ON MAYOWA'S DEATH, UI STUDENTS' AGITATIONS

source: google.com/oaupeeps.com

Since the death of Mayowa Alaran, a Human Kinetic student in the University of Ibadan, events have been unfolded ranging from protests over his death, Students’ Union Congress held by the students of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, non-recognition of the Students’ Union Congress by the Dean of Students’ Affairs, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Prof. Alada, who may have claimed that the Students’ Union Congress was not validly constituted, but further investigations revealed that the Students’ Union Congress was validly constituted but the students were scared to append their signatures due to an age-long victimization and oppression by the  University of Ibadan’s authorities. The students in driving home their points boycotted the Students’ Union election slated earlier this year stating that the welfare of students was paramount and germane before the conduct of the Students’ Union election. Issues were subsequently raised at the Welfare Board meeting that was chaired by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adewole Isaac.

To some, the boycotted election was actualized by a group of students that had been perceived as those interested in the Transition Committee for the Students’ Union rather than a democratic Students’ Union, whereas others believe the boycott was necessary. After much suffering especially in the aspect of electricity and water supply, the University management gave a two-week break, and the students have resumed normal academic activities. Electricity and water supply had improved greatly in the University, as investigations indicate.

However, expectations of the students are that the Students’ Union elections should be held this time since some of the Students’ Union candidates had signed that a new date be fixed for the Students’ Union election.

Further findings had revealed that the incumbent Students’ Union President, Odesola known as Huntersola is uncooperative towards the conduct of the Students’ Union election, as he has been seen by the students as pro-management and anti-student.

The event after the death of Mayowa had shown the unpopularity of the Students’ Union President who was reported to be in the Intensive Care Unit of the University College Hospital, University of Ibadan. It was learnt that all efforts to see the hailing President then proved abortive as many saw his confinement as a ploy orchestrated by the University’ authorities under Prof. Adewole’s watch, to douse the agitations for the removal of the Students’ Union President, and the actualization of the students’ demands regarding welfare, among others.

At the moment, the Conscience Post learnt that the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Adewole Isaac may have vowed that there would not be Students’ Union election, any time soon, though it would be recalled that his administration saw to the resuscitation of the Students’ Union.

Nonetheless, inquiries by the Conscience Post have revealed the following on the welfare report submitted by the students concerning the generality of students of the University of Ibadan, as such reveals the reasons for the postponement  of the Students’ Union election.

Introduction

Consequent to the meeting held with the School management on the 14^th of May, 2015, the Dean of Students requested the students’ representatives to come up with a list of challenges and welfare issues facing students’ welfare. It was agreed by both the school management and the students’ representatives that the report on students’ welfare shall be made available for the deliberation of the Students’ Welfare Board which would be sitting on Wednesday, 20^th of May, 2015.

Another meeting of students’ representatives was held on the 16^th of May, 2015. This meeting had in attendance all Hall Chairpersons, some Faculty Presidents, members of the Representative Council, few pressmen and aspirants for the postponed election.    After long, lengthy and logical deliberations and due reports from various Halls of Residence and Faculties, those in attendance agreed on the demands below as the challenges facing students’ welfare on campus:

GENERAL STUDENTS’ WELFARE

Enough of Manual Course Registration

The issue of manual course registration has been a long problem for the students. Manual course registration takes time for completion with stress both on the students and lecturers.  We recommend and request that registration of courses should be done online only, as it is done in many Universities globally, to reduce time spent on registration and the stress that comes with it.

Improvement in Water Supply

Water supply system within the school is very poor as students are seen trekking distances to fetch water as if they are in the rural area. An example can be drawn from IDIATES who trek as far as Indy Hall and New PG hall while Indy hall travel as far as Baptist church close to International School Ibadan (ISI) to fetch water. If this persists, we foresee students travelling to Awba Dam to fetch water for their domestic purposes. And when Awba dam dries, the students may seek solace with Eleyele Dam, in Ibadan, Oyo State. The Central water system perceived to be coming from the maintenance has seized to flow in for a very long time. We believe if this is rejuvenated and water adequately pumped into the halls, the problems of water will be half solved.

