Academic Fortunes Between Ghana and Nigeria: Yesterday and Today

[Oluwatoyin Vincent Adepoju]

Mazino Obaro Ikime

10 mins · 

Citizens of this Potentially Great Nation, as the furore over the treatment meted out to us in South Africa,begins to abate, we really have to consider what it is we want as a people. I keep reiterating this.

Many years ago, as a kid, I believe it was in the early and mid seventies, my dad used to frequent Ghana a lot as an external examiner at the Legon University. I remember him packing two suitcases on those trips. One day I had to ask him why. He told me that his contemporaries in Ghana, could not afford the bare essentials, so in his own little way, he tried to ameliorate their condition.

Folks you know what my dad was packing? Bathing soap, toilet paper, deodorants, body cream, hair cream and such things that our house helps in those days could afford from their salaries. The economy in Ghana was so bad that Professors could not afford these things for themselves. That's how bad Ghana was!

But guess what? They pulled themselves up by their boot straps and fixed their country! Another thing? The quality of our education was so high that people like my dad were sought out all over Africa to act as external examiners in the highest level universities in Africa. Sabbatical was a tough call. To go Europe, America or to go to places like Rhodesia,which had no quality black scholars. Today, they have all turned the corner!

I remember the Staff Club at the University of Ibadan, where I was born and grew up. There was a heavy African.presence! UI was the place to come for "tuition" so to speak! These dons, came to learn at this great citadel of learning. What they learnt, they took back home and applied to their situations and circumstances! They learnt here and went home to train others! They have all helped to transform their societies!

We have retrogressed. We wallow in our retrogression. We live on past glories and revel in paper achievements! Folks, if you want call me non patriotic. But we are not that relevant any longer! We are no longer the go to country on the continent! We have been surpassed by nations which once looked up to us for leadership! We were on a major pedestal once. But we let ourselves down! We tumbled and we have stayed down!

Brethren we need to get back to where we once were. Arduous? Yes, but in order not to be reviled by the likes of South Africa, who we once supported and aided, we must get our country to work again. Successive, gluttonous leadership has brought us here. But folks, they are of us! We have allowed it to be! We need to fight for the kind of country we want! Our votes are doctored, we sit back and moan.

Infrastructure is lacking we question no one! Nothing works in this country and we just keep taking it! Are we not tired of the drudgery? Will we continue to sit back and swallow all this shit that is shovelled at us? The dregs hold sway! We who should know better kowtow to them for a few crumbs! When will we take this country back?

I have said this before and I repeat it. By the time the next elections come, I will be 58! You guys are my contemporaries. Some will be older some will be slightly younger. But we are all seriously middle aged people! Guess what? In our life time, we have NEVER had good leadership! We heard of it, we did not experience it. Now we have kids who don't know what true values are. They are driven to make money by any means possible, except through diligence and hard work!

So we have Yahoo boys, Runs Girls, Badoo! Guys Think!! We cannot go on like this. Let's begin to strategize. We are of the age when we should be game changers. Are we? Oh sure we have little gasps of refreshment here and there. But as a collective, we have not exerted ourselves! We need to grow up and grow balls!

Do you see other Africans flocking here the way we besiege their countries? There is a reason why it ain't happening! Nothing is happening here! LETS WAKE UP! GOOD MORNING!

[Jane Dyer]

I find this post very interesting. Mazino Ikime starts this post by describing a personal experience. Ikime remembers watching his father pack a suitcase with soaps and deodorants to bring to the people of Ghana because they could not afford such items. He then describes how Ghana overcame its economic hardship and became a great country. Ikime calls for his readers' action. He believes that Africa has lost its greatness in the eyes of other countries around the world. Ikime believes that Africa used to set an example for other countries and wants Africa and its people to once again gain the respect and admiration of other global countries. The structure of this post was very intriguing to me. Ikime writes very casually, as if he is having a conversation with his reader. I enjoyed the personal story from his childhood at the beginning of the post, as it provided context for his great passion for the subject he is writing about. He uses many exclamation points to further emphasize his excitement about his home country. I really enjoyed reading a post with so much sincerity. From his tone in his post, I could tell that Africa is very important to Ikime. I feel that Ikime truly desires others around the world to recognize Africa's importance and greatness. I also find the political undertones in this post interesting. Ikime blames Africa's regression on its poor leadership and calls for voters to select strong leaders. I believe this call to action is very motivating as a reader, especially due to Ikime's intense passion in his post.  

[Keaontay Ingram]

I personally think Mazino has a great point throughout this wonderful article. In order for things to change someone has to stand up and be a Leader and by example. To hear the stuff he say's about the small cities in Africa is truly sad. Like living in past glories and paper achievement, how nothing works but they keep taking it to where it is just normal. I do feel Mazion pain when it comes to Africa and that there must be a change. 

On Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 11:05:07 PM UTC-5, Oluwatoyin Vincent Adepoju wrote:

[Sam Schroeder]

This post is regarding the current state of Africa compared to how it was over 20 years ago. The author intrigues the reader by opening with a personal story. I believe that this was a strong move by him, as it allows for readers to connect with him on a personal level. Mazino’s message is a call for help to the public to resurrect Africa to the way it was, particularly in the field of education. He believes that Africa was once a place that countries looked up to, but is no longer. I really enjoyed reading this post because I was able view Africa in the eyes of a resident. 

On Thursday, September 5, 2019 at 11:05:07 PM UTC-5, Oluwatoyin Vincent Adepoju wrote:

[Mitchell Stolle]

This article is very interesting, and the first thing I noticed as a reader was the credit the author gave to Congo for improving itself as a country. I am sure that it is not appreciated globally the way it should be. The author also goes into detail about how Africa is not without its issues. However, the author has a very uplifting tone in his writing style and seems to be rallying awareness for his cause. The piece picks up in urgency as it progresses, and I feel like this enhances the point that is being made.

[Briana Releford]

This article shines light on the current state of Africa. The author shares his experience in an attempt to raise even more awareness. This article could be a catalyst to the change that is necessary in the country. Leaders must step up to lead successfully, and followers must step up and follow effectively. Then and only then can Africa see real change and return back to its more positive state. However, this article is a good start.