History; The Future Of Nigeria |BY GBADEBO RHODES-VIVOUR|

BY GBADEBO RHODES-VIVOUR

In early September, it was with a heavy heart I signed a petition made by Omei Bongos Ikwue  on change.org to ‘Keep the study of History in Nigerian schools’ . Apparently, the Nigerian government decided to remove history from school curriculum’s for reasons such as- ‘there are neither jobs for graduates of history’, nor ‘sufficient teachers for students of history ’. Furthermore of all their subjects, secondary school students rank Mathematics, English and Biology highly because these subjects are prerequisites for admission into universities and lastly, Students rate history so low because, according to them,

“Society itself does not rate history highly.”

I have always wondered how it’s possible for alleged drug barons to become senators, how convicted criminals become governors and why the Nigerian people are known to have such a short memory especially when compared to societies such as the British, where activities done by people in their teens can hunt them when they seek political office, or members of parliament retire for misappropriating 500 pounds the equivalent of NGN70,000. Ironically, Nigerians complain about their leaders, but the leaders come from the people. Some Leaders from elite backgrounds, others grew up without shoes. Some leaders without a formal education others with PHD’s. What gives?

Saving Nigeria from Nigerians: Time to be a 'Realistic Optimist'

"When plans and theories seem to have failed and the path ahead appears crooked; when today looks bleak and tomorrow appears dreary; when the systemic stench signals a deepening and the societal decadence portends a protraction; when the citizens’ strength to keep holding on has dissipated and the inner push to keep up the fight for survival has waned, there, then, comes only one option available to the besieged and beleaguered people of a nation like Nigeria. HOPE! They have to keep HOPING that the tide will turn. That is all that the hapless people can do in the face of hard times that are now pounding hard on the country."
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Building a Legacy

Thousands of people today don’t believe purpose as something to discover or pursue in life. And others believe in a life purpose but won’t take the risk to honor it. Those with positive influence feel otherwise. They have found that there is a purpose to their life, and that purpose usually involves some aspect of turning their “mess into a message,” or using what they’ve learned (often the hard way) as a means of being of service to others.

People who positively impact the world not only obtain amazing results in their work, but their process of obtaining these results – how they operate in life — is also inspiring and uplifting. They are happy to help and support others, and have an overflow of positive energy that enriches the lives of everyone they work with and connect with. These positive influencers wantothers to grow. They walk away from “success-building” opportunities that will be hurtful and damaging to others. They know that those destructive approaches go against the very meaning and purpose they’re committed to.

Building a legacy is the furthest thing on our mind. But I’d argue that it should be at the forefront of everything we do. Don’t just focus on building a good life today, create a life that will leave it’s fingerprint on this planet for years to come.Look around you and you’ll see three kinds of people – those who hate their work, and complain bitterly, those who just tolerate their work and see it as a paycheck and aren’t looking for more (or feel they can’t have more), and finally, those who love their work, and relish it. The third category is a small subset of all professionals globally, but this group stands out because these are, most often, the people who change the world for the better.A legacy isn’t something that is singular. A legacy is created through having a massive impact on a select few, or a large population. How do you have a massive impact on people? You help them.

Let's just divide Nigeria

It's time to part ways! We have indeed come a long way, but it is time for us to go different ways. Things that separate us overshadow those that unite us, and indeed, we never agreed to walk together at the beginning, more reason why the 'walking' is difficult (Can two walk together unless they agree? - Amos 3: 3)

What's the gain of trying to safe a marriage that took place without the consent of the couples? Couples that are not compatible! The marriage without 'I do' is heading towards the path of dissolution. And some are advocating for a 'drastic divorce'.
I do believe that two can't walk together unless they agree, but come to think of it, we have walked together for almost 56 years!!! Despite all the challenges, we are still one. Is it now time for us to destroy a journey of 56 years? Imagine a man, after 56 years of marriage, divorcing his wife? 

I have always been believing in this country. I have always been believing that we can live together as one united entity. We may have many things that divide us but certain things do unite us, why can't we strengthen those things that unite us?

To those who think it's time we go separate ways, you think it's easy to divide a country? I do believe we passed through many challenges that were strong enough to divide us, but unity prevailed. In the future, there may be an undeniable reason for us to divide, but for now, there is none.

I look forward to a Nigeria where each region controls her resources. I look forward to a true federalism. Never mind the heading, it's indeed time to strengthen our unity.