THE NATION THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2011
35
CAMPUS LIFE
M
Y face is wrinkled and my bones frail. I am a giant in my 50s but still totter with the soft legs of a child. I nurse a deep pain in my inner recess; this has made me a sad being. In April, the nations of the world extended goodwill messages and, sincerely, I lost sleep as I kept on musing over those wonderful lines in the confines of my room. My heart pulsated and the air around me was fresh and promising. I told the rest of the world I had found love again; after years of sorrow and dashed hopes. So far, I am yet to get over the heartbreak I suffered when Baba Segun came around. I mean, my friend who has since moved back to his farm in Ota. I gave him my heart twice, despite his status as an ex-convict. I had been warned never to trust him. But I turned deaf ears. Baba Segun promised me schools in my compound would change to Harvard. He boasted there would be uninterrupted power supply by the end of 2007. He made it clear to me that I would never go hungry again. That all I needed was to stretch forth
I am a sad being my hands and my basket of hope would be filled. Baba promised to change the condition of my funeral homes called hospitals. He pledged to turn my roads to the sparkling streets of New York. But, years later, it dawned on me that respite was far. I was deep in the woods. Yet he kept on assuring me that all would be well. When it appeared his grand scheming had failed him, he crawled back like a green snake into his farm. I would not allow him play with my heart a third time. That was not all. He quickly devised another trick. He asked a goslow fellow to try his stroke of luck. Of course, he knew I am vulnerable to such shenanigans. Perhaps, that was my Achilles Heel as I fell flat for the trick. In his inaugural speech, the slow-motion man told me that in 2020, economy would stand shoulder-high with that of Singapore and China. I was happy. He assured me
that graduates without jobs should heave sighs of relief. Few years later, the slow-motion man succumbed to a physiological condition. I have forgotten the name our family doctor called it. As custom demands, Mr Goodie-Goodie had to take over. But I am afraid the same spate of disappointment and abuse may continue. I am scared because he doesn’t look different to me. I am no Nostradamus but I could see through his “I-had-no-shoes” cliché. His disguised smile had not convinced even the marines. I guess he feigns simplicity and modesty to win acceptance. A goat that hunts with a lion is bound to end up in the big cat’s stomach. It is close to two years but nothing has really changed. Still, I drink agbo (traditional herb) whenever I am sick because hospitals here are mortuaries. I have no food and my
water is not safe. I pay much for electricity but darkness is what I get. My boys have taken to guns, drugs and “runs” because there is no glimpse of hope. My girls now walk naked, selling cheap sex on the streets of Spain and Italy. I am a sad being. My children go to schools where there are no competent teachers except underpaid misfits. My kids sleep in the cold under bridges and open stalls because they have no roof over their heads. There is disquiet in my land. I cannot sleep with my two eyes closed because the police are now robbers, breaking into my house at will. There is blood on the streets and smoke in the sky. I am a sad being. Now, what has Mr Goodie-Goodie achieved after months of doublespeak? Violence, inflation, poverty and Harams of all kinds. Can you see why I am a sad being? Mr Goodie-Goodie’s wail “I had no shoes,” no longer makes sense to me. He has been carried away by perks of office. That is why he could not gauge the pain in the land. Or can he imagine how it feels to spend several years in school only to become beggars, petty thieves stealing on-
All hail Nigeria at 51
By Tunmise Oladipo miseauthentic@yahoo.com
W
HEN Nigeria celebrated her 50th independence anniversary last year, many
including I knew that the best is yet to come for the country but anxiously hoped that, by 2011,when we will celebrate the 51st anniversary, the nation would have reached the height that Nigerians would be proud to say we are, indeed, the giant of Africa. But, unfortunately, at 51, there are few things we can point to as reasons to celebrate. Gone are the days when the Independence anniversary is marked with devotion and communal spirit by Nigerians; now, many would rather spend the holiday staying indoors with their families than hanging out with friends because of insecurity. Nigeria is a country blessed with huge human and natural resources but, unfortunately, she has fallen into the hands of scavengers who are selfish through and through, with no
thought of moving the country forward. Resources have thoroughly been mismanaged, electricity is in comatose, hospitals are run as mortuaries, education is in decay and corruption seems the way of life. Our problem is simply lack of visionary leadership. I doubt if there can still be selfless leaders like Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Gen Murtala Muhammed, all of blessed memories. These were leaders who were not particularly concerned about themselves but about the people they governed. In today’s Nigeria, charisma and character have totally disappeared in governance. Why have today’s leaders failed to follow the path of our past heroes? Why have they refused to serve Nigeria with love, strength and faith? In fact, it is no news that
corruption is a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the roots of this nation and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged to tackle the malaise is in deep slumber. Nigerians are tired of listening to empty promises of lying leaders. Instead, they want leaders who can address their welfare. This year’s anniversary should, therefore, be a period when serious actions are taken. They should go into schools - primary, secondary or tertiary institutions most especially the public ones and see the condition in which the students are learning. They should also extend their visit by going around hospitals to see why Nigerian medical doctors would prefer to practice in other countries rather than contribute to
For the love of country
F
OR the love of our country; through prayer? Through fasting? Through persistent grumbling and complaints? Through killing? Through Boko Haram? Or through bombing? If there is a line I like in the National Anthem, it is: “Oh God of creation, direct our noble cause/Guide our leaders right, help our youths the truth to know”. It goes on and, at the end of the anthem, I let out a sigh of relief, renewed with faith and confidence in my country. Then I wonder in my subconscious:“Nigeria, a country that strongly believes in God. When you move to this place, they call on God, you move to another spot, the name of God is mentioned. People put all their hopes in God, good! But will God come down to set things right for us?’ I am not anti-God. I just feel that when people want to familiarise themselves with the Creator, they should also be catalysts in any place they can function effectively. I was at a forum penultimate Thursday and I admonished the youth gathered in the hall to rise up to recite the National Anthem and the next thing was murmurings from them. Worried, I asked what the problem was. Retorts flew back at me: “What has Nigeria done for us?” Stunned,
