Activism is more than mass actions or protests in the streets.
Martin Luther King Jr is said to be one of the most successful civil rights activists that ever lived.
In his most popular speech, Dr Martin Luther King Jr said and I quote, ‘‘...I still have a dream, it is a dream deeply rooted in the AMERICAN DREAM...that one day this nation will rise up and live out the full meaning of its CREED; we hold this truth to be self-evident that all men are created equal... ’’
Also, in his last speech before his death, he said, ‘‘...All we say to America is be true to what you said on paper...somewhere I read of the FREEDOM of Assembly, somewhere I read of the FREEDOM of speech, somewhere I read...’’
It is clear that he fought a battle neither against personalities nor governments but he fought his battle against racial discrimination by publicly reminding America of what it stood for. All he did was continually ask America to be true to its dream, ideals and creed. He point was clear and simple and indisputable... If America says ALL MEN and ALL means ‘every with the exception of none’, why are the blacks then excluded?
In Nigeria, we have never had a common national dream or vision or creed or ideal taught to every citizen. But we do have a written CONSTITUTION. This document has been overly criticised by some Nigerians but I have come to discover that many of such Nigerians have never spent time to go through it. It truly has some contradictions (which we could work on amending) but also has many great stuff... it teaches us about our rights, duties and privileges as Nigerian citizens.
HAVE YOU READ THE CONSTITUTION OF THE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA?
For only then can you consistently and accurately tell every Nigerian WHAT NIGERIA SAID ON PAPER... this is the real fight for a better future, this is the kind of activism that wins.
Thank you and God bless Nigeria.
By Taulpaul
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Education in Nigeria and The Alumni... The ALMA MATER Scheme
According to The New Method English Dictionary; Education is the act of teaching; causing to have knowledge, good character and manners, and power to make a living.
Definition of Alumni?
The word Alumni is simply defined by The Chambers 20thCentury Dictionary as former pupils or former students of an institution.
Brief Description of The Alma Mater Scheme
The Alma-mater scheme is a very simple but effective solution to transform the educational system at all levels in Nigeria. It is an active, convenient and consistent partnership scheme that puts the responsibility for change in the hands of the alumni, the people. It is neither for a few friends nor for a particular graduate-set. It is developed for every past student of the school. It is a consistent and progressive solution. We would begin from the basics and then move to providing the extras.
It goes beyond just the financial involvement of ex-students to dedication of their time, skill and other resources to the development and growth of the Alma mater. They become actively involved in the lives of the pupils and staff of the school.
Some benefits of The Alma mater Scheme
The following are some of the advantages of the Alma mater Scheme:
· The most important benefit of the scheme is that it would provide quality education to the average Nigerian child at little or no cost, thereby creating an enlightened and empowered society. This is crucial because it gives us the power to maximise our large population; turning it into our greatest asset,
· The scheme will help attract the best minds and hands from within and outside the country interested in imparting knowledge back to our institutions of learning as it provides the necessary environment and tools for quality education,
· The scheme will outlive any generation, government or policy change because it is propelled by the people, the alumni. As long as a school churns out graduates,the scheme is kept alive. This means that sustainability is assured,
· The presence of constant and effective monitoring of the school's activities by the alumni who fund these changes. As the saying goes, ''where your treasure is,there your heart will be also.'' This will bring about accountability within the school system.
· Because of the involvement of the ex-students in the lives of the pupils, career guidance, talent development, expert counsel and motivation would not be in short supply. This is vital because it unleashes the latent potentials of each student to settle for nothing but the best in life,
· The scheme has the ability to foster right values such as unity, service, and interdependence as all members come together for the purpose of developing their alma mater and at the same time developing Nigeria's future,
· Limitations posed by government's underfunding, re-directed funding and bureaucracies are overcome by this scheme. An irresponsible government can frustrate the efforts of an alumnus but world be ineffective against a determined alumni,
· Schools at all levels and in all parts of the country can be transformed at the same time into world-class institutes as funding is done by their alumni and not one philanthropist nor the government.
In Primary /Secondary institutions
The Alma mater scheme when applied to primary and secondary institutions can provide:
· Basic educational resource materials relevant in today's world.For example, well equipped libraries, studios and laboratories, audio-visual teaching aids and ICT facilities,
· A very conducive environment for learning and child development.For example, standard hostels and classrooms, sick-bays, recreational facilities, assembly and dining halls and staff lodge,
· Funds for teachers' training and re-training, research by interested teachers and students, relevant field trips, camps and excursions,
· A pool of funds for awarding various scholarships to deserving students,
· Staff and student buses, etc.
Apart from the provision of a world-class learning environment, educational facilities, stationery, uniforms and a higher education scholarship fund for the students, we suggest that other activities can be developed to directly impart knowledge, care, love and a sense of national responsibility to the students. Holding regular interactive meetings which bring together the alumni, staff and students will also go a long way in communicating the dream of a better society. Such times may include activities like; quizzes, debates, voluntary community service, alumni reading/speaking to the students, showcasing of the creative works of the students may be encouraged, career advisory seminars, sport meets and so on. These activities would afford students the opportunity of getting inspired and enlightened by ex-students who have climbed the ladder of society in different fields.
