Posts (page 2)

ABSTRACT

Fine and Applied arts has long been reputed as an important vocation in capacity building and self-reliance, and as such can be a pivot in helping to achieve the first point of the Millennium Development Goals, which aims to “eradicate extreme poverty and hunger”. This paper attempted to use Fine & applied arts as a platform to assess these possibilities and made recommendations to how poverty can be reduced through skill acquisition which are, viable options that can  lead  to self sustenance and poverty alleviation which will help in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

INTRODUCTION

The United Nations (U.N) in its September 2008 world summit, at the UN headquarters in New York, United States of America came out with an eight point agenda christened “UN Millennium development goals” which aims to improve on societal and human values by the years 2015, these goals were;

1.     Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

2.     Achieve universal primary education.

3.     Promote gender equality and empower women.

4.     Reduce child mortality.

5.     Improve maternal health.

6.     Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

7.     Ensure environmental sustainability.

8.     Develop a global partnership for development.

These goals were introduced with the sole aims of providing better standards of living for developing countries in particular and the world in general. Nigeria has been grabbling to come to terms with these goals and sought various possibilities to achieve them. Agencies were formed to help actualize the goals. These include NEEDS, PAP, NAPEP and many more. However reports emerging have shown that there is little improvement, and more needs to be done. Igbuzor (2006) stated that issues of the Millennium Development Goals should not be restricted to what is measurable but to address them, holistically if meaningful progress is to be made.

          One of the most challenging aspects of the MDG is the first point which centers on eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.

UNDP (2003) stated that poverty is the main architect that militates against achieving the millennium development goals. For sustainable development to be attained the issue of poverty has to be faced squarely, so as to provide a base for the other MDG to be achieved.

POVERTY IN NIGERIA

Poverty, as defined by the Microsoft Encarta Dictionary is “a state of being poor, deficiency or lack of something. Jakonda (2003) stated that poverty is to be handicapped to take care of basic necessities like housing, clothing and shelter. Aluko (1975) refers to poverty as a lack of command over basic consumption needs, which means that there is lack of Good, shelter and clothing which are essentials of life. This leads to the inability to participate in society with dignity due to low self esteem necessitated by these factors.

          Nigeria is estimated to have a population of 140 million (NPC 2006),UNDP (2007) and an average annual growth of 2.8% (world development report; 2002) and most of the people live on less than a dollar per day despite the rich natural resources the country is blessed with Nigeria is rated the 6^th largest oil producing country in the world, yet the poverty levels are offering a population surviving on less than a dollar a day amounts to 70.2 percent its total population: Odusola, (2001). World Bank (1996) described Nigeria as a paradox, and it was so described because events have shown that the poverty levels contradict the immense wealth the country is blessed with (Obadan 2006).

          The Federal Government has tried to make progress by setting up several agencies to try and tackle poverty in Nigeria. The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) which was formed in … was saddled with the responsibility of providing employment for Nigerians, especially the youths which are the fulcrum of the society (NAPEP), the National poverty Alleviation Programme was also formed to formulate ways of alleviation poverty. These and other agencies were primarily established for the attainment of rapid increase in the nation’s productive capacity with a view to improving the living standards of the people and over reliance on the government for white collar jobs. It is an important strategy for increasing the nation’s per capital income and in the long term, poverty. Fafunwa (1979) made it clear that the future of Africa will depend on technical skills acquisition He went further to say that African leaders of tomorrow will be drawn from an army of skilled technicians, engineers and scientists as well as those with elementary, secondary or University education who are also able to turn screws, wield axes and use the hands as much as their brains. This cannot be further from the truth and if poverty is to be reduced in Nigeria, skill acquisition must be encouraged and promoted.

The poverty related objectives enumerated were:

a)     Increase in per capital income

b)    An even distribution of income

c)     Reducing unemployment.

d)    Manpower development. Nwagu  (2004).

All these points are important if poverty is to be tackled effectively. Obadan (2006) stated that an increase in per capital income simultaneously with an even distribution of income would lead to poverty reduction. This is true because a reduction of employment would mean an increase in per capital income, coupled with an even distribution, will determine the levels of poverty reduction.

It is imperative from the analysis that employment is a bane to achieving the millennium development goal of poverty reduction, consequently a more salient and practical approaches to be determined.

          Skill acquisition is a very important step to reducing unemployment

FINE & APPLIED ARTS AS A TOOL FOR SKILL ACQUISITION  

Fine and applied arts has the potentials to be a venue for acquiring creative skills and craftsmanship because of its devise nature. Fine and applied arts is best described as a means of visual representation for aesthetics and functionality. The Encarta Microsoft student defines art as the product of creative human activity in which materials are shaped or selected to convey an idea, emotion or visually interesting form. Art can refer to the visual arts including painting, sculpture, architecture photography, decorative arts, crafts graphics design and most recently glass technology. Art can be a platform for youths and individuals to acquire certain skills that can help them to start a business or to broaden and enlighten their horizons.

Palmer (2004) enumerated the objectives of Art in Nigeria:

·        To foster creative self-expression

·        To develop keener awareness of aesthetic and social values

·        To develop mental and physical awareness and capabilities.

·        To train perceptual, manipulative and organizational abilities.

·        To enhance personality growth and self esteem

·        To develop individual creative intuition for self-sustenance.

This cannot be far from the truth as fire arts as an in road towards self awareness and self reliance

          Skill acquisition basically means building up acquired skills for economic benefits, Okoro (1994) Defined skill acquisition as an education where the individual acquires skills, knowledge and altitude required for employment in specific occupations. Skill acquisition can also be said to be fact aspect of education which leads to the acquisition of practical and applied skills as well as basic science knowledge.

Fine & Applied Arts is a viable platform for skill acquisition because of it’s diverse nature, as it has various branches that can be of immense importance to the recipient, some of these. Areas include:

Textiles

This is the art of fabric production and decoration. It also involves paper works, batik, tie and dye, blocker screen printing. Textiles is an important branch of the arts where fabric to be used are decorated in an aesthetic manner, To achieve the desired patterns on the fabric, designs are first made on paper in repeated patterns and their transferred on to the fabric planned by printing on machine, Screen, Stamping or stencil. This vocation is hugely popular in Kano state northern Nigeria and Oyo state, western Nigeria.

