REVISITING EDUCATION AND CHANGE THE CAUSE OF OUR COUNTY.......... By Dotun George

Let me begin my discussion by asking what are the building blocks of development required for countries to attain the status reached by developed nations.  Education, to me,  is the matrix of development. From either infrastructure or agriculture, the influential factor of education cannot be controverted. The question is:  why is it that the most developed of economies are the most developed in education? And, why do the most underdeveloped of economies have underdeveloped education? These are not conundrums after all, as the answers to these questions are not far-fetched. One of the answers is in the fact that the place of education in the growth of the development of any nation  is paramount.

Any nation failing in education is on the cusp of failure. Why? It is so because nations need educated citizens to formulate government policies. Without education, how can economic problems like inflation and devaluation of currency be addressed? Or, how will nations tackle unemployment? Developing nations,  as we know, are plagued with these problems. This emphasises the need for human development in these countries.

There are countries with high rate of maternal and child mortalities. HIV/AIDS and other life- threatening diseases are also pandemic in these countries, simply because they lack sufficient health workers. Citizens of ailing economies sometimes go for “medical tourism” to developed countries which offer better health care services though at pricey costs.
Needless to say that when we say that a country is developing, it does not mean it isn’t endowed with natural resources.

Africa as we know, is still in the backwaters but paradoxically, has numerous resources to boast of. The continent provides approximately 98% of diamond needs in the world. Also, Africa has some of the largest deposits of tin, uranium, coal, and so on. Therefore what is wrong? This is where education comes in for capacity building and human resource development. These are sine qua non to the development of an economy.
But, what is the condition of our institutions like? How capable are our pedagogues? How relevant are our curricula? How much is voted for education?

Education goes beyond what is acquired within the walls of a school going by the etymological root of the word education which is educare and it means “to bring up”. So, education, in fact, is any system that’s concerned with unearthing the latent skills of a child, and it is a truth that it isn’t only our – decrepit – schools that can do that. In fact, what our schools do more often than not is to kill those talents in our children by omission or commission.

The idea of education becomes so affiliated to schooling during the epoch of industrialism in Europe and this insidiously made non-formal education a second fiddle to it. But the truth is that non-formal education caters for over 55% education while its formal counterpart only caters for 22-25%. How mistaken our priorities are.

Charles Dickens, Michael Faraday, Churchill Winston and Abraham Lincoln are examples of people who demonstrated great erudition in their capacities but they didn’t have much of formal education due to poor backgrounds. It was even worse for Lincoln who was said to have attended school only for one year! Dickens and Lincoln were autodidacts whose accomplishments live on. American history is incomplete without a mention of Lincoln’s 13th amendment and so is a list of literary magnum opuses incomplete without Dickens’ Oliver Twist.

Nigerians  have a lot of potentials,  but the craze for certificates is really hampering the realisation of these potentials. Schooling is great but the government’s insouciant attitude towards it has hampered the fructification of its purpose in the life of many  graduates, which has ultimately placed them in the paradox of  being schooled but not educated. I’m not advocating a recycling of our educational policy. We have done that far too often since 1977 when the first one was drafted. Instead, we need to fashion out an educational policy aimed at Nigeria’s development. We tout our MDGs, but do we ever pause to ask if they are achievable going by the grim state of our education?

Government needs to build more schools and vocational centers, spruce up existing ones, allocate more funds to education, train and retrain teachers and do lots of things. We need to realise though that the task of rejigging education – formal and non-formal – is a communal duty. We are all stakeholders.

THE REALITY OF REALITIES. – By Dotun George

What is the nature of this life of ours? Let us face it: The lives of average Nigerians are miserable, labourious and short. People are born; they are given just as much food as will keep the breath in their bodies. Most people in Nigeria do not know the meaning of happiness and leisure. Freedom and comfortable life become elusive.
The life of average Nigerians is misery and slavery and it looks as if nature has created man to suffer. The soil of Nigeria is fertile and the ground can produce more than enough for the living. People suffer here in Nigeria because nearly the whole of the products on our labour is stolen from us by those who forcefully claimed they are in charge. Most of our problem is summed up in a single word “the political ruler” they are the only creature that consume without producing. They only set people to work, forces them to work and seizes their produce, all the people have in return of these is bare “ration and a stall”.

When we as a country focus more on accelerated development of our land, we will spend less time in future on amnesty as is being presently done as if the people granted amnesty are political prisoners. By definition, amnesty is an act of pardon by a legislative authority which effaces not merely a punishment inflicted but the cause of it as well so that no fresh proceedings can be instituted. What the Niger Delta needs in addition to the current ceasefire and disarmament is the whole-scale development of the area.
A system that permits the unjust killings of our people, only to turn around later to compensate the families of those killed, places no value on human life.

The tyrant political rulers do not allow the miserable lives of the people to reach their natural span; they killed people through bad roads, poor health and medical services, lack of security, poverty, lack of quality education, corruption and what have you. Those who served the nation with all their strength and power and cannot work again or produce are sent to the grave when they are struggling to get their entitlement, gratuity, and pension.

