Today’s monograph will begin with a candid missive from Philip Armour, “no general can fight his battles alone. He must depend upon his lieutenants and his success depends upon his ability in putting the right man in the right place.”
President Goodluck Jonathan came into power and pledged a transformation agenda aimed and directed at repositioning our great country on the path of enduring, sustained economic posterity, built on an independent but dependable self-reliant economy. It is in the light of this that the appointment of Professor Suleiman Elias Bogoro as executive secretary, Tertiary Education Trust Fund, is wholesomely seen as another bold step in the right direction, a round peg in a round hole.
In the first place, permit me to say that this renowned Professor of Animal Science is known universally as an intellectual giant. Born at Bogoro in Bogoro Local Government Area of Bauchi State some 56 years ago, to the distinguished Bogoro family, he received very sound primary, post primary and university education, after which he entered into the noble teaching profession as an Agric Science master, Oroke High School , Akungba-Akoko, Ondo State, in 1981/82.
Between 2005 and 2007, he became the chairman, Governing Council, Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Oweri, Imo State and a member NBTE Committee and Bauchi State Planning Committee with great distinction. It is worthy to state at this junction that as an NBTE Committee member, he was part of an excellent team charged with the responsibility of fashioning modalities for the removal of GL 14 Ceiling for HND Holders in Nigeria.
While working as a collaborating scientist to the Raw Materials Research and Development Council, RMRDC, Abuja, he contributed immensely to teaching and research. His research activities produced over 45 scientific publications in journals, provincials, and conference proceedings in addition to a rumen fermentation model as scientific innovation. He is versatile and a celebrated journal Reviewer to many journal including, NEC journal, Nigeria Journal of Animal Production and Science Forum.
A pensive look at Professor Suleiman Elias’s antecedent and impeccable character would conspicuously evidently reveal that, singleness of purpose; indomitable optimism and a-can-do spirit are qualities that are intrinsically endowed in him.
As a vibrant, staunch, and dedicated orator of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, ATBU, Professor Suleiman Elias would not succumb to frustrating situations or discouraging circumstances in the course of perpetuating what he knows how to do best¬-oratory. His commitment and attachment to his job would not let him yield to unfortunate or disappointing course in the course of his duty.
James Garfield once said that, “next in importance to freedom and justice is popular education, without which neither freedom nor justice can be permanently obtained”. It is at this pedestal of discourse that I wish to commend our amiable president and Professor Suleiman Elias over this weighty appointment.
I entreat this erudite professor, (Popularly called “The Ekwueme” of Aboh- Mbaise, meaning a man of his words, truth, and honesty. A title he earned in (2006) for the remarkable transformation of the Federal Polytechnic, Nekede, Owerri, within the 12 months as a fellow (FFPN) of the polytechnic) to bring his wealth of knowledge to bear in his new office. To employ his acumen in the distribution of the ETF intervention funds to further enhance infrastructural and qualitative advancement of the tertiary sector. I dare say that much is expected of him especially in the face of on–going challenges in our tertiary education.
He should as a matter of exigency, see his new appointment as, yet another clarion call to justify the confidence reposed in him. And as JF Kennedy puts it: ‘our progress as a nation can be no swifter than our progress in education. The human mind is our fundamental resources.’ Mr. Professor, at the palm of your hands lie another rare opportunity to replicate your successes and justify your appointment to your new office.
To end this monograph, I wish to recall a recent comment by Amos Sawyer, “Public office is an assignment. It is a privilege not an entitlement. It is time bond; we enter, we serve, and we exit. It is a trust.”
Fatai Ibrahim is a Public Affairs Analyst