Kalu mentors Nigerian students on education of the youth
The former governor of Abia state, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, at the weekend counseled Nigerian students to know what the purpose of education is in their lives.
Speaking as a Guest Lecturer at a one-day lecture colloquium captioned, ‘Education of the Youth: Yesterday, Today and in the Future’ and organized by Abia State Students Association in association with Business Administration students of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), the former governor described education as “an instrument for developing an individual socially, mentally, physically, emotionally, morally and psychologically.”
He noted that “the general assumption is that we go to school to become a better person. No doubt, that is what it is. School prepares us and changes us to change our environment,” he said querying the impact and place of the educated youth in the society.
According to him, “being a student is a time for discovery”, stating ‘discovery is what defines what you ndo with your life outside school,” citing cases of people who went into other professions outside what they studied in the school or read courses other than the ones they desired.
Putting into consideration the changing times and the sprouting of new technological inventions in the world, Chief Kalu said “tomorrow’s future will be with us. What happens, what will you be doing?” stating that this call for a refocusing of Nigeria education curriculum to accommodate teachings in new technology.
“However, while waiting for that to happen, the youth must not sit back and wait. It is not enough to buy whatever gadget is sold in the market and enjoy the same”, he said and advised the youthful students to use the gadgets to learn new trends and prepare themselves for the future.
“Be more inquisitive. Make all the mistakes you ever want to make. Don’t be afraid to make them. Explore what technology has offered you. Be pragmatic. Try out things. Work on your ideas. They will eventually pay off”, he advised them.
He also warned the students to be mindful of what they do with their lives as students, noting that “cultism has never led anyone to establish a conglomerate, it may however lead you to thuggery. If that is what you desire, I do not desire that for you.”
Citing Mark Zuckerberg of facebook, Bill Gates of Microsoft and himself as all school dropouts, as well as Jack Ma of Alibaba.com, he warned the students that he was not against education, but however noted that in view of the current recession in the society, empowerment of students is crucial to enable them complete their academic pursuit which he did as the state governor more than ten years ago.
