NIGERIA EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM AIM AT MAKING NIGERIA GREAT AND HER CITIZENS GOOD

Nigeria educational system is balanced, deep and encompassing. It is aim at making Nigeria great and her citizens good. It is continuously being updated and reversed as required, and I dare say, it is good and achieving its preset goal. Many Nigeria graduates, which are products of Nigeria educational systems have gone ahead to other countries to break academic feat just to reconfirm the notion that Nigeria education is good and working. Education is to develop the soul and thinking capacity of man. The recipient of education needs to apply himself in order to derive the maximum benefits from education.

If we use a building for an analogy, the foundation is important. Therefore Primary, secondary and first-degree education is foundational and important. If Nigeria first-degree graduates are doing well in Nigeria and in other countries they relocate to, we can conclude that our education is good and that means our economy is in the hands of good professional with good educational foundation.  

I want to work through five points and show what can undermine the expected output of Nigeria good educational system, which are outside of the educational system.

1. 100% Electric Power Supply - In Nigeria, our power supply is not yet 100% though we are working towards it. The implication cut across the economy and affects what the graduates of our educational system that remain in Nigeria will create and the ones that relocates to another country with 100% electric power supply will create. In Nigeria, our engineers will not build electric powered cars and trains because we don’t have 100% electric power supply. If an electric powered train going through the Kano to Kaduna underground tunnel loses power suddenly, what happens. If an electric car that is running low on battery stops at Adekunle charging hub and there is no power supply, what happens. The two scenario shows why a Nigeria engineers will build an electric powered cars and trains but rather hybrid or fuel powered cars and trains.

2. Government Policy - Some Countries have policy that enforces the prioritization of their local educational certificates and experience for labour workforce employment. We need to pursue such policy. Imagine the inflow in educational, visa, health and rent fees if we apply this policy. This type of restriction also creates a system that attracts only the best from other country to come into Nigeria labour workforce, who will contribute economically to our country.

3. Cost implications - There is a general tendency to assume something of higher price command higher value. Joke and Janet are friends and both just bagged Bachelors in Economics from the prestigious University of Lagos. Both made second class grade. Joke is going to Oxford University for a Masters in Economics with a tuition fee of £25,000.00 (#1,000.00 * £25,000.00 = #25,000,000.00) while Janet is going to Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria for a Masters in Economics with a tuition fee of #400,000.00. The difference in the price amount might make us conclude one education is better but this is not because both universities will teach each curriculum, which is dependent on each country educational system.

4. The mathematical edge - The rigour and technicality needed to do well in mathematics make mathematical oriented professions and engineers achieve more success in life than other professionals. There is no ruse in mathematics. The need to build systems upon system, precepts upon precept, logic upon logic in order to creates a logical and systematic approach to life that is aim at achieving dependable solution really help in equipping mathematical professionals and engineers.

5. Industry backed education - All industry backed education only provide education relevant to the respective industry. Bank industry powered education is aim at producing bank employees.  Manufacturing industry backed education is aim at producing manufacturing industry employees, etc., therefore we cannot use industry backed education as the standard for Nigeria educational systems.

The generic statement that Nigeria university graduates are not employable is not a balanced truth because even the proponents of such policy still employ from the Nigeria graduates pool. Industry wants ready-made graduates; that is graduate with prior industry experience. Experience is not possible without an industry opportunity. What the proponents of Nigeria graduates are not employable is simply saying is, we want a graduate who doing his study have worked in the industry either during SIWES (Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme) or session break or NYSC (National Youth Service Corps). A graduate that is not able to get an industry prior experience before completing NYSC is termed an unemployable but this is just a cost reduction policy. The industry wants to pay you as intern to learn industry basics and pay you as graduate trainee to hit the ground running.

When you contextualise the five above points and Nigeria educational system, you will conclude that the educational system is doing fine and it is still making Nigeria great, while ensuring her citizens are good.

Image from the internet.

THE BIOGRAPHY OF A WISE ONE

 … And one of the wise one stood up and made a rhetorical reading of his biography.

 The biography is still inspiring as at today …

 1. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

2. A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

3. A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 

4. A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;

5. A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 

6. A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 

7. A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; 

8. A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. 

9. What profit hath he that works in that wherein he labour? 

10. I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. 

11. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God make from the beginning to the end. 

12. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. 

13. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God. 

14. I know that, whatsoever God does, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God do it, that men should fear before him. 

15. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God require that which is past.

16. And moreover I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there. 

17. I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work. 

18. I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. 

19. For that which befall the sons of men befall beasts; even one thing befall them: as the one dies, so dies the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. 

20. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. 

