On January 20, 2025, I had the chance to return to the Ijebu-Ode Grammar Faculty (JOGS) Meeting Corridor. It was the 112th anniversary of the founding of the good faculty that produced many notable Nigerians, significantly these of Ijebu origin. For many Ijebu mother and father and grandparents throughout my childhood, it was the foremost college, unequalled in standing. It ranked increased than some other faculty in Nigeria within the not-too-distant previous.
I used to be stuffed with immense pleasure as I returned to the hallowed Corridor to talk to present college students about careers. This was the identical Corridor the place a Western Area profession speaker as soon as suggested me to check political science at college since I expressed the aspiration to grow to be Nigeria’s Ambassador to France. That suggestion diverted me from my earlier ambition to observe within the footsteps of my function mannequin, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, and grow to be a politician. In the end, I selected academia, drawn by the relative freedom it presents.
I felt immense satisfaction and gratitude for the invitation to talk to younger college students by Dr. Sunny Olu-Daniels, the present Vice President of the JOGS Previous Boys Affiliation (JOGSOBA). JOGS offered the stable basis upon which I constructed my profession. Returning to share my experiences with younger college students felt like a full-circle second—a deeply cherished alternative to encourage them to dream huge and obtain greatness.
Years in the past, I may hardly have imagined attaining a lot, given my modest background. Sitting in these lecture rooms, I dreamed huge however usually questioned how one can make these goals a actuality. That’s the reason I returned to encourage the JOGS household (our principal on the time insisted we had been a household) and encourage the younger males. My speech was additionally related to youth extra broadly.
My expertise of coming full circle in a constructive gentle, standing earlier than the scholars was proof that one’s background doesn’t essentially outline their future. Regardless of my mother and father’ monetary struggles, I didn’t let that hinder my aspirations.
Relatively than asking the scholars what careers they wish to pursue, as was the case throughout my time, I inspired them to concentrate on the issues they’re keen about fixing on the planet at giant. At the moment, the main focus ought to now not be restricted to Nigeria. It’s to the whole world village.For me, “A worthy life requires a attempt to guide change whereas upholding Omoluabi values: integrity, good character, civic-mindedness, and onerous work.” This precept, articulated on January 1, 2025, aligns with a sentiment expressed by the late U.S. President Jimmy Carter: “We should modify to altering occasions and nonetheless maintain to unchanging ideas.” The timeless Omoluabi values stay important for a very profitable life.
A better have a look at Omoluabi values begins with integrity, the bedrock of belief and respect. Integrity—olu-iwa—includes honesty, consistency, and doing the suitable factor, even when nobody is watching. In a world of fast fixes and shortcuts, integrity helps construct belief, each in a single’s profession and relationships. Corruption, which erodes integrity, is the antithesis of Omoluabi. It’s harmful, harming society whereas benefiting egocentric people who lack conscience.
All the time ask your self: Am I doing what is correct? Am I upholding the Omoluabi worth of integrity? With out integrity, expertise, and expertise alone can not take one far.
Good character displays who you might be at your core. It encompasses kindness, humility, and treating others with respect and equity. Whereas technical expertise and schooling are important, they’re incomplete with out good character.
Civic-mindedness—often known as Ubuntu in Zulu—is the drive to behave for the better good. Omoluabi teaches us to be accountable, selfless members of the group. Success isn’t just about private achievements; it’s about lifting others as you rise. Being civic-minded includes actively contributing to the group by volunteering, mentoring, or advocating for constructive change. It includes loyalty to the group.
Exhausting work is the way in which to success and the achievement of excellence. Whereas expertise could present a head begin, constant onerous work sustains progress. Omoluabi reminds us that diligence, resilience, and perseverance are non-negotiable for fulfillment.
The Yoruba worth system encapsulated in Omoluabi emphasises empathy and exemplary character in society. This ethos, rooted in integrity, good character, civic-mindedness, and onerous work, contrasts sharply with the egoistic, aggressive mindset usually related to Western values.Omoluabi within the Fashionable World
Allow us to join Omoluabi values to the realities of the twenty first century:• Integrity in Know-how: As AI and robotics rework industries, moral decision-making will distinguish you. Employers search people they’ll belief to handle delicate information and navigate ethical dilemmas in an evolving digital panorama.• Good Character in Globalization: In a linked world, emotional intelligence and cross-cultural communication are important. Respect for various views opens doorways to worldwide collaborations.• Civic-Mindedness in Sustainability: Points like local weather change, poverty, and inequality require leaders who prioritize societal challenges over earnings, positioning themselves as changemakers.• Exhausting Work in Lifelong Studying: The job market evolves quickly. To remain related, you will need to frequently study, adapt, and innovate. Exhausting work ensures you might be by no means left behind.
Your technology is rising up in a transformative period outlined by technological developments like AI, robotics, and renewable vitality. These instruments are fixing real-world issues, from predicting conflicts to enhancing agricultural effectivity. Nonetheless, this thrilling world presents challenges, together with criticisms that conventional schooling has not stored tempo with trendy calls for.
Some argue that schooling is a “rip-off,” however the reality is that schooling, past mere certifications, enhances life’s journey. High quality schooling, mixed with its software, makes a distinction. Success more and more is dependent upon combining schooling with sensible expertise.
The Federal Authorities’s determination to combine 15 talent acquisition programs into the curriculum for major and junior secondary colleges is a daring and commendable step. Beginning in 2025, college students will study sensible expertise like plumbing, digital literacy, and photo voltaic panel set up alongside theoretical information. These expertise will empower college students to create worth and earn a dwelling at a younger age.
Regardless of technological developments, human initiative, creativity, and demanding considering stay irreplaceable. A steadiness between technical information and smooth expertise is important. For instance, industries like Nollywood succeed as a result of professionals mix storytelling with enterprise acumen. Equally, world tech giants depend on people who perceive human conduct and tradition to create impactful merchandise.The addition of sensible talent programs to the curriculum presents a golden alternative. By combining formal schooling with marketable expertise, you’ll improve your profession prospects in a aggressive world. For instance, studying digital literacy and robotics can place you on the forefront of tech innovation, whereas mastering agriculture or different vitality options can handle world challenges.
A Phrase of Encouragement
As you navigate your path, embrace change focus. Be disciplined, deal with others with respect, and at all times goal for excellence. Don’t forget the cherished precept of being guided by the Omoluabi ideas. I used to be lucky to satisfy individuals early in life who helped me keep away from the greed that started to pervade Nigeria within the Eighties. I salute the reminiscences of people just like the late Prof. Adebayo Adedeji, a product of JOGS who led the realisation of the Nationwide Youth Service Corps and the Financial Group of West African States. Additionally, inspirational Dr. Abiodun Osinubi, a civic-minded, anti-greed mannequin and an exemplary Omoluabi was produced by JOGS.
Although my mother and father couldn’t afford my Larger Faculty Certificates, I obtained essential help from my former trainer, Tony Finch, and Principal Rev. N.E. Ade Osisanya. Their insistence that I proceed my schooling made lots of the distinction. The Western State computerized bursary for all college students from the state and the Federal Benefit Award made College examine simpler.Your technology has boundless potential. The longer term is yours to form, making Nigeria and the world a greater place. Embrace the chance to guide and impact change.
Badejo, creator of a best-seller on politics in Kenya, was a former Deputy Particular Consultant of the UN Secretary-Basic for Somalia and is at the moment a Authorized Practitioner, member of the NBA Nationwide Govt Council 2024-26, and Professor of Political Science & Worldwide Relations at Chrisland College, Abeokuta. Nigeria.
