Opinion
Facts of Life: You Are Not Educated until You can Create Ideas
By Henry Ukazu
Hearty Greetings my dear friends!
Communicating and relating with you on a regular basis gives me not only joy and satisfaction but also fulfillment. As one of my positive mentors, Chief Dele Momodu, will say, ‘in order to remain relevant on social media, you must continually endeavor to feed your followers with information and updates to keep them engaged, otherwise they might lose interest in your work’. It is on this note, I try to update my tribe every week on resourceful topics that will not only inspire them, but also assist them in attaining success. This is my own little way of giving back to the society. By so doing, I’m educating progressive minds with resourceful information that has empowered me.
Today, we shall be discussing education and how it can serve as a pathway to success. We shall also be looking at various ways education can serve as a pathway to success and other component parts. Not only that, we will be discussing the contemporary and smart ways of educating oneself as opposed to the traditional style of education.
I was inspired to write about education being a pathway to success after listening to two terms former Governor of Anambra State and Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Mr. Peter Obi’s speech at an event which was organised by the Christian Covenant Centre under the auspices of Platform. Honestly, it is always good to listen to intelligent people when they speak or write because one has a great opportunity to learn from their secret of success.
Please permit me to share a word or two about the background of Mr. Peter Obi.
Mr. Obi is a trained and experienced Economist, Administrator and Politician. He sees himself priviledged to have attended some of the best schools in the world such as Harvard Business School, Boston, USA; London School of Economics UK; Columbia Business School, New York and Lagos Business School in Nigeria. Mr. Obi is also the Vice Presidential Candidate for the Peoples Democratic Party for the 2019 Nigerian presidential election; He was a Governor of Anambra State, one of the most resourceful and viable states in Nigeria.
In his speech, Mr. Peter Obi mentioned education as one of the most resourceful and viable tools to stimulate the economy. That speech really resonated in me, and I thought it nice to write about education but on a different note.
The focus of this article is how resourceful minds can tap into the indirect form of education to achieve their dreams. In this twenty-first century, you cannot underestimate the power and role of education for an emerging economy, and countries that have truly distinguished themselves in the comity of Nations. Education plays a great role in shaping the life of a progressive mind. This is because all civilized countries know that the only way to stamp their feet in the global world is by planning for tomorrow, and how does one plan for tomorrow? You plan for tomorrow by investing for the future through education. Investment in education is synonymous to your future. In the words of Benjamin Franklin, failing to prepare is preparing to fail. In civilized climes, they have taken education to the next level by investing in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). They didn’t stop at that; they try to empower their citizens through Research and Development to solve some of the challenges facing them.
I strongly believe that one of the greatest investment you can have in life is education. Education secures the future because it’s a form of security. Even the book of life states in Proverbs 4:13 “Your education is your life, guard it very well” and Hosea 4:6 “My people perish for lack of knowledge”.
That being said, we shall be looking at the component and the relative part of education as a way of leveraging oneself. There’s nothing good in life that comes easy. Every good product or success comes with a price tag. The same theory goes for education. The price of education is very expensive. I remember when I was seeking admission into one of Nigerian state universities to study Law. I met one of the admission officers who promised to assist me secure admission. I was excited about this opportunity until he told me the amount I have to pay as a kickback. The price sounded outrageous to me. When I asked him why I have to pay such amount of money as a kickback, he said: “young man if you think education is expensive, try ignorance”. That statement has always remained in my heart till date. I definitely agreed with him because if you compare and contrast the value of education and the price of ignorance, you will realize that education will definitely pay in the long run. Moral: If you are not willing to risk the unusual, you will have to settle for the ordinary.
What do we therefore mean by traditional form and style of education? It simply involves attending classes and preparing for exams. However, it should be noted that education is not only limited to getting degrees and certificates. Education also entails thinking out of the box, reading books outside your discipline, researching, learning from resourceful minds and developing oneself.
