Opeyemi Odutemowo entered the history books over the weekend after bagging a PhD in Nuclear Physics at age 29 from the University of Pretoria in South Africa. Meanwhile, her unprecedented journey to academic stardom began at the University of Lagos where she graduated with a high-flying BSc Honours in Applied Physics (Geophysics).
My take: The difference between the Yoruba in Nigeria's South-West and the rest of the nation is the deliberate and focused sustenance of the premium Chief Obafemi Awolowo, pioneer Premier of the old Western Region, placed on education. Here is exactly where those who argue that Lagos is what it is today as a result of her role as seat of the federal government miss it completely. Of course, basic knowledge of Economics teaches that of all the factors of production, Enterpreneurship is the most important and holds the key. Knowing that enterprise itself is a derivative of human capital development, you day-dream as a government, if your policies take education for granted. In other words, no matter what your mission is to drive sustainable development, the vision is dead on arrival without prioritising investment in developing your human capital.
Congratulations Opeyemi and the South-West!
