is passed before the house thereby compulsorily ensuring that provision is made for such agreement in the budget plan. Also, the masses should not only get to know what is going on only when a strike has been initiated. They too need to be carried along.

0monnakoda: Striking is not a good approach even the lecturers agree.There is no argument there. There just is not a better approach. "Dialogue" in this context means NOTHING. As a digression Stephen Keshi has not been paid for 7 months why?

I don't seems to understand the point your making with the bolded portion.

Our President probably has more planes than his Chinese Counterparts while eating 1 billion naira cassava bread. If we cut out all these frivolities and get our priorities right we should be able to fund our Universities.

Nice suggestion and i just pray some of their online agents are seeing this.

Besides government should look into getting STUDENTS TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE COST. With a population as big as ours free or subsidized university education is unrealistic. [s]I am sorry to say University is for the rich and those truly EXCEPTIONAL students who can get scholarships.[/s] Government should only award scholarships on merit and only to those whose parents cannot pay. Everyone else should pay . Universities should be run as a business

Is there still anything called free education in Nigeria?? I don't think so! I strongly disagree with the crossed portion. Are you saying an average Nigerian's right to education should be abolished?

Lord Babs: Just a question: why does every country own an army? At least, the ICJ and other courts are there to adjudicate on conflicts, while employing all possible manners of 'strategic dialogue'. Or are soldiers trained in dialogue or war? Going by your line of thought, we could as well say that we don't need soldiers, police and other special forces in the world, because their official deeds have a dangerous effects on the polity. Subscribe to logic and see thoughts swayed from infantile petulance.

Hehe... wonderful thinking tho! But let me draw your attention to the weakness of your example in expansiating your claim by asking you this simple question. Does the going into war of those soldiers with pin point accuracy profer the needed solution at most times? I wonder what could have happened if the US had eventually gone into war with Syria on the alledged use of chemical weapons saga.

I do hope you follow thesame EXIT door to come and answer this

Lord Babs: Sheer misrepresentation. First, you don't teach me diction, ok?

Alright! It was just an advice.

[s]Second, I don't remember insulting anybody; reread my posts.[/s]
Third, sequence of dialogue had been herein before adopted by the warring party futilely.

I think it must be more strategic, i explained what i mean by that earlier.

Court action is demonstrably an appeal to dissuasion and time wasting[b](coming from a Barrister in training)[/b]. Hence, the invalidity of the sententious write-up. Time betrays me...I would dwell more for reaffirmation.

So you mean there is no hope in the judiciary where you serve on this matter? Good to know i'm discussing with a barrister to be. Nice meeting you sir

tomzman: Op, though I couldn't finish your writeup, I must commend the writer for some good writing skills i noticed.

Thanks

Now to the main issue. I think the question we should ask ourselves is 'who or what is the cause of the incessant strikes we have been exeriencing ever since?' I'm sure your answer would be the government. The truth is that the country's educational system is in ruins and the government is not ready to act.

I agree with you and also the problems spiced by the employees in numerous ways.

We all know that strike is not a good thing but someone or something has to force the government to act and from what I have seen so far, strike is that thing. A government that signed an agreement since 4 years ago and did not implement it, do you think such a government would do anything if the lecturers continue to teach in the name of 'strike is not the way forward'. Let's stop deceiving ourselves with grammar and sentiments, until we stand up and address the cause of the problems facing the system, things would not be right.

FG is largely insecere, no doubt! My brother, since you admit strike has very dangerous effects on our education, then why proposing injuries on our sores. I still propose a 'strategic dialogue'. I so much have a huge believe in its effectiveness.

liteville: I think your article is a classical example of naivete at its peak. It's quite glaring whose sides you're on.

Your thinking anyway. I not supporting an action initiated by ASUU obviously seems i'm on the FG's side but thats not true. If you read carefully, there are places i debunked some of the FG's actions.

Firstly, the premise on which your analysis is based is largely flawed; who said strike action is violent? I am sure you are not aware of the so many mass protests and strike action that Martin Luther King was involved with. The problem with most Nigerians is that we're always focused on the immediate gain. We don't look at the effect the rot in the sectors has on the system holistically; and we will continue to shortchange ourselves until we learn that, we have to make sacrifices to eventually get what we want.

Violent in the sense that, it poses forceful bad effects on our education. Immediate gain you say? The long term effects of strike are even worse than its short term effects. This is also explained in the piece. Still don't forget, i'm not encouraging the continued decay of the sector.

[s]I also do not think your article was well researched,[/s] otherwise you would have known the many overtures ASUU has made to the Federal Government (FG) to reach an agreement devoid of strike which yielded no fruitful result. The most important question should be, why should the FG enter into an agreement she wasn't interested in honoring? The terms of the agreement should be mutually binding on the parties involved and if that's not the case, the erring partner should be brought to book unless there is a new agreement that has been mutually committed to.

I sincerely blame the FG at this point for failing to keep to terms of agreement. Its disgusting!

As far as I'm concerned, if the strike is going to take 2 years to resolve, then so be it, if that will bring some level of sanity to the educational sector. Indeed, what are you learning in these schools anyway? Even in some of the supposedly best universities in the country, the level of dilapidation the institutions are faced with is alarming. The infrastructures are nothing to write home about. Even more worrisome is the quality of human resources in our universities. The really good hands are old and retiring and the universities are unable to attract the best of hands anymore. You have a case of frustrated graduates (after looking for job for God-knows-how-long) returning to man the affairs in the universities. They have no thorough grasp of what the subject matter is all about and they are more concerned about meeting their basic needs than attending to the needs of the students.

Even if it will take 2 years to 'resolve'? Are you a student in the university at the moment?
@Bolded part; the assurance is not guranteed but the damaging effects are so sure. I also agree with those damaging effects you mentioned.

You also don't quite believe that ASUU is fighting what they claim they are fighting for; how exactly do you measure genuineness. Have you seen the terms of the agreement?

There are so many reasons to justify my proposition that the primary aim of this strike is not to salvage the education sector rather than what i regard as 'purse enriching struggle'. Yes, i have gone through the agreements, its a very great one except for some one or two that i don't personally fancy.

The educational sector is a shadow of itself; nothing in that system works. Again, If it's going to take a 24-month strike to bring some sanity into the system, then so be it. Whatever is worth doing at all, it's worth doing well. If we are going to have a university education, the least we deserve is the best, anything short of that is unacceptable.

We all admit there are problems in the sector but strike is not an efficient tool to resolve it. Hence, a very wrong approach. The yorubas would say, ''the medicine for headache is not beheading oneself"


Thanks

Lols... wetin we no go see

Sharp spiritualist but lets come to think of it ooo... how can one be so unwise to the extent of giving N7 million to a spiritualist so that he can pray for blessing on the money to facilitate transport business... it sounds too cheap to me

Ehm em... there are good number of them tho but i won't disclose the reason... Simply those i follow sha and some others like Idowuogbo, Sexkillz... and some others too sha

Hehe This is looking nice. I think the price determines the sales volume because there are cheap garri everywhere in the market. The packaging and quality might want to be considered by above-average Nigerians though. Great innovation anyway!