I read an article today that really had a profound effect on me. The story was told of a fifth grader that was once asked to define what it means to be educated. This kid got on her feet, chuckled and defined an educated man as ‘one who never does any work’. As I ponder over the content of this discourse, I came to realize this kid unconsciously embodied in her answer a stingy blatant truth. The article goes further to explain that the biggest and best part of life lies in supplying yourself the things you need and to be able to earn a living is quite as necessary as getting education. This, in a way emphasizes the need for a curriculum that will embrace earning a living and mental growth and have them move together hand in hand. He stressed that the best way to learn to be useful is to be useful. To take a young man from life for some four to six years and send him to college in order to educate him for life that he may thereafter be useful is to run a grave risk that you will not get him back into life.
As much as I believe education is so vital to development, I also subscribe to the idea of men earning a living while getting the education because it’s like the reason our colleges are constantly graduating incompetent people is our inability to inculcate doing things with talking and formulating theories about them. In a country like ours that pays so much lip service to education, the situation is even a far cry from what obtains in some other parts of the world. Our schools and colleges churn out en masse ‘half baked’ or in some cases ‘unbaked’ graduate year in, year out. These graduate then had to compete for the very few available jobs in the market. As a result of the large turnout, employers had to resort to even in some cases unrealistic standards during recruitment. Some are eventually recruited by whatever means and a larger percentage then left to roam the streets looking for non existing jobs. Their obvious flawed education and inability to direct their energies into useful channels while feeding their expanding minds in schools thus reducing their chances of taking their destinies into their own hands for the man who can weld life and education together is actually the one that has ‘real education’.
I have always argued that the reason why a substantial percentage of the movers and shakers of our world are without college degrees is simply because life, which is greater than college, reviews your theoretical education, quietly ignores them and then test your requisite ability to apply such knowledge to practical issues. This, I guess is life’s way of making us realize that our vicious belief that education is one thing and life is another is null, void and of no effect. There is nothing wonderful about a college professor except perhaps his density in an area of his specialty outside of which he is likely to be very lopsided. This explains why some of these professors are even deemed unfit to hold administrative positions in their respective colleges. Real education entails not just being knowledgeable about specific subjects but also being able to practically adapt such acquired insights to solving life’s unending puzzles.
The Nigerian situation is such a pathetic case in question. Our education is in shambles. School are not conducive for learning. Basic infrastructures, materials and equipments practically non-existent and when they exist, outdated. Our single effort at combining talking, learning and doing thing, the Industrial Training Scheme is grossly inadequate and poorly coordinated. Students spend a huge chunk of the period looking for placement into industries that eventually absorbed them for maybe three or four months and they ended up learning little or nothing at all. Most of these companies, maybe due to the students’ incompetence and/or their trying to cut down on idle time do not even allow students handle their equipments long enough grasp operating and maintenance procedures as the case may be. There is therefore, an urgent need to completely overhaul our system of education. We need to provide infrastructures that will enhance learning, develop curricular that will plug all loopholes in the current ones and then inculcate financial and entrepreneurial/on-the-job training such that our schools will evolve men big enough to captain both education and industry. Providing ‘real education’ where schools’ curricular has work directly in line with education will positively transform our socio-economic national life and consequently place us in an enviable position among the comity of nations.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
STREET CREDIBILITY 2
It’s a common cliché that life is in phases and men are in sizes. Inspite of my being a ‘streetboy’, I had people who at different periods of my life had contributed positively towards my overall mental and moral wellbeing. One of such unforgettable figures was my primary six class teacher who though, was always quick with the cane never failed to make us realize that hardwork and diligence pays.
Growing up in an ambiguous environment like mine, life for me became a mixture of so many things. As it vacillates from good, bad to outright ugly, I absorbed and try to understand as much of life around me as my ever inquisitive, always curious mind could fathom. My gregarious personality also enable me befriend and blend with people of various sorts. I had friends that shared my passion for reading and learning and also mixed with friends with whom I really did spend a large chunk of my time playing. Despite the prevalent overwhelming negative influence, I was quick to decipher and lucky to oftentimes choose what is good (I really don’t mean best!) for me. As a ‘street’ boy, it actually became natural for me to be competitive in my ‘dog eat dog’, ‘survival of the fittest’ world and since the higher the stakes, the more the credibility, I became daring and strived to put myself in situations that could help prove my mettle even if it means going overboard. I tasted beer but couldn’t get used to it (it was bitter!). I couldn’t get to smoke (I had too much education on its hazardous effect to the body) and just couldn’t commit any crime or do anything nefarious. Maybe it was my involvement in church activities, the mandatory compliance to the ‘rules of my house’ or my innate drive to be someone in life, by and large, my moral tendencies seems to come to my rescue and somehow always manage to overwhelm the ‘street’ in me.
