Mathematics classes and how they made us rich

 EVERY NIGERIAN PARENT or anyone who plans to have kids, should read this.

If parents of the 80’s had seen the future back then, they would have sent their kids to skill acquisition or talent grooming centres every long vacation, instead of hiring private lesson teachers to coach them on Mathematics, Quantitative Reasoning and all the nonsense that neither put a dime into anyone's pockets nor distinguished them. 

When I was young, my parents and their friends would sit and discuss about their kids, of how excellent they were at mathematics and stuff. My parents always complained on how I was good at every other subject but Mathematics. Their hearts were quite heavy concerning me and Math.

Meanwhile, I was a wizard technician who repaired EVERY single Electronics in the house and rectified every electrical fault, even faults electricians got paid to solve, but never brought a lasting solution. They initially didn't trust my expertise, until I repaired our VHS machine. That was the day my dad appointed me his "technical adviser".

I also constructed a T.V antenna with a very wonderful reception, when a violent storm damaged ours; fabricated a table fan, and even a doorbell, just with my knowledge of basic Physics. All of these things intrigued them, especially my dad, yet they felt so bad I wasn't excelling at mathematics like other people's children. They were ready to PAY ANY AMOUNT just to have a good math coach who'll put me through and finally, this woman came along who made a killing profit from them!

But the real gifts in me were speaking up, and even screaming at them. I was good at drawing, painting and sculpting! My music gift also showed quite early. I formed my first orchestra at 10 with my siblings and other kids in the compound! I fabricated all the instruments; the flutes and different sizes of drums made from varying sizes of tins/buckets and used thick cellophane for vellum. I was also very fast at learning languages and different cultures too. They overlooked these and spent money on things I'll never need in the future.
Today, these areas have remained my areas of interest.

I look back today and feel much pity for them.

But their acts and desires for me were in line with the spirit of the 80s/90s era. What enrages me TODAY is that the modern parents ARE MAKING THE SAME MISTAKES!!!

Why would you send your kids to "summer lesson" where you pay for them to learn the SAME THINGS they'd learn when school resumes? How about devoting the holidays STRICTLY for football or taekwando/judo/karate coaching, vocal training and music lessons? They could even take speech lessons, learn to become public speakers!!! How about shoemaking or ANY KIND OF SKILL that your child is naturally inclined to? The world has gone past the "curricular" age! The rich and famous people of today are those who polished and utilised their skills. Why not bring in extra-curricular activities during the holidays and properly position your kids for a profitable future?

Jay Ikem Adichie,
 jayikemadic@gmail.com

This was piece was sent in by Jay, a very talented friend. His story describes the childhood and career path of so many of us. I’ll write mine soon and I pray that both writings will serve as an eye opener to parents out there.