The Learner

  By Muhsin Ibrahim My wife and I got an appointment to meet some real estate agents to show us a new apartment we applied to rent. I wanted to practice the little German I could speak to impress them, but it didn’t work. Sensing my disappointment, one of them, apparently well-educated , told me I was lucky I understood a little German. In contrast, he couldn’t speak any Nigerian – referring to a non-existent language he called “Nigerian”. I appreciated him, but I also reminded him that there was no such a language. I have had similar encounters in India as I wrote here . Due to Africa’s colonial past and ‘peripheral’ status on the world stage, we effectively learn about other , more prominent countries than their people know about us. For instance, most Africans learn about the European country that colonised their own country. As Nigerians, we learn about Great Britain and the English language and literature at schools. English is our official language! We also know much abo...

By Muhsin Ibrahim Following the publication of Skills Rather Than Just Degrees by Isa Ali Ibrahim (Pantami), a debate raged on obtaining a degree certificate or acquiring skills in northern Nigerian cyberspace. To my knowledge, Prof. Abdelghaffar Amoka Abdelmalik of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, offered the best response that put the final nail in the coffin of the debate. For the past few days, we have been busy (again) arguing whether or not English proficiency can be a measure of one's intelligence. But, unfortunately, these controversies in sections of northern Nigerian cyberspace aren't only unneeded but also detrimental to the region. A few other concerned friends and I have said enough about the two topics. However, some things are worth repeating. Here are two points. First, school is not a scam. Even Islam, the religion most of us practice, is totally pro-education. So, obtain that degree certificate and learn that skill. The two aren't mutually exclusiv...