THERE is a saying that you are never too old to learn. There is the case of a woman in the United States who, at age ninety, received a degree in journalism from the University of Oklahoma.

That record, however, will soon be broken when 95-year-old Nola Ochs, also from the United States, graduate in a month’s time with a degree in history. And the list is long of persons who in their advanced years have completed university degrees.

Not only is one never too old to learn. One is also never too rich or too famous to benefit from higher education. Only recently, Prince William took the bold decision to go back to school where he is currently pursuing a course in agricultural management.

The fact is that everyone is better off with education and knowledge. We do things much better when we are guided by theory. Regardless of the kinds of job we do, the application of theory is always an asset.

I thought of sharing these ideas if only to reinforce the point that the key to success in life lies in the pursuit of knowledge and skills. Nations have been lifted out of poverty and backwardness because of the high emphasis they have placed in the development of their human resources.

This is why investment in what is described as” human capital” is of such great importance. No country worth its salt can afford to ignore its human capital.

As someone once put it, “if education is too costly, try ignorance”.

HYDAR ALLY