90 Years old Pa Tete Allen in Primary One! Talking About Possibilities!

I was watching AIT news one Sunday evening, sometime in October 2011, when I noticed the amazing story/feature of Pa Tete who decided go to school at 90! Pa Tete, from Bayelsa State was never educated and decided at 90 years, that it was time to go to school. He started off from Primary one. It was quite an interesting piece! I watched Pa Tete in his school uniform matching with his fellow primary one classmates. He also intelligently answered questions in class. According to his teacher “Pa Tete is quite intelligent and committed. He is also learning fast”. From the interview with Pa Tete, which was translated in English, he said he decided to go to school because he wanted to know how to read and write. He also wanted to know how to append his signature on documents by himself rather than thumb printing. I found this discovery really fascinating! The question that was on my mind after watching this news was, “how determined can a person be?” If Pa Tete can start it and doing it at 90 years old, what excuse does anyone of us have have not to go to school? I was reading Vanguard Newspaper last week, only to stumble upon an interview of Pa Tete. This brought back the memories of what I saw on TV. I thought I should share the excerpts below which was culled from Vanguard Newspapers: "What was your childhood like in Ologoama and why did you not go to school at your younger age? Laughs) At my younger age, it was not possible for me to go to school because my parents were poor and could not send me to school. I went to cut palm fruits and also engaged in fishing to support my parents. Then, sending me to school was not on their agenda. Was there a primary school in Ologoama at that time? Yes, there was a primary school, but I had to help my father and, moreover, it took a very long time for me to grow in life. I was working for my parents and the consideration was not going to school, if you understand what I mean: my childhood growth was a difficult process; it took a long time for me to mature as a man. But did you tell your father you would have liked to go to school at that time? Yes, I told him but he simply told me he had no money to send me to school. It appears that you did not pester him like other children whose parents sent them to school. You know your father and the kind of person he is before you talk to him the way you like as a child. My father was not somebody you could talk to anyhow and when I told him, he said I should shut up, as education was not his priority. And when you see the way your father spoke to you about something as a younger child, you will know how you raise the matter concerning such a thing next time. So, he did not even make a promise that he would send you to school? Oh yes, I almost forgot, at a time, he said I should continue to work, that he would send me to school later. So, I continued to do fishing and cutting palm fruits, but I was not sent to school until he died. How did you cope after his death? I continued to struggle, I was born in the struggle and I had to struggle to survive and live. I married, had children and grand children as you can see. How many wives do you have? Two. Did your wives go to school? No Why did you marry wives that did not go to school? I love them Now that you have started school, will they also go to school? If they like, I will not force them How educated are your children, where are they? One of them is studying medicine in the university, some are in primary school Who is training the one in the university? I am the one training him How? You are an old man. I don't think you can still go for fishing again. I am a fisherman and hunter, though; I don't hunt again because of my age. So what propelled you to start school at 90 years? It is not an age when going to school should be a priority. As one of the elders of the community, if people bring document for me to sign, I will be shown where they put my name for me to thumbprint and they will tell me how much money they brought to our community, you know we are an oil community. Sometimes too, people will come and meet me and say that the community has collected XYZ amount of money and, when I say I am not aware, they would tell me that I am not saying the truth because my thumbprint is on the paper, showing that we have collected the money. Also, people will come and tell me that the community was paid N50, 000 and may be the amount is more than that and, because I did not go to school, I didn't know what is written on the paper. In fact, the oil company brings money to the community and what some of the youths tell me is different from what was actually paid to us; so I decided to go to school to be able to write my name and sign my signature and also to know what was actually paid to the community, not small boys coming to blindfold me at my age because I did not go to school. Who did you tell when you decided you wanted to start school at 90 years? I have two wives, I told the older wife and she said I could go if I wished to and that she would convey my plan to the younger wife. She actually did and my second wife became very happy. Who else did you tell and what was the response? I told my closest friend, Mr. Cameroon Isaih, and he said I was free to go if I wanted to. He told me what I was telling him was like a dream to him, that somebody of my age wanted to start primary one. What was the reaction of your son in the university when he learnt that you have started school? By son in the university has not come home since I started school in September What was your first day in school like? I wore my school uniform to the school and all the students gathered to have a glimpse of me, something they'd never seen before, but later they started playing with me. What did the headmaster tell you the day you told him you wanted to enrol in primary one? He was happy to receive me. Can you spell your name? No, I started only in September So you never felt ashamed wearing school uniform at this age and going to the classroom to sit down with pupils that are like your grandchildren? I never felt ashamed. Why should I when I know I decided to go to school?. I know that I am their grandfather but I want to read and have knowledge; there is no shame in acquiring knowledge at my age; people learn and acquire more knowledge until they die. The truth is that I know what I want to gain by going to school, so whatever is done outside that is like a distraction to me and I am not bothered by it. So what is it like starting school at 90? There is nothing special or spectacular, I am happy. Who is your best friend in the class? I have not got close friends yet but my classmates are free with me Tell me how you see you class teacher? He is doing fine; I have no problem with him I was told you can read the alphabets, but not all. Can you read for me? Yes, a, b, c, d, e, f (thunderous clap by the crowd) What of numbers, 1, 2, 3? 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 10 (another deafening ovation) Do your classmates tease you in class because you are too old? They don't tease me; they are even the ones teaching me things I don't understand.. Are you the class monitor? I am not the class monitor I hear that you bring biscuits and other gifts to your classmates? No, I don't take biscuits to the school. Have you been punished by your teacher for failing to do your homework or doing any wrong thing in class since you started? No What is the colour of your school uniform? White and blue Who bought them for you? I bought the clothes and gave them to a tailor to sew for me Who washes them for you? My wives" It is never too late to achieve your dream. All it takes is just that FIRST step. I am indeed very proud of Pa Tete Allen :-)

