Time Management: Its Intrigues And Features

by Fred Nwaozor

The last time I checked, countless individuals cum entities across the global community, particularly in this part of the world, had derailed as regards the interpretation of the real essence of time in our everyday lives. Often times, a lot of questions had been raised in respect of time. Amazingly, on most occasions, people failed to tender the apt answer to the enquiries. Hence, I decided to come up with a very crucial one, which reads ‘how do you manage your time?’ This very one deserves an unalloyed attention because it is targeted to address several anomalies concerning time management. We cannot shy away from discussions pertaining to time management if we are really determined to excel, or distinguish ourselves, in our various field of endeavour. It would shock, or perhaps surprise, you to note that adequate time management is arguably the secret behind most successes recorded by mankind. In his words, Baltasar Gracian said “All that really belongs to us is time; even he who has nothing else has that.” This intends to inform us that with time, one can attain to any height in accordance with his or her aspiration. And, the time itself ‘belongs to us’, meaning literally that we can make use of it the way and manner we desire. Frankly, our inability to utilize our time properly has been the prime reason we have failed in various occasions. The last time I checked, most of us were still lagging behind when it calls for utilization of time. And, those who fall in this bracket can never move ahead, even a bit, until they fully comprehend how best to manage their time.

An associate of mine, years ago, missed a mighty contract owing to his inability to abide by the time stipulated in the invitation. He was asked via a text message to report to the firm by exactly nine O’clock in the morning. But as a result of the ‘African time’ mentality, he didn’t take the time seriously, thus he arrived at some minutes past ten. He was, however, granted the interview as planned. He reportedly performed very well after all said and done. But surprisingly, the Human Resources Manager (HRM) said to his face “Mister Ken, you are truly qualified for this job but I am afraid of one thing.” When he tried to ascertain what informed the HRM’s fear, he was rightly told that the company was not ready to engage or contract anyone that believes in African time. That was how they deprived him of the golden opportunity. William Penn opined “Time is what we want most, but what we use worst.” Most people spend most of, or virtually all, their time catching funs or engaging in frivolous activities. They do so, forgetting time wait for no one. Jef Mallett wisely asserted “If time flies when you are having fun, it hits the afterburners when you don’t think you are having enough.” It was the famous Nigerian musician, Mike Okiri that sang in vernacular “Time na money.” In the song, he implored people to use their time judiciously, stressing good things do not fall from heaven but are acquired by hard work. Little wonder John Kennedy counselled “We must use time as a tool, not as a crutch”. Among all, it is pertinent to acknowledge that “Lost time is never found again” as opined by Benjamin Franklin. Hence, we are charged to always take into cognizance that time is invariably of the essence when carrying out any task. This signifies that it is an inevitable tool. So, no matter how much we make effort to steer clear of time, we can never succeed; rather, we will only end up hurting ourselves. It suffices to assert that one who plays with his/her time has played with the future.

“If we take care of the moments, the years will take care of themselves.” This was tendered by Maria Edgeworth, and I concur. She was trying to argue that if we properly handle our present situation, the future will certainly have nothing to fear for. And, it is important to understand that it is only adequate management of time that can enable us conquer the challenges of today. On a daily basis, we are expected to schedule our respective useful activities or consignments, and never play with any of the items in the timetable. Each of the items must be given a certain time frame, and you must consciously work not to abuse the schedule. This is a keyword to success for those who truly intend to succeed.

It would interest us to note that, even those we look up to, still don’t joke with their time. Survey shows that successful individuals are more conscious of their time than the incoming ones. This is because, out of experience, they have realized how powerful the said tool is. This is why each time you see them, their eyes are on their wrist watch. It’s, therefore, on this note I urge us to invariably bear in mind that time is the conqueror of everything under the sun, hence the need to adore it. At this point, I leave you with the words of Philip Stanhope that says “Know the true value of time; snatch, seize, and enjoy every moment of it… And never put off till tomorrow what you can do today.” You have all it takes to be in control of your precious time. So, you shouldn’t allow the reverse to be the case. Do not let your time control you, hence you will live your entire life to regret your steps. It only take proper planning to adequately handle or manage the situation. This implies that we must always be mindful of how we plan our schedules. The time has really and obviously come for us to treat our time with absolute seriousness if truly we are determined to arrive at the desired destination as it is being scheduled. Think about it!

PROMOTING TEACHING PROFESSION AMID TEACHERS’ CELEBRATION

by Fred Nwaozor

The last time I checked, October 5 annually remained World Teacher's Day. This implies that the 2021 edition of the lofty event was celebrated yesterday, meaning literally that the teachers are still in the mood of celebration. The theme of this year’s celebration is “Teachers at the heart of education recovery”. This is targeted to highlight the support teachers need to fully contribute to the recovery process as the Coronavirus diseases (COVID-19) crisis lingers after one and half years of emergence. In view of the unavoidable impact of teachers on any society, in 1994, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) reached a unanimous resolution that October 5 of every year should be observed by all the UN Member States as World Teachers’ Day. The annual World Teachers’ Day, which is aimed at mobilizing support for teachers as well as ensuring that the needs of future generations would continue to be met by teachers, was first commemorated in the year 1994. According to UNESCO, World Teachers’ Day represents a significant token of the awareness, understanding and appreciation displayed for the vital contribution that teachers make to education and global development. On its part, Education International (EI), which is the global union federation that represents education professionals worldwide, strongly solicits that World Teachers’ Day ought to be internationally recognized and celebrated around the world. No doubt, every right thinking person eagerly wishes to know what he/she does not or is yet to know. Such attribute can be referred to as man’s quest for knowledge. In the same vein, for anyone to acquire any form of knowledge, he must be taught by someone or something.