          Graphics:

 A viable and commercial art in which forms, shapes and other elements of design are arrangement meaningfully and orderly for visual communication. Individuals trained in this vacation stand can use these skills to produce bill boards, sign posts or even work in a printing press; it is commercially viable because the market is readily available. Computer graphics which is quite recent in Nigeria is another goldmine waiting to be explored.

Ceramics:

          This skill is also very important and can create business opportunities. Ceramics involves the production of articles made of clay material and making them into fine, finished, beautiful utilitarian pieces like pots, jugs, plates, Mugs, Sanitary wares, bricks, tiles. The late Ladi Kwali epitomized this vocation, she used her skill to generate income, employ youths around the Kwali Municipal council of Abuja and thereby reducing the poverty rate around that area.

Sculpture

          This art deals with forming figures and objects in three dimensional way, either in relief from or in the – round. Acquiring these skills will lead to Opportunities to decorate towns, cities or even homes. It is quite popular in Southern Nigeria where people use these pieces for decorative or commemorative purposes.

Painting

          This is another aspect of the art that can series as a spring board for gainful employment. It is the art of illustration executed with paints, brushes and palette knives. This are is purely decorative and aesthetic purposes.

Crafts

Crafts (also called handcrafts) is the making of decorative or functional objects generally by hand. It can come in various medium, glass, leather, paper, fiber or more. The vocations are known to be quite marketable in Nigeria; the opportunities are there to be taken are can be learnt in two ways

1. FORMAL LEARNING:

Skill acquisition can be through formal learning. This involves teaching of skills in an organized setting with curriculum to back it up, the methods of learning are laid out for certain period of time, where students or individuals are tested and graded periodically. Examinations are conducted, practically and in written format to assess their progress and to motivate them to do better, examples of these include: primary, secondary, tertiary institutions, and NAPEP learning centers.

2. INFORMAL LEARNING:

This type of learning is done without restrictions and is usually done at a much slower pace than the formal setting. Most recipients are normally adults or youths who do not have jobs and are looking for ways to learn a trade to be able to earn living, organized training centers are manned by professionals who take their time to instruct the participants, most whom are semi-illiterates or illiterates, in the case of apprenticeship, the learner is attached to the “master”, for a period of time where he learns the rubrics and tricks of the job, when he is certified qualified, he is then released and given some amount of money to start a business.

These methods do have their pitfalls in so many ways and they need government and private sector support to thrive and be more viable

SKILL ACQUISITION FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION

The main stay of skill acquisition through fine and applied art is for employment or self employment. As earlier noted, gainful employment means

income.generation and this leads to poverty reduction and economic development. Fine and applied arts provides a great opportunity to learn skills that can help individuals start businesses of their own

These acquired skills can go a long way in providing avenues for individuals to be gainfully employed and contribute to the society. Many unemployed, impoverished citizens can benefit through these branches of art, formally or informally. If they are engaged and make a living, poverty levels will decrease; Nwagwu (2004). Investing in human capital is the surest way of reducing poverty, and if this is to be done, it has to be restructured, such that individuals will be the focal point, they should be empowered with the requisite practical skills that can help them generate income and better their standard of living. Individuals can be encouraged to start small and medium scale enterprises, so as to engage themselves and be beneficial to their families and communities as a whole, in the face of declining government and private sector jobs, the way to go is to acquire skills, that should lead towards self-employment, Aluwong (2008). If Nigerians are gainfully employed, poverty levels will definitely decrease and this will go along way in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

CONCLUSION

Poverty eradication is fundamental in achieving the millennium development goals, its consequences reverberates itself in arrears like gender equality, HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, education and much more. Nigerians should strive to be job creators and not job seeker so that they can earn incomes and reduce the dependency on government, this will definitely lead to national development and an in increase in the nations per capital income. Fine and applied arts education can be a bridge to that effect because it provides a platform to learn requisite practical skills in woodwork, painting, ceramics, sculpture and more recently, computer graphics, if they acquire these skills they can be self-reliant and guided to establish businesses that will eventually lead to more employment opportunities for others. This circle, if well implemented will go a long way to help in reducing the effect of poverty and hunger in our society, curb a lot of vices that might stem from lack of work or opportunities, an engaged society can only thrive and be beneficial to all, thereby paving the way to achieving the Millennium Development Goals , hopefully ,by 2015.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

·        Government should do more to encourage the teaching of fine and applied arts education through the provision of funds, facilities and materials needed for effective teaching.

·        Teacher / instructor training and re-training should be given more attention by the relevant authorities.

·        Fine and applied arts should be made compulsory from primary school through secondary school.

·        Private sector involvement should be more robust in supporting individuals and cottage industries that require loans to establish or expand their businesses.

·        Vocational training centre where various branches of the art can be taught should be established in rural areas to stem migration to urban areas.

·        Core fine and applied art courses should be included in the C.A.P (capacity acquisition programme) initiated by the Federal Government through NAPEP.

·        A periodic start up tax haven should be provided for young, upcoming entrepreneurs.

·        Small and medium scale enterprises should be encouraged

REFERENCE:

Igbuzor. O (2006) Review of Nigerian Millennium Development goals 2005 report, a paper presented at the MDG/GCAP Planning meeting at Abuja. Nigeria.

Jakonda, S.Z (2003, May 3), Poverty Alleviation, RURCON Gazette, 12, 9-10.

Nigeria. Federal Ministry of Finance (2000) “Nigeria CG, Poverty reduction paper”.

Nwagwu, J.U (2004), Alleviating poverty through vocational education: the Nigerian Experience, published paper, Faculty of education, Imo State University, Owerri.

Obadan, M.I (2006) “Poverty in Nigeria: Characteristics, Alleviation Strategies and Programmes”, NCEMA Analysis Series, Vol 2, No 2.

Odusola, (2001), cited in Nwagwu, J.U (n.d) Alleviating Poverty through vocational education: The Nigerian Experience, published paper, Faculty of education, Imo State University, Owerri.

Poverty (2007) Microsoft Student 2007 (DVD) Redmond, W.A: Microsoft Corporation.

World Bank (1996) Nigeria, Poverty in the midst of plenty: The challenge of growth with inclusion. Washington D.C, World Bank.

