The dead justifies the extreme
This greatly troubled Huck, “I was in a sweat to find out all about him,” he said. But Huck’s concerns disappeared when he discovered that Moses had died. “But by and by she let it out that Moses had been dead a considerable long time: so then I didn’t care no more about him, because […]
This greatly troubled Huck, “I was in a sweat to find out all about him,” he said. But Huck’s concerns disappeared when he discovered that Moses had died. “But by and by she let it out that Moses had been dead a considerable long time: so then I didn’t care no more about him, because I don’t take no stock in dead people.”
Huckleberry Finn may be the most resistant boy to culture and civilization, but I thought about his philosophy (very reasonable in my view) of the dead when I read that ASUU postponed its meeting (the one from which many expected them to call off the strike) indefinitely. Taking such a drastic decision to postpone a meeting to which many had arrived from different parts of Nigeria on account of the death of one man is shocking. We’re asked not to bother the dead, but the dead must also not be allowed to bother the living. Postponing an important meeting for the dead certainly bothers the living – the thousands of students affected by the strike. What’s wrong with a minute’s silence, or adjourning the meeting until the next day?
But when we considered the recent shenanigans about our dead, you’ll understand that Nigerians now go crazy and lose their heads if someone important dies. We stretch the deceased’s worth and contribution to the country to the extent that such testimonies rival an out and out lie. To honour the dead, we prohibit what’s permissible and permit what’s prohibited. In Nigeria, you only need to die to become an instant saint – this needlessly gives comfort to the bad leaders who know that all the destruction they’ve caused will be forgiven after their death.
There are more examples in recent months than one can shake a stick at, and which are ready premises for the aforesaid conclusion. For example, one would figure that when the NLC president said, as reported by Premium Times, that Professor Iyayi “was a great scholar who bestrode virtually all the disciplines like a colossus,” he (Omar Abdulwahab) either didn’t know what he was talking about or, as Nigerians usually do, was inflating the man’s resume; because a “ scholar who bestrides VIRTUALLY ALL the disciplines like a colossus” has not been born; and the good professor certainly wasn’t one.
We even kill to celebrate the dead. A few months ago, a former governor killed a boy when he travelled from Abuja to visit the dead boy’s father to give his condolences on the death of the boy’s grandfather. After the greetings, the governor’s convoy knocked down two of the bereaved’s children, which resulted in the death of one of them. I wonder what the governor told the father? “Once again, I’m sorry for your loss, but I’ve also killed one of your children.” This unfortunate family would have been saved the double tragedy if the governor had simply stayed away.
Many people have died as a result of our toadying over the dead; these include an incumbent governor and a former national security adviser while coming back from the funeral of a man whose contribution to the nation is unknown – aside from contributing a son as an adviser to the president; and if we reckon the performance of the government, and therefore his advice, the country might have fared better if he had not contributed.
In Nigeria, the dead justifies the extreme.
Re: Get 100 PhDs, save N800m: A letter to Arewa governors
Good day Mr. Dooba, just read your article “100 PhDs…” But you did not mention the name of the university, also I would like to know if an individual can access this free tuition right from Msc level. Thank you!
Victor Kulugh
Response: I refused to mention the name of the university for a reason. The last time I did, we saw banners selling the same information that was available for free in Weekly Trust. But if you send me an email, I can tell whether you’re a student or an agent; and therefore, either tell you the name of the university or tell you off.
I read your article captioned “Get 100 PhDs, Save 800m: A letter to Arewa Governors”. You have succinctly said it all. Keep it flying.
Hurso Adam.
I always read your write-ups but never read a learned one like yesterday’s, our leaders are so porous and corrupt that they take religion as a forum of compensation to the led. While the led celebrate and quietly bromance with poverty forever.
Sulaiman Waziri Musa
Sir,
I write in respect of the above subject matter, I am a civil servant working with a Federal Government agency as a Board Secretary / Legal Adviser. I have LL.B, LL.M, and BL. Wishing to further my qualification for a PhD in Law. The above article I read was for engineering courses only, I want to find out if law courses are also offered by the said university. I really need your held in this regard.
Anonymous
Response: Mal., thanks for your mail. There’s no law degree in the university. But you can do a PhD in humanities or social sciences and research something related to law. The title of your thesis would be written on your transcript but not on your certificate.
Thanks.
Assalamu Alaikum sir,
I just finished reading your article on the above subject contained in the Daily Trust of 2nd November 2013. The article provides vital information as many others that have appeared previously on the column. Sir, I am interested in a PhD programme in public health. I hold a masters of public health degree with focus on reproductive health. I intend to support myself. Please, kindly support with information and guidance. Many thanks for your continued public education on issues that matter.
Warmest regards
Muhammad M. Ibrahim
Response: Mal Muhammad, thank you for your mail. Public health? Are you a doctor? If you are, please contact my friend, Dr. Ashiru ([email protected]) who knows more about the field. In sha Allah, he’ll guide you further.
Cc: Dr. Ashiru Hamza