CRITICS;
Potiskum LGA Eyes@muhammadnuraibrahim848393
5 days ago
“Is This the Value of Excellence? Outrage as Nafisat Gets N200,000 for Beating 20,000 Peers Worldwide”
By; Mal. Ibrahim M. Nura
A 17-year-old girl, Nafisa Abdullahi from Yobe State, has achieved what many would consider impossible. She became the world champion in the TeenEagle English Proficiency Competition, beating over 20,000 contestants from 69 countries. This is not just a victory—it is a victory for Nigeria, which shows that our students can stand tall among the best in the world.
But instead of celebrating this historic achievement with dignity and respect, Nigeria has reduced it to a mere token—a mere prize of ₦200,000.
For a girl who has raised Nigeria’s profile on the world stage, this amount is not only inadequate, but it is also an insult. It does nothing to support her education, nor does it inspire millions of Nigerian children who should see her story as proof that hard work and a solid education can change lives.
Sadly, this award reveals the wrong priorities of the government. In this country, footballers and entertainers are often treated to parades, mansions, and millions of naira when they win trophies or perform on the world stage. Yet when a young girl shows off her talent and raises the Nigerian flag in a talent competition, she is barely recognized. What message does this send? That Nigeria prioritizes sports over education and entertainment over education.
This is all the more significant because Nafisa comes from Yobe State, a region plagued by terrorism, insecurity, and the destruction of schools. She fought against all odds—the pressures of early marriage, societal challenges, and lack of opportunities—to emerge as a world champion. Her story should be celebrated as a symbol of resilience, hope, and the power of education.
Other societies reward and perpetuate education champions because they know that education is the foundation of sustainable development. But Nigeria has failed Nafisa and has added millions of children to the ranks of those who see education as a way out of poverty and deprivation.
This is the first time a Nigerian girl has ever won such a prestigious academic title in the world, but instead of being celebrated as a national hero, Nafisa has been sidelined. If this trend continues, who can blame our children if they abandon their teachers for sports or entertainment, where they will be recognized and rewarded?
The failure of the Federal Government is obvious, but Yobe State still has the opportunity to right this wrong. Governor Mai Mala Buni should honor Nafisa with an award befitting her achievement, which will not only make her happy but also inspire every girl and boy in Yobe and the rest of Nigeria to embrace education once again.
Nigeria must decide: do we want to build a future where brains are valued like gold? Or will history remember our leaders as those who crushed the dreams of the talented while celebrating the entertainers?
If we want peace, development, and security, we must invest in the education of our children. Anything less is a betrayal of their future.
Mal. Ibrahim M. Nura
i*************6@gmail.com
4 days ago
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