Education, Featured
BASHORUN J.K. Randle, former chairman, KPMG Nigeria and Africa has advised leaders in the society and parents to teach their children to dream big but work hard. He noted that children are the builders of the future and that the parents have an obligation to fulfil their duty of care in order to inspire the next generation.
Speaking at the 22nd anniversary of Dowen College Lagos on Monday October 7, J.K. Randle said it was a monumental task for parents and whether they succeed or fail depended on the outcome of rigorous soul-searching. J.K. Randle, who spoke on the topic: ‘Why should we care?’ said parents and schools shouldk not underestimate the resourcefulness of students.
“In essence, while we cannot but encourage the youths to follow their dreams, we must avoid sending mixed signals – by preaching morality, integrity and uprightness while we practise the opposite. It is a delicate dance which can destroy trust and confidence if the dancers are listening to different tunes or symphony.
“Matters are not helped by the toxic environment in which we are compelled to operate. The last word belongs to the government. However, to convince government to shift on any matter of public policy, you must be prepared to go through the pain barrier. It can be most frustrating,” he said.
J.K. Randle tasked the graduants of Dowen College to lead by examples. He said there is a huge role awaiting the products of the college provided they do not confine themselves to medicine, engineering, architecture, accountancy, pharmacy among others.
According to him, a fresh spirit of adventure should enable them to widen their career choices to include public service, politics, military, police, intelligence service, entertainment, tourism, fashion, art and culture.
J.K. Randle congratulated Dr. and Dr. (Mrs.) Olumide Philips, founders of the school for the great success they have made of their joint enterprise and noble endeavour in establishing a school. He said the school has become a national treasure with students from different parts of the nation and beyond – in the pursuit of excellence in education.
“Having fast-tracked the products of Dowen College into the lane reserved for the privileged, why should we care whatever befalls them in the arena of economic, financial and social inequality? According to the World Bank Development Research Group, the result of a survey carried out in 2009 stated that Nigeria had an estimated GINI index of 43.0 percent.
“A subsequent assessment made by the CIA in 2013 showed that inequality was on the rise scoring the prevalence of income inequality in Nigeria at 48.8 percent, a five percent increase after four years. Meanwhile, the National Bureau of Statistics claims a GINI Index of 41 percent for 2013 which would entail a two percent decrease in the inequality index for the same period.
“As at 2016, a survey carried out by the National Bureau of Statistics declared the GINI Index for Nigeria to be at 39.1 percent, which connotes a downward trend in inequality in Nigeria. With regard to our country’s commitment to reducing the prevalent inequality within our nation, a 2018 report released by Oxfam during the annual International Monetary Fund and World Bank meeting held in Bali, Indonesia between October 12 and 14 2018 scored Nigeria as dead last in the CRI (Commitment to Reducing Inequality) amongst 157 sovereign nations which were assessed.
“We are now in mortal danger of handing over to the next generation a nation that is in chaos – where insurgency, banditry, kidnapping, human trafficking, rape, drug trafficking, abuse of power, injustice, looting and impunity are the order of the day. It is a poisoned chalice. Before we surrender in despair, we may have to deal with the choice that faced apartheid South-Africa while Nelson Mandela was still in jail.
“In the midst of their crisis, the Almighty gave them two choices – either pray for a miracle and divine intervention to solve your problems while you slumber or choose the much tougher option which is for all of you to put heads together to find a solution. South Africa chose the hard route. Rather than pursuing rigid adherence to dogma and prejudice, they chose peaceful reconciliation.
“In Nigeria, poverty is the new enemy. Our report card shows very clearly that we have failed every subject. Our hope lies in the investment we have made in the students of Dowen College and other private colleges while the public schools, colleges and universities are in ruins. Unfortunately, Nigeria’s finest are leaving in droves out of frustration. The truth of the matter is that while Dr. & Dr. (Mrs.) Phillips can deliver a robust thesis on all that ails our nation, it is the students whom they have groomed and nurtured who can provide the anti-thesis (the theoretical options).
It is not unlikely that, unwittingly, the teachers (and parents) of students of Dowen College may have overprotected those who are graduating. Their sheltered existence is about to come to an end. Once they venture into the larger society where the rule of the jungle has overwhelmed the rule of law, it is going to be a different ball game where there is no umpire to mitigate the survival of only the fittest.”
– Oct. 7, 2019 @ 15:05 GMT |
Tags: J.K. Randle urges leaders to care for next generations