My senior secondary class had a bunch of bright kids that sort of boosted my craving for knowledge. The keen competition that existed then was a catalyst that plunged me further into my books and by the time we were in our final year, I was atop my class and yet didn’t have a girlfriend (which was an odd thing back then!). It wasn’t like I wasn’t interested in women (I had quite a number of them as friends). I think I just seem to be this carefree boy that’s so scared of being distracted by emotional matters. Although, I kept bad company and broke school rules every now and then, my academic performance was on a roller coaster ride. I recalled an incident in my penultimate year in secondary school when I went AWOL from school with a couple of friends to see a movie in town. We ended up reporting late for an exam scheduled for that afternoon and although we were pardoned and allowed to still sit for the exam, no extra time was given. We had to write a three hours paper in less than two hours and except for me, all my friends actually did performed below average.
I had realized at some point earlier in my life that hardwork and diligence can take you anywhere but it was more of the fear of failing that motivates me. I had seen too much of poverty in a lifetime to forget that you labour more with your ‘strength’ than with your ‘head’. I had also learnt about Pareto and had really made up my mind to be part of the twenty percent that will control eighty percent of the resources of my country (by no illegal means anyway!). I knew how you respond to whatever life throws at you greatly affects who or what you eventually become ultimately so even while I was in the university and things were going awry at one point, I was still my carefree ‘street’ self and really tried as much as I can to maintain my composure and remain focused on the finish line and my eventual big picture. I’ve had my own fair share of life’s challenges and my resilience did serve me well. I was built to be the best and nothing less. That I’ll surely be and nothing will stop me. I am indeed determined that whatever happened, wherever I go and whatever I do, it would always be said of me that ‘he came, he saw and he conquered’.
Growing up in an ambiguous environment like mine, life for me became a mixture of so many things. As it vacillates from good, bad to outright ugly, I absorbed and try to understand as much of life around me as my ever inquisitive, always curious mind could fathom. My gregarious personality also enable me befriend and blend with people of various sorts. I had friends that shared my passion for reading and learning and also mixed with friends with whom I really did spend a large chunk of my time playing. Despite the prevalent overwhelming negative influence, I was quick to decipher and lucky to oftentimes choose what is good (I really don’t mean best!) for me. As a ‘street’ boy, it actually became natural for me to be competitive in my ‘dog eat dog’, ‘survival of the fittest’ world and since the higher the stakes, the more the credibility, I became daring and strived to put myself in situations that could help prove my mettle even if it means going overboard. I tasted beer but couldn’t get used to it (it was bitter!). I couldn’t get to smoke (I had too much education on its hazardous effect to the body) and just couldn’t commit any crime or do anything nefarious. Maybe it was my involvement in church activities, the mandatory compliance to the ‘rules of my house’ or my innate drive to be someone in life, by and large, my moral tendencies seems to come to my rescue and somehow always manage to overwhelm the ‘street’ in me.
My senior secondary class had a bunch of bright kids that sort of boosted my craving for knowledge. The keen competition that existed then was a catalyst that plunged me further into my books and by the time we were in our final year, I was atop my class and yet didn’t have a girlfriend (which was an odd thing back then!). It wasn’t like I wasn’t interested in women (I had quite a number of them as friends). I think I just seem to be this carefree boy that’s so scared of being distracted by emotional matters. Although, I kept bad company and broke school rules every now and then, my academic performance was on a roller coaster ride. I recalled an incident in my penultimate year in secondary school when I went AWOL from school with a couple of friends to see a movie in town. We ended up reporting late for an exam scheduled for that afternoon and although we were pardoned and allowed to still sit for the exam, no extra time was given. We had to write a three hours paper in less than two hours and except for me, all my friends actually did performed below average.
