You're probably aware that you need to have motor third-party insurance to drive on the roads in Nigeria, but do you know what this type of insurance actually covers?

So I walked into the VIO headquarters at Mabushi District, Municipal in the FCT to renew my vehicle particulars. I was referred to the vehicle licensing office. I met a small queue and waited patiently for my turn. After a while, I was called into the cubicle where the officer asked me to tender photocopies of my expiring documents. I did. After entering the information on the AUTOREG vehicle database, I was asked to proceed with payment.

The entire process took a little less than thirty minutes. In the end, I was issued with a new;

1. General Motor Receipt
2. Roadworthiness certificate,
3. A sticker, and
3. Insurance document.

While perusing through the papers to see if there was anything new or out of the ordinary, the car insurance document caught my attention. On it, the inscriptions "Certificate of Insurance" "Third Party Insurance" and "Third Party Only" are boldly written. Though vehicle particulars are documents I am somewhat conversant with. Before now, I had never taken the time to read through this insurance document to ascertain its coverage and limitations.

Motor Third Party Insurance: what it really is

The Motor Third Party Insurance is a compulsory class of insurance for all vehicle owners in Nigeria. It is the most popular among six compulsory insurance policies stipulated by the insurance Act 2003, which is still the template guiding insurance operation in Nigeria.

In other words, Motor Third Party Insurance is the minimum level of vehicle insurance cover you are required by law to take before putting your vehicle on the road. It is a legal requirement and is meant to protect the other (third) party on the road whose vehicle you may damage.

Who is the third party?

The term, ‘third-party' refers to a person involved with a car insurance claim who is not the holder of the policy or the driver. So, this is usually the other party involved in an accident.

In essence, the third-party car insurance policy ensures that if you are responsible for an accident, any damage to the other person’s vehicle or property will be paid for by your insurer.

Misconceptions about the third-party motor insurance policy

Before now, I had assumed that the Motor third-party Insurance Certificate provides some form of coverage for my vehicle in the event of an accident. But that's far from the case.

And I don't think I am alone in this misconception. Many other vehicle owners misunderstand, misinterpret, or are outrightly ignorant of the terms stated in this policy document.

Many vehicle owners take this policy to be comprehensive motor insurance and as such, when their vehicles are involved in an accident, they will present their Motor Third Party Insurance certificate to the insurance company demanding repair. According to Industry sources, some vehicle owners also proceed to file for claims if their vehicle gets stolen or burnt.

Where insurance firms fail to pay in any of the above cases, the claimant will take it that the insurance managers have denied him his claims.

Insurance firms on the other hand have been cashing out hugely from the ignorance of vehicle owners who aren't equipped with the right information to file genuine claims. Their arrogance stems from the fact that this type of insurance is a basic requirement by law, and vehicle owners have little to no power to select a company of preference.


VIO issued third-party vehicle insurance: a fraud?

Many vehicle owners in Nigeria say they have been denied their rightful funds when they are involved in accidents and file for a claim on third-party motor insurance.

But Kolawole Abass – who was involved in an accident disagrees. He claims a second party had used his third-party insurance policy to access funds to repair his (Kolawole's) vehicle.

Kolawole Abass is a regular shuttle bus driver along the Berger-Ikeja route – an artery he plied almost seamlessly for about two years until August 20, 2021, when he was involved in a collision.

Hardly had he started work that morning when his yellow commercial bus popularly known as danfo had a brake failure along Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja, and rammed into an interstate Toyota Hiace bus from the rear.

The impact resulted in major damage to the Hiace bus’ bumper and windshield. Abass was transfixed, brooding over the monumental loss he had incurred.

True to his fear, the cost of repairing the bus was estimated at N250,000 which was way above the means of the father of four whose family depends on his daily income.

According to the report, Abass was running around to raise money to repair the damaged bus when a relative drew his attention to the third-party motor insurance policy he had obtained five months earlier for N7,500.

The relation told him the policy could work wonders and relieved him of the burden of repairing the Hiace bus, but he found the claim pretty incredulous.

On the guidance of his relation, Abass reluctantly reached out to his insurer via the number on his insurance certificate and was put through the process to make a claim. All along, he took the assurance that the company would take up the repair cost after necessary documentation and verification with a pinch of salt.

“My relation helped me to send pictures of my vehicle and that of the Hiace bus taken at the scene to the insurance company,” Abass recalled in Yoruba.

