It took Malaysian university a year to detect I was owing fees —Onibon

Professor Nosiru Onibon, Provost, Michael Otedola College of Education (MOCPED), share his story with by SEGUN KASALI.

How do you explain your passion for Arabic language?

Well, I had my primary education in Ansar-u-deen primary school in Epe and my secondary school at Alaro Community High School in Epe, Lagos state. When I was in class four, my father wanted me to go to Arabic school for reasons best known to him. When he came with that suggestion, I frowned on it. I went to my mum to express my grievances but she insisted on what my dad said. Then, I accepted and I began to write in my exercise book “Lawyer Mallam Nosiru”. This was because I initially wanted to be a lawyer, and when he said he wanted me to go into Arabic studies, I said okay I could be a Mallam also. And he actually said when you finish your secondary school, I want you to go to “Ile kewu” (Arabic School) and that when done, I could go back to the university.

Did he later tell you the reasons for you to attend Arabic school?

I think the obvious fact was that my dad was an Imam and many times he asked who would inherit the Arabic books. He said he would not mind if I go to school but I should still have the knowledge to be able to interpret all these things. Eventually, I accepted. When I finished my secondary school, I went to Arabic Institute of Nigeria in Ibadan and I spent three years there. It was after that I wrote JAMB and went to the university to study Arabic at Lagos State University (LASU) after being denied studying Law. Though there was this joker then that you could change your department if you did well, I was doing very well and became the best in my set. So, when I got to Part 3, I still wanted to change to Law not minding to start from Part 1. But when I approached the department, they said no department releases its brilliant students except that student would go back to write JAMB. So, I just resolved that Arabic is where fate wanted me to stay. So, I put in more effort and made the best out of it.

Your prior knowledge in Arabic must have been helpful then.

Yeah. This is because it puts me in good stead and that was what propelled me to take Arabic Language at the university. I did Diploma in Arabic and Islamic Studies. So, when I graduated. I thought of the best match for the combination but I could not find. So, I concluded on Arabic. And I thank God I did very well. I was the best in my set.

I still wanted to change (to Law), but later went for Masters in International Relations at the University of Ibadan in the Department of Political Science. Funny enough, when I went for that admission, the then Head of Department, Professor Adeniran was like ‘you were from language and you wouldn’t be able to do International Relations.’ And all of a sudden, he said okay there was a year we had one guy and he did well. And I immediately said I could also do well (laughs). So, he said they should give me admission.

And you did well?

Yes, I did very well in International Relations. In fact, he was the one who supervised me. I was one of his good students and he was taking me to his town in Ekiti State because as of that time he was contesting for the gubernatorial position in the state. I usually say that the perception that most Arabic students are usually unsocial is relative. I don’t see myself as social and I don’t see myself as unsocial. I can mix and relate with people. And during my days in the university, I was not the shy one because I felt I could impact on the society with the kind of course I studied. And I was doing well both in Arabic and English class.

You must have met your wife in the university then.

Yes. It was when I was in part three in the university that I met her. I just had the determination then that I wouldn’t keep a girlfriend until I get to part three and the person I met was the person I got married to.

It was basically discipline. Forget the fact that someone is religious or spiritually-inclined, discipline is the watchword. One of the professors of Islamic studies, whom I love so much, is the lady’s uncle. So, I just concluded that I could marry someone related to this man, and she was living with the professor. I thank my parents for the very strong moral disposition from both of them. My mother died just last February at 97. The only thing I heard from my dad about my mum when I wanted to get married was that ‘not all stories you heard about your wife are genuine.’ And he told me that when he wanted to marry my mum, he heard a lot of stories about her – my mum- that she had so many boyfriends and all those things. But, he eventually met her a virgin. And my mum at 92 or thereabout became Iyaloja General of Epe division. My mum also said she never knew any other man than my dad. My dad died at the age of 78. And I thank the Almighty Allah for blessing me with fantastic children. I see them looking very brilliant. One girl amongst them wanted to go into Islamic and Arabic Studies. Unfortunately, she is now in the Sciences studying Biochemical Engineering at the University of Ilorin. I am super grateful to my family despite my unforgettable experience in Malaysia.