I had realized at some point earlier in my life that hardwork and diligence can take you anywhere but it was more of the fear of failing that motivates me. I had seen too much of poverty in a lifetime to forget that you labour more with your ‘strength’ than with your ‘head’. I had also learnt about Pareto and had really made up my mind to be part of the twenty percent that will control eighty percent of the resources of my country (by no illegal means anyway!). I knew how you respond to whatever life throws at you greatly affects who or what you eventually become ultimately so even while I was in the university and things were going awry at one point, I was still my carefree ‘street’ self and really tried as much as I can to maintain my composure and remain focused on the finish line and my eventual big picture. I’ve had my own fair share of life’s challenges and my resilience did serve me well. I was built to be the best and nothing less. That I’ll surely be and nothing will stop me. I am indeed determined that whatever happened, wherever I go and whatever I do, it would always be said of me that ‘he came, he saw and he conquered’.
Friday, August 6, 2010
STREET CREDIBILITY 1
I tell people I was born on the streets. I am a realist, I tell them. I have seen the best of lows and the lows of bests. I have seen violence at its very best and peace at its lowest ebb. I have seen couples fight, rant, and shout as if they’ll kill each other, yet you’ll be surprised the wife is pregnant in three months time. I have seen kids become independent even before they could say mama and you wonder if such will ever get a chance to survive. I’ve seen kids so well nourished you’ll hardly believe it was from leftovers. I’ve seen women whose pride and dignity has been thrown to the winds. I wonder why people open their mouths when I tell them I have seen polyandry in practice. One takes care of the home while the other ran the business, yet they stare in disbelief. I’m sure they even find it hard to believe the two men (Do I call them women now?) fight over things like whose turn it is to sleep in her room and of course try to outshine themselves in their daily chores so as to get an additional bonus. Some say it’s the “juju” of the woman that’s at work because how else does one explain such flagrant departure from the norms? Another wonder that never ceases to amuse me is that of my landlord that owns and collect rents on three different buildings in Lagos, yet cannot afford to send any of his poor (aren’t they?) children to good schools. Once you’re able to finish high school, you’re on your own. It does not matter whether your results are seized or you came out tops. You simply continue to live in his house (your legitimate right), feeds on whatever “eba” he manages to provide and do whatever you like with your life whether you leave the house or not. I often tell whoever cares to listen that if you don’t ever want to be disappointed in life, you should be a permanent pessimist. That way I have come to realize you expect the worst from people per time and when they do give you their worst, you simply smile and move on. With the kind of street drama experienced day in day out, you can’t but find life intriguing because how else do you describe a wife (most likely the breadwinner) who sleeps all day, attends to visitors, mostly men while the man translates as the chef and home keeper (they said its love!) all rolled into one. For me, it’s not only in American movies that you see women sending their spouses packing, it’s what I’ve seen happen twice or thrice (too much for a small me!)
I once went together with a group of boys to a cassava farm to steal, just for the fun of it anyway, because that’s what qualifies you as brave in my world. We ran for our dear lives and I was almost caught. After that day, I knew within me I would never steal (or by whatever name it’s called) again. For me street fight was past time and it’s always a thing of joy when you had to recount the victory in school the next day. I mean you are a hero and that’s how you garner street support.
I just happen to be one lucky guy whose good parents were working to make life bearable for and because they had to work twice as hard, there was little or no time for parenting. You simply live by a set or rules without question and face the consequences if you are caught breaking any. Part of which was a regular three times a week church going where I learnt most of the things that kind of added a little sanity to my life and made me realize there is more to life than meets the eye. I grew up a normal boy and even inspite of my shortcomings, I was still the regular good boy every parent would be proud of. (I know where most of my friends then are today) I did very well in school but that was all there was to me, I was a habitual latecomer. I developed a passion for breaking rules and became a brat but my academic performance soared. Teachers would look at me and wonder what the magic was but little do they realize it was because I had to read and practise whatever we were taught in school everyday because failure to do so would amount to breaking the first commandment of the house and I tell you, the penalty is so severe you won’t wish it on an enemy...
I once went together with a group of boys to a cassava farm to steal, just for the fun of it anyway, because that’s what qualifies you as brave in my world. We ran for our dear lives and I was almost caught. After that day, I knew within me I would never steal (or by whatever name it’s called) again. For me street fight was past time and it’s always a thing of joy when you had to recount the victory in school the next day. I mean you are a hero and that’s how you garner street support.
