Okeke and Ebuka were friends. After secondary school, the world parted them to fight for their future.

Okeke is in the university, reading Logistics and Transportation Studies.

Ebuka went for apprenticeship the same time Okeke got admission.

He's doing his apprenticeship in a logistics firm.

Okeke has been reading books about logistics. Writing exams, doing assignments. During holidays, he would stay at home.

Ebuka has been clearing and forwarding goods in Apapa Walf.

Sending parcels and consignments to different parts of the world. He knows the best time to send, and when not to send. He knows the best cargo plane to carry consignments all that. No holidays. No strike.

Okeke has completed his study, let's say he had no extra year.

He waited for NYSC mobilization. Another one year.....

This time, Ebuka has been settled, he started his own logistics business.

After completing his NYSC, Okeke was looking for job, carrying files from place to place. He knows theories but without practicals.

He can't startup anything because there is no will-powers. He picked master's degree form. Master degree in Logistics and Transportation.

Ebuka got different branches, employed many workers. He was shipping to all the continents.

From his days of apprenticeship, he already acquainted himself with custom officials and many other agencies in charge of exportation and logistics.

Okeke finished his master's degree but no job again. He was frustrated, but instead of wasting time, let him pick PhD form.

He picked PhD, he continued reading Logistics and Transportation Studies—theory. He finished his PhD na-asụ sọ Oyibo. Onye kpatụ ya aka n'ọnụ, o tie: "kpọọ m Doc".

Dangote advertised for truck drivers, Okeke was amongst the PhD holders who applied.

Of course truck driving is part of logistics and transportation. But in Europe and America, it's a big money, but in Nigeria, frustration and low pay will make you enter the bush with truck, kpọkaa ya.

Now, Ebuka who became a world renowned logistics expert was invited for a honourally doctorate degree in the same university Okeke studied, under the same department; Okeke is somewhere shouting, how can you give an illiterate honourally doctorate degree? Did he go to school?

Who really is an illiterate? One who has made a practical impact useful for problem solving or one who has no vision other than dwelling on papers and certifications?

The dilemma of many

The situation in Nigeria.We believe more in certificates than practicals & problem solving.

I'm not undermining formal education, but you see, ọkwa told her children, onye tụrụ ji, ya tụrụ mgbọrọgwụ, in case onye nwe ji gwuru ji ya, mgbọrọgwụ adị. As you dey read book, dey practise. The world doesn't care if you can quote dictionary A-Z...

If you have no practical knowledge to solve problems, nothing for you.

Should I tell you that Igbo apprenticeship system is now one of the business models used and studied in Harvard Business School?

The Igbo apprenticeship system has produced many billionaires.

When the like of Cubana Chief Priest @CelebrityBarMan is awarded a doctorate, honourally in the field of Hospitality and Event Management, there is a reason nkịta ji apịa ọkụ. He deserves it even more.

I paused.
© Maazị Ogbonnaya @maazi_ogbonnaya