My 29th Birthday: Reflections on Books, Countries and People that Shaped my Individuality

Toronto Eaton Center (7/11/2013 4pm)

Gazing at the freedom birds inside Eaton Centre on Yonge St, Toronto my imagination is drawn to the magnificence of modern day architecture put to display in Canada's largest mall in downtown Toronto. My last one year has witnessed many travels across continents from Ghana in West Africa to Jamaica in the Caribbean. Yet having two years residence permit in the UK and 10 years entry permit into the United States, my decision to remain in Canada is inadvertently a prove of my acceptance of the country not only because it’s now my country of procreation since my wife is from here but due to the many reasons I will be talking about shortly. I am sure you will be wondering by now that 'this man as really travelled around the world.' Just as you are wondering, I myself am wondering. It amazes me how a boy from a village in Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria has eventually pitched a tent over 5500milles away from his origin. This is a short story of my life. Born exactly 29years ago today, I have been shaped by many experiences influenced by people, places, things both seen and unseen and I can be described as one of the product of our truly globalized world.

Of the books and literatures and their authors that have shaped my thinking

Recently read books: Reforming the Unreformable (Okonjo-Iweala),
The Accidental Public Servant (El-Rufai), Son of Hamas (Yossef),
Touching Godliness (KP Yohannan)
Straight Talk to Men, Night Light Devotion for couples,
Complete Marriage and Family Home Reference Guide (Dr, James Dobson)

John Perkins book, Confessions of an Economic Hitman, was an eye opener for me. It showed me the entire corporatocratic ideology that shaped our world pointing clearly how we found ourselves in the global mess in the first place. Although he raised much dust, it’s interesting that all the names mentioned in the books till date couldn’t prove him wrong, everything he wrote about seem true. I give him a lot of credit and continue to follow him on twitter as he preaches the message of "transforming the world into a sustainable, just, and peaceful place where all beings thrive". The Son of Hamas holds both the spiritual account (of Mosab Hassan Yousef) and an historical documentation. It’s a book I do cherish that provides detailed information of the issues in the Middle East between Isreal and Palestine. I have spent a lot of time reading literatures that has strengthened my knowledge of spiritual and family life. K.P. Yohannan's book on Touching Godliness is pristine. My leading author and speaker in family life are Dr. James Dobson and Richard Smalley respectively. In terms of understanding developmental challenges facing growing nations in Africa, I have read the book of people I have come to admire for their work Nasir El-Rufais Accidental Public Servant (I recommend his oral interview session with Graeme Blair and Daniel Scher in Washington DC in 2009 as a first, good read), Dr. Okonjo-Iweala's book on reforming the unreformable is golden to understand the complexity and difficulty of the structural transformation in Nigeria and the depth of corruption the country witnesses. The list still goes on…

Of Nigeria and Her many developmental challenges

A worker at a makeshift production camp in Nigeria’s swamps
processed crude oil at an illegal oil refinery site near the river Nun in Bayelsa.

Many have always referred to Nigeria as giant among nations but taking baby steps. I wonder if Lord Lugard had committed an error in amalgamating the Northern and Southern territories into one Nigeria in 1914. But he couldn't have made a mistake if the people decide to make their case better by working together for a collective growth. Diversity can be a tool for sustainable growth. Toronto for example has been referred to as the world’s most multicultural society and living there for a few months I completely agree with that statement. People come from different walks of life, different countries, to strengthen a system they believed worked for them. I wonder where Nigeria missed it. Growing up in a public high school we learnt both the Surat Al-Fātiĥah and the Lord's prayer and till today people like myself reflect on the glory of those golden good old days. I wonder where Nigeria got her model of divide and rule and the ideology of placing religion and tribal conflict on top of pressing national issues. But I see tremendous hope for the nation. I have two reasons to justify that: one is in the angle of freedom of information and the growth in technology and the second is the hope that the younger generations will get it right. As one of the indicator for technology in a country is the internet, Freedom On The Net 2013 showed Nigeria has fared quiet positively. Although there's is still much to be done, progress recorded so far is good and Nigeria is just at the verge of moving to the freedom domain; many thanks to the tireless efforts of people like Gbenga Sesan, Executive Director, Paradigm Initiative Nigeria. I have hope for the younger generations also. Here is a quote from the 2013 Commonwealth Youth Development Index "A country like Nigeria, for instance, has high teenage pregnancy, low levels of education, high youth unemployment, yet has a higher levels of civic participation than New Zealand. This suggests that although the youths have limited education and employment opportunities, Nigerian youth are looking elsewhere for active engagement". It may not look like a lot but that statement is one of the very few positive feedback Nigeria has gotten in international reports. As a nation, there must be concerted framework (putting together all the policies) that leverage youths capacity in civic participation for nation building. We hope that will be implemented in the future.
We cry against oil theft and vandalism reaching crude oil barrels of between 100,000 (Chatham House) to 250,000 (Nuhu Ribadu Report). We cry against Boko Haram, shedding of blood and the killing of innocent people, we cry against corruption and bribery in Nigeria. I hope it will not be too late for us to see the true price of oil as explained in The Price of Oil Organization report and see a need to pursue economic diversification with earnestness. I hope we will manage diversity for prosperity and ensure inclusivity for all people. And I hope we uphold the dignity of labour.

