OVERWHELMING GRAD DAY PRESENT!

 

So I have been contemplating whether or not to share my perception on this, and it took some time to finally decide because I felt it wasn't so much of my business, but I finally decided I should, and I will tell you why after I am done with the real issue...

So back to the matter... Babcock University; one of Nigeria's foremost Private Universities, held her 17th Undergraduate and 5th Postgraduate Convocation Ceremony on Sunday, June 5th 2016, (and I was a privileged part of the ceremony, where I was announced the youngest PhD graduate of the year 😊). But honestly, I don't have a word/ phrase to describe what happened that day, maybe you can help me with that... One of the Undergraduate Graduants received a gift from his parents (see pictures of the gift below)...

 

Perhaps this student has surpassed his parents and even humanly possible leading to the such an overwhelming gesture, but perhaps again, there would have been other and 'less-overwhelming' ways of congratulating a fresh University graduate. Parents mean well for their children, but research has shown that certain well-intentioned gestures towards children and especially young people can result in certain devastating behavioral outcomes in the long run. The times we live in are such in which every Nigerian youth (regardless our parents financial prowess) should be encouraged to Labour and allowed the benefit of rising gradually through life, as it prepares one for REAL LIFE SITUATIONS, especially far away from home. This position may be subject to argument...

Now, I feel obliged to comment on this development because I am a passionate Nigerian who believes that one careless occurrence is potent enough to lay precedence that is likely to influence posterity negatively, and so if the least I can do is speak, why not? Besides, some of our parents need some form of consultation before they make decisions that are likely to jeopardize the future of Nigerian young people (regardless if they our children, they belong to society as well).

I felicitate with you Mr. Max and your family on your graduation and especially on your graduation day gift, but I hope and pray that this doesn't rob you of the diligence of excellence and the joy of hard work as you begin your journey to empower others and transform Nigeria.

Congratulations!