Between Flyovers and Revitalized Educational Sector, What Will Kano Citizens Opt For?
By Ya’u Mukhtar
The fracas began when the Kano State Government through the Commissioner of Information, Comrade Muhammad Garba disclosed its plan on possible demolition of Kofar Nassarawa flyover citing unprofessionalism and mishandling during the course of the project as the trigger for what it termed “difficult decision.”
He further added that, the flyover was not constructed well enough to stay long in existence as such it threaten the lives of the commuters following the road.
Remember, this fly over is one of the famous and maiden flyovers constructed during the past administration of Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso in which the incumbent Governor Ganduje served as the deputy.
In what appears to be a countermeasure, Engineer Abba Kabir Yusuf who was the then Commissioner for Works and under who’s ministry the contract was awarded quickly requested for assessment from the TEC Engineering Company that conducted the contract and they replied by saying that the flyover is still in a good and robust condition adding that it may continue to remains in existence for at least 80years to come. This instigated the Kwankwasiyya Group, spurring them to lambast the government saying that its decision was irrational and a political witch-hunt aimed at discrediting the legacy of the past administration and undermine the patriotism of Kwankwaso towards Kano people.
Another trigger for this ongoing altercation was also the decision of Governor Ganduje to acquire a N20billion loan out of which a huge sum of N8billion was earmarked for the construction of three-level road interchange at NNPC Hotoro gridlock named after President Muhammadu Buhari. This decision was also met with criticism and condemnation especially from the oppositions to the extent that even the Kwankwasiyya supreme leader, Senator Kwankwaso in an interview with BBC Hausa Service faulted this decision, adding that Kano people would prefer a rejuvenated educational system than flyover as at this current situation.
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Construction of flyovers is no doubt a plus to sociocultural and economic aspect of every developing society. Also, flyovers are necessary in order to avoid traffic jams in urban areas and to also curb transportation problems. Apart from that, time and fuel saving and reduction in emission to the environment which has positive impact on the ecological system is another justifications for constructing flyovers. More importantly, good roads networking will beautify the city and make it easy to move goods and people freely. This development may attract both local and foreign investors into the state thereby increasing influx in internally generated revenue and finally boost the economy.
In spite of the above facts, however, it is preeminent to note that proper investment in education is no doubt the most lucrative business for any government who truly cares for the preferential needs of its subjects. Because, when people become literate, they can acquire the prerequisite skills they need in order to get a job and live a productive life. But sound education can only be realized when there are well erect and furnished schools, effective teaching and learning materials, adequate manpower etc. put in place for the achievement of the set goals.
Alas, it is melancholic when looking at how the level of our educational standard is increasingly failing on daily basis. Classrooms are in dilapidated condition, inadequate teachers and if present in most cases are unproductive, inadequate teaching aids, lack of interest from the students, lack of proper curriculum development and quality assurance. All these problems and host of others are as a result of improper funding of educational sector.
Recently, in 2020, the World Bank, through Federal Government of Nigeria launched a project known as Better Education Service Delivery for All (BESDA) in which voluntary teachers were recruited and dispersed to various schools in order to help with the task of teaching and learning activities. This is to increase equitable access for out-of-school children and improve literacy in focus states, and strengthen accountability for results in basic education in Nigeria.
However, here in Kano, since the startup of the program in March 2020, the volunteers were paid a stipend of three months only as at the time of compiling this article. This has drastically affected the teachers’ morale and their commitment towards discharging the much needed tasks and this impacted hugely on the students.
It is worthy to note that education is simply the soul of a society as it passes through generations. Though, investment in education requires costly resources like time and capital, which are often hard to find. But those societies who do invest these resources often end up richer-not just because they often improve their financial situation, but because their minds are richer too. Remember the saying; “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest”.
Ya’u Mukhtar writes from Madobi in Kano state. He can be reached via; [email protected], +2348062662147