In Tertiary Institutions
The Alma mater scheme could be harnessed as a great tool to:
· Provide a conducive working, learning and living environment e.g.access to online education, standard auditoriums, offices, halls of residence (with internet access, laundry facilities and diners) for students and staff,
· Equip the institution's libraries, laboratories, teaching hospitals and workshops,
· Fund globally relevant research projects and constant retraining of lecturers and staff,
· Organise commencement speeches, seminars on career advice and national responsibility,
· Provide scholarships (academic or sports) to deserving students and student loans,
· Produce branded souvenirs for sale at designated outlets to help raise more funds,
· Lead the furtherance of alternative energy (green revolution) by harnessing its advantages, etc.
The Alma mater Scheme will place our tertiary institutions (universities, polytechnics, colleges of education etc.) amongst the best in the world. It will also put an end to the incessant strike actions that have beleaguered our education in recent past.
We can make our tertiary institutions citadels of learning where even foreigners come to seek quality education.
Together, we can give our citizens the power to make a living and not a mere certificate.
(This is a continuation of the note: A Letter to the Nigerian Alumni)
Thanks and God bless Nigeria.
Written by Taulpaul for MTW
Definition of Alumni?
The word Alumni is simply defined by The Chambers 20thCentury Dictionary as former pupils or former students of an institution.
Brief Description of The Alma Mater Scheme
The Alma-mater scheme is a very simple but effective solution to transform the educational system at all levels in Nigeria. It is an active, convenient and consistent partnership scheme that puts the responsibility for change in the hands of the alumni, the people. It is neither for a few friends nor for a particular graduate-set. It is developed for every past student of the school. It is a consistent and progressive solution. We would begin from the basics and then move to providing the extras.
It goes beyond just the financial involvement of ex-students to dedication of their time, skill and other resources to the development and growth of the Alma mater. They become actively involved in the lives of the pupils and staff of the school.
Some benefits of The Alma mater Scheme
The following are some of the advantages of the Alma mater Scheme:
· The most important benefit of the scheme is that it would provide quality education to the average Nigerian child at little or no cost, thereby creating an enlightened and empowered society. This is crucial because it gives us the power to maximise our large population; turning it into our greatest asset,
· The scheme will help attract the best minds and hands from within and outside the country interested in imparting knowledge back to our institutions of learning as it provides the necessary environment and tools for quality education,
· The scheme will outlive any generation, government or policy change because it is propelled by the people, the alumni. As long as a school churns out graduates,the scheme is kept alive. This means that sustainability is assured,
· The presence of constant and effective monitoring of the school's activities by the alumni who fund these changes. As the saying goes, ''where your treasure is,there your heart will be also.'' This will bring about accountability within the school system.
· Because of the involvement of the ex-students in the lives of the pupils, career guidance, talent development, expert counsel and motivation would not be in short supply. This is vital because it unleashes the latent potentials of each student to settle for nothing but the best in life,
· The scheme has the ability to foster right values such as unity, service, and interdependence as all members come together for the purpose of developing their alma mater and at the same time developing Nigeria's future,
· Limitations posed by government's underfunding, re-directed funding and bureaucracies are overcome by this scheme. An irresponsible government can frustrate the efforts of an alumnus but world be ineffective against a determined alumni,
· Schools at all levels and in all parts of the country can be transformed at the same time into world-class institutes as funding is done by their alumni and not one philanthropist nor the government.
In Primary /Secondary institutions
The Alma mater scheme when applied to primary and secondary institutions can provide:
· Basic educational resource materials relevant in today's world.For example, well equipped libraries, studios and laboratories, audio-visual teaching aids and ICT facilities,
· A very conducive environment for learning and child development.For example, standard hostels and classrooms, sick-bays, recreational facilities, assembly and dining halls and staff lodge,
· Funds for teachers' training and re-training, research by interested teachers and students, relevant field trips, camps and excursions,
· A pool of funds for awarding various scholarships to deserving students,
· Staff and student buses, etc.
Apart from the provision of a world-class learning environment, educational facilities, stationery, uniforms and a higher education scholarship fund for the students, we suggest that other activities can be developed to directly impart knowledge, care, love and a sense of national responsibility to the students. Holding regular interactive meetings which bring together the alumni, staff and students will also go a long way in communicating the dream of a better society. Such times may include activities like; quizzes, debates, voluntary community service, alumni reading/speaking to the students, showcasing of the creative works of the students may be encouraged, career advisory seminars, sport meets and so on. These activities would afford students the opportunity of getting inspired and enlightened by ex-students who have climbed the ladder of society in different fields.
In Tertiary Institutions
The Alma mater scheme could be harnessed as a great tool to:
· Provide a conducive working, learning and living environment e.g.access to online education, standard auditoriums, offices, halls of residence (with internet access, laundry facilities and diners) for students and staff,
· Equip the institution's libraries, laboratories, teaching hospitals and workshops,
· Fund globally relevant research projects and constant retraining of lecturers and staff,
· Organise commencement speeches, seminars on career advice and national responsibility,
· Provide scholarships (academic or sports) to deserving students and student loans,
· Produce branded souvenirs for sale at designated outlets to help raise more funds,
· Lead the furtherance of alternative energy (green revolution) by harnessing its advantages, etc.
The Alma mater Scheme will place our tertiary institutions (universities, polytechnics, colleges of education etc.) amongst the best in the world. It will also put an end to the incessant strike actions that have beleaguered our education in recent past.
We can make our tertiary institutions citadels of learning where even foreigners come to seek quality education.
Together, we can give our citizens the power to make a living and not a mere certificate.
(This is a continuation of the note: A Letter to the Nigerian Alumni)
Thanks and God bless Nigeria.
Written by Taulpaul for MTW
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