Nigeria Is the Future: A View of Atiku Abubakar From the United States, By William Bertrand

"I see no other person in Africa who has so consistently given of himself and his resources to support education — from primary to University — under the most difficult of circumstances…"

"Nigeria is fortunate to have the opportunity to elect such a man to lead the country to its rightful role as an African and world leader. There may not be many more such chances."

Nigeria is poised to be one of the most important nations in the world. It has the resources, the population, the creative and entrepreneurial power and the geo-political presence to lead Africa and the world through some of the great global challenges of this century.

Bill Gates, along with Warren Buffet, are investing heavily in Nigeria’s future. The Gates Foundation has programmed $1.6 billion towards helping solve major social and economic problems in the country. Gates, an objective and reasoned observer of the potential of Nigeria, clearly identifies the problems that stand in the way of reaching the country’s potential. I share his view, which is why I strongly support giving Atiku Abubakar a chance to lead Nigeria into its rightful position of world leadership.

Gate’s said in a recent trip to Nigeria:

“If you invest in their health, education, and opportunities — the “human capital” we are talking about today — then they will lay the foundation for sustained prosperity. If you don’t, however, then it is very important to recognise that there will be a sharp limit on how much the country can grow.”

Education, particularly girls’ early education, and primary health care, with a strong emphasis on early childhood nutrition, are sadly lacking in Nigeria’s investment plan. These areas are where prior Nigerian politicians have failed. The results of this systematic neglect of the basics are that millions of poorly educated and poorly nourished Nigerians are left without the capacity or the tools to face the future.

In 2010, at the request of the then newly appointed president of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), I joined the governing board of that Institution. I continue to serve as vice chairman of the Board, dedicating my time and effort without compensation. During this time, I have had the opportunity to observe and interact with AUN’s founder and chief benefactor, Atiku Abubakar, on a personal and professional level.

I have worked and lived in Africa since 1968 and have been part of developing several institutions of higher education on the continent. In no other country have I encountered a person who has dedicated so much of his personal fortune to supporting an American-styled University. I have dedicated my professional career to that approach and to the use of education as a fulcrum to improve the world we live in. The opportunity to assist in this pioneering effort to create a University in impoverished rural North-Eastern Nigeria, has been an honour and a privilege.Nigeria is poised to be one of the most important nations in the world. It has the resources, the population, the creative and entrepreneurial power and the geo-political presence to lead Africa and the world through some of the great global challenges of this century.

Bill Gates, along with Warren Buffet, are investing heavily in Nigeria’s future. The Gates Foundation has programmed $1.6 billion towards helping solve major social and economic problems in the country. Gates, an objective and reasoned observer of the potential of Nigeria, clearly identifies the problems that stand in the way of reaching the country’s potential. I share his view, which is why I strongly support giving Atiku Abubakar a chance to lead Nigeria into its rightful position of world leadership.

Gate’s said in a recent trip to Nigeria:

“If you invest in their health, education, and opportunities — the “human capital” we are talking about today — then they will lay the foundation for sustained prosperity. If you don’t, however, then it is very important to recognise that there will be a sharp limit on how much the country can grow.”

Education, particularly girls’ early education, and primary health care, with a strong emphasis on early childhood nutrition, are sadly lacking in Nigeria’s investment plan. These areas are where prior Nigerian politicians have failed. The results of this systematic neglect of the basics are that millions of poorly educated and poorly nourished Nigerians are left without the capacity or the tools to face the future.

In 2010, at the request of the then newly appointed president of the American University of Nigeria (AUN), I joined the governing board of that Institution. I continue to serve as vice chairman of the Board, dedicating my time and effort without compensation. During this time, I have had the opportunity to observe and interact with AUN’s founder and chief benefactor, Atiku Abubakar, on a personal and professional level.