ABSTRACT

Fine and Applied arts has long been reputed as an important vocation in capacity building and self-reliance, and as such can be a pivot in helping to achieve the first point of the Millennium Development Goals, which aims to “eradicate extreme poverty and hunger”. This paper attempted to use Fine & applied arts as a platform to assess these possibilities and made recommendations to how poverty can be reduced through skill acquisition which are, viable options that can  lead  to self sustenance and poverty alleviation which will help in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

INTRODUCTION

The United Nations (U.N) in its September 2008 world summit, at the UN headquarters in New York, United States of America came out with an eight point agenda christened “UN Millennium development goals” which aims to improve on societal and human values by the years 2015, these goals were;

1.     Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

2.     Achieve universal primary education.

3.     Promote gender equality and empower women.

4.     Reduce child mortality.

5.     Improve maternal health.

6.     Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases.

7.     Ensure environmental sustainability.

8.     Develop a global partnership for development.

These goals were introduced with the sole aims of providing better standards of living for developing countries in particular and the world in general. Nigeria has been grabbling to come to terms with these goals and sought various possibilities to achieve them. Agencies were formed to help actualize the goals. These include NEEDS, PAP, NAPEP and many more. However reports emerging have shown that there is little improvement, and more needs to be done. Igbuzor (2006) stated that issues of the Millennium Development Goals should not be restricted to what is measurable but to address them, holistically if meaningful progress is to be made.

          One of the most challenging aspects of the MDG is the first point which centers on eradicating extreme poverty and hunger.

UNDP (2003) stated that poverty is the main architect that militates against achieving the millennium development goals. For sustainable development to be attained the issue of poverty has to be faced squarely, so as to provide a base for the other MDG to be achieved.

POVERTY IN NIGERIA

Poverty, as defined by the Microsoft Encarta Dictionary is “a state of being poor, deficiency or lack of something. Jakonda (2003) stated that poverty is to be handicapped to take care of basic necessities like housing, clothing and shelter. Aluko (1975) refers to poverty as a lack of command over basic consumption needs, which means that there is lack of Good, shelter and clothing which are essentials of life. This leads to the inability to participate in society with dignity due to low self esteem necessitated by these factors.

          Nigeria is estimated to have a population of 140 million (NPC 2006),UNDP (2007) and an average annual growth of 2.8% (world development report; 2002) and most of the people live on less than a dollar per day despite the rich natural resources the country is blessed with Nigeria is rated the 6^th largest oil producing country in the world, yet the poverty levels are offering a population surviving on less than a dollar a day amounts to 70.2 percent its total population: Odusola, (2001). World Bank (1996) described Nigeria as a paradox, and it was so described because events have shown that the poverty levels contradict the immense wealth the country is blessed with (Obadan 2006).

          The Federal Government has tried to make progress by setting up several agencies to try and tackle poverty in Nigeria. The National Directorate of Employment (NDE) which was formed in … was saddled with the responsibility of providing employment for Nigerians, especially the youths which are the fulcrum of the society (NAPEP), the National poverty Alleviation Programme was also formed to formulate ways of alleviation poverty. These and other agencies were primarily established for the attainment of rapid increase in the nation’s productive capacity with a view to improving the living standards of the people and over reliance on the government for white collar jobs. It is an important strategy for increasing the nation’s per capital income and in the long term, poverty. Fafunwa (1979) made it clear that the future of Africa will depend on technical skills acquisition He went further to say that African leaders of tomorrow will be drawn from an army of skilled technicians, engineers and scientists as well as those with elementary, secondary or University education who are also able to turn screws, wield axes and use the hands as much as their brains. This cannot be further from the truth and if poverty is to be reduced in Nigeria, skill acquisition must be encouraged and promoted.

The poverty related objectives enumerated were:

a)     Increase in per capital income

b)    An even distribution of income

c)     Reducing unemployment.

d)    Manpower development. Nwagu  (2004).

All these points are important if poverty is to be tackled effectively. Obadan (2006) stated that an increase in per capital income simultaneously with an even distribution of income would lead to poverty reduction. This is true because a reduction of employment would mean an increase in per capital income, coupled with an even distribution, will determine the levels of poverty reduction.

It is imperative from the analysis that employment is a bane to achieving the millennium development goal of poverty reduction, consequently a more salient and practical approaches to be determined.

          Skill acquisition is a very important step to reducing unemployment

FINE & APPLIED ARTS AS A TOOL FOR SKILL ACQUISITION  

Fine and applied arts has the potentials to be a venue for acquiring creative skills and craftsmanship because of its devise nature. Fine and applied arts is best described as a means of visual representation for aesthetics and functionality. The Encarta Microsoft student defines art as the product of creative human activity in which materials are shaped or selected to convey an idea, emotion or visually interesting form. Art can refer to the visual arts including painting, sculpture, architecture photography, decorative arts, crafts graphics design and most recently glass technology. Art can be a platform for youths and individuals to acquire certain skills that can help them to start a business or to broaden and enlighten their horizons.

Palmer (2004) enumerated the objectives of Art in Nigeria:

·        To foster creative self-expression

·        To develop keener awareness of aesthetic and social values

·        To develop mental and physical awareness and capabilities.

·        To train perceptual, manipulative and organizational abilities.

·        To enhance personality growth and self esteem

·        To develop individual creative intuition for self-sustenance.

This cannot be far from the truth as fire arts as an in road towards self awareness and self reliance

          Skill acquisition basically means building up acquired skills for economic benefits, Okoro (1994) Defined skill acquisition as an education where the individual acquires skills, knowledge and altitude required for employment in specific occupations. Skill acquisition can also be said to be fact aspect of education which leads to the acquisition of practical and applied skills as well as basic science knowledge.

Fine & Applied Arts is a viable platform for skill acquisition because of it’s diverse nature, as it has various branches that can be of immense importance to the recipient, some of these. Areas include:

Textiles

This is the art of fabric production and decoration. It also involves paper works, batik, tie and dye, blocker screen printing. Textiles is an important branch of the arts where fabric to be used are decorated in an aesthetic manner, To achieve the desired patterns on the fabric, designs are first made on paper in repeated patterns and their transferred on to the fabric planned by printing on machine, Screen, Stamping or stencil. This vocation is hugely popular in Kano state northern Nigeria and Oyo state, western Nigeria.

          Graphics:

 A viable and commercial art in which forms, shapes and other elements of design are arrangement meaningfully and orderly for visual communication. Individuals trained in this vacation stand can use these skills to produce bill boards, sign posts or even work in a printing press; it is commercially viable because the market is readily available. Computer graphics which is quite recent in Nigeria is another goldmine waiting to be explored.

