Home Features NIGERIAN YOUTHS: ENTITLEMENT AND COMPLAINTS

NIGERIAN YOUTHS: ENTITLEMENT AND COMPLAINTS

144

By Prof. Bukola Oyeniyi.

Very challenging and inspirational stories, both for the young and old.

As a young man, I had it rough, especially since the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Program in 1985. After secondary school education, I could not go to a higher institution not because I did not do well in JAMB, but because of poverty. I became a full-time farmer and was fully engaged in farming between 1987 and 1993/94 academic session when I was admitted to the University of Ibadan. In between these years, I was a bus conductor in Lagos. Yes, Molue Conductor in Lagos. My brother, Pastor Adewale Oyeniyi is reading this and could testify to my stint as a Bus Conductor. We both were leaving with our niece, Monisola Owolabi, at Majidun Area of Ikorodu then. I bought JAMB form and went to the University of Ibadan straight from Molue Conducting.

Studying was not so much of a problem for me, but joggling it with part-time teaching, hawking bits and pieces made studying a hell. I did a little of bunkering at Ogunmakin and Sapade, buying mostly wheat and PVC from trailer drivers and reselling them at Eagle Flour, Alata Mills, Isale-Oyo Plastic Industry, etc. If you are in doubt, my classmates at the University of Ibadan are all reading this. Ask them.

During those lengthy ASSU strikes, I leagued with Mr. Segun Bolarinwa – Atuka bi eru, ko ri enibaja mo, o fa ogiri mora – and started a laundry business in Oyo Town. Who was our first client? Mama Ibukun – our big sister. We laundered some of her dress, packaged them and walked around Owode, with the packaged clothes in hand. Any silly observer would think we were posing around with those clothes. No. We were advertising our craft. At the height of it all, we laundered Alhaji Mufutau Adebayo and his numerous friends’ dresses, we worked with the Nigerian Baptist Convention and some of the big men and women in Oyo Town.

The business stopped immediately the strikes were called off and while Segun left for the Obafemi Awolowo University, I went back to the University of Ibadan.

I was assisted in both my 300 level and 400 level by two brothers – names withheld for security reasons. The assistance was short-lived as, we fell out after publishing Dr. Olatunji’s “Pendulum”. As it is the case with all big families, squabbles and avoidable mistakes ensured that my path would remain rocky.

I looked at graduation with hope, especially as it would be followed by NYSC, which would, at least, for one year, afford me the opportunity to earn a pittance. I was posted to Edo state and served in Benin City with Toyosi and Taiwo Olaniyan, my Paddy for Life.

After a brief sojourn at Ogbomoso, I relocated to Ibadan and got a job with Goshen, as Administrative Manager. I met Bernard Ijesunor Aigbe – my Kabiruuuuuuu – at Goshen. The position I occupied at Goshen was meant for a friend, Dr. Eberendu Chukwuneye Ngozi Eberendu – one of the most selfless human beings I have ever met. He let me have the job, noting that I had a family to care for. I did not complete the year before I fell out with my boss, Mrs. Marinho, for her lack of emphaty.

I resigned without any job in sight.

From my allowance at the NYSC, I bought a 2-stroke pumping machine with which I set-up a Car Wash in front of Expoyo, along Sango-UI road in Ibadan. Idowu Alade and Ariwoola Shefiq are witnesses. I combined this with my MA History program at the University of Ibadan. I was doing this, even when i became a PhD student.

One evening, I washed a guy’s car – name withheld for security reasons and returned to my room at Awolowo Hall, University of Ibadan. I met the same guy whose car I just washed, at the Porter’s Lodge later that evening. He looked at me furtively, trying to remember where he had known me.

“You just left my Car Wash”. I said to him.

The porters on duty told him I was a PhD student. The guy was shocked. He asked for my room number, and I gave him. He came later in the evening and told me how sad it was for him to realize that, even with my BA (Classics), MA (History), and PhD (History) (in-view), I could be washing cars. He was concerned about my self esteem, “doing that kind of job” not far from the university.

I laughed, saying: “Adebayo ma je’ un” (Adebayo (my son) Must Eat).

He asked if I could meet with his uncle, a certain professor of History, who needed a Research Assistant.

I was at Jadeas Trust the next morning and was interviewed by one old man with a terrible Ekiti accent. By the end of the interview, I got myself a position – Research Assistant to the emeritus professor of History, Professor J.F. Ade-Ajayi.

My salary was the same as any secondary school teacher then – just 14000 naira.

I returned to the Car Wash that weekend to gift the place to my most trusted worker – Ogun. He is still there at Expoyo. Go there and confirm, if you are in doubt.