Erratic and Irregular Distribution of Power Supply

The issue of electricity on campus has been a challenge that many administrations have had to face in the past. We do understand through explanations from the school management that it may not be feasible to achieve 24 hours of electricity per day.  But, our request is just to remind the school management of its earlier promise as stated by the Vice Chancellor during the Town Hall meeting of 2012 held at Trenchard Hall, where he promised us 18 hours of electricity per day. It should be noted that if this promise has been kept all along by the school management, we may not have had cause to bury one of our own recently, in person of Mr. Mayowa Alaran of the Department of Human Kinetics, faculty of education, University of Ibadan. We don't need to remind the school management that regular power supply is fundamental to the progress of scholarship and academic excellence. When there is blackout or erratic power supply as it has become a norm, practical classes are suspended and researches are greatly affected. Not just that, classrooms become oven-like and the learning environment becomes everything but conducive. We also do not need to remind the school management that many of its lofty programmes like the Wifi and the Kitchenette system depend greatly on a regular power supply to thrive. We hereby wish to reiterate our demand for the fulfilment of the School Management's promise of 18 hours of electricity per day. And most importantly, a further demand of 24 hours uninterrupted power supply is achievable and feasible to key into the in-coming government of the president-elect, Muhammadu Buhari’s agendum of tackling the erratic electricity supply nationwide. Thus, it would be a great disservice and hardship when we demand anything less than 24 hours of electricity supply as our demands when met would be towards dispensation of a new government in Nigeria. We are aware that the institution ought to have conquered the issue of electricity or power supply with the existence of departments that could champion other sources of power, or consolidate on the existing sources. The Faculty of Technology in the institution is an example.

It should be specifically noted that the entire Block B in Idia Hall, University of Ibadan is yet to be graced with power supply since resumption. We also need to remind the school management that this particular Block is a new entrants’ Block and this issue has affected the students to the extent that many had to abandon classes due to unavailability of electricity to perform basic things on daily bases that affect learning, proper coordination of activities especially academic activities. The university of Ibadan students are not oblivion of the facilities their counterparts enjoy elsewhere in Nigeria or abroad, but that first university in Nigeria, the University of Ibadan could not cater for their needs is a signal to the failed system, and that the university administration must as matter of urgency embark on total overhaul of the university without politics of interests which had affected the general wellbeing of the inhabitants in the University over the years. The University of Ibadan may as well be prepared to remove the names of the affected new entrants from the University of Ibadan’s list of enrolled students. Such students’ battle with daily survival and adjustment due to gross lack of amenities or facilities, as it would not be surprising to find many of these helpless students' names in the ‘Tsunami’ List, the withdrawal list of those students that could not meet up with required academic grades in the University of Ibadan.

Transportation

The transport system within the campus is not well-coordinated as there is no even distribution of movement to places, a problem attributed to drivers and management of the Intra Campus Transport Committee (ICTC). Some destinations are not covered at all e.g. from the University of Ibadan’s gate to the Veterinary Medicine, from the University of Ibadan’s gate to Awolowo Hall, from the University of Ibadan’s gate to the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, and the likes. Also, we realized that more often the cab drivers stop work at around 7p.m, making students to trek from the University of Ibadan gate to their various destinations. Additionally, most of the cab drivers charge exorbitant fare from the students. We believe that these issues are predominant because the ICTC is under the administration of the University of Ibadan. We request that the ICTC should be fully handed over to Students’ Union, University of Ibadan, because the students are the majority on campus and we can better manage the aforementioned routes in the University for Students’ Convenience.