Of the people who uphold the dignity of labour and whose works are profoundly touching 

Hon. Michael Coteau and myself

Uzma Shakir

Sam Malvea

It’s rare to find people who are committed to your progress and even more rear to find people who work tirelessly to ensure social justice. To the former, I celebrate people who have been with me over the years; my teachers and mentors who despite growing up in their hands have given me the opportunity to exercise leadership and be a man of my own. To the latter, the first is the Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, Hon. Michael Coteau, whose softspokeness, open door policy and down to earth attitudes makes him someone extremely approachable. I can’t but appreciate my patient teacher and mentor, Sam Malvea who takes extra hours to look into my paper works and ensure I’m doing well. Uzma Shakir remains a symbol of social justice and having heard her speak to me it was clear that her moving from an activist to a role as the Director of Equity, Diversity and Human Rights in the City of Toronto was to ensure that we continue to build an equitable society. Her message of demographic and socio-economic reality of the City of Toronto to her motion on inclusivity remains profound: "When a society is able to care for the less privileged, the women, children and handicapped in particular, then that society would have achieved its entire growth objective because it would have been successful in also taking care of those who already have privileges…"

Of people whose culture of excellence transcends international boundaries: Lamido Sanusi, Obiageli Ezekwsili and many others who are taking their job seriously and creating the culture of excellence both in their official, spiritual or secular lives. And thanks to Cher Jones, my personal brand professor who gave me yet another reason to remain on social media.

Of friends, family and life in general

Myself and Wife's Hand of Love

Although I was dubbed to be a medical doctor, I am now happy tolling the path of an economist which has given me the opportunity to reason rationally, devote thoughts to developmental issues and a desire to want to contribute my own quota to making things better. Some have always concluded that the bane of economics is unrealistic forecasts, but the beauty of being an economist is this same ability to forecast. It allows us to imaginatively predict scenarios and make deductions and recommendations. And when you have a spiritual edge to being an economist its provides an amazing combination, it’s a God plus factor I can’t emphasize enough. It’s a spiritual experience of knowing the truth. This truth shapes thoughts and opinions exactly as demonstrated in people like Martin Luther King.  I'm may be termed religious, but with respect for those who live their lives for other belief, a higher sacrifice, and for a higher purpose than I can ever do myself, I only hope they will find the truth that I now know in Christ Jesus. I'm not white, but I do know it is certainly wrong to judge others by the shade of their skin, the slant of their eyes, the waviness of their hair or the accent in their speech. I'm educated, but I do not disavow others for not having the same opportunities, life situation, or privileges as I. I'm not gay, but I do know that common rights guaranteed to citizens by their representative government should be rights inclusive to all citizens, even as we pray for their change. I am rational enough to realize that although I may not be on the wrong end of injustices, I am empathetic to those who are. I'm not poor, but I do know that it is in our common decency to help our neighbours and our friends when they need it more than us. I live as a social being and grateful for all the good people that surrounds me. Most of all I am grateful that I have friends, family, a wife and a mother who loves me dearly and prays for me constantly. Surely, many great things are bound to unfold in the coming days ahead and we will all have course to celebrate together. Lets keep holding on and believing!

Tweet to @seunoyeniran

Nigeria Universities 2013 Rankings, ASUU Strike and My Rising Concerns

Source: channelstv.com

A lot has been on my mind since I read The Herald newspaper of August 11th 2013 where Nigeria's top 100 Universities were listed. A lot continue to well up in my mind as I try to keep tab on developing stories on twitter and other social media so much so that I had to break the tranquillity of my honeymoon to scribble down my thoughts. This is also coming at a time when the melee between the federal government and body of university teachers (Academic Staff Union of Universities-ASUU) persist . I am deeply worried for my young ones who are affected. This piece is not only to the government or ASUU, it is to teachers, lecturers and all those who are currently insisting on the strike as the way forward. It is a plea for a date to be announced when schools will resume.