I met one boy, Mr. Saheed Aderinto (now Professor Saheed Aderinto) at Jadeas Trust and we soon formed a partnership based on mutual interest in research. Most of my MA History classmates mocked me for taking up the job with Prof. Ade-Ajayi. They were concerned that whatever I wrote would be in the professor’s name and not mine.

Saheed, then a young, lively, and my most dedicated partner, turned everything into a joke – “Egbe Awa Ti A Go” (The Association of the Stupid Ones). We would laugh at ourselves over this. He would mock me, saying “Chairman Awa Ti A Go” – The Chairman of the Stupid Ones, while I would return the joke: “Sekitiri Awa Ti A Go” – Secretary of the Stupid Ones.

Within my first eight months, I was awarded a scholarship by Professor Ade-Ajayi to undertake my PhD under his supervision. I was gifted his old laptop, a printer, and my salary was also bumped to 15000 naira.

Saheed was beside himself that evening when I showed him the letter bearing those details.

“Baba mi, e ri pe Egbe wa yi daaa” – “My Senior, can you see that this our association is good?” He enthused in his characteristic Ibadan accent, as we gulped down bottles of 33 after a sumptuous bowl of Amala.

Professor Akinjide Osuntokun was with us for his sabbatical at Ibadan and taught us Historiography. He was impressed at my final examination’s script and announced that I had the best grade in the course. When we met again at Jadeas Trust, as he was Prof. JF Ade-Ajayi’s family friend, it was like a magnet and an iron. He took me under his wings, encouraging me to continue to focus on my study and develop myself while assisting the old professor with his research.

I joined the Redeemer’s University as a pioneer staff at the Department of History and Strategic Studies. Professor Osuntokun was the Dean, College of Humanities. I was at the threshold of defending my PhD then, so I was employed as a Lecturer Grade II.

Under Professor Osuntokun’s guidance, my colleagues and I designed the four-year BA History and International Relations program of the Department and secured NUC accreditation in a year that even the History Department at …… and …. in Southwest Nigeria were not accredited.

I left Redeemer’s in 2009 and joined Joseph Ayo Babalola University in 2010 where I singlehandedly designed the four-year BA History and International Relations program of the Department and later secured NUC accreditation.

Today, I read and heard graduates talking thrash about the “government not providing jobs”, “the system not conducive”, “past generations not doing this and that”, etc. as they shop for excuses for their failures.

Each time I read or hear anyone saying these, my heart bleeds for Nigeria.

I grew up in Oyo Town and had this very good friend, Rasaq Victor Olawuwo, while growing up. We cultivated the habit of reading. We had no mentors. We self-developed ourselves. There is no English author of old that you can name today that both of us would not tell you about their writings. We graduated from literature to philosophy, to religion and classics, science and technology.

We could not afford those books, so, we were constantly at the public libraries. Truth be told – I even stole some public library books while growing up. That is how much and how far we were ready to go in order to build up ourselves.

At L.A. Primary School, Bola in Oyo Town, I did ‘Biri-Sope” (only the deep can be called into the deep). I was a pupil then. At St Luke’s Idode, also in Oyo Town, I was a student and a farmer. At Durbar Grammar School, I had to travel 45 minutes every day to feed our chickens before going to school. I was, for many years, a farm laborer – alagbaro, and did all manners of work at the Eleekara Market.

When SAP did our family finances in, going to the farm everyday was not just to feed chickens, but also to make ‘lafun’. How do you think I smell on such days in school? If you think I am exaggerating, Prince Adeniyi Segilola and Mr. Bamidele Obaseki – my classmates at Durbar Grammar School, witnessed it all. They are also reading this and can controvert any of my claims.

Reading and hearing Nigerian youths write and speak with entitlement today breaks my heart. It is sad that Nigerians want to live under a capitalist and democratic economy but want socialist economic system in the manner of communist system on the sides. It is only in a communist state that government provides jobs. Not in a democracy. So, it is not the job of Nigerian government to provide you jobs. In fact, no one owes you anything. You owe it to yourself and, if you are not good at anything, blame yourself for your failure.

At both the Redeemer’s University and Joseph Ayo Babalola University, we placed advertisements on many occasions, looking for lecturers. At both institutions, we received lorry-loads of application from uncountable number of unemployable but certificated applicants.

While at Redeemer’s University, a young man who studied Computer Sciences at Olabisi Onabanjo University came to me to ask for assistance in fixing his computer. In addition to helping him in coupling a system from the scratch, I regularly attended to his other software needs. He read computer Science. He obtained a B. Sc. in Computer Science while all my degrees are in Humanities.

