Is being born a Nigerian and in Nigeria at the same time a curse?
Is this part of the world destined to remain this way?
Are the youths of this nation going to be forever at a disadvantage?
Being born into a Nigerian home didn't stop me from dreaming big dreams, but it made those dreams hard to reach.
This article will be based on true life experiences of my Friends but their real names will be withheld; they are all typical stories of what being born a Nigerian and in Nigeria does to you.
I won't deny the fact that there are a lot of Succesful Nigerian youths today, but when you compare the rate of success to the rate of failure of other youths then you'll see there's something really wrong with the system.
JOHN
was born a Nigerian and in Nigeria, he grew up with dreams, dreams to travel into space, to be an astronaut.
But he was born into an average family that barely had enough to eat. His parents were government workers so their salaries were precise and not enough for all 4 children they bore. He was a straight A student in secondary school and had all the potentials to succeed. He finished secondary school only to realize he can't be an astronaut in Nigeria, Neither did his parents have the resources to send him abroad, nor did the country have any means of helping him achieve his dreams. John went to a Nigerian university discouraged and sad that he couldn't study what he wanted, he eventually studied Mechanical engineering and graduated with a second class upper, But still the country had no plans for him.and his dreams.
John is now a banker in Fidelity bank
JANE
was born a Nigerian and in Nigeria. She was born with dreams one of which is to be a neurosurgeon. She was well brought up and went to good schools, she was an above average student in secondary school.she graduated in the top 10% of her school and wrote JAMB. She was not given admission to study medicine & surgery for 3 consecutive years, in her 4th JAMB she was persuaded by her parents to abandon her dreams and study something else, she got admission that year to study Botany. She graduated with good grades and still couldn't find a job after 5 years. she resorted to doing her masters. She graduated the best student in her masters program and was offered a lecturing job by the university.
Jane is now a lecturer
Joseph
was born a Nigerian and in Nigeria. He was practically born into a poor home, his father was a bricklayer and his mother was a trader. he was the first of 7 children his parents bore. He went to government owned primary and secondary schools in the state that had free tuition but at the same time offered low quality of education. He was a good student because he knew he had to succeed academically. He was born with a dream to build, his dream was also influenced by his father's day to day work of bricklaying, when he was old enough he would assist his father while he worked.
Joseph had passion for Architecture, He wanted to be an architect!! He graduated from secondary school to find out his parents didn't have the resources to train him in University, 4 of his younger siblings were in secondary school and they also need to reach a bench mark in their education. The country had no plan for him, there aren't any free higher education institutions he could go to, neither was there scholarships he could apply for that'll help achieve his dreams. He was home for 5 years without help or direction, he eventually joined his father in his work
Joseph is now a bricklayer
These are just 3 of millions of similar and diverse cases, where the state of the Nation has affected youths all over the country
We all know one or two people that are in bad circumstances because the country is the way it is.
A youth empowerment program isn't the solution to everything.
There are people out there that
- Good electricity
- Good roads
- Good educational system
Can help them achieve their dreams.
A better country should be our goal, A country where A child can wake up and say She wants to be a Movie researcher and She won't be laughed at and Her dream snuffed away. A country where a child can wake up and say he wants to be a Pilot and he will achieve his dreams without having to leave the shores of the country.
In our own personal ways and with the infectious love of giving that's spreading round steemit, we should try to help and assist those around us in any way we can, A word of advice or encouragement can make a doubting youth to succeed in life.
If we find ourselves in any position of leadership at any stage of life, don't be infected with the urge of leading for personal gain; but lead sacrificially, be and exemplary leader. It's better for your legacy to live longer than your riches
Let's all work to make NIGERIA once again the giant of Africa.
A Nation of great quality and amazing individuals.
Let's work together to grow....