Dabire vs Pantami: Attack the Personalities, Not the PhD’s By Daha Tijjani
As a researcher, I always like to gather facts in order to have an informed opinion on a any topic before I write. I promise you, you’ll never find me writing on any topic I know nothing about. In light of this and after careful observations, here are my thoughts on the attitude of SOME Facebookers on the current trending topic (DABIRE Vs PANTAMI).
I have over the years noticed with keen interest how some people choose to attack people who painstakingly obtain PhDs.
For crying out loud, having Ph.D. is not a license to SAINTHOOD. I have seen people belittling Ph.Ds. on this app — saying ba kayan gabas bane yanzu… implying how common it is.
Well, for all I know, having a Ph.D. only means one is an expert/specialist in a tiny “FIELD”. This implies that he/she may not be knowledgeable about things not related to his/her area of specialization in the same FIELD of study. In essence, it is by no means tantamount to being knowledgeable in ALL or RELATED fields.
Therefore, it is unfair to think that having a PhD in a specialized field means exhibiting qualities of obtaining another Ph.D. in MATURITY. Evidently, during the course of obtaining the Ph.D., one is expected to have learned certain traits that differentiate them from normal people. Hence, the high expectations.
But, that does not mean one has to act, fake or deviate from his normal life of socializing and even engaging in “vices” just because he/she is a Ph.D. We are also Humans.
Read Also:
You see, on a personal level, by Allah, the title is nothing but vanity to me. Except for my friends who knew, I hardly show off my Ph.D. tittle (not research works) on Social Media. However, I do in academic correspondence and the likes.
I remembered vividly, how, I changed my name to Malam on Facebook the minute I passed my VIVA-VOCE almost four years ago so as to humble myself and not letting the title of Ph.D. get into my head. I prefer to align myself as a mere teacher that I was then. But if to me, the title means nothing, to others it is a symbol obtained after several excruciating adventures.
Hence, if one chooses to show off their Ph.D. title, so be it, it’s their choice, and they earned it.
When you choose to attack them, attack their persons and not their Ph.Ds, for I am sure when it comes to their FIELD they will “school” you irrespective of how childish or UnPhD-ish you think they are acting on this platform.
Honestly, it’s a herculean task to obtain that Dr Title no matter how COMMON and CHEAP you may think it is nowadays.
What Abike Dabire did to Dr. Pantami is wrong in all ramifications, even if all the accusations brought against him are true.
I see some people echoing her by attacking Pantami’s PhD saying he shows it off everywhere. Well he earned it. Allow him to “famz” a bit.
I’ll close with this, obtaining a PhD is not related to how intelligent you think you are. Many excellent students failed to complete their PhDs due to several obstacles. It’s a journey of several unbearable hiccups and rough patches. These are the things, coupled with your research that shape you into what you would later be. If you don’t believe it, try it.
Best Regards,
DahaTijjani writes from Kano
