Happy new year once again. I do hope 2020 is already coming out fine. I just completed my last engagement in the village, Ovim (Abia State). I organized a small strategy session for auto mechanics on the disruption that is coming in their domains. My Call was clear: go and learn how to use OBD/software to diagnose cars because the cars of the future are computers on wheels.
One of the most respected mechanics from my village would be sponsored to Germany to learn this new skill – and he has promised to also teach his brethren upon return. Endy Motors in Owerri has trained dozens of orphans and boys from poor families, making sure no one is left behind. The owner began with primary school certificate; today, he is a university graduate. As a student in FUTO, I spent time in his shop to help him on mathematics while he was preparing for GCE exam.
I am confident most will have an edge as the business shifts. As you buy those “computer cars”, be assured that mechanics would be available to support them.
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There are also great results from kids; all the kids expected to be in primary schools are in schools – 100%; primary school to secondary school transition recorded 100%. I do think that our village literacy rate is well above the 94.24% of Abia state (NBS data). In short, after visiting many Methodist Church circuits, I noticed that some clergies were posted from the northern part of Nigeria with no Igbo language capacity. Yet, these clergies coordinated church activities locally with limited frictions. That was possible because nearly everyone was largely educated.
Ovim has a population of about 10,000 people. It has four clinics,two secondary schools, and three primary schools. My primary and secondary education happened here. Though we have produced two governors, justices, professors, etc, the community is built through Ovim Community League (OCL). OCL develops roadmaps and looks for funds and executes them. OCL funded and established in Secondary Technical School Ovim (my alma mater) one of the most advanced technical workshops in the old Imo State with woodwork lab, building tech lab, automobile lab, etc in 1983. Today, a university makes use of the ICT lab of the secondary school. Besides physical projects, while I was a student there, the community injected good teachers to ensure the young people could rise.
I grew up in the village and feel natural here. And when the ex-governors, ex-Army chief, the justices, etc give us assignments, we make sure to deliver. My last three weeks here were well spent; I have recruited for the engineering field many kids on the way. Yes, “my mother said you are an engineer. I have decided to be one also”.
In this 2020, think about what you can do to improve the lives of others in your city or community!
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If we just have 20% of the ‘enlightened’ elites seeing human capital development in this light, Nigeria can easily hold its own against any nation in the world. The things that build people and societies aren’t extremely expensive and complex, but you need men and women of noble standings with great visioning capabilities to get going.
There is no community in Nigeria where you won’t see handful of rich people, including the educated ones, but what we do with our wealth and influence matters a lot.
You have a community boasting 100% compliance in both primary and secondary education, and you still cannot see that the community’s future is already assured? People build societies, and here the small Ovim has given communities across the country a beautiful template to work with. Even the mechanics are also keying into future of work…
The interesting part? No mention of government and its role or lack thereof, something to bear in mind. If Nigeria fails to rise, the rich and all the educated people are responsible, don’t blame anyone else!
Thanks and may God continue to bless you sir.,for all you do.
When next you’re in Ovim, I will love to connect with you. I’m from Amune-Ovim.
Have a great year ahead.