I feel I know a lot about how university systems run and what it takes to be a world renowned university because I have not only been a part of the team that produced a document for the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD) Quality Improvement Systems (EQUIS) responsible for european universities accreditation, it was during my studentship at the UK that the university I attend moved to the Triple Crown category, a level designated for top universities in the world who have met all quality standards in teaching and learning [only 1 per cent of business schools world-wide have achieved Triple Crown status by earning Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) accreditation, the European Foundation for Management Development quality mark, EQUIS, and the Association of MBA (AMBA) accreditation for the school’s MBA programme]. Even though my school in the UK is not among the top 50 neither is it among the top 100 in the world according to the University League Table, but I've always thought to myself that if just a school in Nigeria can meet half of these embedded quality mechanisms in university systems, we could be on our way to becoming one of the best in the world. It's important to mention here that I'm talking from an insider perspective.

I've seen both sides, in Nigeria and abroad. I had my undergraduate degree in Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) (No.19 in the current NUC list) before going for my masters abroad. I was a teaching and research assistant in Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) (No. 4 on the current NUC list) with extensive networks and partners in University of Ibadan (UI) (No. 1 on the current NUC list) and other top universities in Nigeria; so I'm clearly talking from an insider perspective. Truth be told, there's is urgent need for quality improvement mechanism to be embedded in our educational systems. Yes we have faculty academic board etc, we've never sat to do critical benchmarking and data collection to identify key areas of educational development. Yes the current ASUU struggle is about "due allowance" to the tune of N87billion or N92billion (USD530+million or USD570+million) (we're not sure which amount is correct) but are we sure this is not about some people's pocket? Especially at a time when the roles of Unions are being contested by corporations around the world.  What is the long term vision for education in Nigeria? Is there a roadmap? Who are we aspiring to be like in terms of global education standard? Is there any benchmarking? If UNESCO recommends budgetary allocation of 26% for developing countries and Nigeria is currently on 8%, are we currently working with these international partners to address the issue? Or are we just taking their recommendation without local consideration because experience has shown that policy implementation requires consideration for resultant shocks and effects; a clear example is the oil subsidy clamoured for by World Bank for developing countries. Although the current struggle tries to potray a more critical demand for infrastructure funding for education, how I wish it focuses more on a sustainable long term strategy with both ASUU and the FG drawing a sustainable road map rather than allowance fight alone as it seems now.

As one writer rightly pointed out, the worse part of the ongoing impasse is the fact that the strike call-off date is out of scope with both sides not giving affected students a clear view of what to do; whether to prepare for a quick call off or go on to take up "vocational trainings in tailoring, hairdressing, auxiliary nursing, electronic repairs, shoe making, carpentry etcetera". What has happened to dialogue and peaceful resolution? No other issue require a no-strike action as negociation and discussion continues like the current one because young people are involved, the future generations should be our concerns and not really the huge amount of money for "infrastructure" that is currently being clamoured for. I am worried and so are my fellows in the diaspora.

The backlash of these strikes are already becoming obvious. Every strike means that more young people are on the street doing nothing. As their graduating age goes over the edge so also rises the loss in the quality of these young people. And then they move on to the labour market and they're eventually told they're overaged. These graduates have no choice but to look for dubious ways to change their age bracket to what the banks want as most of them clearly indicate the age of potential employers now. We are talking about skill acquisition and the resultant effect on the Nigerian economy; about the future of the nation and our collective progress. Its so sad how we handle this issues. Nigeria is the most populous black nation, the largest country in Africa and obviously the country with the largest youths and young adult. The country is once again reminded of the tremendous potentials to record quick growth by adequately and gainfully utilizing this strength it has, failure to do so is already spelling disaster for the country in various parts. we only hope something is done urgently to reverse these tide; of violence, delinquency, strive and struggle among these young people. One author describing the situation as "Bastardisation of Academic Procedure" recalls the consequences of this type of strike action: 

"Due to frequent strikes, some idle students gets involved in vices ranging from rape to murder, cultism, drunkenness, drugs,robbery, fraud and when academic activities finally resumes, these behaviorally downgraded students pollutes the already tensed academic environment with their new found vice, fostering cultism  and criminal activities on campuses....While the vice ridden campuses constitutes academic nuisance, the activities of lecturers who constantly harass female students with sexual advances is another form of academic bastardization."

Fastforward to Universities here in Canada, their key objective is to prepare students for the labour market; most schools here are not only maintaining this traditional stand, improvement mechanisms have been put in place right from the on-start allowing for up-scaling and upgrading when the time is due in future. Going back to what I learnt from my work experience as a member of learning and teaching assessment committee (LTAC) and the Quality Committee (QC) in UK it is important to note that first there must be a critical benchmarking against global best practice. Its just like saying we're going to destination B from destination A. We need to evaluate and know the cost of getting to where we're going. What does B have that we need to have or develop. Its not about being a copycat, its about knowing and building the critical requirement for the long term. I will be frank with you, overseas schools know their competition and work very hard to meet and surpass their standards.

