‘Education is the Great Equalizer’

By Professor Nyerhovwo Tonukari,

 

 

Felix Anirah Foundation Formal Launching at the Sapele Athletic Club, Friday9th of December 2016. The Chairman/CEO Felix Anirah Foundation, Chief Felix Anirah, The Special Guest of Honour, Chief Charles Obule, The Erhi of Okpe Kingdom, The Organizing Committee of the Felix Anirah Foundation, Other Distinguished Invitees, My fellow students, Ladies and Gentlemen.

 

I am greatly honored to be given this rare privilege to address an assembly of future intellectuals with great vision, wealth, aspirations and better days ahead. I am specifically addressing the students here because their future will be better than anything any of us has experienced if they do the right thing. In a dying world where education is fast losing its value, where morale decadence is raising its ugly head and tentacles to cripple the dream of education, coupled with our financial melt -down, and incessant and uncontrollable appetite for the quest for quick wealth, what does education have to offer us?

 

There is no doubt that what we are seeing today are contrary to what we were told of the benefits of acquiring education; the hedge, security and advantages of being educated to the highest level. In our contemporary society, we now experience the proverb given in the Bible that princes now walk while beggars ride on horses. We now seem to have a scenario where the uneducated now rise to fame, are affluent, powerful and influential all way round; while the educated seem to be trudging behind, with nothing to show for all their efforts.

 

In the face of all these, where does education stand? What do academics and educational administrators, promoters do? Should we just fold our arms and let our dreams and aims die? No! We should still raise the banner of education and let all know its value all way round.

 

The numerous advantages of acquiring education cannot be over-emphasized. As the saying goes, it is not how far, but how well. It is not the beginning of a thing that matters, but the end. And all that glitters is not gold. The uneducated might seem to be doing well, but I bet you education guarantees you a lasting and better success. Success is not all about physical wealth; it has to do with that inner fulfillment and achievement that keeps you going and ahead of those around you. The knowledge that you have births the inherent success that you need to live to the fullest. These are some of the questions that will run through an average mind, given the present circumstances. To this end, it is important to bring to our consciousness that education serves as an equalizer. An equalizer is anything that can make things equal in size, quantity and value.

“Education is the great equalizer…opening doors of opportunity for all. As a nation, we must be committed to providing education equity and resources all students need to succeed.” Education is the great equalizer of every society. It can change a life. In fact, reports show it can increase life prospect and civic contribution. It can lift an individual, and a family out of poverty. This means that the have nots—individuals without degrees—are quite literally in the shadow of the haves. I have not lost my core belief that in Nigeria, education is the great equalizer. When we get our schools right, when we invest in teachers and principals and give them sovereignty and flexibility to drive real change in students’ lives, then our schools can and do fulfill their fundamental promise to be gateways to opportunities. Some of these opportunities include:

  • A happy and stable life: If you want to lead a happy life and enjoy the good things the world has to offer, you certainly need to get educated. A great job, a good social reputation are few of the many benefits of being an educated person. Education is a must for a promising and secure future and a stable life.
  • Money: An educated person has more chances of landing up a good high paying job. Everybody wants a good life. Although the good life may be called the “root of all evil”, most people will agree that money is important for survival in today’s world. The more educated you are, the better career options you have!
  • Equality: If we want to see the world as a just and fair place where everyone is given equal opportunities, education is what you require. Education is a must if we want to do away with the existing differences between different social classes and genders. It opens a whole world of opportunities for the poor so that they may have an equal shot at well-paying jobs. Education also plays a major role in women empowerment.
  • A happy and stable life: If you want to lead a happy life and enjoy the good things the world has to offer, you certainly need to get educated. A great job, a good social reputation are few of the many benefits of being an educated person. Education is a must for a promising and secure future and a stable life.
  • Money: An educated person has more chances of landing up a good high paying job. Everybody wants a good life. Although the good life may be called the “root of all evil”, most people will agree that money is important for survival in today’s world. The more educated you are, the better career options you have!
  • Equality: If we want to see the world as a just and fair place where everyone is given equal opportunities, education is what you require. Education is a must if we want to do away with the existing differences between different social classes and genders. It opens a whole world of opportunities for the poor so that they may have an equal shot at well-paying jobs. Education also plays a major role in women empowerment.
  • A happy and stable life: If you want to lead a happy life and enjoy the good things the world has to offer, you certainly need to get educated. A great job, a good social reputation are few of the many benefits of being an educated person. Education is a must for a promising and secure future and a stable life.
  • Money: An educated person has more chances of landing up a good high paying job. Everybody wants a good life. Althoughthe good life may be called the “root of all evil”, most people will agree that money is important for survival in today’s world. The more educated you are, the better career options you have!
  • Equality: If we want to see the world as a just and fair place where everyone is given equal opportunities, education is what you require. Education is a must if we want to do away with the existing differences between different social classes and genders. It opens a whole world of opportunities for the poor so that they may have an equal shot at well-paying jobs. Education also plays a major role in women empowerment.
  • Makes you self-dependent: Education is very important if you want to be an independent person. It helps you become financially independent and it also makes you wiser so that you can make your own decisions.
  • Turns your dreams into reality: What is your dream, your aim in life? Do you want to become rich? Do you want to be popular? Do you want to be an extremely successful person who is respected by people? Well, the key to all this is education. Of course there are exceptions, like sportsmen who do not really owe their success to their education. However in most cases, your degree is what helps you realize all your dreams.
  • Education makes the world a safer and more peaceful place: Education majorly affects our understanding of the difference between right and wrong. An educated person is well aware of the consequences of wrong/illegal actions and he is less likely to get influenced and do something which is not legally/morally right. Also, a number of uneducated people who live a poverty stricken life owning to lack of opportunities often turn to illegal ways such as theft and robbery to solve their problems. If you are educated, you are well aware of your rights, the law and your responsibilities towards the society. Hence, education is an important factor which contributes in social harmony and peace.
  • Makes you confident: Your educational degree is considered as a proof of your knowledge by many. If you are educated you have more chances of being heard and taken seriously. Generally, an uneducated man will find it harder to express his views and opinions owning to lack of confidence. Even if he does so, people may not take him seriously. Education gives you the confidence to express your views and opinions.
  • Society: We all live in a society which has its own set spoken/unspoken rules and one of them is education. The society expects you to go to school, get a job, and settle down. In fact education helps you become a useful member of the society. An educated member certainly has a greater chance to contribute to his community. Education helps you become an active member of the society and participate in the ongoing changes and developments.
  • For economic growth of the nation: Australia, USA and Japan are few countries with very high literacy rates. These countries are extremely prosperous and the citizens have a high per capita income. On the other hand, in underdeveloped and developing nations like ours, where literacy rate is not as high, a number of people are still living below the poverty line. Education is vital for the economic prosperity of a nation
  • Saves you from being fooled / cheated: Education saves you from being exploited and fooled. We live in a country where we enjoy a number of rights and freedom. It is easier to take advantage of innocent and illiterate people. They may be trapped into signing false documents or be deprived of some right which they have because unlike an educated person they are not well aware of their rights and freedoms.

To this end, the things that an educated person stands to benefit cannot be overemphasized, and as a result, this should be a wakeup call to all and sundry to get involved in our educational processes; to lift it up and make its dreams and goals come through for our children to lead a better life in the future. Education is a sure key to success; believe me. I oblige you therefore, to hold on to it.

 

Thank you,

 

Prof. Nyerhovwo Tonukari,

Head of Department of Biochemistry,

Delta State University, Abraka.

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