I just happen to be one lucky guy whose good parents were working to make life bearable for and because they had to work twice as hard, there was little or no time for parenting. You simply live by a set or rules without question and face the consequences if you are caught breaking any. Part of which was a regular three times a week church going where I learnt most of the things that kind of added a little sanity to my life and made me realize there is more to life than meets the eye. I grew up a normal boy and even inspite of my shortcomings, I was still the regular good boy every parent would be proud of. (I know where most of my friends then are today) I did very well in school but that was all there was to me, I was a habitual latecomer. I developed a passion for breaking rules and became a brat but my academic performance soared. Teachers would look at me and wonder what the magic was but little do they realize it was because I had to read and practise whatever we were taught in school everyday because failure to do so would amount to breaking the first commandment of the house and I tell you, the penalty is so severe you won’t wish it on an enemy...
Monday, February 15, 2010
Africa
Heed the song from Africa!
Echoes from Sahara to The Atlantic.
Land of towering and valiant ancestry,
enduring hearts, persevering spirits.
Propaganda, the devourers surfaced.
Breeding strife with great gusto.
Ravaging wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Subtle sophistry, their ultimate weapon.
Alas! the twilight’s clarion call.
Retributive justice tailing its harbinger.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
Inevitable destiny, apparently forgotten.
Wail oh land! Groan in profound anguish.
Cradle of beauteously diverse heritage.
Pride of the golden age.
Dancing in utter desolation.
Like the seemingly purposive moth,
roasting and stewing in their own juice.
In vain, their toil and labour.
To the land, will there be succour.
Echoes from Sahara to The Atlantic.
Land of towering and valiant ancestry,
enduring hearts, persevering spirits.
Propaganda, the devourers surfaced.
Breeding strife with great gusto.
Ravaging wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Subtle sophistry, their ultimate weapon.
Alas! the twilight’s clarion call.
Retributive justice tailing its harbinger.
Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
Inevitable destiny, apparently forgotten.
Wail oh land! Groan in profound anguish.
Cradle of beauteously diverse heritage.
Pride of the golden age.
Dancing in utter desolation.
Like the seemingly purposive moth,
roasting and stewing in their own juice.
In vain, their toil and labour.
To the land, will there be succour.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
WITH THIS WOMAN…!
The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you will see… Winston Churchill.
Yeah! She was cool and cute in a way I really can’t find the right words to describe. It was actually at a period when I was fast developing a carefree attitude towards me. I had an idea of what the big picture is like but the pieces are not just coming together and so I start to make some certain flawed assumptions about the reality of my situation. Maybe it was an issue of unrealistic expectations or I was just being plain stupid to be thinking I’ll be discerning enough to be able to tell when she comes along. I have always been a firm believer in you taking charge of your life but experience has also taught me that you really can’t be too careful about some things in life, and when you make some certain decisions or take some certain steps that seems to produce wonderful results, it really does not mean you are smart or you had it all figured out but it could actually be because nature (I think it’s God) has decided to put the odds in your favour. Anyway that’s sort of a story for another day but this was indeed why I did felt I should cast my cares on Him and watch Him make it happen.
We were first introduced to each other by a friend but it wasn’t until two years later that we really did became friends. She had to prove a point by coming to visit me (something she rarely does) and we just kind of bonded from then. Our friendship blossomed and we sort of grew into each other. Without realizing how lucky I had been, she fitted perfectly into the big picture and became my inspiration. Inspite of being my dream come true, it actually took another two years to get her convinced (thanks to God, anyway) that we’re made for each other. It was a fresh start for us. The friendship became deeper and we became inseparable. She became a big blessing… beauty, brain, virtue rolled into one and I can confidently tell you, it’s been loving, caring, sharing and building each other ever since. My attitude has changed for the better and I have come to believe, He’s working all things together for our good. We’re just soaring higher.
There comes a time in life when, God help you, you find that special one that makes you complete, inspires you and cause you to look forward to a blissful future. I have searched and toiled and lucky me, I have found true love. With this woman (I call her My Sunshine!) I want to grow old and fulfill purpose. What more could a man ask for? My Valentine!
