During one of our breaks, a neighbour of mine told me in one of our conversations:
“If you know anybody who is studying something related to chemicals they use in factories, tell him to face his book well, there is money in it o.”
“That’s Industrial Chemistry”, I offered.
“Yes, I’m working in one company like that. We help them to offload the chemicals they use in the production of household goods. It’s the workers who are educated among us that are earning the most. In fact I’m now regretting not going to school. I will ensure this my two kids go as far as possible in their education.” He was misty-eyed as he told me this.
In the midst of our talk, the thought of my roommate, Seun whom we popularly call Gomi came to my mind. He was an Industrial Chemistry student. Quite intelligent, always raising topics that relate to Polypeptides, Acrylic, Carbolic Acid, Ethanol and the rest. Sometimes, he asked us why we think it’s necessary to spritz water on cloth before pressing it. And then he would go ahead to explain.
The guy, we were told was already working in a paint industry soon after his graduation. That’s before going for Service.
Sometimes, we cannot disconnect success from schooling.
What I have observed is, those who say: “School na scam” are those who have had a connection with school. A stark illiterate does not understand the meaning of scam, let alone using it to describe an eye-opening institution like school.
People make statement like that because they place high hope on school, but are disillusioned at the end of the day. Not as rosy as they expect it to be.
The fact is we must demand more of ourselves than from any school system. The society that created the formula: “go to school, get the certificate, look for a job and start a life” needs to be told that this is now anachronistic. Pick up a copy of Stop Killing Dreams by Seth Godin, or Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki to get the hang of what I’m saying.
Bill gates has read more books than some graduates, Seun Osewa of Nairaland has put more powerful thoughts to paper, and more contents online than some of our graduates. Both have made impacts in their respective domains, and it makes me wonder: Who is really the drop out?
In the last few years many Nigerian youths have committed suicide for several reasons ranging from academic failure, jilting and disappointment which leads to depression and then, the inevitable.
It is said that the last thing to leave a man is hope. As humans, we must be wise enough not to build our hope around just a single entity.
Sometimes, I wonder if a black hat hacker needs a certificate to hack down a whole system, or if a lady will still not see another man after a man kills himself because of her.
For anybody contemplating suicide, please understand that disappointment in any area is not the end of the world. Suicide is an unceremonious bravery and hence, it’s never an option. You can always rise again. I will leave you with the words of Rancho to Farhan in the movie, 3 Idiots: “If suicide ever cross your mind, take the picture of your parents and think of what will happen to those smiles if you do it.