21. Who know the spirit of man that goes upward, and the spirit of the beast that go downward to the earth? 

22. Wherefore I perceive that there is nothing better, than that a man should rejoice in his own works; for that is his portion: for who shall bring him to see what shall be after him?

THE SEARCH FOR MEANING

 What is life?

What is the meaning of life?

What was I created to do?

What is my life purpose?

What is the very thing I was created to do?

 

The search for meaning is an ageless pursuit by humans. It is as ageless as the earth.

 

It has be defined in several ways by different across different generations:

To some, it is a hopeless game of hide and seek

To some, it the cut throat rat race and dog eat dog lifestyle

To some, it is as boundless and border-less as the oceans of the world

To some, it is looking for a needle in a haystack

To some, It is God’s gift to man

To some, It is day to day living

To some, it is an elusive search

To some, it is over-rated

To some, it is the gift of kindness and nurturing

To some, it is an unwanted burden

To some, it is a hope for a better tomorrow

 

Wisdom calls out to all, and advises us all that in all we do, we should put in our very best and do it well today.

 

Life’s meaning comes when we see life as an opportunity to witness daily miracles, to do better than our yesterday and to prepare for a time when we shall no longer be here.

THE CONTINUUM

 … She begins her new story with the word of wisdom from the last one. She has a plethora of stories to share and we, children just enjoy the fun time plus the sweets Mama shares ...

It is the weekend again and Mama has called us for another moonlight story. Today’s story will be shared in her parlour and not under the Mango tree because we are in the rainy season.

Today, she began, I want to tell you a story about the men and women of our town. Just as the Sun rises and sets, all the men and women of our town will rise and set.

It is the law of life, Mama said, and there is nothing we can do about it. Just as the Sun shines for longer hours some days and lesser hours some days; some will live a longer life and some will live a not so longer life. The certainty that either we live long or not so long; we will soon be gone from this life to be replaced by others, just as we have replaced the former remind us that life is a continuum.

What is Continuum ask Alan, my son it simply means “something that comes and go with no end” just like the rainy season that comes and go every year without end. Before we were born, there was rainy season; in our lifetime, there is rainy season; when we are long gone, there will still be rainy season.

The longevity and brevity of life is not what you should fear nor that life is a continuum because there is nothing you can do about it.

You should fear having the opportunity to live and never truly living. To avoid that you need to always do better than your yesterday.

My children, there will be up and down in life but always strive to be better than you were yesterday. Be bent on being better than your yesterday.  

Like this continuum, called life; you will soon be gone; your pain and your opportunities will be gone also; and others will replace you like you replace the people that were here before you.

When in eternity, you peek into this life, will you be satisfied you did your best.

This is the end of my story today my children.

Let us sing our closing song for today.

Good, better, best

I shall never rest

Until my good is better

and my better is best

I shall never rest.

THE MARK OF THE ANTI CHRIST

Growing up and reading in the Bible; it states the mark of the antichrist will be Six Hundred and Sixty-Six (in Arabic numerals - 666) according to  (Rev 13: 16 - 18 KJV)
 

But in recent times, I have had to ponder on the specific symbol or mark the Antichrist will use during the time of great tribulation.
 

I have come to a personal conclusion that any symbols or numbers or word or digital representation can be used but in all the Biblical prophecy will be fulfilled.
 

What if the AntiChrist decides to use:
1. Arabic Numeral or alphabet - 666
2. Roman Numerals or alphabet - VIVIVI or DCLXV1
3. Digital representation,
4. English alphabet
5. Chinese, french or any other language of the world alphabet.
 

The only consolation we have in Christ is; As Lot and his family were taken into safety before the flood also all believers in Christ will be taken away before the unification rule of the world by the Antichrist.

APAPA GRIDLOCK: ITS CHALLENGES AND MY SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS

This is my open letter response to the article on the business section of Punch Newspaper of Sunday (16-09-2018), titled: “Apapa Gridlock: Stakeholders seek cancellation of container deposit”
The url: Apapa gridlock: Stakeholders seek cancellation of container deposits https://punchng.com/apapa-gridlock-stakeholders-seek-cancellation-of-container-deposits/

I believe that there is a difference between advocating for reduction of gridlock and cancellation of container deposit.

I will deal with the former first.

The on-going construction along the Apapa/Wharf road axis have led to a great deal of traffic along that route with delay in clearing of imports, returning of empty containers and also transporting of export. The road construction has been ongoing for a while but beyond the road construction there is the need to expand the road and the port due to increase in import and increase in trucks plying that axis to clear the containers from the port.