At the Redeemer’s University, I led a group of students to bid for a contract to provide the university with internet services through Wi-Fi. We were shortlisted and competed with five other companies from outside the university. We had a test run, each participant for one week, when we provided Wi-Fi services across the RCCG Camp at Mowe. Despite the fact that we came out the best, we were not given the contract because we were not a registered company.

I cited these two cases to illustrate a few important points. One, there are a million and one Nigerian youths who are multi-talented and great entrepreneurs. While at Redeemer’s, I met and dealt with many. I cultivated their friendships till date, not minding that they were my students. I don’t want to put them on the spot, otherwise I would have reeled out their names. Two, among so many of them, are PA to the Vice-President of Nigeria today. You would never hear or read any entitlement-seeking piece from them.

On the flip side, there are millions of other Nigerian youths who would thrash-talk all day long. They have education, but no cognitive skills. They are the ones that consider selling peanuts by the roadside, bus-conducting, gatekeeping, etc. as beneath them.

I have bored you enough, let me end by noting the following:

Today, I am a professor of African History, but like an onion, if you peel the layers, here are what you would find: a bricklayer water-fetcher, a farmer, a bunkerer, a Molue conductor, a dry-cleaner, a car-washer, a GSM phone operator, and a Research Assistant.

Ask anyone who know me, I relate with a bus conductor in the same way I relate with my fellow professors. I don’t even introduce myself as Dr. Oyeniyi. I respect cleaners, drivers, pepper sellers because I value what they do. I have a great pride in what they do. I have done all those before and knew that there is dignity in labour.

NOTE: typing on phone is killing, so, endure whatever error you find here with joy.

RELATED ARTICLES

144 COMMENTS

  1. Hey there I am so thrilled I found your website, I really found you by
    error, while I was looking on Bing for something else, Nonetheless I
    am here now and would just like to say thanks for a remarkable post
    and a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to look over
    it all at the minute but I have bookmarked it and also added in your RSS feeds, so when I have
    time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the awesome b.

    My homepage; Cory

  2. Greetings from Idaho! I’m bored at work so I decided to check out your site on my iphone during lunch break.
    I love the info you provide here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
    I’m surprised at how quick your blog loaded on my phone ..
    I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, excellent site!

    my homepage :: Marylin

  32. My partner and I stumbled over here coming from a different page
    and thought I might as well check things out.
    I like what I see so now i’m following you. Look forward to looking at your web page repeatedly.

    Look at my website :: Tiffani

  37. Hola! I’ve been following your web site for some time now and finally
    got the courage to go ahead and give you a shout out from Atascocita Tx!

    Just wanted to say keep up the good job!

    Also visit my web page – brnk.in.ua

  40. I was extremely pleased to uncover this site. I want to to thank you for ones time for
    this particularly wonderful read!! I definitely
    savored every bit of it and I have you bookmarked to
    check out new things on your blog.

    Feel free to surf to my homepage – sy714.net

  43. You are so interesting! I do not suppose I’ve read through something like this before.
    So great to discover someone with a few original thoughts on this topic.
    Really.. thanks for starting this up. This site is one thing that’s needed on the web, someone with a bit of originality!

    Also visit my site – idea.informer.com

  45. I’m not that much of a online reader to
    be honest but your blogs really nice, keep it up! I’ll go ahead and bookmark your website to come back later on. All the best

    Feel free to visit my site godotengine.org

  46. Hi, I do think this is a great site. I stumbledupon it 😉 I am going to return yet again since I bookmarked
    it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you
    be rich and continue to guide other people.

    my web page; view more

  49. I loved as much as you will receive carried out right here.
    The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish.

    nonetheless, you command get got an edginess over that you wish be delivering the following.
    unwell unquestionably come more formerly again as exactly the same nearly
    a lot often inside case you shield this increase.

    my web site – is.gd

  52. I’ve been browsing online greater than three hours lately, but
    I by no means found any interesting article like yours.
    It is lovely value enough for me. In my opinion, if all website owners and bloggers made
    just right content as you did, the internet can be much
    more useful than ever before.

    my site; https://coub.com/barberbarber83

  57. Unquestionably believe that which you said.
    Your favorite justification seemed to be on the net the simplest thing
    to be aware of. I say to you, I definitely get annoyed
    while people consider worries that they plainly don’t know about.
    You managed to hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole thing without having side-effects , people can take a
    signal. Will likely be back to get more. Thanks

    Visit my blog ccosplay reviews

  58. My brother recommended I might like this blog. He used to be entirely right.
    This submit truly made my day. You cann’t consider simply
    how so much time I had spent for this info! Thanks!

