REGRETS

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REGRETS: Some of the things I wish I did not do in Life:

I was born into a family that cherished good name, Honour and integrity. You dare not flout an instruction of any of your parents. Same with elders. The punishment was severe. Then the culture of respect for your seniors or elders in any lawful engagement. You were duty bound to support the community government (Aladinma) and all approved groups and organisations like Age grade, Town Union, etc

Stealing or corrupt practices in any form or shape, indeed any act that could bring the family to ridicle and public opprobrium was a taboo. You were from time to time reminded that you belong to the lineage of Pius Kadurumba Anyanwu and you are the family's Ambassador wherever you sojourn to.

So at an early stage, every Tom, Dick and Harry realized the need for hard work, perseverance, honesty and abiding faith in the Almighty God, the creator of the Universe.
This unwritten yet inescapable mantra continued to ring bell in my ears even as an adult, such that I had in the beginning to resolved to pursue academic career to the level of University Professor. Incidentally, I was privileged to have a willing uncle Professor Clement Nnorom Anyanwu, a Professor of History, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

Dee Cle as we fondly called him was willing to help having encouraged any serious youth with the right papers in our kindred to utilize the window. Dee Cle was not a money bag but excellent guidance counsellor, consumated scholar and a man of culture.

Before the emergence of Computer machines, he was always using manual typewriter, both Olympia and Imperial to type his huge volume of documents and articles and I was observing him from a distance. He was very proficient in the typewriter.

He read a lot. And being a Historian, he was knowledgeable in Museum and Monuments, alongside artifacts and similar materials. He was always engaged in intellectual exercises with his colleagues and associates alike.

While doing errands for him, I took position close to his writing desk, listening to issues like Glasnot and Petrouika, the symbol of Communism and communist leadership in both old Russia and China, as well as Fidel Castro of Cuba and their usual ROFOROFO (quarells) with the West, especially America, Britain and France. And the attendant threat these governments posed to the development of democracy and democratic institutions around the globe.

Interest to Aim for Higher Scholarship
It was this exposure and early enlightenment that Peter Omenukor my maternal uncle noticed while I was in form 111, that is today's JS3 in 1979 at the Midtown College, #7 Emenike Street, Mile one Diobu Portharcourt and purchased the GCE form for me.

I sat for the examination at the Army Children School Rainbow town Portharcourt. I passed creditably five papers out seven subjects.

Dee Cle who had offered to assist whoever among the youths that had complete papers to secure admission at the Premier University did it for Stephen, Elias, Bede etc. Three of his own children - Ebiringa, Ogazi, Ucheoma my play mates are Associate or full Professors today.

While waiting for me to present my own documents and join others in their studies in that Ivory Tower, I was carried away by youthful exuberance and peer group advise who said academicians are always poor breed. They hardly make enough money in their pursuits.

During fund raising gatherings in the community for development projects like electricity, water and rural roads, while others donated huge sums of money, Professors will speak high sounding grammar and give moral support at the end. And most of us the upcoming youths disliked it, making some of us veer off to cloudy ventures that did not take us any where.

Realizing my Indecision when Late:

It was not until the year 2000 on my return from Cameroon that I realized and regreted not following him to Ibadan. This time around, Professor (Dee Cle) was down with Diabetes. Efforts were focused in his recovery.

He succumbed to the cold hands of death in November 2001 at the age of 60 years. May his soul rest in Peace, Amen!

Before his death, Professor Clement N. Anyanwu was the Head of Adult Education University of Ibadan. Even the adult education school in my village Lude Ahiara Mbaise had his imprimature. Incidentally, my own mother and my father's immediate elder sister were class mates.

That is to say, it was even possible for as many adults among us that were willing to avail themselves such rare opportunity could have secured admission in that Nigeria's foremost tertiary institution, and with prospects of becoming Associate or full Professor, even at old age. And that would speak volume in Guinness Book of Records and of course human capital development.

Till today, especially within the educational circle, each time I remember this stanza of my eventful life, I tend to regret.