Skills Rather than Just Degrees: Pantami and His Jealous Brothers
By Lawan Bukar Maigana
In Nigeria, people who don’t speak English let alone write, are always correcting those who not only speak but write quality books and articles that are of global standard.
If not for jealousy and envy, why would one say the title of the book “Skills Rather than Just Degrees, ” written by the Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Prof. Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami is grammatically incorrect?
There was a time at an event, someone told me that he listened to everything I said and that my English was faultless. I can’t describe how angry I was then but I was able to hide my anger because I was in a public place and amidst respected individuals.
He was not even interested in the message I passed. Rather he was just looking for my mistakes so he could either mock me in my presence or absence.
I know a senior colleague whose name I won’t mention, who has specialized in that. I remember there was a time I told him to his face that the person, whose English he faulted, speaks better English than his. He was angry but I told him the truth.
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The same message I want to pass to the “uncertified English gurus,” who think that the title of Pantami’s book “Skills rather than Just Degrees” is grammatically wrong and that they should swallow their envy and work on themselves.
Pantami, a digital maestro is an accomplisher. He memorized the Holy Qur’an by heart. He has a Ph.D. He’s a powerful minister. He has countless international and national awards to his name.
Recently, a book containing Pantami’s successes and challenges was written by one of Nigeria’s PR guru, Alhaji Yushau Shuaib, the Publisher of PRNigeria and Economic Confidential, which will be presented in Abuja at Nicon Luxury Hotel on May 9th, 2023, at 10 am. Yet, the Communications and Digital Economy Minister’s detractors won’t allow him, be.
However, with or without skills, what largely helps in Nigeria is who you know, not what you know. Nepotism overwhelms competence. Yet, one who is adequately skilled in any art, profession or job is far ahead of his compatriots brandishing academic certificates, but bereft of any job skills. Gaskiya!
Lawan Bukar Maigana writes from Maiduguri and can be reached via email: [email protected]