During one of my classes as graduate student studying Taxation at the New York Law School, a particular professor had told the students; ‘it is good to get good grades like As; but networking and developing oneself and following your passion are some of the things that will give you the desired opportunity you want in addition to defining you. What I literally got from that advice is, yes, it’s good to get good grades, but there’s more to success than getting the grades. He ended the class by telling us ‘you’ll understand what I’m saying when you graduate and start exploring job opportunities’.
No doubt, education is good, and the advantages numerous. A very big advantage of education is that it is the greatest leveler known to mankind just like money. Let me explain a bit. You can study in the same classroom with the son or daughter of any great man or woman and can even fall in love with the said being, especially when you know or understand the love language of the person in addition to being compatible to the being. This opportunity can even lead to marriage if properly nurtured. What I’m trying to say is that the son of certified pauper can be a man of means tomorrow if properly nurtured. Let me share a practical experience with you, I was privileged to attend one of the most expensive private universities in Nigeria, and I had the opportunity of meeting the children of top government officials, politicians, businessmen, ambassadors, and technocrats. Ordinarily, I felt a little bit uneasy relating with them because of the class status, but it didn’t take me long to adjust to the system when I saw the value I was bringing to the table and knowing full well we are the same. The secret to this feat was because of the exposure I got from education. Furthermore, I have been privileged to meet high profile people in the world in the USA because of the value I bring to the table, but more especially, because I have been properly educated to speak and communicate in the language they understand.
Be informed however, that education does not guarantee success; stories abound of so many great people who have been able to succeed in life without getting the traditional style of education. For example, the wealthiest Black woman in the world, Mrs. Folorunsho Alakija; Henry Ford, Shawn Corey Carter popularly know as Jay -Z, Richard Branson and many more are accomplished individuals who believed in themselves, explored their talents and worked hard to develop themselves by learning from their failures.
Again, education creates opportunities. According to Steve Jobs, innovation distinguishes a leader from a follower. When you create a product that solves a problem, there’s a high tendency you will find people who will need your products. According to Albert Einstein, “try not to be a man of success, try to be a man of value. A good education makes you to think out of the box. It makes you creative. It broadens your mind in addition to exposing you to resourceful information. A good education is like traveling because it gets you exposed to world affairs. It’s quite unfortunate that sometimes we complain of not having time, money, or opportunities. We forget that time is like money. Whenever you say you don’t have money, it invariably means you don’t have time to read and research. It’s important to note that ideas are what creates money. Education will not literally give you money, it will open doors of opportunity for you to explore. For example, instead of waiting to get funds for a formal education, how about visiting websites, researching for online and offline companies that offer free courses and equip yourself with knowledge. Moral: Never allow an opportunity to meet you unprepared.
You might have the best of education, but you might not be as successful as someone who has empowered his/her mind. Having faith and belief in oneself is very critical to success.
According to Muhammed Ali “The man who has no imagination has no wings”. This is the reason some entrepreneurs who never had the opportunity of going to a school were able to succeed more than those who attended universities.
According to Robert Collier “Your chances of success in any undertaking can always be measured by your belief in yourself”. One story of interest that comes to mind is that of John Sculley, the former CEO of Pepsi who left Pepsi to join Steve jobs in his company. Steve Jobs told John Sculley “Do you want to sell sugar water for the rest of your life? Or do you want to come with me and change the world?” The rest they say is history. The interesting part of this analysis is that Steve Jobs trusted his innate ability to achieve success and the knowledge he had can’t be acquired within the four walls of a classroom. It was this same innate ability that made the bank to give him and Bill Gate two million dollars when they presented their ideas to them. The question now is did they go to school to acquire this knowledge? The answer is no. They developed their minds, believed in themselves and above all, educated themselves by learning from their failures.
