LEGACY IN EDUCATION – LESSONS FROM FATHER AND SON
From the picture:
- Father: Prof. Olu Aina – Former Registrar/CEO of the National Business and Technical Education Board (NABTEB)
- Son: Prof. Segun Aina – Registrar of JAMB
- Investment Pays Off
Point: Kudos to the parents for their tremendous investment in their son’s education, which has clearly borne fruit over time.
Lesson: The child you nurture today will nourish and make you proud tomorrow.
- Patriotism and Purpose
Point: In an interview years ago, Segun shared that he was the only child of his father who returned to Nigeria after studying abroad to build his career.
Lesson: If you are patriotic, you will reap the blessings of your homeland.
- Preparation Meets Opportunity
Point: The father served in a government parastatal for many years, and his influence supported his son.
Lesson: Connections and influence work for the child who is prepared and equipped for the task.
- Knowledge Applied is Power
Point: His academic qualifications, coupled with his ambition, were outstanding.
Lesson: Education is not a scam when a first-class or upper-class degree is used to solve real problems. Segun is grounded in applying what he knows, and that made him stand out for the task.
- Growth Over Time
Point: Years ago, he served as a corps member at JAMB. Today, he has become a Registrar at the same organization.
Lesson: In the words of Abraham Lincoln, “I will prepare, and one day my time will come.” It’s never too late to prepare for what you want to become, so that preparation can meet opportunity.
Final Encouragement
Don’t be discouraged or intimidated by your age, or if you are academically grounded like Segun Aina. Transform your paper certificate and first-class grade into problem-solving in the area you’ve discovered about yourself.
Everyone is talented, and no one is a nonentity. Life isn’t just about the certificate you hold, but about the size of your dreams and your ability to make things happen.
Your first-class grade and multiple degrees aren’t solely for job hunting—they’re meant to create impact within the scope of your purpose.
Remember: Your dreams are valid. Wake up and get to work!
Writer: ✍️ Owoade Olaoluwa