What about it?

I went for my Ph.D in Malaysia. The university authority never realised I was in the faculty and registered without paying school fees.

How was that possible?

I already got registered, moving along with my programme and I have not paid tuition. It took them a year before they realised that. I was struggling to get money to pay because I did not have money.

You didn’t plan for the trip?

When I was leaving Nigeria, I left with 500 dollars and I was already lecturing in LASU then. What LASU did then was to give me study leave and paying my salary, but the salary could not take care of the homefront and myself.

How did you resolve this?

That is what I would never forget. Two years after, university threatened they were going to stop my education and as a result, I started going all over the place, applying for scholarship. They have full scholarship, student’s loan, and the Muslims in the school also have Zakat Fund where they fund indigent students. So, I presented myself. I first won student’s fee reduction. So, they reduced the tuition and asked me to pay half of the first year before I could continue. Actually, I was in the third semester out of six semesters I was supposed to spend in the university. So, after the third semester, I started some menial jobs. I had to do the jobs because there was none to call upon as I knew my family did not have anything and I did not bother to disturb them. But, I still came back to Nigeria.

You came back?

Yes, I came back because I wanted to come and check on my family even as I was already homesick. I just felt that I had stayed two years without seeing my family, my wife and children. And I have not even cleared the bills. All I wanted to do was to come home and I did not even bother if I would not continue anymore.

So, how did you get money to come home then?

Very nice question. I overheard someone planning to send money to Nigeria. So, when I told him I was going to Nigeria, he gave me the money. But, I used the money to buy return ticket (laughs). So, what I did was to call my immediate elder brother that I was sick and wanted to come home but in need of a certain amount for my ticket. So, he raised the money for me. So, when I came back, I picked the money and went straight to Ilorin to give to the owner of the money.

The owner of the money was surprised that she had not seen anybody sent, who delivered within 2 or 3 days after landing in Lagos and came to Ilorin without running after them to get their money. So, when I came back to Nigeria, someone advised me to write Lagos state for sponsorship. It was then the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu and I must express my gratitude to him. I sent in the letter, as directed by the woman. And I flew back to Malaysia to continue my studies.

The scholarship come through?

Yes. The first Provost of this College, Professor Tunde Sarumi was then the special adviser to the Governor on Education. And the first place I worked when I finished my Masters was with the Provost. So, he got acquainted with me. One day, my wife just called and said that the Senior Adviser sent someone to her. So, I called the man and he said Onibon, oga said I should give six people foreign scholarships and I saw your name and I was determined  I was going to give you. Ask someone to get the form for you, fill the form and submit. That was how I became highly-relieved and it was at that same period the doors of the fortune of Allah just opened.

Really?

Yes. Having submitted the form, I received a call within three weeks from the university in Malaysia that they received money from Nigeria on my behalf. They deducted all the money I owed the university. The money was enough to pay all my fees for the three years with extra. I was given the remaining money. At that same period, a friend called that there was a recruitment exercise into some companies in Malaysia. By that time, I had submitted my first draft and about 42 of us went for the interview and they picked just two of us. Immediately I got the job, they gave me a house, a car and so many other things.

Amid the troubles, was there no temptation to do shady jobs in Malaysia?

I was not tempted to do those jobs. We were brought up in a very strict Islamic home and we placed a lot of premium on morality. We cherish our integrity so much. So, I did not get tempted to do dubious jobs.

I am very grateful to God and also to the government of Lagos state. Also, my family who went through the pains while I was not around. God has been very very merciful.

Question: How have you been showing this to the less privileged?

Answer: I am trying my best to give back to the society in different ways. I don’t like mentioning names. I know people I have provided jobs for. I know those I have done community service for and so many like that. But, all in all, glory be to the Merciful.

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