₦airaland Forum

...I made the list... All glory be to God (it came as a big surprise to me), it obviously shows that the selection was done based on the number required from each of the areas of specialization & quite harsh on some high scorers in engineering (for example) who had to compete with other high scorers in their field to make the list. I feel the pain of whoever didn't make the list. Congrats to all those who made the list as well, but I still maintain my stand that the 449 of us is not too much for the FG to sponsor & I hope for the best for us all. But, I have an issue o. I don't have an admission yet as NUC didn't specifically state that we should apply before the list is released (basically because I like taking to instructions, but that has obviously boomeranged in this case). Do you know any university in the UK whose admission is still open? Can one now apply to a school different from the one that one chose on the application form? I learnt a lot from you all during this memorable time we had together here. I love you all. Thank you all. MAY GOD BLESS US ALL AND DO THE BEST FOR EACH AND EVERYONE OF US (AMEN)

"Be determined to handle any challenge in a way that will make you grow."-Les Brown

...GOOD MORNING TO YOU ALL... MAY WE ALL HAVE A BLESSED WEEK (AMEN)

dualprince: [color=#000099][/color] where's Mr PhatIon?? Lol

Mr Dualprince: I still check here daily. but I've been silent about the recent issues raised, my silence can mean three things, it can mean that:
1. I agree and have nothing to add to the discussion
2. I don't agree, but don't want to express a contrary opinion to discourage the idea or affect the discussion negatively
3. I'm neutral, I don't have an opinion or I'm not against and also not in support of the idea and would just let it pass.
People have made great comments so far & I would have talked if I wanted to express an opinion about any of the comments, but I decided not to express an opinion (expressing an opinion that one has is really about CHOICE). I REALLY DON'T BELIEVE IN TALKING JUST TO SAY "SOMETHING", RATHER, I BELIEVE IN TALKING WHEN I HAVE "SOMETHING" TO SAY. I'm quite satisfied that people here have been expressing their minds so far & "brainstorming" on new ideas and raising up new cognate issues and helping me to see things from many different angles. I thank you all. May God continue to help us and do the best for each & everyone of us (amen)

ijanarado: With deep sense of loss buh with total submission to the Politics of Nigeria, we regret to announce the Unavoidable Death of Team PRESSID. Funeral Rites will be announced soon....

...MADAM!!! Why the sarcasm nau?... LoL... How soon? Do you have any privileged information?

ubyakang: Hello Friends

Ever since the President made the announcement in May 2012, we only got to hear there was an aptitude test ?3 weeks ago...how did you guys get to hear about it.Why was there no noise made about it? As it is now my friend who made a first class and convoked this last April, was shocked to hear that some folks have done a test already.Please can someone give me some details....lets know what to do next? Thank you guys

Akang

Mr Akang: I'm sorry to hear about your friend's case. I was not also satisfied with the fact that, the information about the application was not as publicized as the promise or announcement which made it to the headlines and frontpages of some newspapers up to an extent that people on your street who don't even know what a first class means could have heard about it, and I think the promise was even part of the democracy day broadcast of the president. Although the NUC or the committee can argue that they published it in a Newspaper or on their website: www.nuc.edu.ng but, there was no specific information before then on whether the Federal scholarship board's website or that of NUC, or whether a newly created website would be used for the application process. How then, were all applicants expected to know that NUC's website would be used for the application process? The promise or annoucement by the president did not give a specific time dimension to when the scheme would start in the year, so, were expectant applicants expected to check every page of every newspaper daily, even when they don't have an idea of when the scheme would start or the name it would bear?
I could have missed out on the application too, because I got to know by randomly searching the net for it, just few days to the application's closing date. So, I feel your friend's pain & I feel it could have happened to anyone (I'm an example).
About what can be done...Honestly, I don't think he can avail the opportunity of the scheme this year anymore... But from one of the bulletins of NUC, I was made to understand that the scheme is annual and continuous, and that they'll sponsor 500 next year... But as you can see, even people that wrote the aptitude test are still "scratching their heads" on many things about the scheme, because there is no final list yet, some weeks after the aptitude test or any publicly noticeable progress. You know that this is Nigeria. Right?

wizzle04: Chai! Na wa 4 dis PRESSID mata o. Even our Motivator @ PhatIon is no longer Motivated. Hmmm. Even if I no sabi lyk Mr. PhatIon make I try. Haha. On Dis note, I say: GOOD AFTERNOON! To You all. Have a gr8 week ahead. Lolzz. @PhatIon I try abi? Just 2 keep d forum alive...

