Education is the most vital pillar in the life of an individual and society. Progress and development is only achieved where education is given the top priority. Failure in the development of the education sector translates to failure of all other sectors of human and societal development. It is most likely the realization of this fact that governments strive to up the quality of education at their levels through provision of qualified teachers, learning materials, buildings and establishment of new institutions.
Gombe state is one such levels of government that is lucky to have at least two of its administrations focusing much on its educational development. The Danjuma Goje administration of 2003-2011 established the School of Nursing and Midwifery, Gombe State University, and reinvigorated the School of Health Technology. It made the newly established state university its most darling project, thus funded it appropriately. And to make a standard university, the administration was apolitical in appointing a seasoned university administrator, Professor Abdullahi Mahadi, CON, as its pioneer vice chancellor.
In 2011, Gombe state was again lucky to have an education-friendly administration led by Alhaji Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo, PhD. It made the sector its top-most priority: renovating, restructuring and constructing new primary and post-primary schools across the state; providing teaching-learning materials (arts, science and vocational); employment of teaching and non-teaching staff. For tertiary education, the administration upgraded the School of Health Technology to a status of a college, established a college of education, college for legal and Islamic studies, state polytechnic and state university of science and technology.
While the COE, CLIS and polytechnic have already began academic activities, the University of Science and Technology is on course for take-off with the appointment of an acting vice chancellor and other principal officers. And luckily for the people of Gombe state, the administration thought it wise to again heap the responsibility of nurturing the university on the shoulders of Professor Abdullahi Mahadi. The credit for the academic excellence, discipline and the environmental beauty of the Gombe State University no doubt go to him.
However, it is pertinent to state that the success recorded in the growth of GSU can be attributed to three basic things – political will of government as it relates to proper funding and non-interference in its administration; supportive management team; and disciplined and dedicated staff and students.
I believe the main condition Prof. Mahadi would require is for the non-interference of the political class, as he did when he was to accept the GSU appointment. He was guaranteed that, hence the success. And I believe the same scenario will be at play: the Dankwambo administration shall give him the free hand to do the needful for a viable and standard Gombe State University of Science and Technology, Kumo. This will make the state a proud owner of universities that offer its teeming youth courses in arts and humanities, the sciences and technology, which translates to all-sector human/capital development.
Muslihu Aminu Pindiga,
Arawa ‘B’ Qtrs, Gombe.
[email protected]
