A Recent reflection by Smart Ofugara on how a mix of leadership greed, insensitivity and mediocrity has destroyed Nigeria’s educational system and robbed the citizenry the inherent nation-building value was, to be very fascinating.
Writing under the caption, “Not New Vocational”, Ofugara pinpoints on the Delta state precarious situation with education invokes much nostalgia with the mention of how the earliest educational institutions with so much socioeconomic significance have all gone into extinction, some existing as the shadow of their original appeal and value.
Smart Ofughara, going memory lane had cited an analogy with how “Alexander Graham Bell was an inventor who is credited with the telephone as we know it to be today.
“Although he died in 1922, his invention did not stop. It gave rise to curiosity for its use across the various continents.
“It kept on creating businesses and jobs. It created room for innovation and communication. Future generations have built on this invention for the benefit of nations and humanity.
“That foundation has given birth to numerous sectors of the world economy, learning and health care. Do you recall when only a few families had telephones in their homes? When people have to go to the post office to make phone calls?
“Recall when cell phones were introduced? The dropped call, the transformation of the cell phones and the uses each improvement had brought to humanity in conjunction with the internet?
“This is continuity with just a product being introduced to a man that eventually transformed the life of nations for the betterment of humanity.
“In the life of a nation as a continuum, the citizens and structures are affected both positively and negatively.
“Being aware of a nation yearning for leadership and a true sense of direction, it is imperative to drive home that positive direction that is beneficial to humanity.
“The absence of genuine collaborations between the various polytechnics and universities on one hand and the absence of collaboration with the government and the business community have not helped our nation. This is one area that has been docile and unexploited.
“The older generation in Warri/ Effurun, Delta State, will remember the days of the technical schools like Modern Trade School, G.E.S and Atamakolomi where electrical, music training, tailoring, catering, masonry and other handy jobs were taught to people.
“There was a Mousco commercial college on the Enerhen axis where commerce, typing and shorthand were taught.
“Going further, we had Sapele Technical College. We did not value the impact of these colleges thus killing that education with skills acquisition for cramming and regurgitating to pass exams without handwork needed for everyday living.
“The importance of this vocational learning cannot be overemphasized as those skills acquired have transformed and can still transform lives.
“Again there is the argument for the numerous polytechnic and engineering schools established. How has their establishment revolutionized society?
“The public water we drank in the 1970s was not sustained. The borehole drillers and well diggers we utilize in most cases are not products of these colleges. And this is just one aspect of our society where services and goods are required in our society.
“The vision of the 6334 educational system needs real visitation and implementation. That system was meant to give technical skills alongside academic learning.
“It was meant to be an improvement upon the importance of transforming theories to practical. Thus setting a springboard for society’s evolving challenges as they emanate to solving needs and creating avenues for progress.
“As we evolve to address the challenges of unemployment, I dare suggest that our vocational learning be revived to retrain the unemployed people with new skills acquisition especially now that computer and the internet availability will aid learning to a great deal. Besides, those who are retrained should be equipped with tools for real takeoff, support, monitoring & evaluation((M & E) and mentoring on their road to success.
“More so, government being the greatest spender, must include in their contract clause that these retrained individuals are given jobs to do whether it is electrical, plumbing, painting, farming etc. With this empowerment coming at different strata, jobs will be created, money will change hands and the economy will move forward.
“The skills needed are too numerous just as the services to be provided are in real demand. No human being is useless, nothing is impossible to man, we keep trying and innovating.
“We need the cooperation of the portfolio billionaires to partner with our schools/ higher institutions to find what they can invest in, support research and get the patent right upon the successful completion and then the implementation with government support. The sky’s the limit.”
Smart Ofugara’s reflections remind me of the glory of G E.S College where musicians were trained and talents like OLIVER GBAGI became G E S music bandleader. G E.S was founded by Chief RERRI and associates. Does the younger generation believe these were private schools at the time?
Atamakolomi Technical College, founded by Chief Ubreye and Associates was located near Enerhen Motel, where most outstanding welders/technicians at the time were trained.
Modern Trade Centre/college was located around present-day Mosheshe Estate, Airport Road. These were great institutes then in Effurun/Warri.
We pray the day comes when merit, excellence, fairness and justice will be awakened in Delta state to enthrone an enduring leadership that would consider as a core responsibility, the commitment to relive quality education for the common good in Delta and indeed across Nigeria.
Indeed if wishes were horses, I would wish this great expectation manifests in this era.
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