Shettima’s teaching act
There is nothing more inspiring to the citizens of a society than when their leaders decide to actually lead by example and take up serving roles that would be beneficial to the people. The move by the Governor of Borno State, His Excellency, Kashim Shettima and all political office holders and other civil or public servants in the state to take up volunteer teaching jobs in the primary school and secondary schools for the purpose of restoring the state’s primary and secondary education from its Boko Haram ravaged state is something that all Nigerians should applaud, more so from the people of Borno state who’s education has suffered from the ravenous attacks by the insurgents.
As a governor who, since his assumption of office, has had to contend with Islamic extremists trying the disrupt the peace, unity and protection of lives and properties of the people of Borno state, kudos should be accorded Shettima for taking steps to address the shrinking number of teachers in the state even if the move is only temporary. These are the kinds of things that make good leaders in any society.
Say what you will about the governor (it is expected anyway, considering the position he holds) but I think when one considers the precarious position that his state has been in, he deserves to be recognized as a leader that puts the plight of his people into consideration. This was evident some weeks ago when the Borno state government donated about 16.5 million naira to families of 21 oil workers and 12 members of the civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) who had been killed in separate Boko Haram terrorist attacks in the state. By simple calculation, this equates to 500 thousand naira to each of the families. To some, this may seem like a meager some to give to the families of deceased men who were valiant in their duties with reference to the fact that a person’s life should have no price tag but it is at least, an attempt to provide some form of relief to the people.
This move may also go a long way in ensuring that the school pupils or students become capable youths tomorrow. I mean, I am no psychologist but I believe the governor’s presence in a classroom would be an added advantage to the students. It may perhaps be a once in a lifetime opportunity for the pupils or students to be tutored by his Excellency. This might in turn motivate them to value education and strive harder to become right thinking members of the society tomorrow.
I have no affiliations whatsoever with the governor, but sometimes one just needs to call a spade, a spade. For him to have decided that he would pick up the chalk or marker and teach the students in the state is appreciable. It goes to show that he possesses the dedication that few, if any, political office holder of his caliber has. This is another move that if done rightly, would be another success story of the governor just like other of his successes like improved security, management of IDP camps, job creation and completion of some infrastructure. All these are not products of my imaginary concoction but are success stories of the governor as were highlighted in the Premium Times newspaper of December 30th 2016.
What Governor Shettima is planning to do, for all intents and purposes, is a gesture that all position holders in the political hemisphere should try as much as they can to imbibe. His decision to go into classrooms is not just inspirational to all of us; it would also serve as a motivating factor to anyone who is into the teaching profession in Borno State. This is a leadership service that one should appreciate irrespective of one’s political affiliations or the political divide one belongs to.
Isah Suleiman Kandi, Abuja