One of the elements that ensures the existence of a society is people, different individuals with unique potentials and talents coming together to form a union. contribution of individual strength makes up a society. Our contributions to the development of the society might not be equal but it doesn't change its purpose. being an umbrella for thousands of people, protecting them against external and internal threat, most especially protecting the weak from the heels of the mighty.
One of the greatest threat to human survival is "humans", the most destructive predators on the planet earth. due to our capabilities and intelligence which has make us reign supreme over every other species on earth but this is not enough because humans greed has no limit. Out of greed most humans go further into terrorising their weak neighbours just to exercise their authority and power. I always thought it is the responsibility of the strong to protect the weak but this is not the case in a human society. the weak are left to perish while the strong rejoices and inherit their belongings.
I grew up in a religious home, we were taught the importance of showing love and kindness towards others, putting ourselves in a position to assist our fellow brothers whenever they are in trouble, "Being our brotherskeeper" just like the holy scripture commanded. I grew up with this mentality as it became the bedrock of my personality formation. I tried as much as possible to put this in practice just like have been taught but it was more difficult than I thought. growing up in a country such as Nigeria, it became obvious to be that if I'm not careful this act of helping others could put be in trouble. I have experience different scenarios when I had to stand up for what I believed in, speak up for those who don't have the courage to speak up for themselves, in school and at work. though the out come was not rosy but it never hindered me from doing the right thing.
Over the years I have also encountered situations where by I was trying to help an individual by offering advice or my support and eventually I realise such individual feels reluctant to accept my help or declines totally. probably they feel too knowledgeable to be told what to do but if there is one thing I have learnt from my days on earth is that no one is an Island of knowledge.
There is always a possibility of you not knowing something and it is not because you are not intelligent, it is just that the human mind is not Capable of comprehending every details and information. in such a case, if I should notice those lapses I feel it is normal for me to notify such person about it. it turns out that there are times you just have to keep to yourself despite knowing what is right because you can't help or advice someone who doesn't feel the need for your advice.
It might sound like a selfish act to see someone committing an error and chose to feign ignorance about it. the world is not what it used to be, as it progresses, grows in population and development so does the abnormalities increases along with it. those days when we were kids, if you correct someone who is about to make a mistake they feel a lot of gratitude and appreciate the correction because they knew what could have happened if they were not privileged to see someone willing to correct their wrong doings but these days reverse is the case. There are times I have tried to correct someone or advice them but the response I got was not forthcoming at all, more like "pls mind your business", which is very annoying because I feel I'm trying to save you from doing something wrong and this is what I get for it.
During the process of acquiring my higher national diploma in mass communication at Moshood Abiola polytechnic. I resumed lecturers very early around the second week of the semester. we were just about 10 to 15 students in the class, I guess other students were not done with there admission documentation. Gradually the semester commenced and other students joined the class. We were around the fifth week of the semester when our Hoc brought a girl to me and asked me to assist her with notes and also put her through the process of completing her documentation.
I felt reluctant at first because I had a lot going on due to practicals and assignment which seems to be a new reality I had to cope with. I just kept wondering if I should help her or not till I found out that she was also broadcast student. the thing is that during that time we were asked to create a group of ten students each for a broadcast practical and I only had about 8 people in my group which was a form of disadvantage to my group because being just 8 students in the group meant for 10 students means we have to contribute the amount the remaining 2 students were meant to pay for the practical, an extra fee adding to what we already have on ground.
For this reason I decided to help her since she will be joining my group. As time goes on we became friends and she moved along with my other friends who were also broadcast student. after her registration was done she joined my group and we started the practical. As time goes on I realised she wasn't the type to attend group meetings and group practical in the studio. despite the fact that we were 9 in number it still feels like we were 8 because of her lack of participation. though we usually mark attendance at the end of each meeting but because we were close I kept helping her with the attendance since her reason for not coming seems reasonable at the moment.
Eventually the group members started complaining about her attitude towards the group practical, normally as the group leader I have the right to report her to the lecturer in charge of the subject and Remove her from the group but I felt like I should give her a final warning before taking actions against her.
So I decided to call and inform her about what is on ground, after listening to everything I had to say she did not say a word, she just hung up on me, I was pissed and pained but I remained calm. I called her again about 4 times more but she did not pick up. Normally that is enough justification for any action I want to take against her but I still felt pity for her knowing that any action I take against her could result to a carry over in that course.
Unfortunately for her, during our next studio section, the lecturer in charge came to oversee the practical and discovered she was missing. I could not even try to cover for her because every member of the group reported her on that spot. the lecturer got upset and canceled her name from the group practical register. that was how she lost the mark for the practical, I don't know if she eventually failed or passed the course because after that incident we never spoke again.
The truth is i didn't feel any pity for her because it seems she got what she deserved by internationally refusing to listen to my warnings and moreover I didn't take any actions against her which I could, it was the lecturer that failed her. so to an extent I had a clear conscience which was all that matters.
This write-up was inspired by The Thinker's Corner Contest created by @kenechukwu97 .