Yeah! She was cool and cute in a way I really can’t find the right words to describe. It was actually at a period when I was fast developing a carefree attitude towards me. I had an idea of what the big picture is like but the pieces are not just coming together and so I start to make some certain flawed assumptions about the reality of my situation. Maybe it was an issue of unrealistic expectations or I was just being plain stupid to be thinking I’ll be discerning enough to be able to tell when she comes along. I have always been a firm believer in you taking charge of your life but experience has also taught me that you really can’t be too careful about some things in life, and when you make some certain decisions or take some certain steps that seems to produce wonderful results, it really does not mean you are smart or you had it all figured out but it could actually be because nature (I think it’s God) has decided to put the odds in your favour. Anyway that’s sort of a story for another day but this was indeed why I did felt I should cast my cares on Him and watch Him make it happen.
We were first introduced to each other by a friend but it wasn’t until two years later that we really did became friends. She had to prove a point by coming to visit me (something she rarely does) and we just kind of bonded from then. Our friendship blossomed and we sort of grew into each other. Without realizing how lucky I had been, she fitted perfectly into the big picture and became my inspiration. Inspite of being my dream come true, it actually took another two years to get her convinced (thanks to God, anyway) that we’re made for each other. It was a fresh start for us. The friendship became deeper and we became inseparable. She became a big blessing… beauty, brain, virtue rolled into one and I can confidently tell you, it’s been loving, caring, sharing and building each other ever since. My attitude has changed for the better and I have come to believe, He’s working all things together for our good. We’re just soaring higher.
There comes a time in life when, God help you, you find that special one that makes you complete, inspires you and cause you to look forward to a blissful future. I have searched and toiled and lucky me, I have found true love. With this woman (I call her My Sunshine!) I want to grow old and fulfill purpose. What more could a man ask for? My Valentine!
Thursday, November 12, 2009
TOWARDS NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The alarming proportion of Nigerian graduates seeking employment to the number of graduates being churned out by our tertiary institutions seems to be of great concern to progress loving Nigerians. Every year, a large number of graduates are discharged into the labour market to compete for the few available jobs therein. Industries and organizations are then faced with the challenges of selection. For some, selecting strictly on merit now becomes a thing of using criteria like what school, what degree, grade and other professional qualification(s) attained by the individual applicant while for others, acquisition of organizational, entrepreneurial and other job skills is of paramount importance and is required of qualified applicants. Aside the few applicants that eventually clinched these jobs on merit, there is also an appreciable percentage of those that are less qualified but still get to be employed because of who they know or what interest they have in the firm.
What is really disheartening about the whole experience is the inadequacy of the present educational structure to equip students with the requisite skills needed to meet certain important criteria. Our educational framework is so structured that students are only imparted to become perpetual job seekers and not business owners. What is lacking in the present educational curriculum includes courses that could enhance the translation of knowledge acquired into developing not just careers but building basic business and entrepreneurial skills. These courses, if added would go a long way in improving working skills and also equip the average Nigerian youth with the wherewithal to be innovators and idea generators. These would largely affect the quality of graduates produced in the process. As it said that ideas rule the world, the economy of the country will in consequence experience tremendous growth.
One thing that could also be imparted to this generation to stimulate development is financial literacy. Children should be taught from childhood to be better money managers. Parent should ensure that the average Nigerian child is taught the rudiments of saving and investing for the future so that as they grow older and passes through various institutions, this acquired knowledge is blended into their careers and skills. These, if properly imbibed begins to tell on their value system even as they tend to become better managers of resources. Financial literacy entails getting them to understand what assets and liabilities truly are, and their effects on resources, teaching them sound savings and investment strategies for the future, equipping them with the understanding of various financial statements and their use in order to sharpen their investment and business decision skills amongst others. Money management if properly imparted and strictly adhered to would be highly beneficial to this generation. Productivity and self reliance would be greatly improved and our nation would be better for it.
Finally, there is also a need for the present generation to be inculcated with good leadership skills. It is often said that everything in life rises and falls on leadership. Bad leadership still remains one the main issues militating against the progress of this nation. We have been saddled in this nation with leaders that could not be taken at their words; leaders who place self above national interests. They promise heaven and earth, yet deliver very little or nothing to the electorate. With the right kind of attitude and good leadership skills, this generation will be better positioned towards building the right framework for national development.
