The first objective of developing this book was to dispel erroneous notions about intelligence, scholastic ability and learning. Previously the general idea was that people were suited to learn only certain skills, facts etc. The implication is that the people who are able to learn what are regarded as high level skills, are thought of as "super humans" and more capable mentally than others categorized as persons with lesser mental abilities. "When I was in Secondary school my class was split into Science and Arts and those in sciences felt that the arts students were not as mentally capable as they were". This faulty belief has left a lot of students stranded in their academic pursuit, because somehow they accepted what they were told that they were "Arts students" as such, do not possess the mental power to learn programming or any so called "high level skill". However, according to the National Academies of Science, in an online article on Mind and Brain, "the functional organization of the brain and the mind depends on and benefits positively from experience". Which means any individual can through repeated activities (practice) develop intelligence in specific areas of interests.The second objective of this book was to call the attention of the reader, parents, teachers and administrators to the immense learning capability of the human person. This book will present that the descriptive characteristics of the human person is the ability to learn and that even persons with mental disabilities are still able to learn, though at a slower rate. You will learn that, as long as your interest in a given subject can be aroused and sustained, you can learn any skill and become proficient in it and that it is never too late to begin learning.The third objective was to practically teach how you can arouse and sustain interest, motivation in a subject area, skill or vocation. The ability to arouse and sustain your interest is critical to successfully learning any subject matter, skill, fact, whatever that may be.This book also discusses strategies for improving personal leadership and presents a practical civics development module for young people.At the end of reading this book you will be inspired to go back to pursuing those tasks, skills or subject areas you once felt you could not learn. This book will help address the problem of scholastic inadequacy and apathy which is a major cause of failed learning experiences, school dropout syndrome, cultism and hooliganism. Young people will become more confident of themselves, coming up to the realization that as human beings they possess inherent ability to learn whatever subject they want to learn and master it proficiently. This is significant, given our high youth population and the rising number of out of school children and young people. In Nigeria about 44% of the populations are children aged between 0-14 years. This large population makes them relevant to the development of leadership and also vulnerable given rising levels of poverty and deprivation. The fact on ground is that without proper career Counselling and Guidance, much of these children and young adults may actually evolve into becoming National threats as; militants, terrorists, kidnappers, fraudsters and armed robbers. Data gathered from the website of the UNFPA indicates that half of the world's populations are children less than 25 years. This means for Nigeria and Africa to succeed in guaranteeing Social and Economic development it must give urgent priority attention to the Counselling needs of children and young people. This book will help you to come to the level of awareness that you can learn to become whatever you desire to be. It is your choice to decide the area you want to direct your learning ability at; sports, science, technology etc. This inherent ability to learn is default and never in doubt. You can Learn and you can also Win!! Thank youOnakpoberuo Onoriode Victor