Inverter Situation in the Halls of Residence

We hereby wish to state our displeasure at the breakdown of inverters in the Halls of residence. It will be recalled that these inverters were built about four years to complement the erratic power supply. The inverters afforded the students an opportunity to read and find their ways around the halls in times of blackout. However, barely two years after the installation of these inverters, what they do now is to decorate our corridors. The situation now is so bad to the extent that when there is blackout in the halls of residence, all activities are paralysed including one of the most fundamental activities on campus, reading. We hereby wish to plead with the University’s authorities to restore these inverters to ease students' living on campus.

Limited Connectivity of Wifi Networks

In the same vein, it should be noted that the Wireless internet connectivity introduced by Prof. Adewole's administration has also been frustrating students. As a point of information, many executives of the Halls of Residence have started installing wireless networks for the residents of their halls at cheaper prices when they abandoned it when it was learnt that the school had a similar plan. One year after the installation of the Wireless network, it gracefully graces our laptops and smart phones with "Limited Connectivity". We understand that the school has a plan of charging students for this service, but the school has refused to provide this service even when the students are ready to pay. We hereby plead with the University management to restore wireless networks to the halls of residence as it goes a long way to help students in research and other academic activities. 

State of Security on Campus

There has been an increased incidence of theft across the various halls of residence. This could be as a result of several factors including the frequent lack of electricity and inexperienced security personnel around the campus especially at night. The management needs to take this issue seriously by providing electricity at night and increasing number of security personnel across the school at night. Also not more than three security men should be posted to each hall of residence. This will help reduce cases of theft especially in the female halls of residence.

Lecture Rooms

Most of the facilities in our lecture rooms are either not available, not enough or they are dilapidated. The facilities include: fan, air conditioners, projectors, public address systems, etc. We urge the management to visit some of these lecture rooms and identify what is needed for repairs or provision.

Poor Lighting System  

Poor lighting within the campus has been a serious issue. This is because darkness is a haven for rapists and thieves. Our girls are not safe at night anymore especially places where darkness has dominated. Example of such places include Faculties of Science-Technology axis, Faculty of Science-Awo Hall axis.  We request the fixing of light along these axes and other places within the school that need this facility at night. This will improve security issues around the campus.

Kitchenette

It has also come to our notice that most of the hotplates with the various kitchenettes across all the halls within the campus are no longer working. This will push students back to cooking in their rooms thereby rendering the effort of the management (stopping student from cooking in the rooms) useless. We urge the management to look into this and help the students as quick as possible because there are some students that cannot afford to eat at the cafeterias.

Service Providers

The various service providers within the campus are not doing enough to alleviate or eradicate the sufferings of students’ e.g University Health Service Centre, University Student Lodging Bureau (USLB) and Maintenance Department.

UNIVERSITY HEALTH SERVICE CENTRE:

·         The use of Jaja card should be abolished and all student records are to be made electronic. This will create easy access to student records such that matriculation numbers only will be needed to check in any student into the clinic.

·         The staff of the clinic should be friendly to student. Hostile attitudes are not good for students or any patient in a clinic.

·         More drivers should be provided for the ambulances available such that we will have one driver to an ambulance unlike it is currently practised as one driver to three ambulances.

·         Ambulance should be located at specific location at all times to prevent the death of our colleagues. We recommend that an ambulance should be located between Idia-Awo Halls’ axes, another at Zik-Indy Hall axes and another at the Central Administration area in the University of Ibadan.

·         Additional ambulances should be procured for emergency outside the University with regards to University College Hospital (UCH), University of Ibadan.

·         Proper vaccination should be given to students as at when due especially students on clinical duties (Veterinary Medicine and PYTP students). Such vaccinations include anti-rabies and hepatitis.

·         Adequate Fumigation should be carried out per semester across all halls of residence.

UNIVERSITY STUDENT LODGING BUREAU (USLB) AND MAINTENANCE DEPARTMENT:

·         The USLB should adequately attend to students’ needs such that one carpenter, plumber and electrician each should be allocated to each hall of residence and faculty. It has been discovered that there are a lot of broken pipes, dysfunctional taps and bad electrical appliances (especially sockets) within our Halls and Faculties as no one is available to adequately attend to them even after proper complaints. Even when those allocated to our halls are called for repairs they do not respond, if they do they respond after three weeks or a month and most times never.