Finally, a major form of indirect knowledge and education in our contemporary society is social media. Testimonies abound of people who have gained a lot by mere listening to a podcast, videos, and reading online messages on Twitters, Facebooks, LinkedIn, Instagram and relevant articles from resourceful minds. Education has truly gone global. Social media has made the world much closer and easier to learn. What literally took Mr. A five to ten years to acquire in the classroom can simply be gotten via researching and listening to people with authoritative form of knowledge who have expertise in the subject matter in question. But it’s quite unfortunate a lot of people spend valuable time and resources listening and watching online information that won’t add value to their lives
In conclusion, I’m not insinuating that formal education is not important, please it is very important. If you have the opportunity to get one, please do, because that alone is education itself. However, as mentioned earlier, it is not the yardstick for success.
Have a great weekend!
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He can be reached via henrous@gmail.com
By Tolulope A. Adegoke PhD
Building on the foundational imperative outlined in Part 1, this discussion delves deeper into the practical pathways, persistent realities, and transformative potential of leadership in Africa. It examines how leadership can drive self-reliance, foster deeper unity, and elevate Africa’s global relevance in a rapidly changing world. The analysis remains balanced, acknowledging both remarkable progress and sobering challenges, while offering actionable solutions for Africa and, by extension, the wider world.
The Current Landscape: Progress Amid Persistent Hurdles
Africa today presents a paradox of promise and pain. On one hand, the continent has recorded notable successes. Countries like Rwanda, Ghana, Botswana, Mauritius, and Senegal have demonstrated that focused leadership can deliver stability, economic growth, and improved governance. Rwanda’s post-genocide reconstruction under President Paul Kagame has become a global reference point for visionary leadership, digital innovation, and gender-inclusive governance. Ghana has maintained relatively stable democratic transitions for decades, while Botswana has transformed diamond wealth into broad-based development through prudent leadership and strong institutions.
On the other hand, significant challenges persist. Many nations continue to grapple with high youth unemployment, infrastructure deficits, climate vulnerability, debt burdens, and recurring political instability. The recent surge in unconstitutional changes of government in parts of the Sahel highlights the fragility of democratic gains. These issues are compounded by external pressures — unfair global trade rules, debt servicing burdens, and the effects of geopolitical rivalries playing out on African soil.
This complex reality underscores a central truth: Africa’s progress is neither linear nor guaranteed. It depends critically on the calibre and orientation of its leadership.
Forging Self-Reliance Through Bold Leadership
Self-reliance is not isolationism; it is the deliberate cultivation of internal capacity to reduce harmful dependencies. Transformative African leaders recognize that true sovereignty begins with economic independence and human dignity. They invest strategically in education systems that produce critical thinkers and innovators rather than mere certificate holders. They promote local content policies that prioritize African entrepreneurs in key sectors such as agriculture, mining, technology, and creative industries.
A practical model is Ethiopia’s industrial parks initiative and agricultural modernization efforts, which, despite challenges, have shown the potential of state-led strategic planning. Similarly, Morocco’s emergence as a regional manufacturing and renewable energy hub illustrates how deliberate leadership can reposition a country within global value chains. Leaders who champion self-reliance also reform agricultural systems, support smallholder farmers with modern techniques and market access, and invest in value addition to move beyond raw commodity exports.
Advancing Unity in Diversity
Unity in Africa does not require uniformity; it requires the mature management of diversity. Effective leaders build national and continental cohesion by promoting inclusive governance, respecting cultural identities, and ensuring equitable resource distribution. They invest in symbols, narratives, and institutions that foster a shared African identity while celebrating diversity.
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) represents a historic opportunity in this regard. When fully implemented, it can foster economic interdependence that makes conflict more costly and cooperation more rewarding. Leaders who champion AfCFTA are not just signing agreements; they are laying the foundation for a more united and economically powerful Africa. Successful unity also requires healing historical wounds through genuine reconciliation processes, as seen in Rwanda’s Gacaca courts and South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
Elevating Global Relevance
Africa’s global relevance will not be granted — it must be earned through excellence and strategic engagement. Forward-looking leaders position Africa as a solutions provider rather than a problem to be managed. They leverage the continent’s youthful population, cultural creativity, and natural resources responsibly to contribute to global challenges such as climate change, public health, and sustainable development.