I came up with a write up early this year, it sound prophetic, and little did I know that my aspiration and dream will be fulfill so soon. Read part of the lines……..

The panacea to the tyranny of the political ruler is “Rebellion” or Revolution, how do I mean, the revolution that we need is the one that will make us appreciate the magnitude of our problems and the urgent need for solutions. It is such a revolution of mind that changed Singapore from poor filthy country into a global business hub. Change in our way of life, we should stop accepting anything they throw at us, we must make them accountable, tell them they are our servants, they must listen to us and do what we want and not what they want, we must let them know we have what it take to change any government that is not producing and we must be proactive at it. I don’t know when it will come but very sure sooner or later, it will come and justice will be done. We need to teach our children in school and pass the message of Revolutionary change to them, so that when we are old they can carry on the struggle until victory is won. I want all Nigerians to be firm and resolute and not be discouraged by the wiles of the tyrant men in power.

In order to avert this embarrassing situation - this inglorious march into the precipice of national decline and disintegration - Nigerians from all walks of life must rise with courage and determination to sack our purposeless and clueless undertakers from the seat of power. IT IS TIME TO TAKE OVER.
The assignment is daunting but it is doable. In spite of the recklessness and discouraging tactics of political jobbers, it is time to rise up and build.

KADUNA STATE ON MY MIND: MY REFLECTIONS......... By Dotun George

You don't know and neither did you have an idea of the security situation of Kaduna state. You don't even know how volatile the state has become in the name of religion and religious activities, you stay, and live in the south but you don't have idea of how fearful some people who are not fundamentalist and not radical with their religion is up there in the north are.

You wrote long article telling us the disadvantages of the religion regulation bill but you have not told us or write about the advantages the state like Kaduna tends to get if such bill is passed into law.

I would rather have a sane, regulated, orderly and serene state devoid of killings, fighting, disorder and violence prone, than having absolutely free state, where people live in the fear of known and unknown, where known and unknown men rain terror on them and wasted innocent lives in the name of religion and service to god.

You arrogantly arrogated to yourself the position of God, who can kill and make alive, you have signed his obituary while is still alive and still govern of your state. I saw one of them rascally shouting and sweating that he gave  ultimatum to the governor to reverse and withdraw the bill.

You argued about freedom of speech, expression and association as if there is anything called absolute freedom in the law you are quoting and making reference to.
Can we for once drop this sensationalism, razzmatazz, mixed emotions, reactionary attitudes and talking before thinking.

We can do a thorough appraisal and examine things well and accurately before we kill it. Why frequently visiting the past and allow fear of the known and unknown to dominate our lives and our thought process?

So many thoughts on my mind and I cannot express all at once because, its like I am living in a different clime and planet.

THE BEAUTY AND GAIN OF FAILURE....... By Dotun George

It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might as well not have lived at all. In which case you have failed by default. Any attempt to play safe in order not to fail, is an attempt to fail.

Failure is not an option in life, it is part of the deal we all made with success if we must arrive at that destination called Success. Failure is a grace, an opportunity to do it better and to shine brighter in what I couldn't able to do well or unable to at all in the first place.

You don't abandon your dream because of failure, don't give up because you fail once or severally, you don't throw you child away because he/she fail at school, you don't abandon your business transaction because the last one fail or not scale through.

The beauty of failure is that, if you keep doing what you fail at once in several way, you have discovered the better and best way to get things done without failing again. At the Long run, a point of your weakness will now become your point of strength.

Show me a man who had not fail at anything before hitting the target, I will show you a man who has not attempt anything great and significant in his life.

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH ADEROJU LADEGA. .........

I had a privilege of meeting and having an interview with a dynamic lady Aderoju Ladega. In this interview, she shared some insights with me.

Meet Aderoju Ladega in an exclusive interview with Dotun George.

What is your name? Tell us about yourself.

My name is Aderoju Oluwaseun Ladega.
I am a female, an indigene of Ikorodu, Lagos state of Nigeria. I was born in the 80's, i studied Human Anatomy but choose writing and public speaking as a career. I am a humanitarian and a human right activist.

You are a humanitarian, what are your achievements as per humanity?

Well, to the Glory of God, i have been able to initiate and host three humanitarian programs in Ikorodu. In 2013, i initiated free seminar for secondary school students in Ikorodu Division. In 2014, i initiated free lesson for JSS3 students in Ikorodu Division. In 2015, i initiated free health seminar for people; They were diagnosed on Diabetics, Hypertension, Malaria and General illness.
All these came to reality with the supports of some groups and persons.

Are you married?
I am not married, but i am in a relationship with Olu Mi. #smile that is what i call my man. By God's grace, the nut shall be tightened this year.

Few months ago, you started an NGO, what inspired you to its founding?
Yes, you are right. I am a community service person and always want to spread my humanitarian services beyond Ikorodu Division. So, i know its high time and i took the bold step.