    Look into my webpage – bysee3.com

  59. I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this blog.
    I really hope to check out the same high-grade content by you in the future as well.
    In fact, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own, personal blog now ;
    )

    Here is my web-site; archery.wiki

  60. I like the valuable information you provide for your articles.
    I’ll bookmark your blog and test once more
    right here regularly. I’m rather certain I will be informed lots of new stuff proper right here!
    Best of luck for the next!

    My web page: pediascape.science

  64. Right now it appears like Drupal is the preferred blogging platform available right now.
    (from what I’ve read) Is that what you’re using on your blog?

    Also visit my blog post – pbase.com

  65. I was wondering if you ever considered changing the structure of your website?
    Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better.
    Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two pictures.
    Maybe you could space it out better?

    Look at my homepage: https://cults3d.com/fr/utilisateurs/attacktrail3

  68. Very nice post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wanted to mention that I have truly loved browsing
    your weblog posts. After all I’ll be subscribing for your rss feed and I
    hope you write again very soon!

    Feel free to surf to my homepage vipersrc.com

  70. Howdy! I know this is kind of off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using for this website?
    I’m getting sick and tired of WordPress because I’ve had
    issues with hackers and I’m looking at options for another platform.
    I would be great if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

    My site – borsafix.com

  72. Good day! I know this is kinda off topic however , I’d figured I’d ask.
    Would you be interested in trading links or maybe guest writing a blog post or vice-versa?
    My site discusses a lot of the same subjects as yours and
    I feel we could greatly benefit from each other. If you might be interested
    feel free to send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you!
    Great blog by the way!

    Check out my homepage: https://bitcarxchange.com/index.php?page=user&action=pub_profile&id=33298

  74. Howdy! Someone in my Facebook group shared this website
    with us so I came to check it out. I’m definitely loving the information. I’m bookmarking and will be tweeting this to
    my followers! Excellent blog and excellent design and style.

    Check out my homepage discuss

  81. I was recommended this blog by my cousin. I am not sure whether this post is written by him as
    nobody else know such detailed about my problem.
    You’re wonderful! Thanks!

    Look at my homepage :: kikipedia.win

  83. I was wondering if you ever thought of changing the page layout of your site?
    Its very well written; I love what youve got to say. But maybe you could a little more in the way of content so people could connect with it better.
    Youve got an awful lot of text for only having one or two images.
    Maybe you could space it out better?

    Here is my website; http://huarenyese.com/home.php?mod=space&uid=277778

  84. Howdy this is kind of of off topic but I was wondering
    if blogs use WYSIWYG editors or if you have to manually code with HTML.
    I’m starting a blog soon but have no coding skills so I wanted to get advice
    from someone with experience. Any help would be enormously appreciated!

    Here is my site; http://www.78newss.com/space-uid-447218.html

  91. Hello I am so grateful I found your blog, I really found you by
    mistake, while I was searching on Bing for something else, Regardless I am
    here now and would just like to say many thanks for a tremendous post
    and a all round enjoyable blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time to
    browse it all at the moment but I have saved it and also
    added in your RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a great deal more, Please do keep up the awesome work.

    my website :: sporteyes51.ml

  92. Hello there, I believe your web site might be having internet browser compatibility issues.

    Whenever I look at your web site in Safari, it looks
    fine but when opening in IE, it’s got some
    overlapping issues. I just wanted to give you a
    quick heads up! Other than that, great website!

    My webpage … attack on titan season 4 cosplay

  95. With havin so much written content do you ever run into any problems of plagorism or copyright violation? My website has a lot of completely unique content I’ve either written myself or outsourced
    but it appears a lot of it is popping it up all over the internet without my authorization.
    Do you know any solutions to help prevent content from being ripped off?
    I’d definitely appreciate it.

    Here is my web blog … telegra.ph

  96. Hi I am so grateful I found your website, I really found you by error, while I was looking on Aol for something else, Regardless
    I am here now and would just like to say many thanks for a remarkable post and a all round enjoyable blog (I also
    love the theme/design), I don’t have time to browse it all at the moment but
    I have book-marked it and also added in your
    RSS feeds, so when I have time I will be back to read a lot more,
    Please do keep up the great jo.

    Here is my web site … https://fabnews.faith/wiki/If_You_Dont_Best_Minecraft_Mods_Now_You_Will_Hate_Yourself_Later

  102. Great post. I was checking continuously this blog and I’m impressed!
    Very helpful information specially the last part
    🙂 I care for such information a lot. I was looking for this certain info for a long time.
    Thank you and best of luck.

