By; JACOB ONJEWU DICKSON
Author of a book, “The shadow called Nature, Independence, Giant, Equity, Revenue, Illumination and Advancement (NIGERIA)” Goodnews Chukwudi Ihemefor has said that in spite of endowment of abundant mineral resources, NIgeria expected to be rich, remains poor.
Ihemefor expressed this at the launching of the book at the Catholic Social Centre, Independence Way, Kaduna on Sunday March 20, 2022.
“There are limitations to the utilization of the nation’s natural resources. How about our nation’s Independence? Are we still the giant of Africa or corruption has become the David and banditry the stone in the hand of corruption to fall the Giant ‘like in the story of David and goliath’. Is there Equity in the land? How well is our Revenue utilized? How well are we illuminating the nation and what is the degree of our Advancement?
“This book was borne out of the curiosity of how a nation can be very rich and very poor at the same time. The book looked at the nation without crude oil. Amongst the resources discussed, crude oil was deliberately omitted, as I sought to see a new ideology. I desire to attract more attention to solid materials.
“My concern has remained how to improve the state of the nation, basically to proffer solution to the lack of job for the youth. In addition, this book x-rays the abundance of the nation’s hidden treasure and helps the readers to estimate how rich their states maybe,” he said.
According to him, the book also discussed the impossibility of utilizing this resources without the utilization of human resources.
“This book is dedicated to His Excellency, Chief Barr. Ezewo Nyesom Wike, for his outstanding leadership and infrastructural development in my home state. To His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Matthew Hasan Kukah for being a voice to nation. And to Mr. Ikechukwu Joseph Akanisi for many benefits I enjoyed while writing this book.
“While you enjoy this book I wish to call for an immediate action on the following crucial matters addressed in book.
“The government should consider states resource control and ensure an easier approach to obtaining mining permit.
“For a rapid growth and a focused nation to emerge, an Independent Think Tank is urgently needed. A nation operating only on political party vision may succeed but not as one with a defined national vision. The question is, what is our national vision? I mean vision 2030, 2050?” He queried.
He suggested that to improve education in the Northern region, the Islamic authority should make it a perquisite for all Imams to have a certificate from a Nigerian higher institution, because the religious leaders are conscience former. I always wished to be like a Catholic Priest in all things, except being ordained.
He further suggested that, “government should start patronizing more indigenous construction companies, they can be asked to hire foreign experts to spice up, as I cannot explain why a good African construction must have foreigners (Whiteman).
“I refuse to accept that Nigerian construction companies are not trusted or qualified but I accept that the disappointment from them sometimes come from those in charge of awarding the contracts as favoritism against qualification is a mantra.
“I further recommend that road construction contractors must be responsible for the road for a minimum of 5 years from the date of handover as this will encourage quality work since maintenance cost may be high,” he submitted.
On his NGO, Mirror Of Wisdom Development Foundation for Youth, Children and Women, he said that they can be addressed as Miwis-Foundation.
“We are a group of patriotic young Nigerians. We are in more than 10 states of the nation in pursuit of an improved lifestyle for the citizens, especially the vulnerable by providing a systematic approach in tackling major national problems such as in Education, Talent Development,
“Politics and others. while seeking partnership with government, private organizations and people of good will. It is also important to applaud Nigerians who has been donating and supporting young Nigerians with scholarship within and outside the country. We appreciate the National Assembly for the recent bills to support education and we ask for more.
“It is imperative to let you know that we have writing to Federal Ministry of Education Abuja for partnership and awaiting their response. At the moment, our organization have four departments. (1) The Media; responsible for publicity. (2) Exams and Record; responsible for ‘ASAP’. (3) The talent Development (4) The Engineering/Technical unit responsible for ‘Fix the School Program’.
“We believe that a collaborative effort can revamp the state of the nation in all spheres, especially in education system serving as our starting point.
“At this juncture, I will like to share a story from WhatsApp status titled HOW TO DESTROY A COUNTRY, “at the entrance gate of a university in South Africa the following message was posted for contemplation. Destroying any nation does not require the use of atomic bomb or the use of long range missiles… it only requires lowering the quality of education and allowing cheating in examinations by the students.
“Patients die at the hands of such doctors, building collapsed in the hands of such engineers, money lost at the hands of such economist and accountants. Humanity dies at the hand of such religious leaders, justice is lost at the hands of such judges.
” The collapse of education is the collapse of the nation”. After reading this, the question for us all is, what is the effects of our actions to our “only nation”? Is it building or collapsing the nation?
“However, the need to build the future of our nation has become our driving force for this program. And to achieve our goals, two powerful projects will be unveiled.
“They are aimed to; Reduce the rate and effect of exam malpractices among the secondary school students.Bridge the gap between urban and rural also private and public schools. Create a hard work rewarding system for teachers and students. Create data base to monitor students and teachers performance,” he said.
He explained that they create opportunities for a collaborative development of public schools.
“Academic Systematic Appraisal (ASAP) #ASAPThis is a programme aimed at determining the effectiveness of teachers and commitment of students in secondary schools while rewarding them accordingly to enhance their performance and to successfully close the gap between Private and Public also Urban and Rural schools.
“We believe that when people are motivated, their best performance is exposed without stress. We feel that these are reasons the private schools are doing better than public Schools even when government schools possess more trained teachers.
” Therefore, to restore the public schools back to standard, teachers’ commitment has to be strategically considered as an important factor. As it is known that parents that motivate their kids’ academic success with gifts, vacation and so on, tend to have children that are more motivated to work harder.HOW TO ACHIEVE ASAPDuring second term (JSS3 & SS3 test) and third term (JSS1&2 –SS1&2 test) a number of subjects will be randomly selected for the competition in all classes.
