OBADIAH MAILAFIA: STEADYING THE SHIP IN STORMY WATERS (V): UNIVERSITIES WILL NEVER TEACH YOU ABOUT LAWS OF SUCCESS

FEATURED IN JARUSHUB THOUGHT LEADERSHIP SERIES

 By

Dr. Obadiah Mailafia

 Chief of Staff of the Organisation of African, Caribbean & Pacific (ACP) of States, Brussels, Belgium

Former Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria

 Being Text of a Lecture Delivered at the 11^th Session of the National Economics Students Association (NESA) Conference at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria

 (12–13 March, 2014) 

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

7.   Concluding Observations

Some of the most important things in life are never taught within the walls of the Academy. They never teach how to find your life-purpose or how to choose your future spouse or raise a family. Universities never teach you about the laws of success. You will have to learn them on your own. And after graduation you will have to unlearn the dead weight of scholastic dogmas that have been bombarded into your brain.

My friends, it is never too early to start. Begin today. I urge all of you today to put down on paper the seven goals of your life for the coming five years. Be realistic. Put down goals that are feasible within the context of our country and its realities and limitations. But be creative. Never limit yourself. Never under-estimate your God-given powers. And let it be said of you, as it was said of Daniel of old, that “an excellent spirit dwelt in him”.

The greatest danger that can ever befall a young man or woman is to not have a clearly defined goal whatsoever in life. You cannot afford to be an aimless drifter. Know your destiny and be clear about your life’s goals. If you are in doubt, talk to the Almighty, however you worship Him and however you conceive Him to be. He will speak to you in your night vigils and by dreams and revelations.

Above all, learn to think for yourself. The greatest gift we have as human beings is the ability to think. The British philosopher and mathematician Bertrand Russell famously noted that most people would sooner die than think. Thinking is the most noble quality of the human spirit. Rote learning is useless. Imitation is suicide.

Therefore, learn to think for yourself. Let no one do your thinking for you. Think, think and think! From deep thought, you will be able to map out a blueprint for action to realise your dreams and goals. Always think in terms of service. Be unselfish in your innermost motives. As you give, so much will the universe open up to you in greater measure than you have given.

It was the American President, John Fitzgerald Kennedy who famously declared: “Ask not what your country can do for you; rather, ask what you can do for your country”.

Our country, Nigeria, is going through one of its most difficult periods in history. There is so much that is so dispiriting about our country at present. Poverty and suffering abound. There appears to be a deficit in leadership. In the north east, murderous devils are killing and raping school children while slaughtering defenceless peasants in the villages. But we must never despair. Out of the travails of the moment, a New Nigeria is soon to emerge. It will be a land of hope and glory; a land of excellence and enlightenment. We will not only triumph; we will prevail.

In the New Nigeria that will emerge, you will have to resolve to carve out a place for yourself as a leader, entrepreneur and citizen. The bells do not toll for anyone else; they toll for you! And in that journey of a thousand miles, may God’s work also be yours.