Mr Wizzle04!: ...lol... You did very well, have a great week too. I was just silent, although I'm still motivated & I think I'll remain motivated, whether I make the PRESSID list or not. Situations only give you reasons to be motivated or not, but it's ultimately your choice to decide whether to be motivated by those reasons or not... even a bad situation can be a source of positive motivation if one decides to be inspired rather than depressed by it. And you know:

"The difficulties of life are intended to make us better, not bitter."-Anonymous

"Turn your wounds into wisdom."-Oprah Winfrey

"When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile."-Anonymous

"An obstacle is often a stepping stone."-Prescott

"Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you greater than any obstacle."-Christian D. Larson

"Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors."-African Proverb
Conversely, turbulent seas make skillful sailors...

xlyze: I agree with Sayo14, on the integrity of Prof Julius, however, people's integrity are often severely overshadowed and undermined by the inherently corrupt system that we have entrenched in our national existence. if not that the "quota syndrome" has eaten deep into our politics, one would expect that the list should have been out the same week of the exam. However it is blatantly clear that the scheme might be for next year. Hopefully the top 25 schools will have January intakes if not, we will have to wait for one full year for the scheme which is a bit unfortunate.however i am fully convinced that 100 first class graduates of Nigeria will get first class post graduate education. Whatever protocol they choose to employ in their selection I know some people will benefit. And if not for anything, the subsequent sets of graduands have a hope and our undergraduates will have another source of motivation.and for all these, i am hopeful and HAPPY. At least a fraction of Nigerians, albeit negligible, will take a bite of the national cake even if the bite is only a piecemeal at best, compared to what the politicians are swallowing.
GOD BLESS NIGERIA.

...I CONCUR...

zzaacx: the list coming out is an issue, however there are more concerns for people whose names make the list.... especially if you have an idea of how hard it is to secure an admission into the listed school... talked to a friend of mine in the US... he said the scores you require to get into the university are high, Some take 1 year just to prepare for the GRE exams others Two years.... for those planning to enter for there PHD, Work de your hand... keep in mind your research area must add knowledge to the area ur studying... trust me is not an easy thing to come up with a proposal... as to the requirements of the universities stated... I dont think the nigeria government can secure admission for 100 students in those schools mainly because most of the schools in the list have a deadlines to collect all applications then compare and select the best students as they have limited seats available.. so my fellow comrades the fight is just beginning... cause ur not just competing with those who make the list but also with all other applicants who are applying for the same program as you.... its easier to get admission to a taught masters program, however some might be interested to pursue their phd programs straight (its an opportunity why not take it)... so they start looking for admission into a Mphil/PHD program not a taught masters.. however due to competition some university only take students with already taught masters program already. so basically every one can chose what path best suits him... some can even start to look for admission on other universities and try to apply for the ptdf scheme starting in October but you admission first before you can apply for that one (its all about keeping ur options open, not all eggs in one basket)..

for the list yet to be published, we are all Nigerians, the longer the list takes the more likely it would not be based on merit, as you all know we have cabals even in NUC... and the cabals have candidates... lol... so the more delay the more pdp that will occur... its sad...

I expressed a similar concern previously about securing admission into the top 25 universities in the world. These schools are highly competitive... In fact, "competitive" may be an understatement, they are not "hungry" for students, Admission is not a joke or something to be taken for granted if positions were not previously negotiated, our first class honours degrees alone, may not automatically guarantee instant admission over there like it almost always would, if it was here (I mean in Nigerian universities), because Nigerian universities respect us already & know our value but they, over there don't really know & would require us to earn our respect again.

Is this PRESSID scheme a serious agenda of the federal government? Is it on the list of their priorities? If releasing just the list is taking this long, how long will releasing money (funds) take? Wouldn't anybody, who finally makes the list need to pray twice or thrice harder than he/she did before making the list so that this attitude of delaying things doesn't continue? Or are they trying to ensure that everything is ready (including the funds) before releasing the list? Could that be the reason for the delay?
Anyway,

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it."-Aristotle

...Let's see what happens next week...

whizkidy: There is no point releasing the list again. There is no way you can make it to UK again this year same with the US. Visa processing will take at least 3 weeks. So forget it bro. If they like let them release it next year.