·         The issue of overcrowding has been brought to our notice wherein especially in female halls a six-man room has turned to twelve-man room: this is evident in Queen Elizabeth Hall II and Queen Idia Hall in the University of Ibadan.

·         The issue of plumbing needs to be isolated here, as this has caused serious disgust within our halls especially the bathrooms where bathrooms have turned to swimming pool as a result of broken pipes and poor drainage maintenance. Even in some bathrooms, the deckings are licking thereby producing showers of dirty water. We demand that adequate care and maintenance be adopted to prevent ill-health as a result of this.

Reading Rooms

All the reading rooms within the halls of residence are in a state of comatose as most facilities are not worthy to be called facilities. Most can now be referred to as decoration waiting for the dust that passes every day to inhabit them. Attention need be paid to fans, air conditions, chairs and tables.  Some halls do not have sufficient reading rooms like Idia hall of residence.

Identification Cards

The use of Identity Cards to gain access within our halls of residence is not acceptable. The halls’ ID cards are made for security issues not for access to the hall or a means to intimidate students especially within the female hostels. We must point out here that this production of Hall ID cards has rendered the University ID card useless. The question we keep asking is: what is the need of the University Identity Card if it is not acceptable enough within the campus? In the Universities like the University of Ilorin, in Ilorin, Kwara State, the University Identity cards are like ATM cards used in paying the school fees, hostel fees, making withdrawals as a debit card and some other information technology-related activities but currently in the premier University, a unit of the institution has started discarding the University Student ID cards by going forward to produce separated ID cards. This is a waste on the part of the University and the students who pay for different ID cards within the campus. Additionally, there is extortion going on within the girl’s hostels from the porters with respect to these ID cards. Why collect the sum of #1000 as fine from us when we misplace our ID cards with no explanation or replacement? We demand that this should stop.

No to #5,000 Fines for Late Payment of School Fees

We hereby wish to demand that the 5,000 naira fine of late payment of school fees should be stopped. The University Officials should note that fingers are not equal. When a student has been struggling to put his/her school fees together and then, when he/she is about rejoicing that the money is completed, the school management decides to add a 5,000 naira fine. We hereby wish to plead with the school management to reconsider its stand on the 5,000 naira fine for the sake of the less-privileged students.

SPECIFIC CASES

HALLS OF RESIDENCE

        I.            The Kitchenettes in Mellanby Hall have so far been disconnected from the power source. Complaints have been made yet solutions have not been provided. This makes it difficult for students to prepare their food. Needless to say that the Hotplates in these kitchenettes are not even working anymore.

      II.            The issue of locks being vulnerable to multiple keys should also be looked into in both Mellanby and Bello Halls of Residence as soon as possible as this has contributed to the success of many theft cases in the hall.

    III.            There's also the issue of broken pipes in Block B and Block C inTedder and Bello halls of residence respectively.

    IV.            Residents of Bello, Indy and Zik halls have also complained about the faults in the wiring systems of the halls. A visit to most of the rooms will reveal students sleeping and romancing with live wires in the rooms. This issue is of great threat to students' life if not promptly looked into.

      V.            Awo Hall has been facing the challenges of having pumping machines to pump water to the topmost floors. Awo Hall Residents will be happy if this can be looked into as soon as possible as students go through great stress to fetch and carry water to these topmost floors.

    VI.            We will also wish to request for more cleaners to combat the dirty environment of Awo Hall.

  VII.            There are cases in Queens Hall where the students directly receive blessed showers of rain on their heads whenever, there is rainfall as there are no ceilings to prevent the downpour. This is similar to cases of sunny days that the students have to tolerate extreme hot temperature in an over-crowded room they paid for. 

