This last week, the youth of Nigeria were abuzz with a cheering news from Taraba State! Governor Kefas with one stroke of the pen slashed tertiary school fees in Taraba by half. By this singular gesture, he has lifted a great burden from both parents and students.
And this is in consonance with the first schedule of the Nigerian constitution which puts citizen wellbeing as the first priority of government. That governor has demonstrated a will to serve and to put citizens of his state first.
In this era of crushing cost of fuel, falling naira and stagnant wages, governance must have a human face. This is what Gov Kefas has done and this column salutes him. It is early days yet, but he has our admiration for this first step in progressive governance. Not many governors understand the role of human capital in economic and social development.
By slashing fees, Gov Kefas has simply improved the capacity of Tarabans to flourish and grow through education. With that fee reduction, those who would have dropped out will now continue schooling and those who hitherto could not afford education, will now enroll. His action is indeed a refreshing breath of fresh air. He has taken the bull by the horn despite the many challenges he must face as a newly elected governor. He could have come up with the usual litany of excuses, but he chose to put the people first!
Dr Agbu Kefas, the governor of Taraba State, took this Commendable action during an impromptu visit to Taraba State University, Jalingo. During the visit, the governor instructed the University to implement an immediate 50% reduction in school fees, effective from the upcoming academic session.
This action of the governor in cutting down tuition fees when other state governors are increasing tuition fees shows a leader who understands the role of education in development! This reduction has come as a huge relief to parents who have children in the university at a time when the economy is in dire strait and the situation exacerbated by the astronomical increase in prices of goods and services in the country following the removal of the fuel subsidy.
A few days after slashing University fees, Agbu Kefas, again, declared primary and secondary school education free in Taraba state. He made the declaration on Friday, 7 July at the Ebenezer Primary School in Wukari. According to the governor starting from the next academic session, primary and secondary education in Taraba State will be free. He stressed that it is the government’s responsibility to bear the expenses and that students should not be subjected to any fees. Also, he stated that apart from fulfilling a campaign promise, the hardship occasioned by the removal of the fuel subsidy has made the move imperative. Fuel subsidy removal had been used as the excuse to increase the cost of government services in many states across the country, but to Kefas, governance is about ameliorating the challenges of subsidy removal for the poor and low income earners.
The benefits of what Kefas has done by making education accessible are many. Not only will Taraba youths individually benefit from receiving education, when it comes to income, career advancement, skill development, and employment opportunities, the state and country receive benefits of education as well. Societies with higher rates of degree completion and levels of education tend to be healthier, have higher rates of economic stability, lower crime, and greater equality. The future of Taraba is therefore assured. This is worthy of emulation.
These acts of the Taraba Governor should be emulated by other state governors. Very many states have turned their state universities to revenue generating organizations, a situation that should not be. Some state universities are competing with private universities in charging outrageously tuition fees, thereby denying their own people access to higher education. Even in America, state owned or state promoted universities charge low and subsidized fees.
As for the free primary and secondary education, the benefits are enormous. Don’t forget that it was Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s free education policy that gave the Western Region head-start in several sectors in Nigeria, a preeminence that the South West is enjoying up till today.
In a recent column titled, “The Unabating Horrific Incidents of Police Brutality” I drew attention to police brutality in a viral video at the university town of Ekpoma in Edo State. Policemen in a van, deliberately ran over a suspect who had been arrested, handcuffed, and forced to lie down in front of the van. The team of policemen, operating a black Sienna bus provided by the Edo State Government, forcefully dragged and ran over the already handcuffed middle-aged man despite the alarm raised by members of the community.
As a caring and responsive patriot, the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olukayode Egbetokun disbanded the Edo State Police command tactical team involved in that incident. Force spokesperson, CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement announced that the action was a bold move to address the unprofessional conduct of the police officers attached to the Edo State Police command who were responsible for running over the citizen. He said the decision aims to regularize and standardize police operations in the axis; and restore public trust in the Police Force. The officers involved in the shameful act are also said to be currently facing disciplinary actions.
The Inspector General of police deserves commendation for his quick response to the brutality meted out to a citizen by his men. His action shows that under his leadership it will not be business as usual for those officers who delight in brutalizing Nigerians. While commending him, this columnist urges him to quickly design and inaugurate “Human Rights and Civics” training for all police formations across the country. This when done, will help educate and reorient police men, thus bringing down the numbers of these embarrassing incidents, while endearing the police to the citizenry. We hope that the IGP will be the game changer in police/citizen relations. As a member of Police Community Relations Committee, I know how much the ordinary citizen yearns for improved friendlier policing.
May Nigeria REBOUND!
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