Too Old, Who Says?

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ather than discouraging people who want to return to school because of their age, families should provide encouragement and support wherever possible.”

The story of a 68-year-old Nigerian grandfather, Chris Osagbaekhoe, who recently bagged a first-class degree from Goldsmiths, University of London, United Kingdom, deserves more than a passing mention. It is a story of determination, courage and discipline and, above all, a powerful reminder that age should never be allowed to place a limit on one’s dreams. Osagbaekhoe, a person living with disability, reportedly enrolled as a mature student at the age of 64 and completed the four-year Social Work programme, graduating with first-class honours. At a time when many people are discouraged from pursuing their educational ambitions because of age, family responsibilities, financial difficulties or what society may say about them, the achievement of this grandfather offers a refreshing lesson: it is never too late to pursue knowledge and fulfil a dream. A friend recently told a story of how her colleagues at her workplace, friends and even some family members made fun of her when she returned to the university to pursue another degree at the age of 52. Some boldly told her that she was too old and should stop “embarrassing herself.” She was, however, not deterred. Today, she has a second degree to her name. For some people, education is considered a race that must be completed at a particular age. There is an unspoken expectation that one should graduate from secondary school, proceed immediately to university, obtain a degree, secure employment and move on with life. But life does not always follow a straight line. Financial difficulties, marriage, child-rearing, illness, career demands, migration, family responsibilities and other unforeseen circumstances can force people to suspend their educational pursuits. Unfortunately, when this happens, some people begin to believe that the opportunity has passed.It has not. The story of the 68-year-old grandfather proves that dreams may be delayed, but they do not necessarily have to be abandoned. At 68, when many people may be thinking primarily about retirement and spending more time with their children and grandchildren, Osagbaekhoe chose to return to the classroom and pursue academic excellence. Rather than allowing his age and disability to define what he could achieve, he demonstrated that determination can overcome many of the barriers that people often regard as insurmountable. His first-class degree is therefore more than an academic qualification. It is a message to anyone who has ever been told that they are too old, too late, too poor, too busy or not capable enough to pursue their educational dreams. There will always be people who discourage others from pursuing their ambitions. Sometimes, such discouragement may come from people who genuinely believe they are offering practical advice. At other times, it may come from people who simply cannot imagine themselves doing what another person is attempting. A person who decides to return to school at 40 may be told, “What is the point?”Someone who wants to obtain a master’s degree at 50 may hear, “You are already too old.” Another person contemplating a doctorate at 60 may be asked, “When will you finish?” These questions can be painful, particularly when they come from family members, friends or people whose opinions matter to us. But those who have dreams must learn to distinguish between constructive advice and discouragement. Nobody should determine the limits of your potential. Academic pursuits can be challenging, especially for mature students balancing family, work and other responsibilities. There may be self-doubt and discouragement, but age should never be a barrier. Instead of asking, “What will people say?”, ask, “What do I want to achieve?” If the goal is worthwhile, obstacles should not automatically become reasons to abandon it. There is also an important lesson here for parents and families. Rather than discouraging people who want to return to school because of their age, families should provide encouragement and support wherever possible. Families should encourage, rather than discourage, those who wish to return to school, regardless of age. A mother, father or grandparent pursuing education should never be made to feel that the opportunity has passed. Learning is a lifelong process that broadens the mind, builds confidence and creates opportunities. Osagbaekhoe’s achievement should inspire people across generations. For young Nigerians, his story is a reminder that academic success requires commitment. Intelligence alone is not enough. There must be discipline, perseverance and the willingness to continue even when the journey becomes difficult. For older people, it is evidence that an unfinished educational dream does not have to remain unfinished forever. For those who have been discouraged by failure, it is a reminder that failure is not the end of the journey. And for those who have been told repeatedly that their dreams are unrealistic, it offers a simple but powerful response: let your results speak for you. We live in a society where people sometimes place unnecessary emphasis on age and social expectations. We often ask people why they have not achieved certain things by a particular age. But people do not all travel through life at the same speed. One person may graduate at 21. Another may graduate at 35. Someone else may obtain a first degree at 50 or 60. The timing may be different, but the achievement remains meaningful. We should therefore stop measuring people’s lives solely by the timetable we have created for them. The important thing is not always how early one starts. Sometimes, what matters most is having the courage to start. This is why Osagbaekhoe’s achievement should resonate particularly strongly with mature students, persons living with disabilities and anyone who has been made to believe that their time has passed. His message, delivered as he walked across the stage during his graduation, captures the essence of his remarkable journey: “Your dreams do not expire because of your age.” Sometimes, the most inspiring chapter of a person’s life begins when others think the story should already be over. By: Calista Ezeaku