From the home, the child’s first educational institution, to the school and even at work, leadership skills and team spirit should be entrenched in every child. These, they could grow by, stick by and live by. Our nation would in turn be driven towards positive growth and development. Towards building a new and better nation for ourselves and generations yet unborn.
What is really disheartening about the whole experience is the inadequacy of the present educational structure to equip students with the requisite skills needed to meet certain important criteria. Our educational framework is so structured that students are only imparted to become perpetual job seekers and not business owners. What is lacking in the present educational curriculum includes courses that could enhance the translation of knowledge acquired into developing not just careers but building basic business and entrepreneurial skills. These courses, if added would go a long way in improving working skills and also equip the average Nigerian youth with the wherewithal to be innovators and idea generators. These would largely affect the quality of graduates produced in the process. As it said that ideas rule the world, the economy of the country will in consequence experience tremendous growth.
One thing that could also be imparted to this generation to stimulate development is financial literacy. Children should be taught from childhood to be better money managers. Parent should ensure that the average Nigerian child is taught the rudiments of saving and investing for the future so that as they grow older and passes through various institutions, this acquired knowledge is blended into their careers and skills. These, if properly imbibed begins to tell on their value system even as they tend to become better managers of resources. Financial literacy entails getting them to understand what assets and liabilities truly are, and their effects on resources, teaching them sound savings and investment strategies for the future, equipping them with the understanding of various financial statements and their use in order to sharpen their investment and business decision skills amongst others. Money management if properly imparted and strictly adhered to would be highly beneficial to this generation. Productivity and self reliance would be greatly improved and our nation would be better for it.
Finally, there is also a need for the present generation to be inculcated with good leadership skills. It is often said that everything in life rises and falls on leadership. Bad leadership still remains one the main issues militating against the progress of this nation. We have been saddled in this nation with leaders that could not be taken at their words; leaders who place self above national interests. They promise heaven and earth, yet deliver very little or nothing to the electorate. With the right kind of attitude and good leadership skills, this generation will be better positioned towards building the right framework for national development.
From the home, the child’s first educational institution, to the school and even at work, leadership skills and team spirit should be entrenched in every child. These, they could grow by, stick by and live by. Our nation would in turn be driven towards positive growth and development. Towards building a new and better nation for ourselves and generations yet unborn.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
PLIGHT OF THE NIGERIAN GRADUATE
A professor of engineering on sabbatical in one of Nigeria’s leading universities had to be recalled to teach a particular course. As he strolled into his first class, he cleared his throat and in his usual characteristic manner began addressing the students. “Good morning, ladies and gentlemen! As you may be aware, I had to be recalled to teach this course due the sudden demise of Professor (names withheld). I was in the office of the head of department a few days back trying to draw up an adequate outline for this course because like I’ve always complained, the course outline is not by any standard of current relevance for fourth year engineering students but its quite unfortunate that in spite of all I did, I still did not succeeded in getting the department to improve the course to meet the challenges of the twenty first century engineering education. As it is now, I feel it will be doing you a great deal of good to be informed now that some of the things you will be learning in this course and like several other courses you have taken and those you will still take are of little or no relevance to the present day technology. Though they form the foundation upon which the modern day technology is built, most of them are either obsolete, had been modified or outrightly proven wrong. I encourage you to gather as much as you can of current trends and technologies from whatever available sources you find so as to keep abreast of current developments. I’ll start with the first topic in the next class, good day”. And with that, he walked out of the class.
The above illustration vividly portrays the decadence of tertiary education in Nigeria. A one time managing director of brewery in Nigeria was once quoted in a national daily as saying Nigerian graduates are unemployable, a statement borne out of the lack of skills and qualities needed to get a job by the average Nigerian graduate. This statement, harsh as it may sound is a typical reflection of the Nigerian situation. These days, one cannot but ponder over the kind of graduates expected to be produced with the current standard of education in the country.
Nigeria is a country that is blessed with so much human and material resources. The current trend of the performance of Nigerians in all spheres of life outside the shores of this country could well attest to this fact. From sports to entertainment, business to academics, Nigerians have excelled so well that we have become a force to reckon with in all facets of life. Even when it comes to corruption and other vices, one cannot but stand in awe of the ingenuity of Nigerians.