I remember in one board meeting at my UK University where I sat as a faculty student representative; we practically scrutinize data and analysis from potential competitors both locally and internationally and we developed strategy to retain the best students in the school. At another meeting we were analysing a report that students put forward for opportunities for complaints to be made against lecturers they feel is standing against their progress. Feedback and student participation should be entrenched at every level of the learning experience. If we go by the good old saying that if student have not learnt then the teachers have not taught, it will help us get the point in perspective.

Quality controls involves all of these and more. Teachers are responsible for moulding lives, they're like role models these student see. Especially those in the university, it's a critical time for adolescents (the millenials as they're now called) and every little encounters teachers have should be considered pristine in moulding the future of Nigeria. I strongly believe that Nigeria is at a threshold and I and my team through our OYESS Initiative will continue to do our best to strengthen education and learning. We're currently working with a Nigeria university in overhauling their library and learning material base and trusting that this will inform the quality of work in the faculty both among student and teachers. We are assessing current technology available and how they can upgrade little by little and with available resources so as to meet global standards. It started with the faculty leaders deciding what they want and where they're going to. I wish every teacher/lecturer see this 7minutes TED video below of Rita Pierson: "Every Kid Needs a Champion" so they can appreciate their roles in shaping the future of young people.

My stand will continue to remain a very unpopular one in the current saga, especially to many of those at the vanguard of these strike action. And this stand is that going on strike, like previous times, will not lead to sustainable solution to improving the quality of tertiary education in Nigeria. Strike action is usually an option when it comes to labour considerations, efficient bargaining systems and wage to welfare ratio analysis but as far as education in Nigeria is concerned, things have gone precariously bad that we can't afford to continue to move motions in similar ways as before. In fact, UNILORIN (which is not part of the current) strike has its ASUU chairman insists that UNILORIN is not part of the ongoing strike because it '"was in a bid to ensure the educational stability of the institution...strike actions has brought about a lot of backwardness to the educational development in the country while" urging the national leadership of ASUU to come out with other means of fighting for the cause of members instead of incessant strike actions.'

We really need to look into the issue of Unions as Morgan Spurlock is already doing with his CNN Inside Man programme. My heart goes to the Nigerian students in general but in particular, the students I had the opportunity to teach and encourage to go all the way irrespective of the increasing challenges they face on their pathway. Many of then don't know what to do at this present time and wondering when the strike will be called off since it started in July 2nd. My heart also goes to the many parents who have to worry about the future of their children.

References:
"ASUU strike as it turns students to artisans - DailyPost Nigeria - DailyPost Nigeria." DailyPost Nigeria - Latest Nigerian News | Nigerian Newspapers. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2013.

" University guide 2014: University league table | Education | theguardian.com ." Latest news, world news, sport and comment from the Guardian | theguardian.com | The Guardian . N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2013. .

"Rita Pierson: Every kid needs a champion | Video on TED.com." TED: Ideas worth spreading. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2013. <http://www.ted.com/talks/rita_pierson_every_kid_needs_a_champion.html>

"2013 Top 100 Universities In Nigeria - National Universities Commission - The Herald - The Herald." The Herald - News, Opinion and Analysis for the Knowledge Economy. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2013.

"ASUU, others protest against poor education funding — The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper."The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper — Breaking News, information and opinion in Nigeria. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2013. .

"ASUP, NANS, COEASU, ASUU Shut Lagos Traffic Down with Massive Street Protest - The Herald - The Herald." The Herald - News, Opinion and Analysis for the Knowledge Economy. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2013. .

Inside Man - CNN.com Blogs. (n.d.).Inside Man - CNN.com Blogs. Retrieved August 26, 2013, from http://insideman.blogs.cnn.com/

ASUU Strike: Questioning The Sincerity of ASUU | Masterweb Reports . (n.d.). Nigeria Masterweb( Webguide to Nigeria, News, Employment, & More ). Retrieved August 26, 2013, from http://nigeriamasterweb.com/Masterweb/newsreel-august-26-2013-asuu-strike-questioning-sincerity-asuu

Akinboade, Laide, and 24 August 2013. "allAfrica.com: Nigeria: NASS, FG Urge ASUU to Call Off Strike." allAfrica.com: Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2013.

"ASUU faults Okonjo-Iweala over N92bn demand by union - Nigeria News - Codewit World News." Breaking News Updates & Nigeria Headlines - Codewit World News. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2013. 

"NewsReel August 25, 2013 - Nigerian Universities and the Bastardization of Academic Procedures | Masterweb Reports ." Nigeria Masterweb( Webguide to Nigeria, News, Employment, & More ). N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Aug. 2013.

Youths Education, welfare and Personal Development: Empirical Evidences from Nigerian University