Ceramics:

          This skill is also very important and can create business opportunities. Ceramics involves the production of articles made of clay material and making them into fine, finished, beautiful utilitarian pieces like pots, jugs, plates, Mugs, Sanitary wares, bricks, tiles. The late Ladi Kwali epitomized this vocation, she used her skill to generate income, employ youths around the Kwali Municipal council of Abuja and thereby reducing the poverty rate around that area.

Sculpture

          This art deals with forming figures and objects in three dimensional way, either in relief from or in the – round. Acquiring these skills will lead to Opportunities to decorate towns, cities or even homes. It is quite popular in Southern Nigeria where people use these pieces for decorative or commemorative purposes.

Painting

          This is another aspect of the art that can series as a spring board for gainful employment. It is the art of illustration executed with paints, brushes and palette knives. This are is purely decorative and aesthetic purposes.

Crafts

Crafts (also called handcrafts) is the making of decorative or functional objects generally by hand. It can come in various medium, glass, leather, paper, fiber or more. The vocations are known to be quite marketable in Nigeria; the opportunities are there to be taken are can be learnt in two ways

1. FORMAL LEARNING:

Skill acquisition can be through formal learning. This involves teaching of skills in an organized setting with curriculum to back it up, the methods of learning are laid out for certain period of time, where students or individuals are tested and graded periodically. Examinations are conducted, practically and in written format to assess their progress and to motivate them to do better, examples of these include: primary, secondary, tertiary institutions, and NAPEP learning centers.

2. INFORMAL LEARNING:

This type of learning is done without restrictions and is usually done at a much slower pace than the formal setting. Most recipients are normally adults or youths who do not have jobs and are looking for ways to learn a trade to be able to earn living, organized training centers are manned by professionals who take their time to instruct the participants, most whom are semi-illiterates or illiterates, in the case of apprenticeship, the learner is attached to the “master”, for a period of time where he learns the rubrics and tricks of the job, when he is certified qualified, he is then released and given some amount of money to start a business.

These methods do have their pitfalls in so many ways and they need government and private sector support to thrive and be more viable

SKILL ACQUISITION FOR POVERTY ALLEVIATION

The main stay of skill acquisition through fine and applied art is for employment or self employment. As earlier noted, gainful employment means

income.generation and this leads to poverty reduction and economic development. Fine and applied arts provides a great opportunity to learn skills that can help individuals start businesses of their own

These acquired skills can go a long way in providing avenues for individuals to be gainfully employed and contribute to the society. Many unemployed, impoverished citizens can benefit through these branches of art, formally or informally. If they are engaged and make a living, poverty levels will decrease; Nwagwu (2004). Investing in human capital is the surest way of reducing poverty, and if this is to be done, it has to be restructured, such that individuals will be the focal point, they should be empowered with the requisite practical skills that can help them generate income and better their standard of living. Individuals can be encouraged to start small and medium scale enterprises, so as to engage themselves and be beneficial to their families and communities as a whole, in the face of declining government and private sector jobs, the way to go is to acquire skills, that should lead towards self-employment, Aluwong (2008). If Nigerians are gainfully employed, poverty levels will definitely decrease and this will go along way in achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

CONCLUSION

Poverty eradication is fundamental in achieving the millennium development goals, its consequences reverberates itself in arrears like gender equality, HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, education and much more. Nigerians should strive to be job creators and not job seeker so that they can earn incomes and reduce the dependency on government, this will definitely lead to national development and an in increase in the nations per capital income. Fine and applied arts education can be a bridge to that effect because it provides a platform to learn requisite practical skills in woodwork, painting, ceramics, sculpture and more recently, computer graphics, if they acquire these skills they can be self-reliant and guided to establish businesses that will eventually lead to more employment opportunities for others. This circle, if well implemented will go a long way to help in reducing the effect of poverty and hunger in our society, curb a lot of vices that might stem from lack of work or opportunities, an engaged society can only thrive and be beneficial to all, thereby paving the way to achieving the Millennium Development Goals , hopefully ,by 2015.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

·        Government should do more to encourage the teaching of fine and applied arts education through the provision of funds, facilities and materials needed for effective teaching.

·        Teacher / instructor training and re-training should be given more attention by the relevant authorities.

·        Fine and applied arts should be made compulsory from primary school through secondary school.

·        Private sector involvement should be more robust in supporting individuals and cottage industries that require loans to establish or expand their businesses.

·        Vocational training centre where various branches of the art can be taught should be established in rural areas to stem migration to urban areas.

·        Core fine and applied art courses should be included in the C.A.P (capacity acquisition programme) initiated by the Federal Government through NAPEP.

·        A periodic start up tax haven should be provided for young, upcoming entrepreneurs.

·        Small and medium scale enterprises should be encouraged

REFERENCE:

Igbuzor. O (2006) Review of Nigerian Millennium Development goals 2005 report, a paper presented at the MDG/GCAP Planning meeting at Abuja. Nigeria.

Jakonda, S.Z (2003, May 3), Poverty Alleviation, RURCON Gazette, 12, 9-10.

Nigeria. Federal Ministry of Finance (2000) “Nigeria CG, Poverty reduction paper”.

Nwagwu, J.U (2004), Alleviating poverty through vocational education: the Nigerian Experience, published paper, Faculty of education, Imo State University, Owerri.

Obadan, M.I (2006) “Poverty in Nigeria: Characteristics, Alleviation Strategies and Programmes”, NCEMA Analysis Series, Vol 2, No 2.

Odusola, (2001), cited in Nwagwu, J.U (n.d) Alleviating Poverty through vocational education: The Nigerian Experience, published paper, Faculty of education, Imo State University, Owerri.

Poverty (2007) Microsoft Student 2007 (DVD) Redmond, W.A: Microsoft Corporation.

World Bank (1996) Nigeria, Poverty in the midst of plenty: The challenge of growth with inclusion. Washington D.C, World Bank.

COMBATING HIV/AIDS IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN NIGERIA:

A CRITICAL STEP TOWARDS ACHIEVING THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS.

BY

RANDA, ANDREW HODU,

SCHOOL OF VOCATIONAL EDUCATION,

DEPARTMENT OF FINE & APPLIED ARTS,

FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION,

KONTAGORA, NIGER STATE.

