RESTORING HOPE FOR UNICAL'S DENTAL STUDENTS DILEMMA: LET WISDOM PREVAIL
Anthony EKPO BASSEY
In times of trial, a voice of reason is like a candle in the dark. The recent concerns surrounding the Dental students of the University of Calabar have stirred not only emotions but also raised critical questions about the future of young lives who have laboured long and hard in pursuit of academic excellence. It is in the midst of this storm that the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Florence Obi, has shown commendable courage by speaking out and not hiding behind bureaucratic silence but stepping forward with a motherly tone and academic authority.
The Vice Chancellor’s voice is a welcome wind of hope. When leaders speak with clarity and sincerity, they give people reason to hold on, even when the rope seems to be slipping through their fingers. She has done well to acknowledge the concerns and frustrations of the students, especially those who have spent four, five, even six years walking the thorny path of dental education, only to find the end not yet in sight. Her intervention is proof that the ear that listens to the cry of the people deserves the crown of leadership.
To our dear students, the heart of the matter lies not in how loud the storm rages, but in how calm the sailor remains. Anger, no matter how justified, should never drown wisdom. A calabash that falls in haste may shatter beyond repair. It is true that patience has limits, but when dialogue opens its arms, wisdom should be the guest. Stay calm. Stand firm. Your future is not a candle in the wind. It is a fire that must not be allowed to go out.
Parents, let not your hearts be troubled. The road to success is often crooked, yet those who encourage their children to walk it with faith and determination help them to reach a greater tomorrow. Continue to be the pillar of support. Fan the flames of hope, not despair. Encourage your children to keep their eyes on the prize. The University has begun to take steps, and like the palm wine tapper who returns to fix a broken ladder, we believe that efforts are underway to right the wrongs.
To the University itself, a stitch in time saves nine. The future of these students must not be reduced to footnotes in a sad story. These are young men and women who have toiled with sleepless nights and sacrificed youthful years. Let not their sweat be in vain. Let decisions be guided not merely by policy, but by conscience. If a child has carried a load for six years, let them at least reach the market. The institution must ensure that these students are not abandoned in the middle of the river. They must be allowed to finish what they started.
And to those on social media and in the blogosphere, let the pen write peace, not provocation. A single spark can burn down a forest. Words, when wrongly wielded, can cause more harm than fists. Let us not add fuel to the fire. Rather, let us water the ground for resolution to grow. Advocacy should not be a tool of destruction, but a bridge to understanding. The drumbeat of war is easy to play, but it is the music of reconciliation that brings true healing.
The issue at hand is serious, but not beyond remedy. The elephant in the room has been seen; now is the time for all hands to be on deck. Like a pot of soup, everyone must contribute something patience, understanding, responsibility, and good faith, so that at the end, we may all eat in peace.
Let the dialogue continue. Let wisdom prevail. Let the future be preserved.
