Most of the students had secondary school certificates with good results. Having being frustrated by not having enough funds to go to the university or being outrightly denied admission, they settled for this one-year course.
While their human anatomy and physiology curriculum was designed to give them an idea of how the human body worked, they wanted to know the deep stuff. I understood and liked their interest but it was causing problems for me.
For instance, I would end up teaching just one topic in a lecture where I planned to take two or three. Most times, I spent more time answering questions on a topic than the time I spent teaching it, even encroaching into the lecture time of other lecturers.
It was apparent that their enthusiasm, their desire for knowledge, was beyond the scope of the institution. Of course, not all of them but a sizable proportion. I, therefore, encouraged them to endure this level of education but not relent in seeking opportunities for additional education at levels that matched their efforts and potential.
I want to liken Nigeria to this institution. Nigerians have become big fishes in a small pond. Small not in the sense of geographical mass but in terms of development and availability of opportunities.
Many Nigerians are ready but the country is not ready. Last week, I eavesdropped on a conversation between two nurses; an older one and a much younger one. The older said she had three job offers even before she finished her final exams in nursing school while the younger lamented spending five years seeking for a tangible job.
The people are ready but the opportunities are very few and far between. This has led to many Nigerians seeking greener pastures abroad because of the fear that they might not reach their full potential in this environment.
This assertion is further strengthened by thousands of Nigerians who struggled here but have gone on to tremendous excellence abroad. Professionals are leaving the country, with doctors leaving the country in droves for greener pastures.
The affluent are sponsoring their children to study abroad. Those who can, fly out of the country for primary medical care available here.
Celebrities take their wives abroad to deliver babies so they can acquire foreign citizenship, and thousands are littering and loitering around embassies in search of visas to leave.
Those staying back, like the students at village institute, are just there because they have not had the opportunity to leave.
Dr. Usha Anenga
Makurdi, Benue State.
and then