SAVING THE FUTURE BY MARTIN BECK NWORAH

A little friend of mine who is 5 years old approached me this morning
and full of enthusiasm and delight,he said to me,"Uncle,I want to
become a big pilot and fly all over the world.I have started saving
money to buy my own plane now and I have saved 20 naira,so will you
contribute to my plan?". I looked at this little boy and marvelled. I
smiled,dipped my hand into my wallet and gave him another 20 naira and
said to him,"Now you have 40 naira Frank,take the money to mum and
tell her to be keeping it for you.She will buy the best plane for you
once you're able to pass all your examinations in school". He beamed
with smiles and ran back joyfully to the house. At least, the plane
money was increasing.
I decided to share this story because many a times,we kill the
innocent zealous spirit of young kids who are determined to be better
and succeed more than us. An adult in Nigeria would have laughed at
the boy and told him to go and read his books. Another would've told
the mother to take the boy for deliverance while others would've
scorned him off as a dreamer because he wants to buy an air plane with
20 naira. But I saw beyond the moment. I saw the spirit of a boy
who,if given the opportunity,he will actualize his potentials and
become great. We kill these young spirits everyday because we could
not dream like them, or we dreamed but were too afraid to pursue our
passion because of our laziness and blame game on the government and
society. When next you've the opportunity of meeting this young
spirit,don't kill it. Don't tell him it can't be done. Encourage
him,bless him and give him hope that the future is bright. That may be
all he needs to succeed and excel in life.
Finally,as a young Nigerian,blaming anybody for your present
predicament is motivated stupidity on your own part. Never feel you
don't have the opportunity to pursue your passion. Always remember my
little friend Frank and dare to pursue your dreams. You'll
succeed,you'll become great and achieve all you've set out to
achieve;and guess what? I will be waiting for when we will get to the
Promised Land,there you will pass me a glass of water and thank God
for the gift of grace for the race.