Re: Becoming algebra ninjas: why Arewa may never fail O-Level math again

Those who volunteeredI saw your article on Weekly Trust on Becoming Algebra Ninjas. I am a retired Engineer and I am interested in participating in this laudable program. I want to be FCT coordinator if that position is still available. I want to do it for free. If the position is filled, please do tell […]

Those who volunteered
I saw your article on Weekly Trust on Becoming Algebra Ninjas. I am a retired Engineer and I am interested in participating in this laudable program. I want to be FCT coordinator if that position is still available. I want to do it for free. If the position is filled, please do tell how I can assist. My name is Abubakar Ahmed Nahuche, I am an old man, but very concerned about our students’ failure rate in mathematics. My phone numbers are 08094447779 or 08077912049. I am a managing partner of Metronet Comm Concept Ltd, a company that specializes in designing and installing fibre optic cable to telecomms companies.
I want to know what I need to do so that I can make a plan and set some milestones. This will make us assess our achievement monthly.
Abubakar Ahmed Nahuche
Note to readers from FCT:  Alhaji Ahmad is now the FCT coordinator. You can call the numbers above to contact him.
I want to volunteer for this initiative. I’m a mother and live in Kano.
Haj. Aisha Bala Sirajo
Just to appreciate your algebra ninja project. If you are in Abuja I would like us to meet so I can clarify a few things. Also, I hereby offer to be a state coordinator in Adamawa State. I am in the trade of consultancy in project management and quantity surveying and believe am comfortable. Also, I’m not a politician and therefore confident that your project is safe with me.
Meanwhile, I have already ordered for my own copy of the book to go through before joining the algebra ninja family as a platoon commander in Yola. For me I will start from the community level, then ward level, and grow to LGA then state. Modesty is always my watch word. Thanks.
Bashiru Ahmad
Note to readers from Adamawa:  Malam Bashir Ahmad is now the Adamawa coordinator. Email me for his number.
Those who prayed
Sir, I admire your enthusiasm but as you know our high school students, like fire brigade approach “shan yanzu maganin yanzu.” It is my hope it works and thank you for your effort.
Abdulhameed Abubakar Umar
Thank you so much for your efforts.
Ibraheem Abdoollahee Haroona
This is great! May Allah bless this effort.
Salamatu Abdullahi Wachiko
Allah ya saka da alkairi
Bashiru Musa

Those who offered their perspectives
A scholar has spoken well. A well organized body of facts. To me, the only solution to this predicament is by separation of politics from education. In Nigeria of today, building two blocks of class in a community by politicians has become the order of the day all in the name of dividends of democracy. While other schools that require urgent attention in terms of infrastructure and human resources are left at the mercy of God. Painful as it is, most of these so-called dividends of democracy schools built by our politicians have no teachers. I was surprised and disappointed when I encountered such a school last year when I was in Nigeria. One of these political schools was operating from JSS1-3 with only five teachers including the principal himself. In such situation, what will the students learn? It’s obvious that the human resources are grossly inadequate. Part of the solution to the problem you mentioned is for the government to: focus on developing existing schools, where necessary, and close down the politically motivated schools and focus on infrastructure, basic learning tools and development of human resources. It would be a welcome development if the government can play the role of financing education sector with ultimate sincerity and ensure that the schools meet the required standard for economic development of Nigeria.
Ishaku Bashir Yakubu
While I agree that the state of education is appalling, I wish to argue that in addition to all the elaborated factors, the modern teachers and students are not by and large mentally fit for academics. Students are not interested in learning (and whatever you do won’t help), and teachers are not interested in teaching/mentoring. We went through the same system with some of the kids of today and if we recall even then, the story was same except that each individual chose a path for himself.
Dr. Ibrahim Abdul-Azeez
Students’ letters
Hello sir, I am Ahmad and I read your yesterday’s column at the time I need it.
I want to study civil engineering but my only problem is algebra.  Please sir I urgently need that book and your assistance.  I have invited four friends, including myself, making five of us.
Ahmad Muhd, Kano
Update
The 100 copies donated by Mal Samaila Suleiman, the CPC chairman of Kaduna North Local Government, should arrive soon.  Thus Kaduna readers should call their coordinator, Hassan Ismail Galadima.  I’m using my own money to order for 100 copies to facilitate the take off of the programme in Abuja.  Donors in Abuja should please call Alhaji Ahmed Nahuche. 
However, we still don’t have many book donors yet, so please donate.  Though we have volunteers in Kano, we don’t have book donors yet.  You can be the first.