Not All That - Part 2

Two years on, counterparts from secondary school without any form of higher education earn substantially more than me. I had a conversation with some friends recently concerning the lack of progression within the teaching profession - particularly for ethnic minorities. My question then is, if you manage to finally gain some sort of senior position after passing through a multitude of hurdles, are the copious amounts of stress actually worth the pay packet?
Upon hearing my dissatisfaction, my friends reassured me suggesting that I apply for an independent (private) school, relocate to an Emirate city, or return to university to complete my masters degree.

I bumped into my one of my old secondary teachers... After teaching for fifteen years, she was appointed as deputy's head... Apparently on 80k.... she said she gets five hours of sleep per night at the very most... Her last comment was something along the lines of 'Just don't expect your quality of life to get better with salary increments.' Interesting... Although when I pause to think of it, if my choice of career was based on income alone I certainly wouldn't have become a teacher.

The Conversation 

A dialogue I overheard on my last trip to Lagos inspired me to draft part one of this post.

Now back to my original point. I am aware that life in Nigeria can be difficult for your average citizen. When you have limited income, little, or no political influence it's frustrating. It is said that things get done a lot quicker when you have the status and connects to match...

Imagine your home being completely cut off from the national grid for twelve consecutive days, no complaints system and where complaints are lodged no action is taken. Could that ever happen in the UK?
When you see ordinary people being stopped for no genuine reason; ordered out their vehicles, stripped, beaten, and ridiculed like animals by those who deem themselves police, life carries on as normal and nobody is held to account. I read a story about an abandoned newborn left in a cardboard box. She was heard crying by members of the public who did not want to rescue her out of fear that they would be accused of child abduction. The baby eventually died.
I occasionally hear reports of corpses lying bloated by expressways. I thank God I have never set my eyes on such - that kind of image would haunt one for a lifetime.

To the Nigerian citizen who believes the only way to make it in life is by going abroad, you shall not miss it in Jesus name. I understand why you feel that way. To create a livelihood in Nigeria is challenging, to say the least, and often a time individuals feel as if all odds are stacked against them. However, Nigeria will not change if you leave, Instead of being complacent and watching these daily atrocities go by without batting an eyelid thinking to yourself 'that's Naija for you' challenge it, find a decent solicitor, ask for the oga at the top, read up on the judiciary, do you know your rights as citizen? Abeg stay in your country and create the culture that you want to see for yourself!
Add an ounce of value to every person you meet in every interaction you make.
Let us enlighten ourselves so that we can make informed choices and bring about changes step by step.

I love it when I visit http://www.movebacktonigeria.com/ and read the success stories. It makes me excited and the reason for that is, despite a series of unfortunate economic events Nigeria is still churning out millionaires... (I'm not talking yahoo boys, runs girls or stolen government money O)

Remember the grass is always greener on the other side. I leave my house in darkness and return home in the same darkness. The winters are not very enjoyable and keeping homes heated is expensive... Then you jump on the train and a drunken reveler spews 'go back to your country you black c*nt.'

How I wish I could...