Happy Year 2012!

2011 was an eventful year for me. I am hoping it was eventful for you too. In the area of development, progresses were made for me as a practitioner and in the field of development as a whole. Although, there are still much to be done towards the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)and other development policies, by working together, building strategic partnerships and commitments, would bring about progress. 1st January 2012, the federal government of the republic of Nigeria announced the removal of petroleum subsidy. The sale of PMS/petrol, due to the subsidy removal was increased from N65 per litre to N141 per litre. This was not a welcome idea for Nigerians, most especially, not a good way to start up the new year. Like majority would say in the country, "this is a wrong timing". However the case maybe....I see 2012 to be a year of productivity and measurable impact in the development sector. Looking beyond the fuel subsidy protest in Nigeria as well as other development challenges in the world, I am optimistic that the improvements and change we want to see is near. Therefore, in optimism and willingness to take action, I urge and welcome you all to an impactful 2012! We shall surmount all the challenges in our governance system only if we make commitments to be involved and take complete action towards the development for our beloved country, Nigeria. The change we want to see tomorrow begins with you and me.

Volunteering as a tool for acquiring more skills!

Learning new skills is very essential, greatly encouraged and advantageous for youth. There are things that the four walls of the classroom might not teach you. However, in order to stay on top and travel with the moving train, it is important to be prepared to fit into the growing social and economic environment. One tool I greatly recommend to help increase the skills of young persons, is to find time to volunteer within an organizations or institutions of their interest. Through this approach, young people are able to acquire more skills as well as share their skills too. Since the demand for job due to high rate of unemployment is more than the supply of jobs, acquiring relevant skills could help fast track an individual as an entrepreneur or better still meet up to the growing challenge for the experiences required for employment.

