My name is Joe... I need a SCHOLARSHIP

This is the story of a young Nigerian worker who is planning to further his studies in the US...His name is Joe. Please, follow Joe's educational history.

Primary Education

Joe attended a very good nursery and primary school founded and operated by a missionary group. He was taught by great teachers and paid only a pittance as school fees. He also enjoyed excellent amenities and recreational facilities; standard classrooms (appropriate teacher to student ratios) and free stationery and meals. In short, Joe had the right start in life.

Secondary Education

He was admitted into a private boarding school where he saw the other side of life. Most teachers there were a little above average and were always in search of a better paying job. The facilities in the school were not adequate as the proprietor was more interested in the school fees than the quality of the students. The fees never obeyed the law of gravity as they were always on the rise while the standard rarely improved. Joe often compared the standard at the school to that of his primary school and whenever he did he was left frustrated... He couldn't wait to leave the school but he had no option because as bad it was, the school was the best his parents could afford at that time.


Tertiary Education

Joe gained admission into one of the state owned universities in Nigeria to study engineering. He was overjoyed as he had heard so much about the institution. In his own words, Joe said, "if I thought my secondary education was bad then my experience at the university was much 'WORSETER'. He narrated his experience to me, he said that he learned to write workshop and lab reports without touching or ever seeing the equipment. It was the norm for him to sit in overcrowded lecture rooms where he would have to strain his ears to hear a word from an often detached and nonchalant lecturer. He went on to say that the hostels on campus were congested and dilapidated; lacking regular water and power supply and sometimes he had to go for test without taking his bath. Joe went on and on complaining.

7 years After School

Joe is now working and doing pretty well...

This was when I met Joe again (we attended the same secondary school). I reminded Joe of our days in school and how we used to complain about the quality of education we got and how we wished things were much different. He remembered vividly. Then I asked, "why don't we reach out to some of our old colleagues and go back to that school to make a difference. To make our wishes then come through in the lives of the present students"... Joe paused and said, "why do we have to? We left that school a long time ago. Moreover, we paid our school fees and the kids there today also paid. They (the school authorities) should use the money generated from fees to improve the standard of the school. It's a private school for God sake!"... Then I replied, "but you and I know they won't. They are more interested in minimizing cost and maximizing profits"... Joe went on to say, "if we were treated right back then I would feel obliged to give something back in return. The truth of the matter is that I owe them NOTHING"... I said, "but you are an alumnus of the school and that's irreversible; let us make the school something we will all be proud of in the nearest future"... he answered, "guy, I have more important things to do with my money.... I plan to get a Masters degree in project management and risk analysis. It will cost me several thousand US dollars. I am saving up for it and I am applying to several top universities in the US that offer scholarships"

My Point:

Joe has three main reasons for not accepting to give back to his secondary school;

1 It is privately owned
2 He has not too pleasant memories of his secondary school days
3 Lastly,he wants to further his education and doesn't have the money required... he would love a scholarship

Indeed, Joe has good excuses but they are all EXCUSES.

-Joe is yet to give a kobo to the PUBLICLY owned university he attended to help improve the condition of the institution (I guess the State govt ought to take full responsibility)
-Joe has great and very pleasant memories of his primary school days but he is also yet to give a kobo back to see that the standard is upheld
-Lastly, Joe wants a scholarship from a top university in the US to fund his masters' program but has forgotten that if the ALUMNI of that school were like him, there will be no fund set aside for scholarships.

My Message

We need to stop all the complaining and start giving back to our Alma mater, if Nigeria is to stand tall.

Thanks for your time.

God bless you and God bless Nigeria.