“We also submitted the particulars of the two vehicles and a police report. The company then asked for the repair cost and in about two weeks, the money was paid. I was extremely happy,” he said, flashing a broad smile.

“That was how I managed to avoid a debt that would have taken me many months to settle. I only borrowed money to fix my vehicle which the insurance doesn’t cover.”

The Hiace bus owner, Deji Ajisafe, confirmed Abass’ account to our correspondent. He admitted that until the accident occurred, he never knew third-party auto insurance was that beneficial.

The Truth will be laid bare in the coming days

Earlier today while writing this article, I came across a news item that has a direct bearing on this story. VIO Officials who were in a hot chase of a Golf Car took a one-way street driving against traffic and accidentally rammed into an oncoming Toyota Corolla car at Federal Housing Bus Stop, Lugbe, ABUJA.

This case is particularly interesting for two reasons;

1. The VIO -- a government agency that issues third-party motor insurance is directly involved and is clearly at fault.

2. The third party who might have sustained injury and whose vehicle has been damaged is asking for compensation.

Would the VIO file for a claim?

Would the insurance company grant the claim? and

Would the insurer indemnify the victim in terms of repairs and other forms of compensation?

Or would the case go as far as the Victim exploring the legal option in court?

Let's wait and see the outcome.

Driving a few miles on a bad road is no doubt frustrating. However,having to cover hundreds of miles on poorly maintained roads can be a really terrible experience.

In some developing countries, bad roads aren't so rare to come by. There are places where roads are so bad that for every few hundred miles, you will need to replace your shock absorbers, connecting rods and other vital hinge parts of your car. However, there are a few tricks that will save you a large chunk of maintenance cost and help your vehicle last longer.

Here are some of the ways to keep your car in good shape and save some money maintenance-wise.

1. Avoid short trips

There is nothing more damageable for an engine but to be run for only very short trips while being half-cold. Plan all your errands in one round. By so doing, you reduce the time the engine is running cold and have more chances of having it stay to operating temperatures.


2. Slow down before driving through potholes

While some people feel uneasy steering their cars around a pothole, others think it is a waste of time slowly driving through a washed portion of a road.

There is absolutely no need to be in such a rush. Driving through deep depressions at high speed can not only damage the tire and the wheel, but the impact can also have adverse effects on the suspension and steering components.

The whole car will benefit from avoiding or slowing down for potholes, as these repetitive impacts tend to loosen various items in the car, creating rattles and squeaks.

3. Steer only when the car is rolling

Even when attempting a parallel parking maneuver, get the car rolling a bit before steering the wheel. This will greatly reduce the effort being exerted on the steering rack and its components.

Turning the wheels while the car is stationary puts tremendous stress on the entire steering system. The tire and asphalt friction requires alot more effort to shift if the whole weight of the vehicle is resting on them.


4. Always look down the road

It is necessary to not just look straight at where you are going but to look down the road to spot what is on the road itself.

There are always weird looking items, like nails and sharp objects you will want to avoid. Looking down on the road will also allow you to spot bumps or depressions in the road, so that you can at least slow down to keep the impact minimal when you ride through.


5. Slow down before driving through train tracks

Chances a high you will encounter dips and uneven pavements at a railroad track. Slow down when coming up to a railroad crossing, a small bridge or country road. These are always uneven with the pavement and create impacts for the wheels, tires and overall car that can be damaging over time.


6. Keep a safe distance when following up trucks

Getting stuck behind a truck is unavoidable. But always ensure you keep a safe distance between your vehicle and the truck. Apart from the fact that these trucks may carry some potentially harzadous luggage, keeping a safe distance will save your car from flying rocks and other debris which, over time, damage the paint, headlights and windshield of your car. Also, when following a badly maintained older truck, keeping a safe distance means less black fumes get into the filter of your ventilation system.


7. Don't push the throttle too hard

Take it easy with your car, especially for the first few miles. Your car engine is designed to run and move swiftly, but only at optimal operating temperatures. There is no need to idle the car for long, but at the start of your trip, take it easy for the first few kilometres so as to allow the engine go up to its normal operating temperature.

This will save you wear and tear as well as save some fuel; many engines are not as fuel efficient when half-cold.


8. Drive smoothly

Accelerate smoothly, steer smoothly, brake smooth and even. Don't make panic stops all the time for no just reason. Your vehicle wasn't built to withstand such constant stress. Ensure you drive smoothly not only for the stability of the car while moving, but also for the durability of the vehicle’s components.

