JOHN Dewey defines education as the process of the reconstruction of experience, giving it a more socialised value through the medium of increased individual efficiency. His theory of education asserts that people learn and grow as a result of their experience and interaction with the world, which compel them to continually develop new concepts, ideas, practices and understandings.
Also; education is the act or process of imparting or acquiring general knowledge, developing the powers of reasoning and judgement and generally preparing oneself or others intellectually for mature life.
Referring to a person as educated means having learned a lot at school or college and having a good level of knowledge, culture and diplomatic skills in addressing issues with tact and courtesy.
Our plight is a solid one with seeming eluding solutions to or predicaments, no perceived or consciously tailored policy or programme has addressed our condition. Electricity, healthcare, commerce, creativity and entrepreneurship are all moribund comatose and have failed to take off to give the people a sense of belonging, what is obtainable in successive administration is the notorious design of bouquets of transient acts of compassion remove to pacify the trauma the citizenry is subjected to.
A patriot signifies a person who loves his/her country and is ready to boldly support and defend it. Education and patriotism are expected to trim the rough edges, refine a person, inspire and stimulate conscious efforts at self-improvement and, by extension, that of the immediate and extended environment of the individual.
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As a country operating the democratic system of governance, it affords individuals the opportunity to present themselves for elective positions to represent a people with the aim of addressing their deplorable plight, lobby for scarce resources to accommodate the interest of the community, and leveraging on their exposure from educational enterprise with the conviction that it would be an advantage to advance cogent reasoning to ameliorate the challenges of the community.
These personalities have all acquired one form of education or the other, embarked on numerous professional courses to equip and horn them with requisite knowledge and skills to deliver on their assigned responsibilities. The courses were sometimes within the confines of the country where they compete with candidates from other climes and emerge victors. The intent of the courses was to strengthen analytical thinking, remould their faculties and acquaint them with modern techniques at addressing situational challenges. Investments in these endeavours have paid off with many bagging laurels, medals, recognition and awards acknowledging their excellence.
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These individuals in an attempt to be relevant to society after meritorious service to father land venture into politics with the belief that they would replicate their performance in the political area, deploy their intellectual depth and mental prowess to navigate the course of the state to affluence and assets, employ their experience, new concepts, ideas and practices acquired from the process of education and professional courses to wrestle challenges of deficit in infrastructure education, health, standard of living and gaps in employment for the youths.
Far from the belief, the dearth of educated patriots has resulted to the chaos, despair, Japa syndrome, brain drain epileptic policies and programme that can be termed white elephant projects, lacerated hearts and minds that have emasculated themselves from the dreams, aspirations, and cravings of the people for better life to achieve their purpose. In a country where the political terrain is not peopled by street urchins, country rustics, scapegrace and scarecrows but eggheads polished from the ivory tower, commissioned to emancipate and liberate their people from debilitating human circumstances.
The call is loud and a consensus has been arrived at that the issues of development should be tackled with no excuses, for people deserve quality, responsive, humane and accountable stewardship as a flicker of hope and compass in the character and manner to address the plight of the people as can be seen of the manner of the Governor of Benue State, Reverend Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormen Alia, who has brought to bear on leadership his educational attainment, tenets of the priestly vocation, coupled with the sentiments of Christianity to serve as anchor for redefined and people-centric governance, aligning with Albert Einstein’s position: “If I were to remain silent, I would be guilty of complicity”.
Our plight is a solid one with seeming eluding solutions to or predicaments, no perceived or consciously tailored policy or programme has addressed our condition. Electricity, healthcare, commerce, creativity and entrepreneurship are all moribund comatose and have failed to take off to give the people a sense of belonging, what is obtainable in successive administration is the notorious design of bouquets of transient acts of compassion remove to pacify the trauma the citizenry is subjected to.
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The educated personalities that have taken over the mantle of leadership should embark on a soul-searching mission, Merkabah gyration to align their actions with the words of a one-time military president, Ibrahim Babangida who said and I quote “No stewardship has meaning if it does not address the people to whom we are passing the mantle of national leadership.” As it seems presently the leadership is far removed from the people and their concerns are seldom responded to but allowed to wallow in anguish and penury, cursing the day of their birth and exploring avenues to better their lot.
The call is loud and a consensus has been arrived at that the issues of development should be tackled with no excuses, for people deserve quality, responsive, humane and accountable stewardship as a flicker of hope and compass in the character and manner to address the plight of the people as can be seen of the manner of the Governor of Benue State, Reverend Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormen Alia, who has brought to bear on leadership his educational attainment, tenets of the priestly vocation, coupled with the sentiments of Christianity to serve as anchor for redefined and people-centric governance, aligning with Albert Einstein’s position: “If I were to remain silent, I would be guilty of complicity”.
Mr Tiav, a broadcast journalist and public affairs commentator, writes from Makurdi, Benue State capital.
