Recently, I attended the graduation ceremony of someone I love dearly here in Canada, and it turned out to be a deeply enlightening experience. The institution’s 2024 honorary degree recipient, Ms. Anita Marangoly George, a sustainability investor with a life goal to accelerate solutions addressing climate and societal challenges through profitable investments, received an honorary doctorate in Divinity.
She spoke profoundly about the gift of education, prompting me to reflect on my upbringing and our late mother’s unwavering insistence on education for my siblings and me, despite the challenges she faced as a single parent.
For us, education was never just about excelling in exams. As Ms. George emphasized, it was about how we should treat others. Our mother, a dedicated midwife and community nurse, embodied this philosophy. She delivered hundreds of babies across small communities in multiple states in Nigeria for several years, and proudly recounted in her later years that no child or mother died in her care. Her commitment to her profession, reputation, and most importantly, to the people she served, was evident. She taught us that in all our actions, we should prioritize the welfare of others.
Ms. George also highlighted the teachings of indigenous peoples and communities about giving back more than we receive and being generous in all our endeavors. This resonated deeply with me, as it echoed the values instilled in us by our Nigerian communities.
We were taught that everyone could make a difference. The wealthy supported the poor in the family, the oldest child often sacrificed their education to ensure the younger ones could continue theirs, and parents made immense sacrifices for their children’s well-being. Distant relatives would arrive unannounced seeking financial support, and we were taught to question unexplained wealth. We lived by the adage, “It takes a community to raise a child.”
However, times have changed. Governments and leaders, particularly in third-world countries, seem indifferent. Greed, selfishness, abuse, and violence have become rampant. The poor grow poorer while the rich amass greater wealth without caring about the good of all. Many go to bed hungry while a few waste excess food.
The failures of various governments have inflicted pain and trauma, leaving many without hope for a better tomorrow. Moreover, the failure of various governments to provide education that goes beyond merely excelling in examinations has caused widespread disillusionment among citizens, resulting in decreased patriotism and a lack of respect for each other, the government, and the leadership of such countries.
In the face of governmental failures, we too are failing each other. We forget that despite the failures of those we trusted to lead us, each of us can still make a difference. We can come together to rebuild our communities because the strongest bond through adversity is community.
Moreover, when times are grim, as they often are due to governmental, societal, or personal failures, we must remind ourselves to be grateful for the small blessings. Gratitude can provide peace of mind and remind us that hope is not lost.
Ultimately, generosity and gratitude go hand in hand. Being generous, not to the point of self-detriment or exploitation by others, and cultivating gratitude can help us tilt the balance towards humanity.
Whether in our homes, workplaces, within families, or communities, these values can guide us. Despite the abandonment of humanity by many of the world’s leaders, we can uphold it in our actions and interactions.
In conclusion, the gift of education extends beyond academic achievements. It encompasses the values of generosity, gratitude, and a commitment to humanity. By embracing these principles, we can foster stronger communities and a more compassionate world, regardless of the failures of our leaders.
NB: Johnson Babalola, a Canada based lawyer, leadership consultant and corporate emcee, is a public affairs analyst.
