I Am Going Back to University to Teach - Ruqayyatu Rufa’i

Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa'i, who was among the nine ministers relieved of their
positions by President Goodluck Jonathan in a cabinet reshuffle on
Wednesday, says she will be going back to the university
to teach.
Rufa'i, who handed over the affairs of the education ministry to the Minister
of State in the ministry, Chief Nyesom Wike, as directed by the president, told
newsmen that she would be going back to continue with her job as a teacher.
Before her appointment as a minister, Rufa'i was a professor of Curriculum
Studies at the Bayero University, Kano.
"I called you here to witness the handing over because as you are all aware my
tenure as minister has expired along with eight others.
"I am going back to resume my job as a professor of Curriculum Studies at the
Bayero University Kano, that is where I came from on secondment.
"We should know that a time like this will come because if it does not, death is
surely an end."
She expressed gratitude to the President for the opportunity given her to
serve as a cabinet minister.
"I have enjoyed a close working relationship with the President.
"Of course, there were times we had our disagreements, but overall we enjoyed
working together."
Rufa'i, who also thanked Wike and other officials of the ministry for the
support she enjoyed during her tenure in the ministry, tasked them not to
relent in achieving the sector's goal of Access and Quality.
In his remarks, Wike described Rufa'i's exit as"painful" but said that "when we
are not in control, there is nothing we can do".
He said because of the cordial working relations between them, the two had
never been summoned by the president to define their roles.
Wike thanked the former minister for her good leadership.
"I therefore implore you, please do not abandon the ministry, continue to give
us the advice you would have been giving if you were here," he said
Also in his remarks, the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr McJohn
Nwaobiala, said the change was "like being hit by a thunderbolt".
Nwaobiala, who described Rufa'i as totally different, pledged that the
ministry would build on the foundation she had laid.
Credit: NAN