BEING A PAPER PRESENTED AT THE 6^TH NATIONAL CONFERENCE ON

“EDUCATION AND THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS (MDG) AT

FEDERAL COLLEGE OF EDUCATION (TECHNICAL) BICHI,

FROM 26^TH - 29^TH MAY 2008.  

ABSTRACT

The issue of HIV/AIDS has to be taken quite seriously if any meaningful impact is to be regarding achieving the set target of the Millennium Development Goals. It is pre-emptive that the youth should be the focal point because studies show the 85% of the people likely to be affected are between the ages of 15-25, and majority of the numbers can be found in out tertiary institutions. The paper attempted to take a cursory look at this very important issue from various angles while making recommendations that will be effective in curbing this menace from the fulcrum that is the future of Nigeria's tomorrow and as such help to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

INTRODUCTION

          The United Nations (U.N) in September 2000 at the U.N headquarters in New York, United States of America pronounced an eight point agenda christened “UN Millennium Development Goals” which aims to improve living conditions and human values by the year 2015; these goals were:

1.     Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.

2.     Achieve universal primary education.

3.     Promote gender equality and empower women.

4.     Reduce child mortality.

5.     Improve maternal health.

6.     Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria & other diseases.

7.     Ensure environmental sustainability.

8.     Develop a global partnership for development.

These goals were meant to improve life, ensure the present and protect the future. The sixth point agenda concerning combating HIV/AIDS is one that needs to be addressed effectively. This pandemic has been in the spotlight and is increasingly becoming a part of our everyday challenges. It is paramount that this issue is tackled now if the future is to hold any substance for Nigeria. Benson (2002) stated that youths in Nigeria show a higher prevalence to HIV/AID (4.2-9.7%) and majority of these youths can be found in our tertiary institutions. If HIV prevention in the large young population fails, Nigeria will face staggering costs of vast numbers of adults and future leaders with AIDS.

Eso-Williams opined that the difference between a successful future for Nigeria and a bleak one is its ability to keep it’s emergent work force balanced in health, education and orientation; but the scourge of HIV /AIDS seems likely to stem this if nothing drastic is done immediately especially in our tertiary institution where future leaders are taught and shaped.

MEANING OF HIV/AIDS.

HIV: Is an abbreviation for Human Immuno Deficiency Virus, the causative agent of AIDS. HIV belongs to the retrovirus family of viruses whose members share a unique method of replicating themselves when they infect limo cells, Keshinro (2001) the virus is acquired and it selectively attacks and subdues white bloods cells that provide the body system immunity.

AIDS: is an acronym for Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome, a human viral disease, that ravages the immune system and undermine the body’s ability to defend itself.

     Norton (1981) defined AIDS as a viral disease that impairs the immune system of the body, leaving it prey to a number of infections that would have been readily suppressed. AIDS is the final stage of a chronic infection with the human immuno-deficiency virus. There are two types of this virus: HIV -1, which is the primary cause of AIDS World-wide, and HIV-2, found mostly in west Africa WHO (2003).

HISTORY & ORIGIN OF HIV/AIDS

The origin of the AIDS Virus (HIV) has become a matter of intense international debate (Health Digest, March 1992), although most concur that it was first noticed in the New York and California in the United States in 1981 amongst homosexual men, however it didn’t shop there; The disease has now spread to every nook and creamy of the world.

     AIDS was first identified in Africa in 1984 Encarta (2007) and by 1986; the deadly disease entered Nigeria, even though there are disputes to that effect. However it is worthless to continue to investigate the origin of the disease; what we need to do is to find ways to curb its spread since it has no cure.

HIV/AIDS IN NIGERIA

As earlier stated HIV/AIDS was first discovered in Nigeria in 1984. Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) (2001) and the numbers have continued to increase at an alarming rate.

     In 1992, it was 556 cases; in 1999 it reached about 3 million, 2002 showed 4 million living with the virus NACA (2005) and a break down shows that:

·                    Young people between the ages of 15-24 are likely to be more infected than any age group. Benson (2007).

·                    Over one (1) million children in Nigeria under the age of 15 have lost one or both parents due to AIDS. (World Health   Organization (WHO) 2007.

·                     Nigeria is second in Africa in the number of HIV infections.

This clearly shows that a lot of work has to be done to check this menace so as to reduce these numbers significantly amongst the youths in Nigeria.

SYMPTOMS OF HIV/AIDS

          There has been a lot of misconception and denial related to HIV/AIDS, most cases are taken for malaria, fever, typhoid fever, tuberculosis and other flu related disease, however according to Achalu (1993, 1996) People affected will show the following symptoms.

·        Dry cough that persists after treatment.

·        Tuberculosis (T.B)

·         Infections in the mouth and sores around open areas of the body.

·        Loss of weight, (about 10% of body weight)

·        Prolonged or constant fever

·        Persistent diarrhea for longer than a month

·        General skin itching/rashes.

During this phase, known as acute retroviral syndrome, HIV reproduces rapidly in the blood, particularly concentrating in organs of the lymphatic system. If should be noted that as the illness advance, the symptoms increase in severity, as it continues, the central nervous system and vital organs are affected and the victim manifests loss of weight, hallucination, paralysis of the lower limbs.

          Finally, the victim assumes a skeletal like shape and eventually dies at about 18 months to two years from the time they were infected; however the timing varies in severity from one patient to the other. Nwafor (2001)

MODE OF TRANSMISSION/SPREAD OF HIV/AIDS

The virus spreads from one person to another in different ways, this can be through blood, semen or vaginal secretions of an infected person; HIV transmission occurs most commonly during sexual intercourse with an infected person, including genital, anal and oral sex. NACA (2005). Scientists have identified three ways that HIV infection spread; Ezekwesili, Ubachukwu & Nwagbo (2001) highlighted the following ways.

SEX WITH AN INFECTED PERSON.

An infected person can transfer the virus to another person during unprotected sexual intercourse. According to Ibenwa (2002) and USAIDS (2003), heterosexual sex accounts for majority of transmissions in developing countries of which Nigeria is one.