    Review my web site; https://zzb.bz/vWnGB

  103. of course like your website but you need to check the spelling on quite a few of your posts.
    A number of them are rife with spelling problems and I find it very
    bothersome to tell the reality nevertheless I will definitely come back again.

    Feel free to visit my web-site; https://biosnab.com/user/prunerfat28/

  106. If you want to improve your familiarity just keep visiting this web page and be
    updated with the newest information posted here.

    Feel free to surf to my homepage: joypdf.com

  110. My family always say that I am wasting my time here at web, except I know I
    am getting familiarity all the time by reading thes fastidious articles or reviews.

    my page – discuss

  111. Today, I went to the beach with my children. I found a sea shell and gave it to my 4 year old daughter and said “You can hear the ocean if you put this to your ear.” She placed
    the shell to her ear and screamed. There was a hermit crab inside
    and it pinched her ear. She never wants to go back!
    LoL I know this is completely off topic but I
    had to tell someone!

    Take a look at my site – [https://diigo.com/0norbw black suit costume

  112. What’s up all, here every one is sharing such familiarity, thus
    it’s good to read this web site, and I used to visit this weblog daily.

    my webpage – y4yy.com

  114. Hi there! Someone in my Myspace group shared this website with us so I came to take a look.
    I’m definitely loving the information. I’m book-marking and
    will be tweeting this to my followers! Terrific blog and wonderful design.

    Also visit my web site; maltafawuq.net

  115. Have you ever considered about including a little bit more than just your articles?
    I mean, what you say is important and everything.
    However just imagine if you added some great images or video clips to
    give your posts more, “pop”! Your content is excellent
    but with pics and video clips, this site could definitely be one of the best in its niche.
    Terrific blog!

    my web site :: https://clashofcryptos.trade/wiki/Minecraft_Installer_Like_A_professional_With_The_assistance_Of_those_5_Suggestions

  116. Attractive portion of content. I simply stumbled upon your web site and in accession capital to assert that I get actually loved account
    your weblog posts. Any way I will be subscribing on your feeds and even I success
    you get admission to persistently fast.

    Visit my website :: https://notes.io/RzgJ

  117. Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through some of
    the post I realized it’s new to me. Anyways, I’m definitely happy I found it and
    I’ll be book-marking and checking back frequently!

    Stop by my site … deadpool movie costume

  121. You actually make it appear so easy with your presentation but I to find this topic to
    be actually something which I believe I’d by no means
    understand. It kind of feels too complex and very broad for me.
    I’m having a look forward in your subsequent post, I will
    try to get the dangle of it!

    Have a look at my blog; forum.bigant.com

  130. Hi, i think that i saw you visited my site so
    i came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to improve my site!I suppose its ok to use a few of your ideas!!

    Feel free to visit my web blog picomart.trade

  132. I have been browsing online more than 2 hours today, yet I never found any interesting article like yours.
    It’s pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as
    you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.

    my blog – view more

  136. Undeniably consider that that you said. Your favorite reason seemed to be at the web the simplest thing to have in mind of.
    I say to you, I definitely get annoyed whilst other folks
    think about worries that they plainly don’t realize about.
    You controlled to hit the nail upon the highest and also outlined out the entire thing without having side effect
    , people can take a signal. Will likely be
    again to get more. Thank you

    Here is my web page … http://www.dick168.com

  137. Hello it’s me, I am also visiting this web page regularly, this web page is in fact nice and
    the visitors are truly sharing fastidious thoughts.

    My blog post … discuss

  138. Hey just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your article seem to be running off the screen in Internet explorer.
    I’m not sure if this is a format issue or something to do with web browser compatibility but I thought I’d post to let you know.
    The design look great though! Hope you get the problem resolved soon. Cheers

    Review my web site xt_blog

  143. Hey I am so delighted I found your weblog, I really found you by mistake, while I was browsing
    on Google for something else, Anyways I am here now and
    would just like to say many thanks for a fantastic post and
    a all round exciting blog (I also love the theme/design), I don’t have time
    to look over it all at the minute but I have book-marked it and also added your RSS feeds, so
    when I have time I will be back to read much more, Please do keep up the awesome work.

    my web-site … Rosalyn

  144. I am no longer positive where you’re getting your info, but good topic.

    I must spend some time learning more or working out more.
    Thanks for excellent information I used how to get llc be searching for this info
    for my mission.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

© Copyright -2020 Law and Society Magazine
Exit mobile version