It is common among some youths in Nigeria to hear that education is scam. This is not, of course, as extreme as the ?education is Haram (or an abomination)? as espoused by the terrorist group, Boko Haram ravaging the North and spilling blood of the innocent mindlessly. That group has violated the sanctity of schools at will and carted away hundreds of students.

The ?education is scam? group, found mainly among educated young southerners, is a result of frustration following years of unemployment or neglect by the governments. Unlike the days of yore when the certificate was a guarantee of good living and life, this is no longer so. Even when students who have distinguished themselves in various disciplines are rewarded, they are given amounts so paltry that it only attracts contempt by the awardees and their colleagues.

It is therefore commendable that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu deemed it necessary to raise the stock in young graduates by rewarding the latest overall best graduating student of the Lagos State University (LASU) with a hefty N10 million. This is as much a morale booster for Isioma Nwosu who capped her academic attainment in Biochemistry with 4.93 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA). We expect this to stimulate other students to work towards the mark of excellence for the acclaim and due reward.

This might not be enough in showing that the society truly values excellence, especially in educational pursuit. We expect that the private sector would complement efforts of the state government in this wise.

To boost the capacity of students in theory and practice, the corporate world needs to step into the arena by endowing chairs, rewarding exceptional students not only at convocation but through the years. The task of reforming and refurbishing the education system that it may serve as the foundation for a new Nigeria is for all. Banks and telecommunication giants continue to declare billions of naira as profit, with very little ploughed into education. This should change, with the governments leading the way. The federal, states and local governments should get involved in this onerous task of arresting the rot in the sector. The alumni associations also should get involved, targeting the best from various departments from their first year in order to propel them in the right direction all through their pursuit.

It is not only in academic excellence that students should be rewarded. Those who show great skills in entrepreneurship and innovation that could serve as the engine for spinning growth and development of the society should also be identified and encouraged early enough. The university is the bedrock of modern development and civilisation. This point should not be lost also on philanthropists and others who could give scholarships to as many students as possible.

Recently, the Oyo State government gave bursary awards to final year students from the state in higher institutions. As we observed then, this is worthy of emulation by other stakeholders in the country who could choose whom to encourage. Nigeria is at a point when it must do all that is required to lift its people and assure the youth that they count in the scheme of things.

Nwosu who had her day on the stage as the valedictorian is not new to the role. As she said in an interview, she performed the responsibility when leaving the secondary school. Yet, she had her first introduction to frustration that could come one?s way in the school of life when she narrowly missed her desire to pursue a degree in medicine at the University of Ibadan. The following year, she tried to make the mark at LASU, but again fell short, and had to be handed Biochemistry as consolation, a course that she said she had not heard of before then. That decision led her to the stage of glory at the convocation where she achieved distinction among the 8,711 who bagged the first degree. This is lesson for students who find themselves in her shoes ? many ways lead to achieving goals. It only takes dedication and hard work as the state governor admonished all at the ceremony. (The Nation Editorial)

Update news