Tell us about your NGO....
Mind you, NSNF is not my NGO! I founded it, but we owns it.
NEVER SAY NEVER FOUNDATION was emanated from the high sense of community social responsibilities inspired by believes coupled with pragmatic experiences and a clear intention to fill some essential gaps in the socio-economic situation of the great people of Ikorodu, persons of Lagos state and Nigerian citizen. The organization is base on community services and humanity advancement. Our activities are driven by persons, within a clear framework of togetherness to involve in developmental issues that makes impact in communities.

What is your present project for the NGO?
Our proposed project is gonna be first of its kind in Ikorodu Division. We plan executing it in the month of July. By this time, the NGO will be celebrating its One Year Anniversary.

About two weeks ago, you launched a book. Tell us more about the book. * What inspired you to historical book since you are an motivational & inspirational writer?
Truly, i launched a historical book of my grandfather; HRH, Late Oa Samuel Oderinde Ladega (OLUPEKAN II) Ayangbure of Ikorodu 1953-1970 and the existence of Ikorodu Division.
I stumbles upon some documents that entails my grandpa's achievements when he was alive, that inspired me. But there is no way, i could talk about Baba Ladega without putting down Ikorodu history.
I remain a writer. It could be writing of any book.

What are your challenges in the course of your activism?
The financing aspect is one major problem. Another issue is you saying the truth and people you least expect turns their back at you.

Do you have program for children and youths?
Yes, the monthly program (Youth Podium) is channel for the children and youths.

Is Ikorodu your primary place of your assignment or you are looking beyond Ikorodu?
My assignment is beyond Ikorodu, but for now, i am working on Ikorodu because Charity begins at home.

How does your growing up experiences like?
Baba God! I adore you... It was the Lord doing! I am from a royal home, but my father believes in himself and also taught me to always be myself. My growing up was so rough but i am bless with the World Best Parents.

What are your assessment of the current situation in Nigeria?
Presently, PMB need to do something about our economy. Fuel scarcity, No constant light, increase in exchange rate, increment of the prices of goods and commodities. I urge those in charge to start doing something now.
Despite all odd, I am a Nigerian and Nigeria shall be great!

SHEKAU, A MAN WITH MANY LIVES PURPORTEDLY EMBRACED PEACE........ By Dotun George

The resurrected Shekau has come up again with the usual trick. Shekau was claimed and announced dead several times by Nigerian Army and resurrected several times has resurfaced again in another video.

Shekau was last heard from in March 2015, when an audio message attributed to him was released pledging Boko Haram’s allegiance to the Islamic State militant group (ISIS), after which it rebranded itself as the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).

The Boko Haram leader had also issued a threat to disrupt the 2015 general elections. Unfortunately, he could not carry out his threat because those who used him and controlled him asked him not to, so as to remain in power and stylishly get into people's mind again.

The Nigerian military had claimed that it has killed the Boko Haram leader a couple of times in the past, a claim that was always denied by the insurgent group.

A report on PRNigeria, a website which regularly reports activities of the Nigerian military indicated that a video has been circulating in some Northern States in which a man who claimed to be Shekau was seen calling on members of Boko Haram to stop their insurgent activities and embrace peace.
The purported Shekau had in the video called on his followers to embrace peace and stop the fighting by sheathing their swords and surrendering to the Nigerian forces.

My focus is to sound a warning and caution to the authority and the Military not be distracted by this video, it might be another trick to weaken their hands as regard the onslaughts that is going on now against the deadly insurgents.

Nigerian army should not relent the ongoing campaign against insurgency and indeed they should intensified dislodgement of the terrorists most especially in the Sambisa forest, and its environs in order to further degrade and demystify the sect and bring them to their knees.

Another caution and warning to the leadership of our country is that, we should subject the video and the last audio release to forensic examination and investigation so as to ascertain the veracity of the claims, purported and emergency surrender.

Every terrorist is free to surrender. And any group can embrace ceasefire and lay their arms but the truth is that, the insurgents have been proliferated, if one surrender, that does not mean all others have surrender.
While the military is conscious of sustaining the tempo on its war against terrorism, the military intelligence should subject the undated and unverified video to forensic analyses.

If we must survive as a nation and take all our territories away from terrorist, we must never give in to cheap propaganda and machinations of the enemies of humanity. We want boko haram dead completely, yes, must be be careful and never do things that will further jeopardize our survival as a nation.

MONEY: OUR MIND IS CRITICAL THAN OUR MUSCLE........ By Dotun George

When I was young, there was a common riddle that goes thus; someone says no meeting can hold when he is not around; who is that person? Money.

Hmm! As inexplicable as this riddle may be, it shows the average man's perception of money? Anyone who has accepted that philosophy about money is likely to feel trapped anytime a financial challenge arises‎.

What is the solution?

Here in our clime, you see how we could have an erroneous perception of money. It is true our society may have the wrong ideology about money, but we cannot afford to think like everyone thinks.

How do you feel about money? Does the presence or absence of it dictate your mood?

You see, the difference between a rich man and a poor man is the way they think and feel about money. As long as we think that we cannot achieve anything without money or that money is hard to come by, it would be difficult to get it.

When it comes to money, our minds are critical than our muscles.