“The best performed student in the selected subjects would represent their classes and schools in the local government level of the test competition.
“The students who emerged the best in the local government competition, nominates their teachers as the best teacher for that subject in that particular class and hence qualified for state teachers competition.Both the students and teachers would go for state competition of which the student’s performance at state level would serve as the teacher’s continuous assessment.
“This is to ensure teachers see their success tide in their students’ performance, hence teach with love to impact. The process will continue to national level.All exams will be done online via our website, tutorials would be conducted before exams.
“It is our expectation that in six years’ time a good percentage of our secondary school students will confidently sit for their Senior School Certificate Examination SSCE without any fear of failure because malpractice would have been dealt with.
“We hope this will improve secondary education which will lay a good foundation for tertiary education and reduce massive failure among year one students resulting from poor quality of secondary school system,” he said..
On the NGO’s Fix The School Programme, he explained that it focuses on encouraging everyone to see education challenges as everyone’s business and hence contribute to the development of schools.
“We have created a website www.miwisfoundation.com.ng that will enable everyone to contribute to the education system development by reporting with pictures and other necessary document of the challenges facing the schools ranging from bad school building, lack of teachers, poor/no laboratory/library facilities etc.
“These data will be made public for attention of generous people and lovers of our nation at home and in abroad for support. It will be in such a way that every Nigerian would have something to contribute no matter how little, to the building of education sector, if a healthy society is desired.
“Donors will indicate interest and state whether they wishes to procure and submit the material to the affected school by themselves or send the funds to the organization for procurement and submission. The organization would keep the public updated as it unfolds. Donors can remain anonymous if they chose to.
“We will also promote donors’ business by means of advertisement on our website and our social media platforms,” he informed.
On how public spirited individuals and corporate organisations can support them, he explained, “We believe that state governments have provision for scholarship programs, we are asking the state governments to utilize this platform to grant scholarship to the best SS3 students to university within or outside the nation, since it’s a way of encouraging public schools and hard work. It will be a great impact to the targeted audience ‘the poor citizens’ against the man know man pattern.
“NECO and JAMB should grant free exam registration for the best students at local government level as a stimulant for hard work.WAEC should grant free exam registration for the state best students.
“Federal government should grant to best students at national level, for ‘SS3 students’, scholarship to PhD level (since the state government is taking university responsibility) and for JSS1 –SS2 scholarship to university level.
“All level of Government head should have an AWARD for the best students/teachers at their levels, Ward Councilors, traditional and religious leaders are not excluded.State government should grant best teacher at state level instant promotion or a gift of a new car, or one million Naira cash price.Federal Government should grant best teacher at national level a cash price or house gift or both and any other thing considered beneficial,” he said.
He called for sponsorship of this exam competition from corporate organisations.
“To sponsor one subject in a particular class (eg. JSS1 Math) for LGA level from N100, 000 and above (N600, 000 and above for 6 classes), for state level N250, 000 and above (N1, 500,000 and above for 6 classes) for national N1, 000,000 and above (N6, 000,000 and above for 6 classes).
“Prices are not limited to cash, materials are accepted. We appeal for funding not limited to sponsorship for maintenance of the organization.
“We call on media for help to reach out for wider coverage as we further plead that you promote the program through your social media handles by typing #fixtheschool #Asap.
“In conclusion, we must think of Nigeria, talk about Nigerian solution and act Nigeria solution,” he advised.
He added, “Recommend people or organizations willing to support the development of educational sector in Nigeria. Racism and the recent Ukrainian saga is enough reason to build our education system. Nigerians are tired of enriching other nations through education that we can handle perfectly.
“And don’t forget this wise saying, ‘if we wait for only the government to fix the nation, we will wait forever. If we start fixing the nation, ‘a wise’ government will be uncomfortable not to be responsible for their responsibilities.
Ihemefor who is the Founder Miwis-Foundation, started his speech by expressing profound gratitude to God Almighty whom he said His grace is endless and to the Blessed Virgin Mary whom he said, has made him a writer.
“I will like to welcome and appreciate everyone here present and those whose supports remain visible to the success of this day; the editors, the planning committee led by Mr. Ik Madubuko.
“To you beloved friends, your presence here I consider extra work due to your busy schedules. Some people invited their friends to support me. You never refrained from recommending me to person who has a way to help.
“I want to appreciate the Governor of Kaduna state, His Excellency MaIam Nasir el-Rufai for his constant efforts to make education system standard, and to the Commissioner of Education, Hon. Halima Lawal for being professional in her duty as well as being the first to grant our partnership proposal.
“I want to summarize my story in Kaduna with the impact of the Hosts of the day. First, Engr. J.O Daudu PhD whose support during my NYSC granted me a state Honor Award.
“The award gave me many opportunities to be easily accepted and trusted.
“To support me further, he accepted to write the Forward of this Book. Secondly Chief Sir Arc. Luke Umeche (AKA Onyeoma), whom I wish to address as my pathfinder, he is never tired of supporting me, I have not told him before but today I am saying it in the public that he is my role model. Thirdly, the Chief Host Mr. Ikechukwu Akanisi (my boss), I dedicated this book to him amongst others because of my personal benefits from him. Serving under him has given me the opportunity to meet with many destiny helpers.
“One thing I have observed about him is his desire to help others to grow.
“I have something to say about everyone here present but time factor, I am really appreciative for the massive love shown to me and for trusting me so quickly.
“I promise to make you proud anytime any day I see the opportunity, even as I employ you to continue to support me especially in the launching of this book and the NGO. I see your action today as a means of encouraging the youth all over the nation to be positive and focused. When youths feel supported, they will shun vices and embrace hard work. Please don’t fail to generously and genuinely support us today,” he said.
He disclosed that the book took him nearly finished four years to complete.
