There is the need to re-instil the lost culture of reading not only in the children but adults as well. Barrister Edwin Baiyeibo (Host Cleric HOTR Enugu) reminded us about a Persian parable that goes like this:
1) If you see a man who does not know and does not know that he does not know, shun him, he is a fool.
2) If you see a man who does not know and knows that he does not know, teach him, he is a child.
3) If you see a man who knows and does not know that he knows, wake him, he is asleep.
4) If you see a man who knows and knows that he knows, follow him, he is wise..
We are in a generation that needs help to recall the forgotten art of disciplined scholarship and hard work in academics. Our minds need to be renewed with relevant information and remain so in order to keep abreast of happenings in society. Ignorance and other vices need to be nipped in the bud so as to bring back integrity into our educational system and improve on the quality of our graduates. That is why I laud the strides of His Excellency, Gov. R.C. Amaechi in promoting the reading culture via last year’s Garden City Literary Festival which I took part in and enjoyed immensely and another recent event which took place at Silverbird Cinemas with the support of our amiable Prince Tonye Princewill.
I must say that though we attach so much importance to formal education, it is imperative to note that there are a lot of notable folks worldwide who passed through informal education and have joined the league of Great Minds. All hands must be on deck because we cannot continue to turn out half-baked professionals and expect Wole Soyinka, Ben Carson, Late Gani Fawehimi and Jonnie Cochran and other great minds because the essence of life is about information received and mode of usage. Like Eric Butterworth said, “Nothing stops the man who desires to achieve. Every obstacle is simply a course to develop his achievement muscle. It's a strengthening of his powers of accomplishment.” Think wisely and return back to the books.
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