The Whys and the Wherefores of Our Woes
The whys and the wherefores of our woes,
Technical education now less than zero shows.
While bunkering makes only a shadowy hero,
Our progress is hindered, our future in zero.
We often sing of modern and computer age,
But all we dance to is a song of mirage.
Our youths are misled, with no clear path to stage,
Their future uncertain, like a turning page.
The whys and the wherefores of our woes,
Many stunning ladies have turned sex workers, it shows.
Keeping vocational education locked and closed,
Their potential wasted, like a flower that's disposed.
Many young men have become con artists, ignoring,
Technical skills that can skid poverty, and keep on soaring.
The motivating force in the youths is killed,
By selfish holdovers, leaving them unskilled.
The sickening reason, no usable infrastructure,
Our labs and workshops in rust and rupture.
No college in our land can produce furniture,
For herself, as part of her infrastructure, it's a pure blur.
Chairs and desks, which are basics in schools,
Are made into models of ancient Roman stools.
The whys and the wherefores of our woes,
The unemployment case, a big question, nobody knows.
JAMB'S UTME doesn't include such a question,
We ourselves have broken the economy's backbone, a confession.
Technical and vocational education, our safe zone,
Is neglected, leaving our youths to roam.
We think less of being of value to our nation,
But pasture on the land with diverse notions, a devastation.
Loot our treasury, leave through the strands,
Come back later to weave political strands.
The whys and the wherefores of our woes,
Only the parliament has huge pays, while the labours, huge pains.
The executive joyfully knocks back a white rum,
While the masses really wallow in the slum.
— Òjó Adésojí Rufus
About the Poem
In this scathing poem, Òjó Adésojí Rufus delivers a searing indictment of the societal and economic maladies plaguing Nigeria. Through a masterful blend of vivid imagery, clever wordplay, and unflinching honesty, the poet exposes the deep-seated issues that have hindered the country’s progress and stifled the potential of its youth.
“The Whys and the Wherefores of Our Woes” is a lamentation of the neglect of technical and vocational education, which has led to a dearth of skilled workers and a prevalence of unemployment. As the poet notes, “Technical education now less than zero shows” (line 2), highlighting the alarming decline of technical education in Nigeria. This neglect has resulted in a situation where “Many young men have become con artists, ignoring, / Technical skills that can skid poverty, and keep on soaring” (lines 13-14).
“The Whys and the Wherefores of Our Woes” also tackles the issue of corruption, highlighting how the country’s leaders have looted the treasury and left the masses to suffer. The poet notes that “Only the parliament has huge pays, while the labours, huge pains” (lines 25-26), emphasizing the stark contrast between the privileges enjoyed by the ruling elite and the hardships faced by the working class. Furthermore, the poet observes that “Loot our treasury, leave through the strands, / Come back later to weave political strands” (lines 29-30), highlighting the cyclical nature of corruption in Nigeria.
The poet employs a range of literary devices throughout the poem , including metaphor, simile, and personification, to drive home his points. For example, he notes that “Our progress is hindered, our future in zero” (line 4), using the metaphor of a mathematical equation to convey the idea that Nigeria’s progress has been reduced to nothing. Similarly, he observes that “Our youths are misled, with no clear path to stage, / Their future uncertain, like a turning page” (lines 9-10), using the simile of a turning page to convey the idea that the future of Nigeria’s youth is uncertain and precarious.
In conclusion, “The Whys and the Wherefores of Our Woes” is a call to action, urging Nigerians to wake up to the reality of their situation and demand change. As the poet notes, “We think less of being of value to our nation, / But pasture on the land with diverse notions, a devastation” (lines 21-22), highlighting the need for Nigerians to reevaluate their priorities and work towards building a better future for themselves and their country. The poem is a powerful indictment of the status quo and a clarion call for reform.
Related:
- Poem: “Obutun’s Plea” by Òjó Adésojí Rufus
- Poem: “The Churchyard Elegy” by Òjó Adésojí Rufus
- Poem: “Ògbólôgbó Àjàò” by Òjó Adésojí Rufus
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