There is a PANDEMIC in Nigeria

Yesterday, I took a Bolt Ride from Arepo to Lekki
As I stood, waiting for the Car, I saw 2 young ladies hoping to get a ride to Lekki too, so I asked them to join me in the Bolt Ride.

The car pulled up a while later and we got in: they sat at the back, I sat in the front seat…
We drove off.
I introduced myself: “I’m Haruna Daniels, an Architect: I’m working on a site in Arepo, going to Ajah to see my brother.”

They also introduced themselves.
I told them I’m from Kebbi State: “Do you know where that is?”
No.

These ladies were in their early 20s…
So I asked: “What States are you from?”
They responded.
“Who are the Governors of your States?”
No idea!

I then asked, “Who is the President of Nigeria?”
One responded: “Buhari!”

Even the Bolt Driver shouted, “HAAAA!!!”
I asked if they knew the name of the Vice President…
The Senate President, The House of Representatives Speaker, the Chief of Staff, etc.

These young women were ignorant of these folks!
It made me realise the ignorance out there is SERIOUS!

There’s a PANDEMIC in our Country, folks…

When I was in Secondary School (79-84)…
I knew ALL the States, Capitals, Governors and Ministers, Senate President, Speaker, etc.
I was 11-15 then.

We had 19 States then, and we have 36 now. Today, aged 54+, I know the entire 36 States and Capitals.
There’s hardly a Country on the Planet I don’t know its Capital City…
I went on with these ladies, asking several questions, and getting “NO” for answers.
They knew practically NOTHING about politics, world affairs, science, arts, sports, governments…

Unfortunately, that is an example of the average Nigerian of their age range: no KNOWLEDGE at all!
But they will want to make money and live a soft life.
How in the world do you want to “hammer” with such IGNORANCE?

If you ask, they’ll tell you “What God cannot do doesn’t exist!”
Or something equally dumb.

I wonder how employers of labour cope: how do you hire these folks?
When I graduated from Architecture School, I applied for work in several organisations.
I was invited to a few interviews.
I was asked questions like, “What do you think about the Neo Classism Movement?”

“Whose Architecture do you prefer: Le Corbusier’s or Frank Lloyd Wright’s?”
I was asked, “What happened in Egypt last week?”
An earthquake.
Then the next question:
“How many people died?”
😄

We were grilled on practically EVERYTHING! You were expected to have a broad KNOWLEDGE of issues to be employable.

If you drill the youths of today, who will pass?
Honestly, there’s too much IGNORANCE amongst our teeming Youth population.

Some time ago, I watched a quiz where some folks were asked questions and they flunked practically ALL!
I later found out they were BBN Contestants.

These are the “Role Models” our youths look up to…

The ladies protested, “It’s the Government, sir! They have destroyed the Standard of Education…”

I just laughed!
So it’s the Government’s fault you don’t know the name of your President or the Governor of your State?
Come on!

You just outsourced blame for YOUR shortcomings!

Just like this guy who blamed Uzoho for FIFA banning the National Stadium in Abuja from hosting Football matches.
To the unaware, Nigeria didn’t qualify for the World Cup after drawing with Ghana at the Abuja Stadium.
Uzoho was the goalkeeper, he conceded a cheap goal…

When the match ended, spectators went on a RAMPAGE, destroying the National Stadium.
FIFA then banned the Stadium for Security reasons.
But the blame for the ban is placed on Uzoho for conceding a cheap goal, not the violent behaviour of the spectators.
It’s the Nigerian way…
The world has moved from KNOWLEDGE to ENTERTAINMENT.
People who can’t name 5 States in Nigeria, their Capitals, and Governors will tell you how many times Burna Boy’s songs have been streamed and how much Davido made last year.

The irony is, that these folks are very opinionated…
They think they KNOW.
But they are IGNORANT.

Anyone who watched the BBB folks flunking those simple questions should be worried about the future of this Country.

Our youth major in the minor and minor in the major.
Unfortunately, the older generations seem to encourage it…
Otherwise, we wouldn’t be organising reality shows where the winner is paid some humongous money for NOTHING but for being IGNORANT.

The ladies got off the Bolt Ride.
The driver drove off, shook his head, and said, “I hope and pray they HEARD you, sir!”

I hope and pray so too…
😣