The fact that those who will be concluding their NYSC service year in october are qualified, according to the "revised" shortlisting criteria, already insinuates that the scheme may not "kick-off" anytime before then, even if the list is released today or was released last month. This may just be confirming that assumption.

"If you want a place in the sun, you have to put up with a few blisters"-ABIGAIL VAN BUREN
This is just like the yoruba idiom: Ìkòkò tíó je ata, ìdí rè ma gbóná☺ (i.e. for a pot that will consume pepper, its base has to be hot),

but really,

"It's not where you are today that counts, it's where you're headed"-Arthur F. Lenehan
because, our LOCATION isn't as important as our DESTINATION

...On that note, I say: GOOD MORNING to you all. Have a great day!

dualprince: I had to join nairaland finally cos of our outspoken man, Mr PhatIon. I begin 2 wonder if u av a 5 or even 6/6 in gre analytical writing!! Ur critique of d arguments was simply fantastic.
Well, I tink NUC shd save us all dis stress and release any 100 names cos I believe we all deserve to benefit from our national resources.
Anyways, I wish u all d best as I intend to air my views in dis forum very often more like Mr PhatIon... Lol

Mr Dualprince: Welcome sir... I feel so flattered by your comment, but thanks anyway ...I haven't taken GRE, so I don't have a score yet in analytical writing and honestly don't know what I would score if I did (and I don't have any intention to go to an American university for graduate & postgraduate studies, at least for now) so, I may never have a score in GRE...lol... But thanks for the assumption (about the GRE score) and opinion (about the critique)...
...I guess we all hope the list is released as soon as possible...
...As for your views, I'll be greatly anticipating your unique views... Thanks, welcome once again to our midst (here on nairaland).

Sayo14: Goodmorning to u too, Mr phatIon and fellow forum members. @Mr PhatIon, I cannot, but to appreciate ur unrelenting spirit at this very time, when d morale of most of us is really down....keep it up, bros...

...THANKS...

SilENSE: Good a.m. to all.

I eventually got the official site of the Ministry of Education where one can drop comments- (http://www.fme.gov.ng/index.php/contact-us). It is however uncertain how responsive they are to messages dropped through that medium. I'll recommend that some other people should visit the site to raise the PRESSID issue, maybe a good number of comments from different people would make them take the issue seriously.

@Mr PhatIon, I was actually talking about fixing the bug that has infested this scheme by getting someone to respond/act. No doubts, it would take a miracle for the whole systems in Nigeria to be fixed overnight but let's see if we can get someone (the person delaying the implementation of this scheme) more alive to his/her responsibility.

...OK... Well done sir.

whizkidy: Peeps can read it here. http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/index.php/other-sections/lead-stories/175965-states-send-students-to-bad-varsities-abroad-nuc-kano-osun-fire-back-at-okojie&client=ms-rim&q=kano+state+commissioner+of+education+NYC+,+this+day+newspaper&sa=X&ei=m6NIULqlMKSf0QXSo4DwBA&ved=0CBoQFjAA

Mr Whizkidy: Thanks for the link. After reading the defences of both states, I was more impressed with the defence or response of the Kano state commissioner than that of the Osun state commissioner, because the Kano commissioner defended the scheme very logically, by providing the necessary facts to back up his defence(e.g. he talked about the approval they got & why the universities are not substandard based on consultation with the home country etc.) but the Osun state commissioner was more sentimental; blaming politics, appealing on the grounds that the scheme involves children & the future, date of creation of one of the universities (not something that is necessarily indicative of its current quality or status) etc. but having faulty premises does not make the conclusion always wrong anyway. But Kano's argument was more logically sound.

"Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful."-Joshua J. Marine

"There can be no rainbow without a cloud and a storm."-J.H. Vincent

"Out of clutter, find simplicity. From discord, find harmony. In the middle of difficulty, lies opportunity."-Albert Einstein

"If you can find a path with no obstacles, it probably doesn't lead anywhere"-Frank A. Clark

...and on that note, I say: GOOD MORNING! to you all. Have a blessed day!☺

[quote author=kwesi-boadu]I feel NUC was intimidated by the Kano and Osun initiatives to send over 500 graduates abroad.[/quote]...Obviously. The premises of their argument looked quite faulty to me (e.g. Cultism may be exported, sending many graduates to the same place may affect diversity of knowledge etc.), without providing related evidence (e.g. To show that there was any cultist among the scholars being sent abroad, to show that the foreign country or university lacks diversity etc.) to back up such arguments, since those claims are not automatic and are not always true in every case... If anyone is to argue against, or criticize an idea or action, in a situation like this (where something similar is being handled by that person), it has to be done logically & objectively and in fact, with great caution, or the person may be suspected of envy or jealousy or making sentimental arguments. I don't mean to disrespect anyone, but the truth is just the truth. But an opinion may be right or wrong (including mine).