Countries like Kenya (through its tech ecosystem), Nigeria (through its creative industries), and South Africa (through its scientific and industrial capabilities) are already demonstrating this potential. The most effective leaders amplify these successes by investing in quality education, research and development, and global diplomatic engagement that projects African agency rather than victimhood.
Practical Solutions for Current Challenges
To translate vision into reality, African leadership must pursue the following integrated solutions:
- Human Capital Revolution: Reform education systems to emphasize critical thinking, digital literacy, entrepreneurship, and ethical leadership from primary to tertiary levels.
- Institutional Strengthening: Build strong, independent institutions that can withstand changes in government and enforce accountability.
- Economic Transformation: Implement deliberate industrial policies, support local entrepreneurs, and accelerate regional integration through AfCFTA.
- Youth and Women Inclusion: Create structured platforms for meaningful participation of young people and women in governance and economic decision-making.
- Ethical and Accountable Governance: Combat corruption through transparent systems, judicial independence, and citizen engagement.
- Climate and Environmental Leadership: Position Africa as a leader in green economy solutions, leveraging its renewable energy potential and biodiversity.
Balanced Conclusion
Africa stands at a historic crossroads. The challenges are real and significant, but so too is the continent’s potential. Leadership remains the decisive variable. When leaders rise above narrow interests to serve the collective good, Africa does not just survive — it thrives and offers the world new models of resilience and innovation.
The path forward requires a new covenant: between leaders and citizens, between nations and regions, and between Africa and the global community. This covenant must be rooted in trust, mutual accountability, and shared vision. With the right leadership — courageous, ethical, inclusive, and strategic — Africa can forge a new era of self-reliance, unity, and global relevance.
The question is not whether Africa can rise. The question is whether its leaders, supported by an awakened citizenry, will summon the will, wisdom, and courage to make that rise unstoppable. The world is watching, and history is waiting to record the choices made in this decisive decade.
Dr. Tolulope A. Adegoke, AMBP-UN is a globally recognized scholar-practitioner and thought leader at the nexus of security, governance, and strategic leadership. His mission is dedicated to advancing ethical governance, strategic human capital development, resilient nation building, and global peace. He can be reached via: tolulopeadegoke01@gmail.com, globalstageimpacts@gmail.com
By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
It would not be out of place to state that every human has experienced one challenge or another in his lifetime, and somehow still experiencing some form of challenges, no matter how mild or insignificant. No one can claim he is without experience.
Against this backdrop therefore, I ask, what’s your experience like?
Different life experiences are encountered in our everyday living including business, marriage, academic, spiritual, family personal or professional. Sometimes, our experiences shape us and leave us with lasting memories.
One of the things I have learnt about life is never to complain; complaining doesn’t change anything, rather it aggravates everything. If I may ask, why worry when you can’t change the situation? According to the Serenity Prayer, God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and wisdom to know the difference.
As humans, it’s normal to give up when the odds are against one, pushing becomes a herculean task when the odds are against one, motivation becomes an illusion, and inspiration becomes imagination.
One of the great ways to succeed in life is to live each day at a time, enjoying one moment at a time, and accepting hardships as one of the “pathways” to succeed despite all the odds. This is one of the important teachings of the Serenity Prayer.
Let’s analyze the Serenity Prayer. We were instructed to accept the things we cannot change, have the courage to change the things we can change, and then seek discernment to know when we need to accept our faith and when we need to move on despite the odds staring at us.
An example of what we cannot change is death; we just must live through it with the right attitude. An example of what we can change is our lifestyle, and to know the difference, we need to listen to our inner heart.
As we explore life vicissitudes, we are supposed to know when to act, when we are supposed to relax, and when the universe, God, or life is teaching us or telling us something.
