Nigeria’s music sensation, Patrick Okorie, popularly known in the Afrobeat world as Patoranking, last week announced with justifiable glee, his graduation from the Harvard Business School, which is headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts in the United State of America.

He shared photos of himself posing with Professor Anita Elberse, a lecturer who received a special mention from Patoranking in his social media announcement of his very enviable achievement. Harvard is one of the most prestigious universities in the world. It prides itself in global-grade leadership training, especially those in politics and business.

We are deeply intrigued by Patoranking’s wise decision to upgrade his education and knowledge outside his immediate musical career where he has made an impressive impact. He is one of the artistes making Nigerians proud as the world’s fastest emerging destination for music, comedy, movies and outstanding, healthy, delicious cuisine.

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Patoranking has followed in the exemplary footsteps of former President, OlusegunObasanjo, who, despite having led Nigeria twice as a Head of State and two-term elected President, he defied his advanced age and obtained a Doctorate degree from the National Open University of Nigeria, NOUN, which he founded while in office as president. Obasanjo’s example gave the NOUN degree certificate some added credibility and encouraged people to enrol for it.

We consider Patoranking’s achievement worthy of emulation. It shows that fame should not close the door on the pursuit of knowledge. He recognises the reality that it is not every musician who can stay in the industry for long or for life, like legends such as Fela, Sonny Okosuns, OsitaOsadebe, Orlando Julius and other Nigerian legends.

Unknown to many of our hotshot artistes of today, music or whatever talent that is putting them in the limelight could be a stepping stone to something that could carry them for the rest of their lives.

Many of our Nollywood actors and actresses have failed to realise the need to leverage their fame and brief bursts of fortune to further upgrade themselves to the next levels. As a result, when the “foam” subsides, many of them become indigent, resort to begging, fall sick and die earlier than their time.

They realise, too late, that the fame or celebrity status that used to open the doors of the rich will no longer be available to carry them when they need it most. Patoranking’s smart move is a wake-up call for his fellow young celebrities, including upcoming ones, to keep upgrading to ensure they never get left behind even after the days of stardom.

Patoranking should also know that a Harvard business degree, by itself, is a mere vanity. It is what he does with it that matters.

He must project the knowledge it comes with, and use it to impact the society around him.

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