By going smoothly the various mechanical parts of the car will not take a hit but actually be able to work as intended, and thus last longer. Plus your passengers will enjoy the ride rather than being tossed around.


9. Floor it sometimes

This may sound contrary to (7) but, your engine does need to be wound up and pushed at times. However, wait until it is at proper operating temperatures and do that only once in a while, when merging onto highways for example, step on the gas for a swift acceleration. Getting the engine up in revolution will allow it to work hard and burn some of the carbon deposit that tends to accumulate around the valve train. Doing this occasionally will help prevent having an engine head all gummed up or covered with carbon deposits.


10. Don't engage the reverse gear when the car is yet to get to a full stop

How often do you, in a rush, throw the gear change lever into reverse (R) while the car is still in movement? That is the best recipe for an early transmission failure. Take the time to reach a full stop before shifting; this applies to any shifting action. Shifting before this full stop means the transmission needs to take the brunt of the momentum while shifting, which causes undue damage over time.

Make sure to also do so when shifting into park (P). Shifting in park on an automatic transmission means your are engaging a very small lever to lock a gear; that lever is not designed to stop the car and having to do so too often will result in premature failure.


Here are 5 Remarkable Benefits of Adding a Spouse to Your Car Insurance Plan

Social capital isn't a new concept in today's business world. We all need it. We all make use of it at one point or the other. Here in Nigeria, we refer partly to it as "buttons" "networks" or "connections" -- and skills, certifications, and on-job experience are all perceived as secondary in the new dynamic view of success.

Let's use these illustration to explain in plain terms what social capital really is.

There is this graphic that trended on the internet a while ago. On the image, a job seeker in the United States goes for a job interview and he is asked; "what skills do you have?"

Another job seeker in the United Kingdom goes for a job interview and he is asked; what's your academic qualification?

However, when the job seeker from Nigeria approached the interview desk, the first question he was asked is "who sent you?"

Funny as the last question might seem, it reflects the state of our world today. it succinctly captures why social capital is important and why it's essential to invest one's time in piling up this vital asset.

Social capital is an intangible asset, but it is real -- and though it cannot be measured quantitatively, its value can be felt wherever it exists.

The word 'Social' defines Social capital as it resides in relationships and networks.

While the “Capital” emphasizes that social capital, like every other form of capital, is productive.

But simply saying that social capital is "productive" is demeaning to what it truly is.

Without social networks, it's twice as hard for anyone to be successful or even survive to say the least.

A person's social net-worth is a reflection of how much value he or she can give.

Building the right social networks is one of the best strategies you have to scale your business and boost your career.

As the saying goes "the friends you make today are your children's connections tomorrow". So, invest your time in building quality friendships, a time will come when you will need it.

https://canonspace.com/2020/10/02/what-is-social-capital-and-how-much-of-it-do-you-have/

renzhen:
Thank you for this information, but please is there a way one can print physical ID from the mobile app?
I've had to go through serious challenges with verifying my identity online in most international platforms all because I only have the slip which is always rejected. The slip is known to be only accepted locally.

Apart from possibly having low battery, another question is, having known how irresponsible our NPF, FRSC and their likes are, how are we going to get past them using the electronic ID which is only available on a mobile phone?

Visit any NIMC office nearest to you with your slip or NIN and request a plastic card, they will charge you a token fee.

Despite the fact that NIMC launched the digital identity app and provisioned it to link all other forms of IDs, the prerogative for the issuance of each identity document remains solely with the relevant agency.

So, it is binding on the NPF, FRSC and co to educate their staff appropriately on the latest developments.

However, the task of educating the 'men on the road' might be a challenging one. But in time, they will surely come around.

maiquel:
Is the App on playstore... I don't understand the link you shared abeg.

Yes, the app is on Play Store.

Ever heard of the new NIMC Mobile Identity app? I'm sure most nairalanders haven't. If you have heard of it, then I wonder why this very important app isn't trending on this forum already. In fact, if there is any good thing that has happened to this country in the last five years, it's the launch of this mobile app. And I will explain what I mean using two experiences I have had.

1. A few years ago, I was turned down at a job interview. I had travelled all the way from Abuja to Calabar only to be denied access into the premises where the interview was to take place. Reason was; I failed to provide a government issued ID card to prove my identity.

2. In spite of having a driver's license, I can't recall how many times I have been delayed on the road by the police for not having any drivers' ID card to show. Sometimes, you just hop into a car without your wallet and drive.

