Timadi was wearing a long face as he walked slowly on his way back from school, just after midday. As the days went by, he had become unsettled with his worries which have been building up inside of him, causing him to feel sober occasionally. He had decided to summon courage to discuss his worries with his father, who he guessed at this time would be mending his fishing nets under the coconut tree.

As he approached the thatched settlement of his home, he could hear his father whistling along to the tune of the late King Robert Ebizimor 'Up Up Jonathan!' soundtrack from the handheld battery-powered radio. Drawing close to his father, the following conversations ensued:

TIMADI: Koide dada (dada is a common word in Izon language that means father).

DADA: Serimo eni torbor. You're back. How was school today?

TIMADI: After today I'm not going to school any more dada.

DADA: Why?

TIMADI: I don't think the solution to our problems is in the school.

DADA: My son, what makes you say that?

TIMADI: Okay. Dada, let me ask you this: how is one plus one equals to two going to end the pollution in our environment, end the poverty in our family, end crises in our land, end oppression and other evil reoccurrences in our community? Also, I have come to notice that the people causing most of these problems we are suffering from today are the so-called graduates or those who claim to be educated.

DADA: (Laughs) My son, I see you're really concerned about our welfare, even though you're still a child. But don't worry, just focus on your studies and forget all these worries for now. Then, when you grow up and become a graduate, you can then use one plus one to make a difference in your time. Okay?

TIMADI: (Still looking angry) I hate to think of sitting down in one place in the name of learning when I could do something about our situation.

DADA: Remember son, you're only but a child. What can you do at this tender age?!

TIMADI: Dada I'm thinking of becoming a militant so I can carry big guns and pursue all these people out of this place!

DADA: (Laughs out aloud) My son, no you don't! Being a militant only offers a temporary solution to our problems, not lasting ones. Since the birth of militancy, have we seen the death of our problems? Violence is never the way to go. I understand it can be very frustrating when it looks like talk is too cheap. But as your father, I can assure you that building strong institutions is a better way to dealing with not only our problems but those of the larger society. Education offers you the opportunity to do just that.

TIMADI: If you say education has the solution, then why have the so-called educated ones failed to put an end to the problems we are suffering from today?

DADA: You see, my son, because education is abused today doesn't mean it's irrelevant or is bad. No! Education is not the culprit here. The purpose of education is to give enlightenment to the death of ignorance. How people choose to use their enlightenment is all a matter of choice. Those people you claim are educated but have become the cause or part of the problem, unfortunately, have all made their choices. Even the so-called militants you want to make your role model also have bad ones in their midst too. So, you see, you're totally getting the picture wrong my son. Human beings will always be human beings, educated or not.

TIMADI: It's true dada. I've never given a thought to that. But dada, what do you mean by strong institutions as a product of education?

DADA: Where ignorance thrives, the people will always become victims. I can tell you that the educated ones, who you see are part of the problems they're supposed to solve, are triumphing in the wrong they're doing today largely because majority of the people are still ignorant. There's a saying that one is a slave to what he/she doesn't know. We, your parents decided to send you to school so that you won't become a victim like us, the uneducated ones. Thank God you have the zeal to do what's right and I pray that this mindset of yours is not later corrupted by the negative influences in the society. Now, sending you to school is our own way of building a strong institution in you. What is now left is for you to decide whether to make this institution stronger by doing what's right, or weaker by doing wrong.

TIMADI: So, this institution you're talking about is for me to become conversant with the truth so I don't become ignorant and then I can use it to do what's right for my family and society?

DADA: Exactly. Need I also tell you that some of those educated ones who are now bad eggs were just like you, eager to make a change. But somewhere along the line they nosedived. That's why I initially said that I pray your good intentions are not later corrupted my son. A man without principles is like a kite that is tossed anywhere the wind blows. So, my son, don't be like those ones who use their education as a weapon to rob their people in broad daylight. Instead, hold unto humane principles and stand firm in what you believe in, never wavering no matter the pressure or enticements. Remember, a good name is more golden than riches, contrary to the wayward views in society. And lastly, education remains the key. One plus one equals two also means that you alone cannot make the desired change, for you'll need like minds to join force with you to make the greater change. In that regard, don't be stingy with your knowledge but help educate those who are ignorant so that they too can become exposed. By so doing you're building strong institutions in others which is guaranteed to outlast any problem.

TIMADI: Koide dada. I will put more efforts in my studies henceforth. Now I understand what one of my teachers use to say, that 'Knowledge is power!' and that 'The pen is mightier than the sword'. And so, I promise to use the sword of knowledge to confront and devour those who are opposing the freedom of our family and others from poverty and underdevelopment, God helping me.

DADA: My son, may God bless you and increase you with more wisdom, Amen!

THE END.

#mystorydiscourse #TheDialogue