DEBBIESPEAKS

  A few years ago in university, I was in my hostel one day, talking on the phone with someone. While we were talking, a girl nearby was making noise. The person I was speaking with asked who was making the noise, and I casually replied, “Oh, it’s my neighbour.” Immediately, the girl reacted. “I’m your neighbour?” she asked, sounding almost offended. After the call ended, I had to spend time explaining that I did not mean it in a negative way. But s he kept repeating, “So I’m your neighbour?” I think what she expected me to say was that she was my friend. But the truth was, she was not my friend. Not because she was a bad person. Not because we did not get along. We talked, we laughed, and we shared some moments together, but those things did not automatically make her my friend. If I was going through something difficult, she would not be the first person I would think of. If I needed help, she would not be the first person I would call. Our relationship was based on proximity and...

                      Back in secondary school, I argued a lot. My classmates were convinced I'd end up studying Law because I always had something to say. Every subject—except Mathematics—felt like an invitation to debate. C.R.S. challenged beliefs, Literature encouraged different interpretations, and I enjoyed hearing perspectives that weren't mine. Looking back, those conversations were some of the most enjoyable parts of school. We didn't always agree, but disagreement wasn't treated like disrespect. And that's what got me thinking about opinions. Everyone has a right to an opinion, but does every opinion deserve the same level of credibility or respect? Social media has amplified people's voices. Today, everyone has a platform. Open any app and you'll find countless people with something to say. Some share wisdom that genuinely helps others. But sometimes, I think people speak with so much confidence that confidence itself is ...

                 You've probably heard this before: "First class doesn't matter. Na dropout sef dey make am." Have you ever wondered why you rarely hear successful people preaching that school is unnecessary? Yes, Mark Zuckerberg is a college dropout. But did he ever tell people not to go to school? Let's think about it. What's the difference between two people doing the same job when one has received formal education or professional training? Education doesn't automatically make one more talented than the other, but it equips people with knowledge, broadens their perspective, and creates opportunities. The same applies to someone who repairs cars. With formal education, that person could become a mechanical engineer, equipped to design, innovate, and solve problems on a larger scale. Imagine any successful company with no accountants, no engineers, no lawyers, no marketers, no technicians, and no trained professionals. Even the world's most ...