CONTACT WITH INFECTED BLOOD

Direct contact with HIV- infected blood can led to getting infected; This can happen when people who are Drugs share hypodermic needles or syringes contaminated with infected blood;

          In Nigeria, the use of clippers in barbing saloons, nail cutters, pedicurist that are infected with blood from an infected person can lead to getting infected. Transfusion of infected blood or blood products also accounts for 3-5% of adult infection, Chim (2002). There are also cases of health professionals accidentally sticking themselves with needles containing HIV-infected blood or expose an open cut to contaminated blood.                     

MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION

HIV can be transmitted from an infected mother to her baby while the baby is still in the woman’s uterus or more commonly during childbirth. It could be before birth (placenta) during birth through the body fluids) or after birth (through breast feeding).

PREVENTION /CONTROL OF HIV/AIDS

It is a known fact that HIV/AIDS has no cure at the moment; therefore it is imperative that certain precautions are taken so as to be on the right track to achieving millennium development goals. Some of these measures include:

·        Avoid having indiscriminate sex and if married, remain faithful to your partner.

·        Do not share sharp objects like needles, syringes, razor bladders, clipper, manicure sets, tooth brush, chewing sticks.

·        Make sure blood is screened at reputable laboratory before transmission.

·        Use approved Condoms in the right manner

·        Intending couples should go for a HIV test before getting married.

YOUTHS IN NIGERIA & HIV/AIDS

The BBC English Dictionary defines youth as the quality or state of being young, or a period of life when a child learns before he/she grows into a fully mature adult. While the Encarta Microsoft Student describes youth as an early time of life, and metaphorically, the optimism of innocence.

          This age group is more prone to getting infected because of their adventures nature and ignorance in some cases. WHO (World health Organization) projects that the age groups likely to be infected are between the ages of 15-24 and this group are the core youths and Nigeria is no exception.

Kinta and Umar (2006) stated that youths in Nigeria show a higher prevalence to HIV/AIDS (4.2 – 9.7% and if HIV prevention in the young population fails, Nigeria will be unable to achieve it’s target towards achieving the millennium developments goals. The pervading economic crunch has driven the Nigerian youth into poverty, desperation and depression. Some have resorted to vices like prostitution and drug abuse which is a risk factor to contacting HIV.

          A lot is to be done to sensitize and educate the youths on the dangers and consequences of contacting the virus, so as to create a better Nigeria for the future and sustain its emergent work force.

HIV/AIDS EDUCATION IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS.

It is a well known fact that the future lies in education and the tertiary institutions are the platforms to actualize these ambitions. To effectively reach out to students and staff and the immediate communities, new & innovative ideas have to be adopted, this is pivotal as a means of engaging young people as a force for change in targeting the trends of the epidemic Ezembu (2007). The key areas to be looked at are:

·        . Prevention strategies of HIV transmission.

·        .  Support for these already infected by HIV/AIDS.

HIV/AIDS education is fundamental in our tertiary institutions if the millennium development goals are to be attained because it is only healthy and fit youth that can help actualize this eight point agenda. There is an increase in promiscuity and sexual permissiveness in our schools due to the modern society that exposes the youth to various vices through magazines, explicit journals, radio, television and more recently the internet, Achalu (2002) and as such young people are most likely to indulge in risky sexual practices and drug use.

The main focus of HIV/AIDS education  should be:

·        The threat of AIDS and risk of infection is real and they too can be affected.

·        HIV infection can be avoided through responsible sexual behavior

·        The risk involved in drug use.(via needles and syringes)

·        If possible, abstinence should be muted as an option.                              

STRATEGIES FOR HIV/AIDS EDUCATION.

For information to be readily embraced by the youths in our tertiary institutions, certain strategies need to be taken. The most fundamental factor is the peer to peer education system, where one youth is trained and equipped to relate with his fellow youth. This has proved successfully in some institution like Yaba college of Technology, Lagos state and Lagos State University: TIP(Tertiary institutions institute) (2007).

          The effectiveness of the peer education approach has helped TIP (Tertiary Institution Project) recognize the value of allowing students to organize and initiate their own prevention activities and campaigns. Other methods include:

Student friendly HIV Units should be provided in institutions and youth centers.

Education programmes aimed at preventing HIV/AIDS should be focused on students, teachers and other school personnel

Education and advocacy is needed on the stigmatization of those already infected by HIV. Another important factor is that of counseling PLWHA (People living with HIV/AIDS) and YPLWHA (Young people living with HIV/AIDS).this groups have to be counseled regularly and formed into support groups where they are given hope, encouraged and giving a stage to express their hopes, fears and concerns. Effective counseling is crucial and is regarded as therapeutic, Aremu (2004).

          According to WHO (1998) the prejudice which AIDS evokes brings stigma, discrimination and hostility. The counselor should establish good rapport with the patient; demonstrate love, care and respect so as to serve as a model for others.

YOUTHS AS A FORCE FOR CHANGE

          Youths in our tertiary institution can be an important factor in combating HIV/AIDS. The peer to peer initiative can be used to change the orientation of the Nigerian youths towards conveying  the  message to their peers, enlightening them on the dangers of sexual promiscuity, care for tools used for their manicure and pedicure, use of sterilised equipments for various body care and general health goals, it will be more easier for them to communicate with each other. Student Counselors can be placed under supervision from a qualified Counselor to give assistance in certain areas lacking. A careful lifestyle on our campuses will lead to a drastic reduction in the spread of HIV/AIDS. The youths need to stand up and be counted for because the future is their and they must ensure its successes.

HIV, YOUTHS & THE MILLENNIUM DEVELOPMENT GOALS

The Millennium Development Goal of combating HIV/AIDS  falls squarely on the shoulders of youths  who are the bed rock of the society.

          The youths of today are referred to as the HIV generation. Ezembu (2007), they are growing up in a world trying to combat the menace of HIV/AIDS, the future has to be secured through the youths.

          Various NGO’s are currently making in-roads to help stem the tide, concentrating mainly on youths, developing programmes and initiatives to reach out to the youth, with the primary aim of achieving the millennium development goals. The World Bank (2000) opined that HIV/AIDS is wiping out the development gains of this generation. The high prevalence countries cannot expect to gain any meaningful development until the epidemic is brought under control and in that regard, Odukoya (2004) identified educating the youth as the only means for eradicating HIV/AIDS. This can be achievable through various agents of change, peer youth educators non-governmental organizations, Churches and Mosques can go a long way in helping this noble cause. These groups in collaboration with the youths will optimistically make a considerable impact in HIV prevention amongst Youths in the country and in particular, our tertiary institution. TIP Institute (2007).

