THE OLODE UPRISING - by Zipporah Nwachukwu

ARE WE REWARDING IGNORANCE OR AUTHENTICITY? A Case Study of an Engineering Companies There was once a country where engineering was supposed to be a profession built on knowledge, competence, experience, integrity and responsibility.But slowly, something strange began to happen.The profession started rewarding who you knew more than what you knew.And that was how the era of Olode's began in Engineering Companies The Engineering companies now employ basic science students to do work a registered Engineers are trained to do so because they have parents, God fathers that help change the system THE REAL QUESTIONThe problem was not that every person without a traditional science background was incapable of becoming an engineer.That would be unfair.People can change careers.People can acquire science knowledge later.People can successfully transition into engineering-related fields through proper education, training and professional development.The real problem is different.The problem arises when people are pushed into engineering without the required foundation, aptitude, rigorous training or competence, simply because engineering jobs pay well or because their parents already occupy influential positions.At the same time, properly trained engineers are excluded because they lack connections.That is where society begins rewarding ignorance over authenticity.THE ENGINEERING COMPANIES An Olode is not necessarily someone who studied another discipline.It is someone who occupies an engineering position without possessing the competence required to carry the responsibility, while depending on other people's knowledge to survive professionally.They may possess certificates.They may have impressive titles.They may have powerful parents.They may have connections.But when technical responsibility arrives, they hide behind the competent people around them.And this is dangerous.Because engineering is not merely about holding a title.Engineering decisions affect human lives.A wrong structural calculation can collapse a building.A poorly designed bridge can fail.A bad drainage design can destroy communities.Poor road construction can cause accidents.Incorrect industrial decisions can cost lives.Therefore, society cannot afford to make engineering employment a family inheritance.WHEN PARENTS BECOME THE PROBLEMThere is another painful dimension to this story.Some parents, having succeeded in engineering, want their children to follow the same path—not because the children have the passion or ability, but because they see engineering as a guaranteed route to money and influence.They say:“I am an engineer. You must become an engineer.”But a child's career should not be a parent's unfinished autobiography.A child who is gifted in medicine should not be forced into engineering.A child who is passionate about law should not be forced into engineering.A child who excels in technology, agriculture, economics, architecture, arts or entrepreneurship should not be made to feel inferior simply because engineering pays well.Engineering needs competent minds, not inherited titles.THE PRICE OF REWARDING CONNECTION.Eventually, Engineering Companies are now losing potential. Authenticity and trust. THE LESSONA healthy society must distinguish between opportunity and entitlement.Give people opportunities.Train them.Mentor them.Allow people from different educational backgrounds to transition into new professions where they demonstrate genuine ability.But never compromise professional competence simply because someone has a powerful parent, relative, friend or financial connection.And never reject a competent professional merely because they lack connections.Because when connections are used to open the door, but competence is required to keep the door open, eventually the truth will expose everyone.THE FINAL QUESTIONSo, are we rewarding ignorance or authenticity?If a competent engineer is rejected because nobody knows him, while an incompetent person is employed because his father knows somebody—we are rewarding connection, not competence.If a young person is forced into engineering simply because it pays well, without the required foundation, interest and rigorous training—we are rewarding the certificate, not the knowledge.And when such people are placed in positions where their decisions affect public safety—the entire society pays the bill.The greatest danger is not an unqualified person holding an engineering certificate.The greatest danger is a system that knows the person is incompetent and still gives them responsibility because of who they know.Because bridges do not recognize surnames.Buildings do not recognize connections.Roads do not recognize political influence.Concrete does not understand nepotism.When an engineering structure fails, it does not ask:“Who recommended the engineer?”It simply collapses.And when that happens, competence becomes everyone's concern.

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