By Dorathy Tor
A 16-year-old graduate of Gaadi Nursery and Primary School, Makurdi, Master Iember Mhenuter Nathaniel, has said his involvement in vulcanising will not stop him from furthering his education.
Nathaniel, who hails from Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, disclosed this in an interview with The Voice’s Dorathy Tor. He said the major challenges affecting his trade are the high cost of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and other materials, noting that the cost of production is hardly recovered after rendering services, but he remains undeterred.
The young artisan, whose workshop is located around Tse-Adi New Road, said his engagement in a trade at an early age should serve as encouragement to other children who have no handiwork and end up stranded after graduation.
According to him, his courage and determination demonstrate that young people can take up any trade of their choice and become self-reliant, instead of remaining jobless after school in the face of scarce government jobs.
Nathaniel stated that knowledge is never wasted, adding that the skill he has acquired at an early age will remain with him and will be useful even as he returns to school to pursue formal education.
He lamented the current economic hardship facing families across the country, but noted that his trade has enabled him to meet most of his personal needs and save towards his education, as his parents cannot shoulder the burden alone.
He also decried the attitude of some parents who discourage their children from learning a trade early and focus only on formal schooling. Such an approach, he said, denies children the opportunity to develop their innate talents. For him, nothing will stop his return to school as he has equal passion for education.
“Going to school is good, but having a handiwork is also important, especially for those without financial support. Even those with financial support should devote time after school hours to learn a skill, so that after graduation they will not be idle or frustrated,” he said.
Nathaniel dismissed the notion that learning a trade at an early age makes children lose interest in school. He noted that many people who learnt a trade early have gone ahead to complete their education and graduate.
He explained that in Nigeria, early involvement in handiwork is often misconstrued as a reason for children dropping out of school, but in reality, it is not the trade itself but how it is managed that matters.
“In Nigeria, handiwork involves practical trades such as tailoring, hairdressing, barbing, baking, phone repairs, mechanic work and carpentry. Many parents introduce their children to these trades as early as seven or eight years to make them self-reliant in future, a culture that is commendable”, he said.
“Combining school and handiwork can make a child more serious. A child who knows how hard it is to make money in the workshop will value education more and will have a skill to fall back on if white-collar jobs are not available after graduation. Many successful people today are graduates who also acquired a skill as children,” he added.
He expressed optimism that with determination and God’s help, he would successfully combine his trade with his educational pursuit.