In addition to the innovative ways to target young people as a force for changed of the epidemic, an enabling environment has to be created which involves;

·        Mobilizing community support for active participation of young students in HIV prevention campaigns.

·        Strengthening capacity of youths on HIV prevention care and support.

·        Integration of youth programmes of an HIV/AIDS into the school extra-curricular activities.

·        Develop effective data storage & monitoring and evaluation for reference or research purposes beating the battle against HIV/AIDS.

To eradicate this epidemic amongst youths in our tertiary institution is a tall order that needs to be tackled with every resource available so as to hit the target of 2015 set by the United Nations for ending the epidemic of HIV/AIDS.

RECOMMENDATIONS

·        Integration of HIV/AIDS as a course in general studies departments of tertiary institutions.

·        Parents should be more involved with their wards by providing necessary sex education and HIV/AIDS tips.

·        Institutions should provide qualified personnel to man VCT (Voluntary Counseling and Testing Centres.)

·        Participatory peer group support and education programs should be encouraged and given full support by the authorities.            

·        Make HIV Screening free.

·        Qualified counselors and therapists should be employed full time to serve along side the staff at the V.C.T centres.

·        Stigma reduction should be a priority in our institutions.

·        HIV/AIDS weeks can be introduced, where seminars, workshops and rallies can be held to enlighten the students.

CONCLUSION

The issue of HIV/AIDS is real and a threat to human society more especially the youths. Our tertiary institutions habour the future generation and this group needs to be protected adequately, educated and informed about the  killer disease so that they can be aware and practice safe methods, adopt a responsible social life style and sexual behaviour that does not predispose them to HIV infection.

The Government must deploy all its resources to ensure that information, education and counseling reach this endangered group. Co-operation with Non-governmental Organization (NGO) should be encouraged to come out with programmes that positively impact on the youth; if this is a done the millennium development goal of combating HIV/AIDS by 2015 can be realized. 

REFERENCES

Achalu, E.I. (1993). AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases: what everybody should know, Aba: Standard Printers and Binders

Achalu, E.I. (1996) AIDS: How to protect yourself and family, Signs and Symptoms. Aba: Jericho Press.

Aremu, O.D. (2004). Introduction to giudnace and Counselling for students in Tertiary Institutions (2nd ed.) Kontagora: Unique Printing Press.

Benson T.(2007, July 14,Youth intervention on STDs/HIV/AIDS in tertiary institutions in Nigeria, NLM Gateway, Retrieved May 11, 2008, http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/gw/Cmd?link

Ezekwesili, N.O, Ubachukwu, P.O ,& Nwagbo, C.R (2000). Introduction to Natural Science 2, Onitsha: ITP Press.

Ezembu H.I (2007).  HIV/AIDS among Nigerian Youths: Issues and Counselling Implications. Kontagora

HIV/AIDS  and youths in developning countries.(2008). Microsoft Student 2007(DVD).Redmond,California: Microsoft Corporation.

Norton, Peter B. (1984) "AIDS" Encyclopedia Britannica Vol. 1, USA: P.9-10.

Odukoya, D.(2004) HIV/AIDS and the education sector in Nigeria: review of policy and research documents. Abuja. Educational Research Network for West and Central Africa. retrieved  May 19,2008, from http://www.rocare.org/HIV_AIDS_educationsector_Nigeria.pdf

World Health Organization, African Region.(2008). HIV/AIDS  (Nigeria) Issues and Strategies,:retrieved May 21, 2008 from http//www.who.int/countries/nga/en/

Look, just sit back relax and ask yourselves a big question here, what are u doing on earth?, what do you hope to achieve?, are you here by design or you have something teleguiding you eh?
i believe in God and as a Christian , i believe in the lord jesus Christ, i have seen his presence at work, even though this is not a religious site, i need to let you all know that , the part to eternal peace and salvation is through him, if you understand what he stands for then the whole world will make sense to you, mind you i am not talking aboutv  christianity as a religion, but christ as a person and his teaching, the only way you can tell is when you taste it in truth and spirit, if it doensnt siut you i rest my case.. like Rev Sholly says you have to knpw the difference for anything to come to shine for you.... so my challenge this sunday morning is for you to taste of Christ pudding and hola me.. how does it like... ready or not.

still here at university of jos, for the seminar and i am having fun, learning new stuff and making friends, i haven't really written much for some time , i have being quite busy at work and in school but then i will give u a summary of what i have being up to, lately i just moved into a new house, a two bedroom flat near the military barracks in kontagora, its a brand new house and i am quite okay with it, i was able to serve the generator to service the house and the fans too, the kitchen is not too big but its manageable, ehen hanny is doing quite good, she was here during easter period and we really talked about our life and how we want to leave it.it was really refreshing for us.
arsenal have had a blip and we are out of the race, maybe next year will be ok,
more gist later

i have been in jos for the past four days attending a seminar by DIGITAL BRIDGE INSTITUTE, its beign so exciting so far, learning lots of stuff i have forgotten for some while, i am here with my colleagues from school, and we are all having a nice time

first of all i want to let you all know that i went for my introduction some two weeks ago, i am gonna get
married to these gorgeous chick who has beign an integral part of my life
for the past three years. we have come a long way and i do think that it is time to take this to the next level.
the whole ceremony was kinda short but qiute interactive, hannys old man was really nice and was accomodating. we had fun
all the way, i have some pics poste here for you to see....... dont mention..