Mr. SilENSE: Well said, but how do we fix it? it has eaten so deep into the system to an extent that, I think we may need a miracle to fix the system. But how will the miracle happen?

SilENSE: Hi all,
I could not resist being sucked into this forum by the intellectual energy/ enthusiasm that is being dissipated here. After reading some very interesting comments, I had to start from the very first post and go through all the posts on this thread till now.

On the PRESSID scholarship shortlist that we all await, I think efforts should rather be directed at the FG rather than NUC who appears to be done with its assignment of selection and claim to await FG approval. I think it would be helpful to get the Minister of Education to respond to issues about PRESSID stating what exactly FG plans are concerning the scheme this year. Of course, she can't claim to be in the dark about the scheme.

Mr SilENSE, Welcome sir! I'm usually happy when people, who had previously been silent about this issue, finally join the discussion, to express their own unique perspectives, opinions & views. I also passed through that stage of "silence", I was just visiting regularly but didn't join until a very unusual stimulus, (one opinion expressed by one Mr Cajetan) triggered me to finally register to make my own little contribution to this interaction of intellectuals & the rest is history... and so far, I haven't regretted my decision to join. Welcome once again, Mr. SilENSE!

whizkidy: wanted to post it yesterday too. They are ashamed already.

"Dem dey shameless ni joor, if not, dem no suppose dey yab the states. After how many weeks? dem never produce a list of 100, if to say na list of one thousand nko? or one million? maybe white bear bear for don dey grow before the list go comot"...lol... What am I even saying? Do we even have any shame in this country?

"...We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be?..."-Marianne Williamson

On this note, I say: GOOD MORNING to you all! Have a great day!

MobilePunch: NUC cautions states over overseas scholarships http://www.punchng.com/news/nuc-cautions-states-over-overseas-scholarships/

NUC! NUC!! NUC!!! How many times did I call you? Are you sure this isn't envy or jealousy? ..."States, make una ride on jàre, no mind them"...

Chiown: Just to add.. In America, youths are almost coerced to go to school via various incentives such as scholarships .. black youths are practically begged to go to school (Brown university). Noone cares for a post-grad.. Just go to school and then if you choose 2 further towards a post grad education, you are regarded highly and funded.. It's only in my father land that graduates (irregardless of class) who desire an education are not supported and entertainment is supported.. tomorrow now "THEY" will invite "50 cent" for one "concert" and they'll pay him 10 peoples scholarship money.. and use another 10 peoples schplarship money to organize the show.

Then, all these companies will be asking for masters graduates, PhD holders, 20 years experience .. when a first class holder for 5 years has totally deviated from his field just to keep body and soul together.

Train a passionate graduate and he/she will create innovations that will in turn create jobs for Nigerians.. and put Nigeria on the radar. PRESSID, please fund all 449 of us. The Federal account is capable. Just make CBN print more notes!

Ms. Chiown: Welcome ma! Although I think that, in a very rational economy, all sectors or industries (even entertainment) should be given the desired attention required for the growth and development of the country, but my problem with the case of Nigeria is about the way & manner we go about funding these sectors & our inability to have the right priorities. I think a lot of this country's problem has to do with prioritization. Even if (and that is "if" ) there is a need to bring foreign artistes to Nigeria to boost our pedigree in entertainment, why should they be paid higher amounts than they get paid anywhere else in the world? Is that to show that we have sufficient money that should be spent lavishly? Some of the foreign artistes (AKON for example) sometimes confess that Nigerians pay them higher amounts to perform than other countries they've been to. Even the attitude of some Nigerian youths is quite questionable, I have no problem if anyone who can afford to pay for a show attends it, but why should some youths borrow 5000 or 10000 naira sometimes just to pay to attend a show when they actually can't afford it? I think it's not just the government alone that can't set right priorities, even the youths as well. So, it's more serious than just the government, even the followers & leaders of tomorrow haven't always been too inspiring either. May God help Nigeria.

idmanzik: PhatIon, thank you very much for your prayer. I pray you also be among the top 100 in the PRESSID scholarship. God bless you!!!

