In a lecture delivered by aptitude scholar and an erudite professor of all season, Prof. Is-hag Olanrewaju Oloyede professor of Islamics and the Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) at occasion of the 17th Convocation ceremonies of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka titled “Mainstreaming Uncertainty, Getting ready for the University of Life”. Professor Oloyode pointed out that convocation lectures should be tailored to address the uncertainty which the graduating students will be facing as they graduate from academic institution to the real life experience which he called the University of Life.
Prof. Charles Esimone, UNIZIK VC, presenting Plaque to the Convocation Lecturer and JAMB Registrar, Prof. Is-hag Oloyede.
He pointed out that many a times what is being delivered as convocation lecture to graduating student is actually called a commencement speech in America. He said that the convocation lecture do not often have any impact on them, reason being that a graduating student should be prepared to combat what is ahead and not to be embodied with the problems and challenges of the country which he described as uncertainty. Mr Oloyede expressed that if they have good knowledge of uncertainty it will help them in taking the right decision and can attend the University of Life with clear understanding.
He cited several example about the subject of the day. One of such examples is about the pregnant deer in a remote forest which was about to give birth to new life. It found a remote field near a river and slowly went there with the thought that it is safe. Getting closer she feels Labour pains and at the same moment, dark clouds gathered around the area as lightening started a forest fire, Turning left, she saw a hunter who was aiming an arrow at her from a distance, trying to move towards her right she spotted an hungry lion coming close to her, there were challenges from all sides.
The university chancellor, on the second right, HRH. Da Jacob Gyang Buba (Gbong Gwong Jos) and the school authorities.
What then can the deer do at this critical time when she is faced with all manner of troubling realities and he asked “would the deer survive”? Would it give birth to a fawn, and would the fawn survive? Or would everything be consumed by the wild fire? Could the deer go left? The hunter’s arrow was already aimed at her! And if she goes right the hungry lion was already approaching! Could she move up? There ahead was the forest fire and if she attempts to move down, there was the fierce and deep river. In a fraction of a second, a lightning struck and blinded the eyes of the hunter. He released the arrow missing the targeted deer and hitting the approaching hungry lion in its very heart, just at that moment it started to rain and it quenched the raging forest fire at that moment the deer gave birth to a healthy calf.
He went further to explain that life is uncertain and that no one know what could happen tomorrow, but despite the uncertainty of life, all efforts, preparations and attentions must be focused on what is at hand, when attention is given to those things that matters at each point in time, it will ultimately be realized that every cloud has a silver lining.
He pointed out the followings as the dimensions of uncertainty in Nigeria; Political instability, Economic Challenges, Security Threats, Social Inequalities, Ethnic and Religious Tensions. He opined that inspite of the enormous potential that Nigeria holds for growth, development, opportunities and progress, Nigerians have often allowed human factors to limit it capacity. He stressed that we need to stave off the negativity that had given the country a bad name for some time these includes; Inanity, Wealth Without Work nd Knowledge Without Character, Social Media Addiction Vs Proactive Social Media Practice, Environmental Pollution, Climate Change And Epidemics, Japa Syndrome, Nation Building And Civilization Collapse.
According to Prof. Oloyede, In finding solutions to the culture of uncertainty that has continued to assail the present generation and the nation, the following points is needed: The Fourth Industrial Revolution And Entrepreneurship, Adaptation, Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship, Mainstreaming Uncertainty, Dealing With Reality. He also revealed that the following points are the strategies of mainstreaming uncertainty; Accept that uncertainty is normal, You Must Take Care of Your Entire Self, Focus On What You Can Control, Seek Support Where Necessary, Engage In Mindfulness Exercise, Be Informed, Educate Yourself, Be Adaptable And Open To Change, Set Realistic Expectations, Practice Gratitude, Seek Professional Help Where Needed.
In conclusion, he cited another short story of a bird that survived under the cold through a cow dung, but he was eaten up by a cat because it lacked some safety knowledge. He therefore advised the graduating students to be like the eagle that soars above the clouds of uncertainties and challenges, aiming higher. Do not be like a duck that just quacks without making any serous effort.
