BY REV FR GERALD NWAFOR
I grew up in Onitsha. I went to primary and secondary school in Onitsha and Awka. I went to a tertiary institution in Enugu. I sang all the local songs reigning in those days. Some were very encouraging, others very entertaining, and some others I would say now very vulgar (egwu alulumani). The good ones said in part “In my honor as a student I would do my best.” Or “Standard living aka sanda-li-li-li sanda-li-li-li.” In the standard living song, we claim to become a lawyer, doctor, engineer, or any of the noble professions and that anyone who sees you would know that you have had a good time in your academic life without saying a word. I should not repeat the bad ones, but the new generation should not be quick to copy those vulgar ones, and the older generation should not repeat them by any means. Some of the entertaining ones were also educative because one of them reminds us about the creation of states by Muritala Mohamed and Dimka Boka Soka who killed the head of state in a coup in 1976. Therefore, I want to make a case for the students this holiday season. It is not only a time to stay home and cause problems for the parents and guardians, but also a time to be useful to the family and society. The rich parents can send their kids to lessons or extra-class prep. And from experience, I would advise you to go for that extra class prep and make the best use of it, since the parents are living in Tinubu-Nigeria where the cost of living increase has been so dramatic that no one knows what tomorrow would be like the proverbial pregnant woman. Not the pregnant woman of today that people know the gender even from conception. So, dear students, please stick to the plan of the parents when they pay for extra classes. Some of us who went to extra classes did not regret it but those who chose to go and play soccer and spent the money for extra classes on fried fish, fried plantain, fried beanball (akara), and fish roll saw the result of their actions many years later.When the country collapsed in the mid-80s, and the military took over, our parents could not afford the money for extra lessons because they were civil servants. So, we switched to farming during holidays. All the lands in our village were our destination during holidays. We had some landed properties also along the College of Education Nsugbe. We would go there from 5 AM to 5 PM daily. We would take a taxi to Mission Road near Holy Trinity Basilica and board a bus to 33-Nsugbe or sometimes we may be lucky to get a bus that would go straight to the college (Abalatam). I know that some of the readers would say that if I call the 80s the collapse of Nigeria what would I call the situation of today? To be sincere, I do not know what to call today’s Nigeria. Maybe the people who said that there is no more a country are right. Anyways back to the point. The students could also ask the parents in what area they can help the family. I remember a classmate who would go with the parents to the store in the main market Onitsha on Saturdays when schools were in session, but during holidays it was extra classes only no Saturdays to the market. Some students help out the parents in their petty market along the streets where we go to buy cool water and ice blocks. Students are not loafers, they are the future of their generation. My senior brother who was in the University of Calabar would go to Enamel Wears along Owerri Road to work for the three months he would stay home. Holidays are also a time to learn what is going on in the family in which you find yourself. Ask your parents questions about their means of survival, so that when next they give you the small pocket money you will not be grumpy and be talking about your schoolmate who comes back to school with all the beverages (Provision) and a large sum of money. Times are heard my dear students: be useful, do not add to the problems already. Nigeria is not going forward, it is marching time, or to say the least, it is going backward so, be of help to the family this holiday season.In my day, we sold pure water, groundnuts, bananas, and oranges to make ends meet. Today it is part of my story because it was a humble beginning, but nobody would know unless I share it with you. Keep it humble, keep it simple, but remain focused on where you are going and what you want to be in life. There are many challenges on the road to success but only the champions would surmount the challenges to get to the end point. The common word in the academic circle is that “Quitters do not win, and winners do not quit.” Holiday time is the time to test your ability. The were libraries along Enugu Road in Onitsha near the sports club and another one along Zik Avenue in Awka. We visited both libraries during holidays as kids in the 80s. We read all kinds of books and attended children’s classes in those libraries. It was in the library that I saw for the first time the book “Things Fall Apart.” Although I was disappointed because there were no pictures in it. I was hoping to see Okonkwo and Unoka, but it was all words in black and white. It was in extra class prep that I picked up an interest in mathematics. It was during holidays that learned from the northerners who were residing among us how to kill cows and goats. Challenge yourselves dear students during holidays and learn something new. Let your parents know that in your honor as a student you will help the family to become the best at whatever they plan to do. Holidays are not the time to finish a pot of rice alone. Anyways who see rice chop in the Nigeria of today? It is not a time to watch movies from morning to evening, you can pick a subject that is giving you shage and decide to know how to tackle it head-on. Enjoy your holidays my fellow students but remember that there is life after holidays.
