BALANCING PRAISES

"Grounds aren't cleared for Masters to fall, their fall clears the ground" 

Tell me!

Have you grown?

Have you grown so much

That you no longer take advice?

Oh!

You know it all!

But you aren't sensitive enough to know that the rapturous clap offering is but a mockery.

They want to increase the size of your head,

They want to beautify the shame awaiting you.

You see how mountainous you are?

That's how they rate you.

'Yes', a Master, a saint.

A Master without error.

Pray that you do not fall!

B'cause if you do,

I personally will not take it kindly with you.

SOURCE OF INSPIRATION/ANALYSIS 

“Grounds aren't cleared for Masters to fall, their fall clears the ground”, is one of the quotes published in my Friday periodical. It serves as a motivation for this piece.

What brought about that quote in the first place?

Some years ago, when I was in my 200 level at Heritage Polytechnic, Eket, Eket Local Government Area, I was at a JAMB registration center at ONNA People's High School, ONNA Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State.

A young girl I knew very well walked up to me and said, “Brother Lucky, please assist me in filling out my JAMB form.” I remember vividly the question I asked her: “Did you not make any decision regarding your choice of institution before coming for registration?” She responded, “No, no one told me.” I went further, “Who did you come here with?” She said, “My sister’s husband.” I asked again, “Why not take it to him so he could help you?” She replied, “I have done that already, but he’s not saying anything. He just said I should fill it anyhow.”

When I heard that, I paused in dismay for a few minutes. The loss of courage and disappointment came when I discovered that the girl was still uncertain about the course she wanted to study. Yes, it was that serious.

After some moments, I summoned courage, sat her down, and guided her as she filled the form. When she got to the section for selecting institutions, I asked, “Which university in Akwa Ibom State do you love most?” She replied, “University of Uyo(Uniuyo), UYO, Akwa Ibom State.” We took that as her first choice. Then I asked again, “If not the University of Uyo, which other one would you consider?” She said, “AKSU — Akwa Ibom State University, Ikot Akpaden.” For the third choice, she selected Akwa Ibom State Polytechnic, Ikot Osurua, in Ikot Ekpene Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State. For the fourth choice, she picked Heritage Polytechnic, Ikot Udota, in Eket Local Government Area.

When she was done filling out the form, she called the guy (her sister’s husband) to cross-check it before submission. He came, went through the form, and when he got to the section for choice of institution, specifically the fourth choice, Heritage Polytechnic, he asked angrily: “What’s this nonsense you wrote here? Is this one even a school?” I stood there speechless, completely confounded, as he ranted like a mad dog. His choice of words drenched me in shame. This man knew very well, he was aware that that was where I was schooling.

At that point, I asked myself a question, the very question most polytechnic students are still asking today: “Is it a crime or a sin to study in a polytechnic? Or is it that only stupid people go to polytechnics?” Well, right from that day, after that ugly experience, I made a promise to myself:

1. Never to look down on anybody, irrespective of where that person studied, provided that the institution is accredited.

2. Never to think that I know it all or that I am better than others.

3. If you think you know everything because you’re a university scholar, that’s fine! But beware, because if you fall, I will rain shame on you, I will not take it kindly.

Since then, I have grown to love who I’m becoming intellectually. I will never be satisfied with knowledge. The little I know will forever remind me that I truly know nothing. That’s my notion!

The truth is, today, many of us still think we know everything. We still feel we are on top of the world.

And sadly, it doesn’t even sound like a warning to us because people are applauding us. They are clapping. So, because they are clapping, we begin to believe we are the only voice that matters. Even when the applause is mockery, we fail to detect it. Our heads can no longer bear the crown, Why? Because we think we know everything.

But I want you to understand this, "the world rates you based on how you present yourself, If you act like you know everything, people will believe you do". But how great will be your fall the day you cannot defend what they think you know! That’s the problem.

Are you reading this piece? You’re in the right place, and you’ve met the right message. If you think you are high, humble yourself. People are rating you just the way you appear. So, be careful!

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