This piece is not aimed at discrediting any of these
stars, neither is it aimed at encouraging people not to
acquire university education.
These stars haven’t acquired university degrees or
their equivalent. Some were at the university but had
to drop out due to reasons best known to them.
But their inability to successfully acquire a degree in
any discipline hasn’t prevented them from climbing to
the top of their chosen careers.
Most of them speak fluent English, even more than
some of their colleagues that are graduates, not to talk
of those that are half baked graduates that can’t
express themselves in simple but correct English.
With the way some of these stars carry themselves
and also comport themselves, you wouldn’t know that
they are not yet graduates without being told.
It’s necessary to point out that the value of higher
education cannot be over emphasised. Education is a
desideratum and these stars are aware of it too.
Interestingly, even though they have made it without
possessing higher degrees, they still appreciate the
value of education and still have the desire to go back
to school some day.
Talents may not be enough; so it’s still good to pursue
higher education while maximising one’s talent. For
the fact that it worked out for them even without
acquiring university degrees or its equivalent, doesn’t
mean it may work out for others. So higher education
is still a desideratum.
With the high rate of unemployment in the country,
talent becomes a tool for self empowerment for some
people after graduation.
Here are top entertainers that have been able to make
it even without university degrees or its equivalent.
1 GENEVIEVE NNAJI
She is a super star, classy, hot and beautiful. No doubt,
she’s vividly intelligent too and has a very good
command of the English language. But Ms Nnaji hasn’t
been able to acquire a Tertiary education, even several
years after saying that she would go back to school.
Although it is not late yet.
Below is an excerpt from her interview years ago
where she spoke about her educational background:
Let’s have your bio-data. People don’t seem to know
much about you?
“I’m from Aboh-Mbaise in Imo State. I went to
Kemistar Nursery and Primary School, Surulere;
Methodist Girls High School, followed by one in Ikeja. I
kept on moving. But ended up at Girls Secondary
School, Akwakuma in Owerri, Imo State.
Why have you not furthered your education?
Life is not the same for everybody. Some people are so
lucky, they come out of secondary school and they go
straight to university because they have the back-up of
people and it’s so easy. It looks simple…mine was
different. But I’m determined. Definitely, I’m gonna go
back to school. I wanted to make money, I love my
money, I cherish my own money. So, I will go back
when I’ve made enough. But even while I’m there, I
won’t stop working.
2 MERCY JOHNSON
She’s the hottest and most sought after actress at the
moment in Nollywood. She is intelligent, speaks
fluently and delivers her roles flawlessly. But Mercy
dropped out from the university to concentrate on her
chosen career. She however expressed her desire to
go back to school soon.
Excerpt from her interview:
Growing Up & education tell me about your childhood.
What was growing up like?
I was a tomboy. I am the fourth child from a family of
seven children. The first four are girls and the last
three are boys so I actually moved a lot with my
brothers, climbing trees and stuff like that. We didn’t
get everything we wanted but we got everything we
needed. I’m from a very humble background, a
Christian family. My Dad is an ex-military officer and
we basically grew up in a Military environment. I
attended Navy Primary and Secondary Schools until I
went to the Lagos State University before I deferred.
What were you studying at the University and why did
you choose to defer your studies?
I was studying English and I deferred at the time I was
moving to my 200 Level. I was sort of very busy with
my career, acting here and there, making money and it
got into my head. But I’d love to go back to school.
To Lagos State University?
No. I’d love to take up some acting lessons or study a
course in Acting since that is what I’m into.
Your profile on Wikipedia says you got into acting
because you failed your University Entrance
Examinations. Also, there were some reports about
you leaving school because you weren’t so good with
your academics. Are these reports true?
I banged my JAMB, yeah that is true. I had to write
JAMB twice. But it is not true that I wasn’t good with
my academics. I didn’t have issues with passing my
exams at school.
3 VAN VICKER
Van is a top actor in both Nollywood and Ghollywood.
He is a respected actor who speaks fluently. But Van
said one of his greatest regrets was his inability to
acquire a university degree.
Hear him:
So what were your ambitions while growing up?
“I always wanted to be a doctor but never had a
chance to, because I never went to university after my
secondary education, which is one thing I regret. Right
now, I am taking some marketing courses at the
university.
4 RAMSEY NUOAH
He’s a super star actor with class and speaks the
English language flawlessly. But Ramsey is not a
university graduate and he recently confirmed that in
an interview.
5 DBANJ
The Koko master is one of the leading musicians in
Africa. He is on top of his career, clinching awards
from left, right and centre.
D’banj stopped school at his 300 level. He was
studying Mechanical Engineering at that time.
6 WIZKID
A few years ago when rave of the moment, Wizkid
dropped out of Lead City University in his second year,
not a few thought he made the wrong decision.
Although he chose to follow the music path,the artiste,
whose real name is Ayo Balogun, does not
underestimate the importance of education.
‘’I don’t regret stopping school for a bit because it did
give me all the time to push and work on my music. I’m
definitely going back to school. Education is very
necessary and I hold it in high esteem.’’
7 TIMAYA
He is making waves in the Nigerian music industry.
He chose music over his university education.
Hear him:
“…my parents never wanted me to sing. They wanted
me to goto school. My mum wanted me to be a
banker. I tried but book no gree enter myhead. It
wasn’t my fault and no be by force, because all I
wanted to do was music then. Because I love and have
passion for music and being in music is no joke.”
8 2BABA
He is a super star singer. He had indicated his desire
to go back to the university to study law.
SUI: You once told me that you would
like to go back to school to study
law, do you still have plans to do
that?
Tuface: Yes, I want to do that. I can’t say when
exactly, maybe in the next two or three years?
But I’m definitely going to do that.”
9 ODUNLADE ADEKOLA
He appears to be the hottest Yoruba actor. The
Yoruba movie actor, Odunlade Adekola, who has
difficulty in relating well in English language aside
Yoruba is now a 100 level Part-Time undergraduate of
the University of Lagos, UNILAG studying Business
Administration. Odunlade, an Abeokuta-based actor
always interpret his scripts very well,to the delight and
enjoyment of movie buffs. He has proven his mettle in
the industry, as a damn good actor, and this has
earned him several awards and endorsement from a
number of multinational companies.
He’s a brand ambassador for telecommunication
giant, Glo and also to Ekiti State, while his face also has
graced many advert billboards in Ogun State on
Taxation by the State Government.
All things being equal, In another four years from now,
Odunlade Adekola will be a University graduate.
10 DAVIDO
He is one of the wave making musicians in the country
and in Africa. He said he just graduated,
But before graduation, he had blown up the music
industry
No comments:
Post a Comment