SUPER EAGLES AND NATIONS CUP 2008.
i watched the draws of the 2008 african cup of nations to be hosted by ghana and my heart was in my mouth when we got grouped with
mali, cote'd'voire and benin. after the hulabaloo i did a thorough analysis of the super eagles and i want to present my honest but
candid opinion, beign patriotic, of course my tip for the trophy was the super eagles, but then lets do an x-ray of the team and
see who and where needs to be added to the squad to make a strong statement and the tournament.

goalkeepers.
right now coach vogts is sticking with austin ejide as first choice but personally i am not convinced, i think that enyeama should be given
another shot despite his alledged misdemenour, his perfomances in the uefa cup matches really caught the eye... his my first choice.(personal opinion)
austin is really growing in leaps and bounds and should be second choice. the third slot will be s straight fight between dele aiyenugba and greg etafia, but i think that chijioke
ejiogu should be called to camp to battle for a shirt.

defenders...
this is one department that gives me a lot of worry, the defence has beign a problematic area and i think berti vogts has his hands full.
the only area i feel a bit comfortable is the centre back position where i expect joseph yobo and big dan shittu be to first choice
, rabiu afolabi and obinna nwaneri will make the cover in that position, the right full back position is a big challenge, chidi ordia
has beign in and out of the operating room and there are no assurances on his fitness come january 2008, so the position is wide open for a
challenge, nice og of france defender apam onyekachi comes to mind here but i am not yet convinced about the quality of his delivery of crosses
what i think the eagles need is a wing back in the mould of dani alves, one that can run the flanks as well as beign responsible defensively, onyekachi is good defensively but his attacking snitch
is not up to scratch but i think he can come in handy depending on the coaches's game plan, i also think that rabiu afolabi ca play as a right back, i saw micheal lamey play for diusburg in the german
bundesliga last week and i think he looked decent, the only issue here is if he still wants to play for nigeria, after turning down the chance two years ago. another Nigerian born player who can easily slot
in here is the manchester city youngster, chinedum onouha, if he decides to turn out for nigeria, thank God "herr" vogts has arranged a showdown talk with him to persuade him about his international future.his is
young athletic and packed with pace. the left back position to me should be thrown open because taiye taiwo has not impressed me one bit, his calamitious defending against mexico leaves alot to br desired,his displays in the championat hasnt helped his course
i would love to see steau bucharest's ifeanyi emeghara tested, his displays in the uefa champions league has really caught the eye, he was solid against arsenal and i think he should be given a run-in.mutiu adegoke a.k.a mutiu john is another
prospect, the former enyimba man now at ivorien champions asec mimosas has improved considerably, he plays in an advanced position for "les mimosas" which should put him in a good stead to challenge because of his attacking flair and pace. to be continued..

ANDREW

i am here to state that the more i try to understand women the more foolish i look, maybe i may have to abandon the while idea and live with the fact that i might never get to understand them, maybe i should take them to be what they are... women.
i have being going through a lot these days and i wish things wil clear up but for now let me let it go and talk about more interesting things.. will drop a line so you can get the gist,,
Arsenal's purple patch continued when Arsene Wenger replaced nine of the team that started against Derby at the weekend with young fringe players eager to impress, and saw them turn on the style to defeat a strong Newcastle side 2-0 in the third round of the Carling Cup.

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Last season Arsenal's youngsters reached the final of the Carling Cup, and tonight they served notice that they could go all the way again, putting on a performance of breathtaking passing and movement in the style of the first team to beat Newcastle United 2-0.

Afterwards, manager Arsene Wenger hailed the new generation of Arsenal stars as they delivered a seventh straight victory in all competitions.

Although Arsenal dominated the match for lengthy spells, the crucial breakthrough did not come until seven minutes from the end, when Dane Nicklas Bendtner powered home a header from Armnd Traore's cross, before Brazilian teenager Denilson thundered in a 20-yard effort to seal the win.

Wenger said: "It was a good game at good pace, slowly we took over and in the second half it was all us.

"We were good and intelligent, and I like that.

"The game was of the same level we played recently with the players who did not feature tonight, and with a style of play with a continuity.

"We have wave after wave of generation of young players.

"We work with them and when they have come in, they show top quality.

"We have a small group of good quality, and very young.

"For me, all of them can play on a regular basis in the first team."

Ironically, Wenger has some £70 million available to spend on new players if he wishes when the January transfer window opens, but the Frenchman does not anticipate any big signings, becausde he has full confidence in the quality and character of the players he has already brought to the club and worked with.

He said: "I feel I have strength in depth, if you look at the players who did not play tonight and you add the two teams.

"We did not play against an average team. We played against Newcastle.

"We have shown technical maturity and looked strong in every department.

"With this team, we can have a chance against anybody."

Bendtner, on loan to Birmingham for the whole of last season - scored his first competitive senior goal for the Gunners, and Wenger believes the 19-year-old striker can have an impact.

"His presence in the game was great," he said.  "The best way for him to put me under pressure was to play like he played tonight.

"We have four strikers, not 20, so in a season you need that."

Despite the success of his team(s), Wenger stressed the importance of not getting carried away.

"With football, I am a bit cautious," he said. "It is just the beginning of the season. We have to show we are consistent throughout the whole season.

"What is a big strength of my squad at the moment is good togetherness, good camaraderie and that everybody is on the same wavelength.

"We just want to stay where we are. We have had a good start and want to continue."

Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce reacted sourly to defeat by Arsenal's kids, bemoaning the fact that his team had to play on Tuesday after having played on Sunday.

The Magpies had five players who started from the team that began the 3-1 win over West Ham on Sunday.

They had a few good chances, mainly at the feet of Obafemi Martins, with Arsenal's captain-for-the-night Philippe Senderos clearing off the line after the Nigerian striker had rounded the keeper. That was immediately after Bendtner's goal and shortly before Denilson's clincher.

Allardyce said: "I am more disappointed about being forced to play the game tonight.

"What we got in the end was a fatigued set of players who could not run any more or give any more, and Arsenal capitalised on that.

"We cannot control that. We are told to play and have to play. It is sad, but we had to try to deal with it.

"I do not know why we could not play on Wednesday night the same as Tottenham. I believe the police said we couldn't, but it happens in the north-west, and they have more police down here, don't they?"

Allardyce added: "For Arsenal, it is fourth in the list, this competition. For us, it is a high priority, to get as far as we can in the cup competitions.

"Drawing Arsenal away with the mood they are in at the moment was difficult enough, but to do it in these circumstances has contributed towards our defeat."

 

i have beign away from my blog for a long time so this time i hope to be able to talk to you about where i work and what i think of the people involved in what i do.

first and foremost i want to let you all know that i work at the federal college of education, kontagora in niger state,ihave colleagues that are kinda dear to me , the guy that is my pal is called sola niyi, he is a mathematician by trainign and a computer guru by inclination, we do have a lot in common, we are both gunners (arsenal) we love the internet and computers, music movies basketball and cotemporary issues.

then there is abafaras abednego who i think is a vey intelligent man, he lectures at the fine and applied arts department, he is a painter and a philosopher per se...... stay here for more.