Understanding the concept of against all odds is not for the faint-hearted because it is hard to trust something or surrender to someone when one doesn’t feel secure. Imagine a case scenario when one is trying to contest for an election, and the institutions and gatekeepers are against one’s candidacy, and still the person perseveres. Taking a case study of Barack Obama, the 44th president of the United States of America, very few people believed he would win the election because he’s a Black man. Against all odds, he won the election and re-election twice against two formidable, wealthy White politicians.
The significance of this victory is that president Obama has faith and believes in himself despite the numerous nay voices he was hearing from within and outside.
We have all experienced this situation in one way or another, but we refused to give up. I remembered when I had my first election, I wasn’t given a chance to win, but to my detractors’ greatest concern, I won with an impressive result.
Another scenario, played out while I was in New York Law School, I was pursuing a program I had little or no interest in. I personally didn’t believe I would graduate from the school, but as fate may have it, I was able to get a scholarship when my results were considered an uncommon academic success.
The moral of these scenarios is that, in the journey of life, we must have faith in our vision and we must believe in our capacity to succeed against all odds. When you do, people will see and feel it and potentially come through for you, all things being equal.
Furthermore, in the journey to life, life throws different arrows and shades at us. The best we can do is to accept it and be open. Sometimes, what we fail to understand is that our blessings and opportunities come in places we don’t expect. Sometimes, unexpected doors and opportunities come to us in places we least expect.
So, when the odds come up, please don’t give up, just gear up to the challenge and understand the inherent lessons life wants you to learn because at the end of the day, though times never last, tough people do.
In conclusion, never allow the odds of life to define you; rather, use it as a stepping stone to build a castle. That was exactly what I did when I was told I couldn’t succeed in the USA and when I was told I was a horrible writer. Against all odds, by the special grace of God, I was able to exceed expectations by publishing three books and appeared several times on television.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the founder of Gloemi. He’s a Transformative Human Capacity and Mindset coach. He is also a public speaker, youth advocate, creative writer and author of Design Your Destiny Design and Unleash Your Destiny . He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
By Tolulope A. Adegoke
“The destiny of Africa will not be determined by the strength of its resources, but by the quality of its leadership — leaders who see beyond personal power to build a continent where every African can rise, contribute, and thrive on the global stage.” — Tolulope A. Adegoke, PhD
Leadership in Africa is not merely about occupying high office; it is a sacred responsibility to restore dignity, unlock potential, and chart a bold path toward collective prosperity. For decades, the continent has been burdened by narratives of poverty, conflict, and dependency. Yet, a new generation of visionary, ethical, and courageous leaders is rising — men and women who understand that Africa’s greatest wealth lies in its people, its diverse cultures, and its untapped potential. True African leadership must be transformative, inclusive, and globally oriented, focused on building resilient institutions, empowered citizens, and a competitive continent that contributes meaningfully to humanity’s progress.
The Imperative of Transformative Leadership
At its best, African leadership is defined by a deep sense of purpose and ownership. It rejects the politics of survival and embraces the politics of vision. Transformative leaders prioritize human capital development as the foundation of progress. They invest heavily in quality education, healthcare, skills acquisition, and entrepreneurship, recognizing that a skilled, healthy, and empowered population is the ultimate driver of sustainable development.
A shining example is Rwanda under President Paul Kagame. In the aftermath of the 1994 genocide, Rwanda transformed from a failed state into one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies through deliberate investments in education, technology, and women’s empowerment. Today, Rwanda boasts one of the highest rates of female parliamentary representation in the world and has become a hub for digital innovation and entrepreneurship in East Africa.
Such leadership is also rooted in integrity and accountability. Corruption and weak institutions have long hindered Africa’s advancement. Leaders who model transparency, uphold the rule of law, and place national and continental interests above personal gain build the trust necessary for long-term transformation. Botswana stands as a classic case. Since independence, successive leaders have managed diamond revenues with remarkable prudence, establishing strong anti-corruption institutions and consistent fiscal discipline, resulting in one of Africa’s highest per capita incomes and stable democratic governance.