But there is one item you will hardly ever forget to carry along, and that's your mobile device.

Do you know that with the new NIMC mobile identity app you can retrieve your national ID card, drivers license, health insurance card, Departure card, Tax clearance certificate, BVN number, and VIN number all in a few minutes?

If you have lost your any of the above mentioned Identity Cards, or simply forgot your wallet as I did, you can still retrieve your electronic ID on your mobile phone at the click of a button.

Click HERE to download the app

renzhen:
Nice one Op, but I mustn't read all these books before starting a business

Readers are leaders bro.

platido:
For event of one night...so I should rush go collect shop and starts a business....you're sick

Do you need a shop? hell No. Start seeing Valentine as an opportunity to make some quick and legit cash. Look around you, there must be some gap you can fill. You can also start planning now for next year's Val you know.

Valentine is here again - a time when people show feelings of love, affection and friendship.

Here at canonspace.com, Valentine means something entirely different to us - It's a time to make some good money.

Statistics has it that In 2017, over $136 million was spent in the name of love; 180 million cards were exchanged and over 198 million flowers left the shops on that day in the United States alone.

Such incredible figures are enough to get a business-savvy mind thinking about how to get a slice of this very delicious cake. If you're such a person, here are a few small businesses that are sure to make a lot of money for you in this special season of love.

#Start a gift wrapping service

#Design and sell love themed cards

#Open a love themed gift shop

#Start a candy store

#Retail teddy bears

#Make and retail scented candles

#Offer delivery services

#Shuttle service for party goers

#Bake love themed cakes

#Valentine parties for singles

#On-Demand Serenading Services

#Val special affiliate marketing

#Romantic poems and one liners

#Tour guide

#Become a hair stylist or makeup artist

#Sell Digital Goodies on Etsy

#Sell mood-setting products online

https://canonspace.com/2020/02/06/20-best-ways-to-make-money-off-valentine-in-2020/

If you an an entrepreneur or aspiring to be one, pick one of these books today and start reading. Trust me, no one ever reads these books and remains the same.

#1. The Four Steps to the Epiphany by Steve Blank

#2. R.E.S.E.T. Your Mindset: Silence Your Inner Mean Girl by Natalie Eckdahl

#3. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol Dweck

#4. The Secret Thoughts of Successful Women by Valerie Young

#5. The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason

#6. You Are a Badass at Making Money: Master the Mindset of Wealth by Jen Sincero

#7. Chillpreneur: The New Rules for Creating Success, Freedom, and Abundance on Your Terms by Denise Duffield Thomas

#8. Man Up: How to Cut the Bullshit and Kick Ass in Business (and in Life) by Bedros Keuilian

#9. The Essays of Warren Buffett: Lessons for Corporate America by Warren Buffet

#10. The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level by Gay Hendricks

#11. Bossypants by Tina Fey

#12. Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person by Shonda Rhimes

#13. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

#14. The Five Second Rule: Transform your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage by Mel Robbins

#15. Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown

#16. The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss

#17. The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Bleep: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson


Here are some 10 Biggest Professional Indemnity Insurance Traps – and How To Avoid Them

If you have N10m in your account and you are looking for a short-term low-risk opportunity to invest your money. I suggest you consider investing your money in Treasury bills. Investing in T-bills is Fail-Safe, and not just that, it offers good returns too in a short span of time (typically approx. 1 year). Read more about Treasury bills HERE

10. Tell your story

I had several ideas for this post. Intriguing, amusing, thoughtful ideas, all jostling for space and attention in my head. But I'd love to focus on this one, and for want of time, I'd be precise and straight to the point. NO STORIES.

Everyone loves a good story. As humans, stories are one of our most powerful forms of communication.

If you want to sell, you have to make people want to listen to you.

Not only listen—but want to listen.

Do you know what separates successful companies from less efficient competitors? It is the story they tell in order to persuade people to share the same vision, values and beliefs.

You can certainly try to create and tell your own story on social networks in such situations and use it as a means of promoting your business. If you’re not much of a storyteller, we recommend that you partner with canonspace to help project your business story to the world.

Share your personal and business experiences on your social media pages. Use the experiences of your other clients, preferably in the same industry, to tell the story of how your product improves business. Take the prospect through the process. Present the case study in story form.

Tell them about the initial doubts that your other clients had and how those doubts were completely arrested when the product was onboarded. Let the details speak—what improved in your clients’ lives, how much did they save, what did they thank you most for. Believe me, your prospects want to hear this! They want nothing more than assurance that your product already became a success story. Then, they’ll want to be the next one.

