AN OPEN LETTER TO MALLAM ADAMU ADAMU
AN OPEN LETTER TO MALLAM ADAMU ADAMU
BY TAJUDEEN A. TIJJANI
The National Open University (NOUN) was first established during the Second Republic and those who mooted the idea believed that in no distance future, the nations conventional universities may become insufficient for those yearning for university education. The university hit the ground in Abuja, but unfortunately did not live long. I don’t want to bug you down with the past Hon. Minister Sir, but knowing your antecedents as a lover of education and human development, you may not be aware that some elements in the country are planning to frustrate the dream of making education for all a reality in this country. They are out to frustrate the lofty idea of the Open University which has become a pride in many advanced countries of the world including Nigeria.
The lofty idea of re-establishing the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has opened an avenue for many students and many others who could not go to conventional university to obtain a degree. It is therefore necessary to intimate you that underground cabals are out to discredit the current leadership of the NOUN by sponsoring hate reports against it. Whether we like it or not, we acknowledge there’s a major challenge in on our educational system which needs to be addressed immediately by all stakeholders in the sector.
Today, the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has graduated thousands of Nigerians and some others students who are also from other African Countries.
Under the strong leadership exhibited by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Vincent Ado Tenebe and his team, the Nigerian Open University system of education has got a lift upward. My review was informed by the number of students that have graduated in various academic courses from the University in flying colors and the numbers that are still applying.
Since his assumption as Vice Chancellor, Professor Tenebe has exhibited lots of commitment to the development of the institution and today many of the graduates of the institution are found in many places contributing their own quotas towards the growth of the nation. Since he assumed office, he has contributed to the development of education and tackled the problems facing the institution headlong. Be that as it may, his tenure as VC cannot be appreciated at this moment until when the products of NOUN under his tutelage are noticed in various cadres of leadership. It is matter of great satisfaction that the current leadership of the institution had been a source of joy and deserved the support of everyone.
Majority of student of the Open University have expressed satisfaction on the type of responsible leadership existing in the school under the leadership of the current vice chancellor. It is therefore the responsibility of all stakeholders in the sector to assist the institute to become globally accepted. We should not make the mistake of frustrating the school, instead, the Government should give all support the institution deserved in order for it to survive and excel. The present leadership under the erudite scholar has been a success story towards the development of education.
Tajudeen Tijjani is a veteran Journalist Based in Kaduna
