EDITORIAL: DEAR AWOITES, HOPE IS NOT LOST 

 Anjolaoluwa Odebiyi.

At the corner of a street, somewhere, anywhere across the vast plains of Nigeria, would be a group of people, though from different backgrounds and cultural heritages, strongly united in their uniform complaints about Nigeria. 

Their conversation would begin with flashbacks of Nigeria in its glory days. How the price of a liter of fuel was once as low as #65, the naira note was extremely valuable, and a bag of rice was sold at #10,000.

As their conversation progresses, they immediately start to list out the woes and plights they face in present-day Nigeria. Starting from the astronomical price of fuel at #580- #700 per liter to how the naira has little or no value economically, and how not just the price of rice but food in general is on the rise.

They painstakingly highlight Nigeria’s problems and challenges, one after the other, and their conclusion is… Well, there’s no conclusion, as the same conversation would continue every single day until one person decides to relocate abroad. Then the conversation would shift and revolve around comparing Nigeria to other developed countries.

In truth, they are not wrong. Any Nigerian with the ability to hear and see can, with experience, tell of the numerous plights they face daily. With the swearing in of the newly elected government officials, it is as though these plights increased by a landslide. Nigeria is at a point where the economic, political, social, financial, and mental wellbeing of every living Nigerian is either standing firm, shaky, or on the verge of collapse.

To put this in perspective, they say that there’s light at the end of the tunnel, and indeed, there might be light at the end of this tunnel. But the more important question is whether people have the strength and willpower to keep going, keep pressing, and keep believing till they see that light.

It’s notable how Nigerians are gifted with the ability to withstand challenges without breaking. We truly have a track record of overcoming. Whether it was EndSars, the COVID-19 pandemic, the rigors of the election, or Hilda Baci’s cookathon, we always find a way to overcome!

For this new session, we must remember that hope is not lost. I’m not oblivious to the challenges students are bound to face in the coming days or the worry, stress, and anxiety that may come as a result of these challenges. However, it is very possible that students will overcome and get to the light at the end of the tunnel.

However, beyond this article being a message of hope and optimism, this writer seeks to make a clarion call to the government and all that are invested in bettering the educational system in Nigeria. It is futile to start pointing out the flaws in the system and wise to seek a solution. Although the answers are easy to state, it’s the implementation of those answers that brings about change.

Paying keen attention to the needs of the people, in this case, students, is the first step. For hope to arise, ensuring students are able to not just get a good education but complete said education is important.

Granted, the increment in fees nationwide would have the ripple effect of improving the educational system in the long run. However, we should not fail to recognize those who would not be able to get on board this train because of limited funds. The change required should encompass all students, not just some; after all, we are all the leaders of tomorrow.

No matter how people complain or how weighty the challenges we face, the response of each individual will determine their outcome. Give up and become overwhelmed, or brace up and keep edging forward. The choice is left to you.