There is also the drainage issue. During the rainy season there is a hike in traffic congestion caused by the drainage problems, bad roads and fall of containers, which has become a yearly nightmare. During the eight years reign of Mr Fashola as Lagos State governor (2007 – 2015), he tried to fix the Apapa/Wharf road puzzle but he could not. The Sitting governor, Mr Ambode is also working tirelessly to fix the puzzle.

The second issue raised was the issue of container deposit. To elaborate, I will use the example that most people are aware of including the millennial. Before the general usage of plastic and can for drinks in Nigeria, we use bottle. The seller always charge a deposit fee for taking the bottle home in case you lose it, broke it or never returned the bottle. The deposit is always refunded when the bottle is returned within agreed time.

The container deposit works exactly in the same way. The shipping line always asks for container deposit before allowing agent/customer to take the container to their warehouse to offload their shipment and return. The container deposit is returned if container is returned in good condition and within stipulated time. There is a charge for late returning of container, which is also deducted from the container deposit and refund returned if any. Where the agents did not return the container the container deposit is utilized by the shipping line to procure another one.

I believe the container deposit is a good business strategy by the shipping company. It helps to ameliorate their business risk. This strategy forces the clearing agent to return the empty container or risk losing the container deposit. Also, some of the terminal have gone ahead to partner and provide bonded terminal that receive empty containers if you want to stay out of the traffic-ridden queue though sometimes at a cost.

MY SUGGESTED SOLUTIONS

We should think, plan and act on the use of the rail system. We need the rail to by-pass the road congestion.
We need to fix the road and have in mind the weight of the heavy-duty trucks that will ply the road.
We might look at the possibility of using barge to transload goods from the port to small water areas that are very close to the recipient warehouse.
Cancellation of container deposit is not good for the general shipping business.
 

DISTRIBUTION COMPANY ELECTRICITY CHARGE AND THE LATENESS OF THE COURT

Is judiciary against corruption or in support of corruption?
It is as if judiciary don't know what is going on in the country.
The judiciary has reversed the increase in the electricity distribution fee.
And I asked a reversal to what? # 750 fixed monthly charge, which is # 9000 annually. In my compound, we have only 90 flats and on annual basis, we will pay # 810,000. In Lagos Mainland Local Government (which residents is more than 6000) over #54,000,000.00 (fifty-four million) will be paid to EKO electricity Distribution just as fixed charge. If EKO decides not to supply energy for the next one year, they will still collects over # 54,000,000 from the residents of LMLG!
And how much in total from all other places they operate.
According to NERC, we have 12 major distribution companies and two operates in Lagos, while the other distribution controls more than one state. In effects it means I can go to sleep and DO ABSOLUTELY NOTHINGS, except perhaps own an electricity distribution company and be eternally rich.
The judiciary should uphold the removal of fixed charge and then find a way of negotiating the variable charge. Also this law just took effect some months ago, where was the judiciary, why must the judiciary always come late?
We could just conclude justice delayed is justice denied.
Someone might just have to ask on whose side is this judiciary system?
Lagos water corporation case of metering water and charging based on their preconceive units is still ongoing and the court has done nothing about that. The commercial sector who are affected for now are complaining and they are already telling us that the fate of the household community is ‘homecoming’
Firstly like all government does, since last year water supply has been erratic and individual borehole and well digging is the source of water. (For over 50 years, Lagos State Water Corporation has been the only source of water provision and well digging a sustainable factor during the hot weather but that has CHANGE, thanks to the CHANGE mantra.)
Secondly, it will be the case of review of water tariff and it is already in the pipe because the metering system is decided upon by the Govt without any recourse to the citizens. The water metering law even the water you drill from the borehole you created yourself.
Thirdly, the government says it is an old law that they are just implemented therefore you cannot blame them for not giving public lecture and calling for a town hall discussion.
The question now is what the type of charge to be used is: fixed and variable, fixed or variable?
Soon a court of competent will rise and nullify it and all the charges that Lagos state has collected WILL never be refund.
It is high time we start making laws with reality of the day than living in a fantasied heaven.
The same issue is what is affecting the motor vehicle users and FRSC. Even FRSC staffs don’t obey the laws because they are all unrealistic laws. Though the laws are goods but they are unrealistic. The FRSC staffs will claim staff if apprehended but the man on the street will be severely tortured and the fines are so exorbitant such that bribing the FRSC staffs (CORRUPTION) seems to be the normalcy and expected reaction.
I will never regret supporting this CHANGE MANTRA but I think I will regret the ignorance of not knowing that the CHANGE MANTRA itself can be change.

