WHAT DOES UNIJOS MEAN TO ME?

Beze Adogu recalls his formative years at the University of Jos, Nigeria, drawing inspiration from a poem by Countee Cullen. The reflection comes during a reunion in Abuja, where alumni gather to honor their alma mater, rekindle old friendships, and connect with new acquaintances. Adogu expresses a moment of self-reproach for not immediately recognizing his first-year roommate and friend, Dr. Emmanuel Emeka Ossai, with whom he shared accommodations.

The gathering also served as a solemn occasion to remember departed friends like Jimmy Davies, Ephraim Dike, and Abraham Babamidele Chibuzo Pinheiro, among others. The author notes that these memories are now tinged more with nostalgia than sadness. The remembrance extends to esteemed departed teachers, including Dr. Chiweyite Ejike, Professor Uche Peter Isichei, and Dr. Brian Cowlishaw. Adogu laments that in a country that often fails to reward talent, these educators find solace in the reverence of their former students.

Adogu contrasts the intellectual caliber of his former teachers with the current educational landscape. He remembers educators like Professor DBA Berry and Professor WTW Morgan, who could effortlessly captivate students with complex subjects. He describes teaching in those "halcyon days" as a blessed profession, where individuals dedicated themselves fully. Adogu believes that if current graduates are worthy of their sacrifice, honoring these pioneers is a duty.

The author laments the "chasm of disparity" between the teachers of his youth and those of today. He yearns for a return to an era when Nigeria's "best and brightest" were entrusted with shaping the next generation. In those times, students learned expectations, professional demands, and the crucial skill of discerning valuable information from noise. Adogu expresses hope that a demand for a return to those days of excellence and merit will be met, contrasting it with the current "Age of Discontent" where mediocrity and charlatans seem to prevail.