Visionary leadership in Africa further demands economic diversification and innovation. Moving away from over-reliance on raw commodity exports, forward-thinking leaders champion industrialization, technology adoption, renewable energy, and the creative industries. Kenya’s “Silicon Savannah” in Nairobi, driven by deliberate government policies supporting fintech and digital startups, has produced globally recognized companies like M-Pesa, which revolutionized mobile money and financial inclusion across Africa. Similarly, Morocco has successfully diversified its economy through investments in automotive manufacturing, aerospace, and renewable energy, positioning itself as a major industrial player on the continent.
Building Africa Through Unity and Integration
No African nation can achieve greatness in isolation. The most effective leaders champion Pan-Africanism and regional integration. They actively support frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which promises to create the world’s largest single market. They strengthen Regional Economic Communities (RECs) such as ECOWAS, EAC, and SADC as building blocks for a stronger African Union. By harmonizing policies, reducing trade barriers, and investing in cross-border infrastructure, these leaders turn geographic proximity into economic power and shared prosperity.
Leadership that builds Africa also invests in peace and security. Persistent conflicts continue to destroy lives and opportunities. Progressive leaders prioritize conflict prevention, mediation, and post-conflict reconstruction. They strengthen institutions like the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA) and promote African solutions to African problems, reducing harmful dependence on external actors. Ghana’s consistent contribution to regional peacekeeping missions and its stable democratic transitions under leaders like Jerry Rawlings and John Kufuor demonstrate how committed leadership can anchor stability in turbulent times.
Developing Africans Globally
Great African leadership extends beyond national borders. It nurtures a new generation of globally competitive Africans — professionals, entrepreneurs, scientists, diplomats, and creatives who carry African excellence to every corner of the world. This requires deliberate investment in education systems that emphasize critical thinking, creativity, digital literacy, and global competence. It means creating policies that engage the African diaspora, encouraging them to invest their skills, capital, and networks back home through structured programmes.
Leaders who build Africans globally also reshape narratives. They counter negative stereotypes by promoting stories of African innovation, resilience, cultural richness, and intellectual contribution. Nigeria’s booming Nollywood industry and its vibrant tech ecosystem (with hubs in Lagos and Abuja) have projected a dynamic image of African creativity and entrepreneurship to the world. Similarly, South Africa’s leadership in fields like biotechnology and renewable energy showcases the continent’s capacity for scientific excellence.
The Leadership Imperative in a Changing World
Africa faces significant challenges — poverty, infrastructure deficits, youth unemployment, climate vulnerability, and governance gaps. However, these are not insurmountable. The leadership Africa needs today must be courageous enough to make difficult decisions, inclusive enough to empower women, youth, and marginalized groups, and ethical enough to reject patronage and short-termism. It must balance national sovereignty with continental solidarity, and local realities with global opportunities.
A Call to Action
The future of Africa will not be written by external forces. It will be authored by Africans themselves — guided by leaders who understand that leadership is ultimately a trust to serve, uplift, and build. The continent does not lack potential. What it needs is consistent, visionary, and accountable leadership at every level — from village heads to heads of state, from the classroom to the boardroom.
When leadership rises to this calling, Africa will not only build itself but will also offer the world new models of resilience, innovation, and inclusive growth. The time has come for a new covenant between African leaders and their people — a covenant rooted in trust, service, and shared destiny.
Africa’s story is still being written. With the right leadership, it can become one of triumph, dignity, and global excellence. The question is not whether Africa can rise — but whether its leaders will summon the will, wisdom, and courage to make that rise unstoppable.
Dr. Tolulope A. Adegoke, AMBP-UN is a globally recognized scholar-practitioner and thought leader at the nexus of security, governance, and strategic leadership. His mission is dedicated to advancing ethical governance, strategic human capital development, resilient nation building, and global peace. He can be reached via: tolulopeadegoke01@gmail.com, globalstageimpacts@gmail.com