FROM SLUM TO HIGHRISE: LAGOS PATH TO MEGACITY

As we move towards the actualization of our dream megacity, it is of point to note that we must not just assume we can bring a mega city and hang it in the air and call it “LAGOS MEGACITY”

 

 

It is this present Lagos we have that we will transform into a megacity. We also need not destroy all the slums and send the residents to states we assume can accommodate slum residents, but we rather need to transform our slum residents to megacity residents (I would rather use the term highrise residents). We also need to engage in holistic transformation: people, infrastructure and city; to achieve our lofty dream, which is highly achievable.

We need not use propaganda to displace people from slums and then construct highrise; we did that in Ikoyi and it became a place for hiding cash.

We need to build the highrise inside the slum and build slum into highrise to stimulate growth and an all-inclusive economic development. The highrise will act as hope to the residents of the slum while the residents of the highrise will be stimulated never to rest on oars as there is a possibility of falling. I personally believe that the cause of ‘mad theft’ by people that came into corridors of power and money is the desire to run eternally from poverty and the slum life, which they once experience. We need to give HOPE to the residents of the slum and create a platform for them to ride. A lot of the successful individuals we celebrate today went through rigors because of a hope, a dream and a vision that tomorrow will be better.

The term ‘the American Dream’ is an example of this. It is the waking and sleeping thought of most Americans, which push them to achieve excellence. We need to give that dream to Lagosians. The Government, media and private institutions need to spread that dream.

The iconic ‘Lagos My success story’ must not just be a year event but rather a continual event that characterize our daily life. Lagos: My success story; must once again flood our streets and be the guide to our lifestyle to reduce the growth of slum and poverty.

We must also be very articulate in the ideal and idea we want to perpetuate. We must choose the story we want to celebrate because not all road leads to Rome because some roads just don’t. Hardwork must be celebrated and integrity recognize. Kidnapping and Terrorism is not success.

It is in the allowance of both slums and highrise and educating the residents of the slum residents to pursue success to become residents of the highrise while constantly ensuring that the residents of the highrise don’t rest on their oars that slums can be eliminated and not in the sending of slums from Lagos state to another state. 

 

There will always be new entrants because where the grass is green there you will find the birds. We need to find new ways to deal with the new entrants especially those that benefits from us and go to pay homepage somewhere else. We need to balance economic growth and development and when we speak of inclusive growth, we must really mean it

In summary we need to give a dream for the people below to move up and also give a stimulant to the people up to stay up.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

1. https://qz.com/936761/lagos-wants-to-be-a-modern-mega-city-so-its-forcing-thousands-of-slum-dwellers-from-their-homes/
2. https://www.usnews.com/opinion/world-report/articles/2016-12-02/nigerias-government-is-destroying-lagos-slums-and-undermining-its-own-aims
3. https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2017/may/31/destroyed-community-lagos-nigeria-residents-forced-evictions-demolitions
4. http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-18870511
5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HbsdLI8kaWc

 All images are from the internet.

Send comments and questions to: smadeshina@gmail.com

 

THE ETERNAL COST OF IMMORALITY

You must not commit immorality (fornication or adultery)

Fornication is a sexual relationship between an unmarried person and either a married or unmarried personal

Adultery is a sexual relation between a married person and either a married or unmarried person.

When the Bible says ‘You must not commit immorality’

Some are fast to say, what of forgiveness; why give a law when Grace still flows at Calvary?

Some assert, all acts of immorality after conversion is covered by the past forgiveness received at Salvation.  Well, if the doctrine of ‘once saved being forever saved’ is true then I can also add; a student should never be failed in any exam once the person has passed a former exam. It will be right to conclude also that a food poison drank today should have no effect due to good nourishment consumed yesterday.

In all we must understand that the times of ignorance is winked at by Jesus, who surely forgives all offenders because a broken reed he will not break and a flax he  before becoming born again, such a one is easily forgiven. We need to acknowledge that though a person is forgiven by God such a one must be aware that the law of sowing and reaping will always abide.

A glossary look at the account of lives wasted on the field of battle between Christian and Islamic group all over the word shows that the affair of Adultery between Abraham and Hagar has never been worth.

The death sentenced on a whole race due to the affair between Reuben and his Father’s concubine shows that immorality is not worth.

The shameful capture of Samson the warrior on the laps of Delilah shows that adultery is never worth.

Immorality has an eternal consequence. It shames the soul, breeds avoidable jealousy and rivalry.

My dear friend please shun immorality in all its forms.

From the thoughts of your heart, to the things you watch, please avoid immorality.

Immorality will take you farther than you want to go

Immorality will keep you longer than you want to stay

Immorality kills, Immorality weakens and Immorality destroys.

Immorality forbidden.

YOU MUST NOT COMMIT IMMORALITY