If you can craft a compelling brand story, your audience will remember who you are, develop empathy for you, and, ultimately, care about you. This has proved to be one of the most effective social media marketing strategy.

Read the full article HERE

In today’s fast-changing world, to be a jack of all trades only makes you a master of none. When we fall ill, we schedule an appointment with the doctor. When our car breaks down, we require the services of an auto technician. In the same way, you will need a structural engineer to oversee your construction works. These are experts in their respective niches, and despite our vast knowledge, we still crave for the expert’s touch.

So many of us try to please everyone, believing that if we do so, we’ll be accepted, validated, liked or loved. In learning, we go all out to master many skills, we want to read every book, and we want to do it all at the same time.

We seem to haul along the same attitude in the way we do business.

No doubt, It’s good to be versatile and be a master of many trades, but it’s highly important to be perfect at just one thing. Whether we like it or not, we cannot be all things to all people at all times.

Nearly every entrepreneur and ace CEO who made it big in business started by first concentrating on one important aspect of their market, their niche.

Whether you’re a new blog start-up or an ambitious entrepreneur looking to expand an online company or start-up, the more laser you concentrate on a niche, the easier it will be for you to succeed.

If you do not have millions to work with, you only can find and fill a niche in the business world. To be a small niche company means to serve customers in a variety of targeted markets of specific products or services. This is the least risky approach that can offer small businesses, regardless of their preference, the best opportunities.

Read the full article HERE.

Go on a job interview, blab endlessly about your soft skills, tell the interviewer how many long hours you can work and emphasize how you can efficiently handle multiple tasks at a time… And Off you go! This is 2020. We are in the era of ‘smart working’ and employers aren’t that daft to fall for such cheap swaggering. To land that dream job, You have to do more than that.

Want to Nail Your Next job interview? Read on!

Don’t take my word for it, I haven’t been to many interviews, neither have I ever sat across the desk as an interviewer. But I have watched many successful interviews and it sums up to one thing; employers just want to know what you are good at, and of course what you aren’t good at. It’s that simple.

For instance When an interviewer asks you ‘what’s your favorite food?’ they don’t want to know if you like macaroni and cheese. They don’t want to know if you eat at all. They are digging for your verbal/communication skills, confidence, self-esteem and a whole lot of other skills and abilities you might not know of.

The interviewer might want to find out how self-aware you are, whether you can examine your preconceived notions or biases or whether you have broad interests. They might want to see if you would boldly state an opinion or waffle or give a situational specific answer. For some highly competitive interviews, simple questions like the one above will determine the next question they are going to ask you, or if they are to proceed with the interview or not.

Here are some of the turnoffs that may be keeping you from landing that dream job.

1. You display a sense of entitlement

It’s never a good idea to show entitlement on paper or in a job interview. If you go in with a list of demands, you’ll be out before it starts. It is expected that you have a general salary expectation, but that you will need six weeks of vacation from the start? That’s not gonna happen.

2. Your LACK OF PASSION shows

When you find yourself applying for jobs that don’t excite you, don’t be surprised when potential employers sense this lack of passion. Employers know that skills can always be taught, but when the zeal to learn isn’t there, it becomes difficult to learn on the job.

3. You have LOW self-confidence

The interviewer can hear this in your voice in the first three seconds. This can easily be deciphered from the way you speak. Experienced HR managers can even sense it from your first “hello”.

4. You’re sloppy/slobby

5. You’ve got nothing to say

Want to nail your next job interview? Here are a few tricks to help you stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Starting a business with a friend can be a good way to begin, but there are several other variables that can destroy a business relationship. You need to have substantial reasons to decide how far you can trust your friend, to know if they have great skills to support your company, and a variety of other key factors.

By taking extra care before making a decision to start a business with a friend or close associate, you can be sure of a less bumpy ride on your business journey together.

However, before you begin, take your time to resolve the following questions;

How much confidence do you have in your partner?

Do they have the skills that you don’t have?

How emotionally smart is he/she?

Do some final checks and assessment

First evaluate if you can work together before defining the nature of your partnership. Start a business without registering an entity or agreeing to be partners. This will encourage you to balance the collaboration and make it easier for any Member to pull out (if they want to) before the business gets more formal.

