OF WHY BOTHER AT ALL?
T he teenagers had all been gathered from various schools across the country to participate in a program to strengthen their patriotism and enhance their self awareness on the roles they had to play in nation building. Role models had been selected from the best the nation had to offer and each was to share crucial relatable life experiences that would inspire a generation to do great exploits. I stood before the hundreds of eager faces, waiting to hear some life changing oration and asked a simple question - “how many of them wished and/or was planning to leave Nigeria to study in a university abroad as soon as they finished secondary school?”
This exercise for me was the litmus test that pointed to our strategic direction as a nation. If education is truly the foundation of a solid economy and we have succeeded in enrolling many more of our children into schools that not only improve their intellectual capabilities but also discovers great stars amongst them like one impressive teen I met called Franklin Okeke, whose hunger for technological innovation is raw and infectious, then surely their response to the question would let us know how solid the future development of our nation is, as these ones represented the best of who we are. I looked across the hall staring into their innocent eyes as almost in unison their hands all shot up, leaving not one soul ready to remain in Nigeria. Tragedy in action.
The Almighty God in His infinite Wisdom surmised the future of a people, no matter how individually intelligent and intellectually capable they are, as all perishing because there was a lack of vision. As the teenagers put their hands down, I recalled similar results for undergraduates, graduates, postgraduates and most working youths under 40 years old all seeking the first opportunity to check out by any means possible. The challenge faced was clear in mind, if a people are unable to envision themselves in a nation any time in the near or distant future, they are unlikely to care about the nation or do anything to improve its’ today since they are not going to be a part of its‘ tomorrow. Who, if not you or I, will bring the vision of a better Nigeria to life for our youths?
May we get a clear vision of a great nation.
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