You Are Valuable.

You Are Valuable. 

I studied and worked under Dr. Ige Olumide for 5 years. I learnt a lot from this humble and self-effacing, but highly gifted and educated man.

One of the most important lessons I learnt from him is respect for fellow human beings. He showed courteous respect to everyone, no matter their social standing or station in life.

With 5 earned doctoral degrees, over 60 honorary doctoral degrees from universities all around the World, a knighthood from the kingdom of Malta, a prodigious brain and handsome looks, he listened respectfully to us, his protégés, and addressed us as "Sir/Ma"!

We once asked him why he did it. His answer was simple, but deeply profound. It changed the way I looked at myself and the way I related with others:

" All human beings, no matter their status or station in life, deserve to be respected. It is a right. I am not more valuable or superior to you just because I am older, richer or more educated than you. All that is relative and not absolute. The only absolute value in life is the fact of your humanity. Now, if God gave His best gift to redeem humanity, who am I not to respect this creature that Divinity places premium value on?"

Now, how about that for a life-changing lesson?! 

I have not been the same ever since. I now seek the good and wellbeing of my fellow humans above my personal interest. Your success is my success and I find true joy when my efforts help to lift a fellow being to a higher life. It is so because I respect one and all. I value the fact of your humanity above your class, race, status, station, creed, religion, location, etc. You are valuable because you are a human being and nothing more or less.

If you are human, you are my brother/sister. I am because you are and, together, we are taller and stronger.

It is Agoso Bamaiyi, your friend for a greater Nigeria and the best things of life.