A personal Experience on how views and attitudes could change based on what someone knows!

I belonged to an Organization with members from 36 states and the National capital. As is customary, I introduced myself, state and what I do for a living. The focus of this story is my date of birth which is September, 15, 1961. There was this bossom friend of mine who incidentally is the first Professor of Business Education in his own region and a former Deputy Vice Chancellor of one of the first generation Universities in the land. He introduced himself and date of birth July 5, 1951. Indeed we share a lot in common.

Prof. is very inquisitive and adventurous, an avid reader who, just like myself missed reading a Magazine or atleast a Newspaper every day. What is more, he is deeply religious and took religious exercises seriously. On several occasions, the body gave us assignments to the various regions accross the nation. While these programmes lasted, we took time to chill out, share jokes, compare our likes and dislikes. One only needed to raise a topic of interest, from politics, economy, nature, skills acquisition, education, Entrepreneurship and the like, I and Professor Mobi would take it from there and dissect same. We will critically examine the prons and cons of the subject matter for hours on end. We would later retire briefly so that he could fulfil his religious obligation - prayer at every particular hour of the day.

At every religious feast, even without us belonging to religious body, ranging from Christmas, New Year, Easter to Idel Fitri, Idel Maulud, indeed any other feast of note, we exchanged beautiful worded greetings - even extending same to our nuclear and extended families. The relationship was so cordial that when a particular assignment was given to him to particular part of the country. But, despite the serious security challenges,, he accepted to honour the exercise. According to him., if it got to the worst, he will move with me to my remote village, with the attendant poor state or non existent infrastructure there.

About three months after, there was a widely publicised Press Conference in his far flung state capital, thousands of kilometres away. He was billed to declare his interest to declare his interest in vying for the highest political office in the land. He promptly extended an invitation to me. Even when I had pressing engagements that would not allow me step out of my town. But lo and behold, I could not imagine myself failing to show at least my presence.and as usual offering words of encouragement. Surprisingly, before Professor's Assistants, made up of Secretary and Chauffer departed the Hotel while I lodged, they pointed out to me the Capital Press Centre where the even that brought me to the town was going to hold. To my chagrin, it was just a few metres behind the three wing of the Hotel. As envisaged, the Press Conference went successfully the following day It was indeed one to remember for a long time to come. When eventually I indicated my resolve to go back, Prof. was reluctant to allow me go.

and the prof in positions 4 and 5 from left

A Proprietor of a group of a group of schools, so thickly populated, Nursery, Primary, Secondary and tertiary Examination preparatory academy. He deployed different strategies to ignite my interest in servjng as his employee in any arm of his establishments. Be that as it may, I did not loose sight of the fact that a sustainable and lasting relationship was better observed from a distance. Conscious of this, and the fact that I did not want my dear Professor and brother from a different mother to feel disappointed, I told him it was not possible to accept from him a paid job. But instead, I would serve as a visiting lecturer as well as sourcing for relevant educational materials, tools and accessories at a pocket friendly rate, knowing that such materials were expensive and difficult to procure within his own region.

To compensate for my inability to join him full time in his group of schools, I made available to him a Booklet of various Book titles from reputable Publishing Companies to peruse through and pick six different titles so that I could supply them to his school free of charge. I did offer advise when necessary. Most importantly, I urged him to be circumspect in recommending books for his pupils and students. Environment, culture, norms, ethoes and values are necessary ingredients that are factor in when preparing books for consumption. Furthermore, I encouraged him to collaborate with agencies of government and credible organisations whose activities and, or services were related to education for effective service delivery. In addition, the falling standard of education in the land necessitated that he should engage qualified, experienced and seasoned teachers who are in tune with modern trend in education. Encourage students and pupils to shun examination malpractises as much as possible. Essentially, this will go a long way to guaranteeing the sustenance of the integrity of these institutions.

The Community and indeed the stakeholders expected nothing but quality education from institutions managed by Professor Mobi. In the final analysis, we agreed to communicate regularly through several Social Media outlets, notably; whasapp, Zoom, Short Mail Service (sms). Even he was not forth coming due to numerous engagements I religiously fulfilled my own part of the bargain. At the end of our eventful four year tenure, those who were up to sixty years of age and above were requested to present for sighting Originals of Birth Certificates, with photocopies attached. Affidavit (age declaration) was foreclosed. I gladly and promptly submitted mine as directed to the Secretariat of the Board of Trustees.

Other dignitaries attending the even

In his usual characteristic, Professor Mobi demanded to have a glance at my birth Certificate. On seeing that it was September, 1961, his countenance changed at that moment. He immediately approached me, complaining that he sighted 1961 in mine, according to him, instead of 1951. I re-emphasized that, that was exactly what I disclosed at the commencement of our tenure four years ago, while introduction was going on. You may have gotten confused with my pronunciation of 1961 and 1951 to due variation in our dialects. He did not still seem to be satisfied with my explanation until two elders in the new Council who brought their Curriculum Vitae got involved in our discussion and instantly confirmed that four years ago at the beginning of our tenure, I did disclose to them that my date if birth was September, 1961. And that bought to rest our argument. Prof stepped out if that vicinity without uttering a word. I could imagine what he was battling with in his mind. No doubt he would be wondering how he related so emotionally, not just a soul mate, but a twin brother with a solid ten years gap. Presently, we have been inaugurated in the BoT, but he relates with me as a distant friend, no longer as an AGE MATE.