I fired back: “What have you done for Nigeria?” There and then a flurry of responses came from them, turning a seminar into a discussion class. The youth felt so pissed and stood their ground and at the point of reciting the National Pledge instead of them saying “...To serve Nigeria with all my strength”, they said: “To serve Nigeria is not by force”. I chuckled and let them be opinion, since I have been taught in the school of journalism that opinions are free and facts sacred. Though their act may not be news, the truth remains that things said, with time, penetrate the subconscious paving the way for acts that one might not have envisaged. The National Anthem and pledge are meant to create a bond between an individual and his country, but in a situation where the individual’s mind is set for negativity and hatred towards the country, when will change set in? Terrorism, militancy, bombings, killings, uncontrollable rainfall leading to massive destruction of the country’s assets, kidnapping, the almighty Boko Haram, all these and many more are things that came up as a result of the intense hatred individuals have developed for the country. Individual’s unquantifiable love for money leading to
siphoning, the unbeatable corruption, rage has taken the hearts of men and women. Many die innocently, wining and dining somewhere are the key nation movers, eating, embezzling the national cake and giving the left-over to billions of people to share. God is love. If the position of God is identified then we can easily figure out where love stands in the country. It is said over and over again that in a lawless country, there are no sinners. Nigeria has rules and regulations but many flout them and no one reprimands. Who is blameless? Can we find an upright man? Nigeria is not the worst or best country on earth, but for us, it is our home and there is no where we can run to. The affluent can always take turns to fly out of the country within a twinkle of the eye; but where would the poor and average man stay? Nigeria of course! Ironically, it is the voice of the poor and afflicted we hear more. The rich and affluent are at one corner enjoying their “cool cash”. The President, his vice, the governors, ministers, local government chairmen and women, members of the House of Representative, the Speaker of the house, rectors, vice-chancellors, commissioners,
By Gilbert Alasa humble_gilby@yahoo.com
ions and salt at Idumota market? I have been used, abused and bemused. Yet nobody cares. That is why I am a sad being. Gilbert, 200-L Foreign Languages, UNIBEN the father land. After this might have been done, they should think deeply how Nigeria can overcome poor governance, abject poverty how she can find lasting solution to insecurity and the steps to be taken to fight corruption. By the time they might have gone through this tour, they would be able to see that Nigeria does not have any cause to blow her 51st independence anniversary If all the aforementioned points had been thoroughly examined before, Nigeria would have had every cause to count her blessings but in spite of all these shortcomings, I still have hope and pray that a time will come when every Nigerian will wake up each morning to say God bless Nigeria! Wishing all Nigerians happy Independence anniversary, in advance. Tunmise, recently graduated from English, UNILORIN
Tackling indecent dressing
A
By Adenike Ashogbon ashbon_4u@yahoo.com
senators, those in the cabinet, the lawmakers, the judiciary, the police amongst others; even fourth unconstitutional arm of government - the media - are not the best. We all have a part in the guilt. As a matter of fact they all have one issue or the other, but must we dine and rejoice or blow the trumpet all the time? Let us ask ourselves what we stand to gain after much criticisms and condemnation of those in power. Let’s ask ourselves what we want to do, write it out and work things out for our good. The present condition of the country is not the best but it can get better with God and individual determination. Adenike, HND II Mass Comm., LASPOTECH
CCORDING to the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary 7th edition, “indecent” means showing that part of the body that is usually covered. Thus, “indecent dressing” is a dressing that exposes some parts of the body that ought to be covered by clothing. Indecent dressing is really a problem facing virtually all the higher institutions. It has become a culture for girls on campus to expose some parts of the body like cleavages, in transparent wears in the name of fashion. The question is, must ladies dress indecently before they will be admired, their shapes and beauty seen? The answer is a capital NO. Rather, indecent dressing attracts insult, assault and even sexual harassment. On campus, we normally hear cases of rape, sexual harassment and threatening statements or words from lecturers and male students. These are, sometimes, caused by indecent dressing. Whoever exposes any part of her body is advertising herself to the public; and we all know what advertisement does. It is a notice, picture or film telling people about an available product, service or job opening. Some cases of sexual harassment and rape are traceable to the exposure of the sensitive parts of the body, which sends the
By Ogechi Ajah chidicamilla@yahoo.com
information to men’s brain and triggers their emotion. Men are motivated by sight. Some students dress decently at home but, once on campus, the reverse will be the case. In a bid to “belong”, their mode of dressing will totally change. How do we stop indecent dressing? To stop indecency in dressing on campus, there is every need for us to start it at home. Parents especially mothers should be careful on the type of clothes they buy for their children when they are young. As the child becomes a young adult, excesses should always be checked. This is because the time tested maxim says “charity begins at home”. Campus managements, on the other hand, should bring out a compulsory mode of dressing and ensure that every student abides by them. Lecturers too should always see that no student enters their office or class without being properly dressed. I strongly believe that when these suggestions are strictly adhered to, there would be modesty in what our girls wear on and off the campuses. Ogechi, 300-Level Educational Administration and Planning, FCE Pankshin