In a situation whereby the knowledge recipient is being taught by a non-human such as book, internet, or as the case may be, it is worthy to note that that material or avenue through which he/she acquired the knowledge was invented by someone or a human. In other words, teaching cannot be possible without the effort of a person. Someone who imparts knowledge on other person(s), directly or indirectly, is generally referred to as a teacher. In a concise term, a teacher is someone who teaches others better ways of doing something or a better way of living. He can also be described as someone who helps or contributes meaningfully in the uplift of someone else’s educational status or level. Hence, teaching is simply the act of impacting knowledge. On the other hand, education, in a general sense, is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to another.

Sure, anyone can be identified as a teacher, considering the relationship that exists between the persons involved. It would equally interest us to acknowledge that, there are those or group of persons who embrace teaching as a profession; this set of people could be regarded as institutional teachers. The latter are the people the World Teachers’ Day is targeted to celebrate. The institutional teachers are the ones that are often recognized as ‘teachers’ owing to the fact that they are the only persons that bring out their time, energy, resources, and what have you, to the fullness, to ensure that knowledge is fully and duly obtained by its seekers. Among all, anyone who practises teaching or who takes teaching as a profession, must had passed through a certain professional training in a higher citadel of learning, particularly an education institute. In most nations, it is disheartening to note that this set of people known as teachers, who had contributed immensely and relentlessly to the socio-economic development of the nation, are treated poorly as regards payment of salaries among other incentives.

It is even more pathetic and disgusting to acknowledge that in some quarters, these persons whom are meant to be the leading professionals are regarded as second class, if not third class citizens. If the truth must be told, then we all must agree that it is only an insane man that is yet to comprehend that teachers are the building block of any nation or society. Needless to say; they remain the rudiments or foundation on which any nation is built. As the popular saying goes "No teacher, no nation." So, when realized that same set of individuals are invariably relegated to the background, it becomes a thing of worry to anyone who truly means well for his country, or immediate society. As Nigeria joins the world to commemorate the 28th anniversary of the World Teachers’ Day, all relevant stakeholders and authorities are expected to encourage the teaching profession by ensuring that the following conditions are reached by employers of labour:  Good and enticing employment conditions including appropriate contracts, salaries, and prospects for career progression and promotion.  Effective management to include a teacher’s recruitment and deployment.  Conducive and charming work environment as well as high quality pre- and in-service training.

The international community and various governments need to stand firm and united to support teachers as well as quality learning worldwide, especially in those countries where the highest number of out-of-school children exists. In this regard, they are meant to acknowledge that an education system is only as good as its teachers. More so, the various existing teachers’ unions are equally expected to support their respective governments in the area of maintenance of sanity in our schools. By so doing, anomalies to include mediocrity, laxity, apathy, truancy, and other nonchalant attitudes found among most present days’ teachers would be totally eradicated. The above measures, if properly implemented in Nigeria, would enable every teacher in the country to proudly identify him/herself as a ‘teacher’ regardless of the circumstance, which would definitely help to uplift the country’s educational standard. We are, therefore, expected to support this remarkable crusade with utmost passion, especially at this era when the physiognomy of our education sector seems pitiable and epileptic. A teacher needs to be fully rewarded here on earth as he or she strives for excellence. Hence, the usual obnoxious belief that a teacher's reward lies in heaven must be delisted from our collective mindset. Think about it!

FUTO Don Ranks Best Natural Scientist In Nigeria

Professor Emeka E. Oguzie has ranked the Best Natural Scientist within the shores of Nigeria. According to the 2021 edition of the AD Scientific ranking in Nigeria, Professor Emeka Oguzie emerged the overall best on the list of the top twenty researchers across the federation. It's noteworthy that only four natural scientists made it to the list.

Prof. E. E. Oguzie, who is the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor (DVC) on Research Development & Innovation (RDI) in FUTO, obtained his B.Sc, M.Sc and PhD in Analytical & Physical Chemistry from UNN, FUTO and UniCal, respectively. Prof. Oguzie previously served the University as the Dean of School of Environmental Sciences (SOES) between 2017 and 2019. Furthermore, he was appointed as the Director of Africa Centre of Excellence for Future Energies and Electrochemical Systems (ACE-FUELS), FUTO; a position he holds till date.

It could be recalled that the don was recently listed by the Stanford University, California among the top two percent of the most cited scientists in the world in various disciplines.