Elementary Education: Presbyterian School, Muyuka, through 1976.
Secondary School (Form 1 thru 5) - High School (8th thru 12th Grade): Fess Technical College, Muyuka, thru 1981.
From 1985 to 1990: major in Electronic Engineering Technology at San Jacinto College, Pasadena, Texas, and University of Houston, Houston, Texas, where I got out (though it is now obvious my steps were ordered by the Almighty, Supreme One) -
I got out of classroom education when I did because on several instances - at least thrice at San Jacinto College and thrice at the University of Houston - various professors either down-graded my papers, or curved (a grading practice that actually pulls up bottom students and pushes down top students - an effort to mask the fact that more than 50% of the students are not getting much from the lessons, though not necessarily the faults of instructors. I remember some instructors I really enjoyed - professor King and professor Roger of San Jacinto College and professor Stephen Chapman and professor Southgate of the University of Houston, but in whose classes most of the students were having a terrible time and, in some, most students scoring way below 70%), or were furious for answers they considered "beyond class level", or concluded my deductions were not actually mine and failed me when I refused to concede. Not understanding the narrow-mindedness, I got out and continued my education, Self-Taught, in Electronic Engineering Technology; Nature - where I already had some experience, being the child of also Sustainers - Farmers, that is; Medical Science; Law - compelled to - and Philosophy (which I found easily assimilating, and was dumbfounded to find several philosophers shared my natural opinions on various issues).
Being naturally strong-willed, not necesssarily stubborn - although strong-willed individuals have the ability to make one's life miserable if they are unjustly mistreated, and a natural Thinker, I've over the years (while being held in the USA) had to perform any decent job - from Hi-Tech positions to home health, housekeeping and taxi-driving - though very industrious, innovative and apt at whatever I did. While there is no guarantee that being in one's country/nation will make life easier, being in a foreign nation will definitely make life twice as unpleasant, regardless of any propaganda. Whether one is in one's own nation or a foreign nation, there will always be days when one will have to drag one's self around; might as well be dragging in one's own nation where any difference in progress made will benefit one's offspring, family and country people.
Why was I still in a nation where things were so against me? I was only compelled to - more appropriately, I was a hostage. It was not until November 2004 that the obvious was revealed to me: In 1979, while in my college/high school dormitory, I had finished reading my Bible chapters for the day, and found myself pondering out loud a verse of the Bible. The previous year I had challenged myself to go through my Bible annually. So, in 1979, I was going through my Bible for the second time. Although very inquisitive, only three(3) Bible passages in the entire Bible puzzled me. Jeremiah 17: 9 was one of the three. Sitting on my top bunk, I thought out loud, "How evil can man's heart be that even God, the Creator, will place so much emphasis?" -
It just so happen, I would be told 20+ years later, that that innocent, self-directed question was posed at a very crucial moment in history. A final inventory was being taken on the USA: The USA was down for destruction. (Yes, your doom's day prophets were not lying). An innocent, pure-hearted African child thought out a Bible verse that caused the Almighty, Supreme One to realize there was someone who would never understand why HE had to annihilate an entire nation. The Almighty construed the innocent puzzlement of an African child as a plea, and would require my life, at the expense of my family and my African people, for a nation I knew not, but had unconsciously pleaded for. Oh, I already hinted I tried anything decent to recover my family's investment and depart; but the more determined I was, the more I was held back in a nation I had no desire to be in. Yap, with churches on almost every corner of the streets, a sacrifice was sought in Africa. And 20+ years to cause more international headaches! Ha, ha, ha. No, you do not want to know how many times I've requested, since November 2004, to take back the construed plea.
It was a burden I had to bear alone. Never found anyone suitable in those years I expected companionship - my twenties(20s) was my desired years for marriage and etc. When no man was worthy then, I thereafter shut them out - just my very personal conviction. I have no regrets, no envy; simply complete -
I often tell people (myself included) to focus on their blessings. If you are married (or unmarried) with children, nurture your children, so they can hopefully in the future return the care. And if you are married or single without children, just thank heaven you can have a full night's rest and do not have to tear yourself apart with more worries. Huh? What about when you are old? Well, simply prepare against the odds, and get hired help then. Meanwhile, also concentrate now on improving the quality of your health.
True, children are a blessing from God to a man - children are properties of their fathers (Genesis 5; Genesis 7: 7; Genesis 49; Numbers 30). Naturally, a woman does not have the urge to want to see a replica of herself. I know. There are women who go about thinking they have to have children in order to be complete (though misery is all they get), simply because the notion or indoctrination has been passed down for so long undisputed. Although a woman is equipped with the vehicle a man needs (and maybe they won't be much longer with the trend and pace of Science and Techonology. American Artist Michael Jackson already proved a husband does not even have to touch his wife in order to have offspring) to fulfill his urge, a woman is basically a Help Meet - Genesis 2: 18. A woman naturally does not have the urge for procreation just as God does not and did not need man or woman to populate His world - Genesis 6: 2; Job 1: 6; Job 2:1. (You will note that when a woman is repeatedly pushed to the edge, she can easily get rid of her child or children upon the slightest of recognition. You will also note that an alarming number of informed women and/or women of strength are remaining single and/or childless.) It is a man that needs a woman and not the other way around.
Cheer up, guys/fellows/lads. I'll let you in on a little secret: Did you know that you can get a woman to slave after you by simply loving her? And please, gents, stop grabbing your secrets in front of ladies. Hasn't it occurred to you, yet, that if you have to call attention, then you probably have nothing worth paying attention to? You will only chase away decent ladies by such actions.
Listen up, ladies: Only a man with the understanding of manhood and fatherhood should be rewarded with offsprings, and in marriage! He needs you. Make sure he rewards you for rewarding him. What? But every woman is capable of conception, except where precipitated conditions exist. Else, check your diet.
Blessed L'Afrique is still around. It is my hope that these readings have given you an accurate glimpse of L'Afrique, as well as enlighten you. It is well! Like my mother Tchewam Julie, I, too, was here to stand in the gap and forewarn you. Therefore be informed, be empowered, be victorious and be happy. Oh, what has happy got to do with reality? Let's leave that to the Utilitarians.
Respectfully, L'Afrique