...Thanks, may God bless you too... .

Even after all I've said about the imperfections of this PRESSID scheme, I still believe that it is:

"Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing flawlessly."-Robert Schuller

PRESSID hasn't been perfect with everything it has done so far, nobody is, but we should appreciate the fact that, before now, there was nothing like PRESSID by the federal government specifically made to encourage and support first class graduates in the country with foreign scholarships up to Ph.D. level. A lot more can still be done, but having PRESSID (even if they plan to pick 100 instead of 449) is better than when it did not exist at all, it's something. Half a bread is better than _____? chin chin
...lol...

GiantParrot: Although many people have been suspecting that quota considerations were the cause of the delay in releasing the PRESSID list, it is very sad and disturbing that their suspicions may actually have being true. Singapore was once considered an underdeveloped country like Nigeria but her government decided to adopt meritocratic measures and today can boast of being a developed country. Their belief in meritocracy is so strong that they named a website that gives information about their educational system the title: meritocracy0.tripod.com. It is very frustrating that foolish Nigerians cannot observe that our current system is DEFINITELY NOT working and that meritocratic systems definitely do work in all places where they are practiced. I sincerely hope that one day we would abandon mediocrity and incompetence promoting models like the quota system when making decisions in this country. Be not deceived, when the best people are not selected for positions in which they can actually contribute, we would never get the best results.

...WELL SAID SIR... I also think that, one of the reasons why we are where we are today is the lack of "meritocracy" in the Nigerian mentality. Strictly using merit may not favour an individual or group sometimes, but it gives the hope or assurance that if you work hard some other time (or for something else) to be better qualified, you will surely not be "cheated". That assurance alone is an inspiration to work hard always. But we prefer to believe more in sentiments... And I guess, it lead us to where we are currently, if where we are is good or bad? I leave that for everyone to decide...

pearlAdams: Hahaha, anyway 4 thos dat wil mak it tru...ther contribution to naija somday wil mak GEJ hav somtin to rememba in his regime

...issorai...

pearlAdams: Ofcours u wil tok.lol. Bt I luv ur objectiv approach to issues, bt I wona bliv wen these "best brains" return to naija, somhw de wil tak up beta responsibilty. Mind u 4get dat 5yrs bond tin, it won't work...hav u forgoten it stil naija we r tokin here?

my point exactly, it's Naija... That's why we can't even be sure if the five-year-bond thing would work... It still emphasizes how messy, things can be here sometimes, policies are quite unstable...messy, messy, MESSY! I hope (Lionel) Messi's ears won't be perceiving or feeling (like people are talking about him somewhere) but of course, we all know that Messi isn't messy...lol... IF NAIJA WAS LIKE MESSI...

pearlAdams: My God am soooo gona miss u guys afta dis whole tin...kwesi-boadu(initiator) Ijanarado(my miss) wizkidy(my man) immortal(d invinsible) alikwaghe01(hide hide) Phatlon(talkative, I luv dis guy) Logbon72, Assyn, Xlyze, Nkematics, Sayo14, Truz, sawyer89, Pink boi, Wizzle04, Ambasador01, Zzaacx, Idmanzik, Gzendo, Masperano, GiantParrot...chai c names pple answer and all our GUESTS who wuld hide to c our comments buh won't say notin, I'd mis y'all. Someday we shal tak over Naija n correct all dis mess

You know I'm going to talk, right? Thanks for the love, I love you too (#noHomo). Seriously, you guys have been great and wonderful, although I didn't know most of you before now, I'll miss you by the time we're through with this.. About correcting the mess, are you sure that if things are still this messy after completing the Ph.D. & returning to Nigeria to work for five years, that most people won't return overseas to continue their life after the 5-year bond, especially if they've been frustrated by the mess during the five years in the country? (if I'm being a little bit futuristic with that question, forgive me)

ijanarado: From Immortal, to Invisible..... hei. SO Monday yaf passed just like dat. It's not fair oooooo

...TOMORROW IS ANOTHER DAY kwanu...