I have worked and lived in Africa since 1968 and have been part of developing several institutions of higher education on the continent. In no other country have I encountered a person who has dedicated so much of his personal fortune to supporting an American-styled University. I have dedicated my professional career to that approach and to the use of education as a fulcrum to improve the world we live in. The opportunity to assist in this pioneering effort to create a University in impoverished rural North-Eastern Nigeria, has been an honour and a privilege.

"Atiku himself was motivated to found AUN by his conviction that his life and career had been changed by two American teachers – Peace Corps volunteers. He felt, as I do, that the European elitist model of education still ruling the Nigerian academe did not best serve the needs of Nigeria with its rich potential of human capital."

why is an American style of education important to Nigeria and to Africa? First and foremost, the American approach is an applied one. America has a great tradition of land grant universities that are dedicated to applied research in service to the local areas where they are located. As part of the University system, they support outreach workers or extension workers to take the results of this research to the local producers as quickly as possible. In a rapidly changing technology-driven world, this element of constant community education is vital.

AUN has dedicated itself to being a development University “focused on resolving Nigerian problems of social and economic development and then applying these solutions to the rest of Africa.” Mr. Abubakar strongly supports this direction, intellectually and financially. He clearly understands the need to have the most current technology applied to resolving local problems and has put his own resources to work, doing so on countless occasions.

Community outreach and community involvement are another element championed by the American style of higher education. AUN programmes, such as Feed and Read for destitute local children, taking in and educating over a hundred Chibok “girls”, and the Adamawa Peace Initiative, in response to the Boko Haram uprising, are all successful outreach programmes that have demonstrated a different, more applied, and yes, more American style of higher education.

The American style has always focused on critical thinking and individual innovation in thoughts and actions. Classes are not just exercises in memorisation but are designed to challenge and stimulate analytical processes. The individual and cultural change required to embrace the characteristics of modern society and rapid change do not come easy. Atiku himself was motivated to found AUN by his conviction that his life and career had been changed by two American teachers – Peace Corps volunteers. He felt, as I do, that the European elitist model of education still ruling the Nigerian academe did not best serve the needs of Nigeria with its rich potential of human capital.

His effort to build a prototype at AUN has not been without its problems, including a US Congressional investigation into the relationship with American University in Washington. When I joined the Board, along with Eamon Kelly, the former president of Tulane University, we engaged the services of one of the best law firms in New York to look into the charges. Dr. Kelly had been president of the National Science Foundation and the American Association of Universities in the United States; he could not afford any hint of wrong doing. The response from the lawyers was that there was absolutely nothing in the Congressional report that involved Atiku Abubakar. With this assurance, we both joined the Board. We have never had cause to regret that decision.

During the years that we at Tulane actively supported the AUN effort, its footprint as a University dedicated to development was firmly established. Even with the day-to-day problems of operating an American style institution in the far north of the country, surrounded by Boko Haram, the University has grown and matured. AUN has developed new programmes in entrepreneurship and law and is planning other specialised degree programmes in applied development areas. The University has created innovative outreach programmes that fought to bring peace and sustainable development to Adamawa State and by extension to all of Nigeria.

I see no other person in Africa who has so consistently given of himself and his resources to support education — from primary to University — under the most difficult of circumstances. He understands the role and importance of technology, and perhaps more importantly has the personal integrity and courage to listen to others who sometimes disagree with him, and to change his mind accordingly. Nigeria is fortunate to have the opportunity to elect such a man to lead the country to its rightful role as an African and world leader. There may not be many more such chances.

William Bertrand is Wisner Professor of Public Health at Tulane University, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.

https://opinion.premiumtimesng.com/2018/10/18/nigeria-is-the-future-a-view-of-atiku-abubakar-from-the-united-states-by-william-bertrand/

Okay! Let him go to America first.

He don receive alert.

Seems as if the man is one of the $40million dollar beneficiaries.
Nigeria "president to be" that can not travel to the US the world most powerful nation, is it fit to be consider as our leader? No no no!