Today is International Human Rights Day! December 10

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights' (UDHR)was adopted on 10th December 1948. Since this day, the date -December 10 of every year has been marked as the Human Rights Day worldwide. There are certain rights guiding a human person, one of it, which I think is the most important is the 'right to life'. Every human has an intrinsic value which is the dignity of a human person. Every human has the right to existence and to live peacefully with one another. It is a good thing to know and understand your rights. Apart from the diverse declaration that exists globally, which essentially is relevant to know, what is it that exists in the constitution of your nation? In this context, what is it that exists in the Nigerian constitution? A basic knowledge of the Nigerian constitution will do alot of good. Many times, I have wondered at some actions I see or hear happen around me. An example is sometimes watching a human being tortured in the name of discipline or uniformed men maltreating the civilians because of the arms they are carry and probably the power behind their uniform. If only human right education could be made part of educational curriculum, it would help alot to instill that consciousness of 'rights' within our society. While having the consciousness of 'rights' instilled, the consequences for violation of one's right should not spare any...better still, have 'no sacred cow'. As we mark Human Rights Day, educate people around you. "Human rights belong equally to each of us and bind us together as a global community with the same ideals and values. As a global community we all share a day in common: Human Rights Day on 10 December, when we remember the creation 63 years ago of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. On Human Rights Day 2011, we pay tribute to all human rights defenders and ask you to get involved in the global human rights movement" -UN

Education: Access and Quality

Have you ever walked into a school to find children sitting on bare floor or on grasses to receive lessons? Many times, I question why the standard education in Nigeria is depreciating instead of appreciating. There are very little or no resources in the schools. The quality and access to good education is lacking. It is so unfortunate that most public/government schools have been completely abandoned by the government if not for the intervention of some charity and development organisations. The answer to the question above is not far fetched. Private schools have taken the place of public schools while the public schools have been left in their deplorable state. The rich and those who are able to afford private schools, send their children there, while others send their children outside the shores of the country to study. However, how long will we have to put up with these poor standards of our education system? I am looking forward to when the commitment to the development to the education system in communities will be one of the criteria for electing candidates into government regardless of the position they are vying for. I think the whole idea of government leaders sending their children to private schools and outside the country is not helping as this makes many of them nonchalant about the system. i am always happy when I learn about the successes of School Based Management Committees (SBMCs)in some communities. Since communities can not wait for the government for everything, it is good to learn about some of the efforts of these SBMCs in taking ownership of the schools in their communities, re-building dilapidated structures, sourcing for funds and equipping the schools with resources. I am looking forward to when our education system will grow to the level of competing amongst the world's best schools and institutions. When we will have political leaders, who will not only be concerned about their own political ambitions but also make the problems of the education sector their problems while working towards the improvement of the sector and access to quality education for all.

Volunteer for Development!

My dear friends, if you have not started volunteering for a wider community, you need to begin now! Volunteering has a whole lot to do with development. We cannot fold our arms waiting for the government or leaders in position. We all can make impact at different levels and in our own little ways.

Happy International Youth Day to all the youth around the world. The time for taking action is now! Together, Everyone (will definitely) Achieve More (TEAM)!

VOLUNTEER ON THE NIGERIA GRADUATE VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME!

Are You A Young Person?
Have You Just Completed Your National Youth Service Corps?
Are You A Change Maker?

If you answer in the affirmative to the above questions, then here is the opportunity you have being looking for:

The Nigeria Graduate Volunteer Programme (NGVP) (formerly known as the Corper Plus programme) is a one-year volunteering programme, which gives young people the opportunity to give back to the society and contribute to raising the standard of education in Nigeria. Volunteering on NGVP requires you to provide selfless service without monetary gain or financial incentives. While it is a uniquely rewarding opportunity, it provides a platform to be different, it is challenging and you will have to be a special person to make it work.
The graduate volunteer programme is a powerful social change initiative aimed at tackling educational disadvantage in challenging schools in Kwara, Nasarawa and Kano state. This programme harnesses the energy and enthusiasm of exceptional graduates to provide leadership and motivation to students in schools and at the same time it transforms those graduates into inspiring leaders ready to excel in management careers.
Minimum requirements:
• 2.2 Degree or HND in either English Language, Mathematics or any of the Science Courses.
• Flexibility to teach in secondary schools in Kwara and Nasarawa State.
Package for Volunteers• A modest allowance (N12,000)
• Modest accommodation
• Potential to form social relationship with local communities
• Skills training and development
• An acknowledgement certificate

If you are interested in becoming an inspirational leader and participating in the Nigeria Gradaute Volunteer Programme (NGVP), then please send an email to nigeriagvp@gmail.com requesting for an application form.