“School Is a Scam”
Recently, I was with a group of Nigerian youths discussing the state of our educational system. During my enlightening conversation with those group of youths, one of them said, “Egbon Kay, e gbagbe; e ma waasu fun waaaaaaaaaaaaaaa (meaning, brother Kay, don’t bother yourself to preach to usssssssssssssss), school is a scam!” I asked why he said so? In reply, he retorted, “bro, gone are the days Nigerian youths aim at becoming lawyers, engineers, accountants, journalists, technocrats, medical doctors, pharmacists and what have you. Today, attention has since been shifted to other areas they consider better and faster. Egbon mi, Nigeria is a killer of dreams…”
It breaks my heart and it ALWAYS brings tears to my eyes each time I interact with Nigerian youths and hear them utter the above statements by one of the guys I had discussion with last week.
Inarguably, for most Nigerian youths, it’s no longer fashionable to go to school to acquire the structured, creative and life molding concept called education. Sadly, like Hushppupi, they glorify wealth more than hard work.
To Nigerian youths, they believe that school environment has ceased from being a base for development of intellectual giants and outstanding entrepreneurs capable of taking the society to a great height. The manstra for them is ‘get rich quick or die trying!’ This obviously, has push people to desperate solutions.
Here is my advice to Nigerian youths: Regardless of how happenings in the society is making you to feel; school isn’t a scam, neither is education. See self-discipline and integrity as levers to success. You only need to look well to see that they are immense potentials in this country, which is far better than engaging in dubious and criminal activities.
Yes, I understand that they are people with questionable characters like Hushppupi around you that is making you to feel that it is better to “get rich quick or die trying.” But then, ask yourself, what is the end of Hushppupi?!
See, it takes a totally disciplined youth to understand the fact that the race to the top is never won by all at the same phase. Look beyond the surface. You need to discipline your eyes to see only the hardworking entrepreneurs who by dint of hard work and diligence climbed to the top, and not the fraudulent individuals who are feeding fat on other people’s sweat. Judgement day is near for those parasites.
Above all, ALWAYS bear in mind that only quality education, all encompassing self-discipline, coupled with God’s Great Grace(G3) can lead one to attain outstanding and sustainable success.
