By Baba Yusuf
Abuja
Legendary journalist, Malam Mohammed Haruna, yesterday condemned attempts by President Recep Erdogan of Turkey to have schools run by Turks in African nations, including Nigeria, closed.
The only syndicated columnist in Nigeria gave the commendation yesterday during a visit to the institution.
He said the attempts by the Turkish president should be aborted as the schools in Africa have contributed immensely to the development of the education sector in the region.
“Obviously, nobody will listen to that kind of talk,” he said. “With that kind of contribution they (NTNU) are making, nobody will listen to them.
“Anybody that listens to the call will be foolish. They (NTNU) have contributed immensely to education and health sector in Nigeria,” he added.
President Erdogan had visited some African countries to demand for the closure of Turkish schools that are affiliated to the Hizmet Movement led by his ally-turned-foe, Fethullah Gulen.
He has come under severe international condemnation for attacking media professionals who are close to Gullen.
Although the country moved up slightly in world ranking, Turkey under him was named the worst jailer of journalists.
During Haruna’s tour of the NTNU, however, he commended the management of the university over “the world-class facilities put in place in the institution.”
He said, “The facilities I saw at the university (NTNU) are world-class facilities. The laboratories, the classrooms and other facilities impressed me a lot. it is quite obvious that they mean business.”