Despite the abundance, we have failed to harness these resources to develop our nation. We have paid lip service to sound education, adequate health care delivery system, provision of basic infrastructures and other things upon which development hinges on. We have turned to a society that frowns at honesty and hardwork but glorifies the principle of the end justifying the means. Bad leadership continues to thrive in our nation and it has eaten so deep into the psyche of the Nigerian youth that they no longer understand words like service, honesty, hardwork, diligence and patriotism but instead, an average Nigerian is always looking forward to the day he or she gets to take his or her own piece of the national cake. What else do you expect of a nation where moral values have been eroded and it has been replaced with the doctrine of self aggrandizement and self centeredness?
Our institutions, which are meant to be the bedrock of national re-orientation, are in a very sorry state. Our primary and secondary school system is really nothing to write home about. Examination malpractices have become the order of the day. Our tertiary institutions that should be breeding grounds for tomorrow’s leaders and ideas has turned into centers for cultism and other criminal activities. Our schools are short-staffed, lecture theatres inadequate, practical equipment practically non-existent and very little or no teaching/learning aids are made available in schools. Science and technology oriented courses are the most affected as students has to make do with cramming theories with little or no practical. Our educational system is so permeated by incessant strikes and protests as it happens to be the only language our leaders understands. We have always had leaders that have little or no interest in education and it has in turn taken its toll on the system.
I think it’s high time we Nigerians took our destinies into our hands. We need to vehemently oppose leaders that would not make adequate and meaningful impact on our educational system, provide basic facilities and infrastructure that would take our nation to greater heights because no nation that truly wants to be great would deprive its citizenry of these. Let everyone that believes in a new Nigeria begins to embrace change. Let us support only credible and competent leaders with good track record and sound manifestos so that together we will make Nigeria great again. A word is enough for the wise!
The above illustration vividly portrays the decadence of tertiary education in Nigeria. A one time managing director of brewery in Nigeria was once quoted in a national daily as saying Nigerian graduates are unemployable, a statement borne out of the lack of skills and qualities needed to get a job by the average Nigerian graduate. This statement, harsh as it may sound is a typical reflection of the Nigerian situation. These days, one cannot but ponder over the kind of graduates expected to be produced with the current standard of education in the country.
Nigeria is a country that is blessed with so much human and material resources. The current trend of the performance of Nigerians in all spheres of life outside the shores of this country could well attest to this fact. From sports to entertainment, business to academics, Nigerians have excelled so well that we have become a force to reckon with in all facets of life. Even when it comes to corruption and other vices, one cannot but stand in awe of the ingenuity of Nigerians.
Despite the abundance, we have failed to harness these resources to develop our nation. We have paid lip service to sound education, adequate health care delivery system, provision of basic infrastructures and other things upon which development hinges on. We have turned to a society that frowns at honesty and hardwork but glorifies the principle of the end justifying the means. Bad leadership continues to thrive in our nation and it has eaten so deep into the psyche of the Nigerian youth that they no longer understand words like service, honesty, hardwork, diligence and patriotism but instead, an average Nigerian is always looking forward to the day he or she gets to take his or her own piece of the national cake. What else do you expect of a nation where moral values have been eroded and it has been replaced with the doctrine of self aggrandizement and self centeredness?
Our institutions, which are meant to be the bedrock of national re-orientation, are in a very sorry state. Our primary and secondary school system is really nothing to write home about. Examination malpractices have become the order of the day. Our tertiary institutions that should be breeding grounds for tomorrow’s leaders and ideas has turned into centers for cultism and other criminal activities. Our schools are short-staffed, lecture theatres inadequate, practical equipment practically non-existent and very little or no teaching/learning aids are made available in schools. Science and technology oriented courses are the most affected as students has to make do with cramming theories with little or no practical. Our educational system is so permeated by incessant strikes and protests as it happens to be the only language our leaders understands. We have always had leaders that have little or no interest in education and it has in turn taken its toll on the system.
I think it’s high time we Nigerians took our destinies into our hands. We need to vehemently oppose leaders that would not make adequate and meaningful impact on our educational system, provide basic facilities and infrastructure that would take our nation to greater heights because no nation that truly wants to be great would deprive its citizenry of these. Let everyone that believes in a new Nigeria begins to embrace change. Let us support only credible and competent leaders with good track record and sound manifestos so that together we will make Nigeria great again. A word is enough for the wise!
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