In the course of the test-run, you can discover your partner’s sides that you weren’t used to, and also figure out a way to deal with their gimmicks. Particularly if your partner is very emotional, has uncomfortable attitudes towards a sharing formula, or has trouble recognizing the positions you have assigned, you will understand that it is best to end the business relationship before your personal relationship takes the fall.

After you have resolved the above questions, then you can move to the trickier part: weighing the pros against the cons.

Here are some of the pros

1. You can trust them fully

2. You have built a bond

3. You share thesame ideals

The cons

1. The question of who is the real boss

2. Too much familiarity is bad for business

3. A break-up can put an end to your business relationship

Should you ever go into a business with a friend, here are a few things you should set straight right from the onset

I would have loved to tell you a story about how I wasted seven years of my life studying Engineering in a Nigerian University. I would love to write about how I learned nearly nothing, and how upon graduation I'm now doing something entirely different from what I studied in School. But this article is not about me, so I don't wanna tell too many personal stories.

Many Nigerian Institutions of higher learning impart no skill, zero knowledge, and are graduating large numbers of uncouth illiterates. Some might want to argue, but this is the sad reality that we have found ourselves. Apologies for the harsh words. They say "the first step to change is accepting your reality" right? Right! So, let's be honest and tell it like it is.

Do you feel that your degree was value for money?

That was the question put to recent graduates by the British Broadcasting Corporation, not in Nigeria, but in the United Kingdom.

The question arose as a result of the concerns expressed by members of the British Parliamentary Committee on Education about the value of both government and graduates are getting from their expenditure on tertiary education.

The Chairperson of the Committee, Mr. Robert Halfon, made the following observations, among others;

1. Too many universities are not offering value for money. And

2. A reasonable percent of graduates in the UK are no longer working in graduate positions.

If the United Kingdom, an advanced economy, is frustrated by the return on its investment in tertiary education, what should anyone say about the situation in Nigeria?

While pondering over the decay in Nigerian institutions of higher learning, I recall this professor in my UG classes. He was the most senior professor in the department, a visiting lecturer though. But here is the funny part of the story. Mr Senior professor travelled hundreds of miles every Monday morning to read to us (students) a book he coauthored in the late 1980's (approx 20 years out of date). So, every monday, we all sat down in the old engineering hall and listened tentatively to a book being read to us for four good hours. It was boring as hell, and I bet you I don't recall anything I learned from that class.

We were made to memorize outdated theorems and complex mathematical formulae. Only to graduate and realize that we lacked the skills to fit into the modern day economy.

Many if not most Nigerian university graduates can barely speak or write good sentences. So, what's the point? What's the gain of going through a system for 20 years and not perfecting in any skill at all? Why should anyone waste so many years schooling when they cannot apply the knowledge to solve practical problems?

Check out how many Nigerian graduates end up in non-graduate roles. How many Nigerian graduates are taking jobs and salaries far below their qualifications, just to get through? Is the situation going to get better or worse as more students study courses that are not their preferences in a shrinking economy where work is hard to find?

Even those with degrees in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), how skilled are they? Many are walking the streets with certificates jostling for jobs that are nonexistent. A good number of STEM professionals who are lucky may end up finding jobs as artisans.

This brings us to the question begging for attention. Does every post-18 education have to be in a university, given that most of those who receive such education simply waste their time and money? A trip to many of our colleges will convince you that many of our students are not pleased to be there. They're just there to obtain a degree whose value in the future, they don't know. Many lecturers are only interested in their monthly paycheque. Perhaps, that's the highest paying job they could find. No motivation, no zeal, no passion!

It is further saddening to know that the problem doesn't necessary begin and end with the poor quality of our universities. Secondary school education is also on the verge of collapse. Private primary schools in some parts of the country are doing averagely well (Emphasis: Not all).

However, if not university education, what else is on offer, would the follow-up question be?

Learn a skill! Start learning a skill before going for higher learning. And I am no talking about the so called skills everyone is learning. Learn something different. Here is a list of IT skills that currently pay a fortune and will even pay more in the near future.

For starters, you can begin with a basic programming language like Python or Scratch (a visual programming language best suitable for kids). Basic education is a necessity, that's true. But, we are in an era of perfection where specific skills matter more than general knowledge. Focus on the things you have developed passion for. Read books, learn the art of writing and public speaking as well. Start an experimental blog.

For those who have already passed through the system; you have wasted many years, yes. But you've still got a lot of time to grow. It's never too late to learn. Find a niche, zero in and focus solely on it. It's gonna take a while, no doubt. Just remain resolute and you can get perfect at anything.