Nonsense,,, stoped reading from the first line due to the mediocre statement

Even william betrand is atikulating. dat means d US will atikulate soon. d world will soon atikulate

For the interest of Nigeria at large and ur generation in particular let's Atikulate together to salvage this country from the claws of the lifeless one

AtikuObi all the way

Goodwill messages for Atiku everywhere, tell me what they’re saying about the tyrant currently in Aso Rock

socialmediaman:
AtikuObi all the way

Goodwill messages for Atiku everywhere, tell me what they’re saying about the tyrant currently in Aso Rock

How could a Nebuchadnezzar receive a goodwill message? Buhari is so filled with inferiority complex that he can't socialize with any person order than his tribe's person.

Story... Since when did America or Americans become a yardstick for the assessment of a promising and great leader?

GlorifiedTunde:
Dear Nigerians, please be wise.

We know we're in frypan already, let's not allow anger, resentment and bias lead us inside fire.

Atiku is the wrongest candidate we can think of voting for.

Adults know this...
The old elites know this...
People who read know this...

A Fulani is a Fulani, don't expect him to be different. Don't ever take any politician by their words, they lie more than the devil.

To them, Nigerians have become a table tennis ball, they toss and smash us everywhere because we have no substance other than religious and tribal sentiments.

And at the end, THEY WIN THEIR GAME.

Enemies of the people are in great "pains"

The harder they try, the more good testimonials keeps coming for the man of the moment.

Wonder why every sensible and reasonable Nigerian is Atikulating!

Nice write up

Atikulating is sweeping everywhere , even Americans are not left out .

Buhari is a goner

Omeokachie:
Enemies of the people are in great "pains"

The harder they try, the more good testimonials keeps coming for the man of the moment.

Wonder why every sensible and reasonable Nigerian is Atikulating!

See how mean and wicked Buhari look in this photo

His face is scaring investors away .

NaijaRoyalty:


See how mean and wicked Buhari look in this photo

His face is scaring investors away .

Mean face, empty brain

CilicMarin:
Okay! Let him go to America first.

What kind of mental subjugation is that?

How many American presidential candidates came to Nigeria before election to be certified to be non corrupt.

If Mr fake integrity with his opposition fight in the name of fighting corruption cannot find him corrupt then why America? As far as I am concerned Atiku has passed the highest form of integrity test by surviving Buhari lopsided corruption fight even as the greatest opposition.

I don't knw the reason why some people without Voters card will come online and be shouting ATIKULATING to every post.....as if there's different between any of them


Who noticed that Religious violence, Ethnic crises, Boko Haram Menace has been suspended because Election is near.

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rusher14:
He don receive alert.

lol funny u

Aufbauh:
Seems as if the man is one of the $40million dollar beneficiaries.
Nigeria "president to be" that can not travel to the US the world most powerful nation, is it fit to be consider as our leader? No no no!

This present President that can travel anywhere what is his achievements? Is it not lies Scam and insurgents in Nigeria.

Instead of writing this epistle to us the common man, why not write to US consulate telling them to issue him a visa?

rusher14:
Instead of writing this epistle to us the common man, why not write to US consulate telling them to issue him a visa?

He doesn't have to go to america to become Nigeria's president.

The one that went to america to exhibit his lifelessness just to embarrass us is still laying lifeless in aso rock. Going to america did not resuscitate him from his lifelessness.

codedguy1:


He doesn't have to go to america to become Nigeria's president.

The one that went to america to exhibit his lifelessness just to embarrass us is still laying lifeless in aso rock. Going to america did not resuscitate him from his lifelessness.

He's a fugitive.

rusher14:


He's a fugitive.

Hahaha lame!!

He is in his country.

codedguy1:


Hahaha lame!!

He is in his country.

Why is the Bertrand the talking about him?

rusher14:


Why is the Bertrand the talking about him?

Bertrand is a very nice guy who wishes Nigeria well and knows that having a lifeless one lead us will get us no where. So chips in by Atikulating.