VIII.            The issue of water supply in Alexander Brown hall has been a perennial problem, in fact, the USLB has come to access and re-access to no avail. Recently, we witnessed a queue of buckets from A block extending down to C block in ABH. The effect of this situation on Brownites is so telling that going to class sometimes could be impossible. Almost everyone fetches from one source. We hereby demand that a long lasting solution should be implemented as soon as possible.

    IX.            There are also accommodation issues in ABH and the solution to this as we have discovered is the construction of a new block. We deem it fit to bring it to the notice of the school management that a whole new set crosses over to UCH without provision for accommodation till the existing final year students leaves the college, a situation that may take six months or more. Eventually, less than 75% of students in UCH get accommodated. This is most inappropriate considering the rigors of Medical school. We humbly appeal to the University management to come to our rescue.

      X.            Residents of Tedder Hall protested a couple of weeks ago against the construction of a gate inside the Hall. After the school management has promised to look into the matter, it is saddening to note that work has resumed in the construction of a cubicle behind the gate. We hereby wish to restate our displeasure on the construction of that gate and its partial lockage. In Tedder Hall, presently, there’s only an emergency exit and the construction of this gate will obviously make the free flow of movement very difficult in the face of stampede. We are talking about a potential threat to students’ lives here and we hope the school will make sure that the hall management stop this project.  

FACULTY

        I.            We hereby request that the road linking the Zoological Garden to the Faculty of Technology in the University of Ibadan should be tarred as soon as possible to put an end to the messy situation students get involved in during the raining season.

      II.            The drainage system in the Faculties of Agriculture and Arts is faulty and this prevents the free flow of water in the toilets which results in accumulation of water and unpleasant smell.

    III.            The issue of inadequacy of classrooms in the Faculty of Technology should be looked into especially with the 300 level to the 500 level classes. This situation makes learning very difficult and cumbersome.

    IV.            There is also agitation from Faculty of Education students on the need to decentralise Teaching practice from just Ibadan North Local Government, thus allowing the students to observe their Teaching Practice program in any school within the state.

      V.            Request to reconsider the exorbitant fee being paid by the students of Archaeology and Anthropology department. It becomes pertinent to question the rationale and appropriateness of paying #20,000 naira for field work when the school levy is just #16,450.

    VI.            Another issue of great concern is the welfare of students of European Studies department in the University. The school needs to be reminded that these students pay as much as #70,000 naira in case of German students and #90,000 naira in case of French students for their Year Abroad Programme. It becomes apparently questionable if these students still have to pay school fees of over #16,000 naira just because they are made to take 2 electives in the University. Our demand is that these students should stop paying school fees and if they must pay because of those 2 electives, then, provisions should be made for them to take these 2 electives before the commencement of the programme. We see this double payment as mere extortion and it should be noted that students from our sister University, Obafemi Awolowo University, do not pay during their Year Abroad Programme.

  VII.            We also need to question the rationale behind the inclusion of #1,000 naira Practical fee in the list of levies of Law Faculty students. It should be noted that no "practical" in any sense has been carried out for Law students in that Faculty. We hereby demand for the exclusion of this ridiculous fee from the school fees of Law Faculty students in the University of Ibadan. If the exclusion of this fee becomes difficult then, we demand justification for the payment immediately.

VIII.            The issue of Timetable in the Faculty of Education and Technology should also be looked into. There are always conflicts in times of classes and these put the students in a confused situation as to select which of the clashing courses they will go for. This is an emergency situation that should be addressed as soon as possible as this has resulted in some students having extra year in the Faculty.

    IX.            Another issue that requires the school's utmost attention is that of Transcript issues. Students in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine are required to pay before getting their transcripts. We do not know why the students have to pay for transcripts when they have already paid dues relating to all these in their list of levies. It becomes laughable to know that these same transcripts that the students have to pay for have consistently featured errors in their calculation.  In the same vein, students in the departments of Theatre Arts and Philosophy have complained about the non-issuance of transcript. This is a big problem as it becomes difficult for students who want to use such for scholarship and other extra-academic purposes.

      X.            We also demand that the deplorable state of female toilets be looked into in the Faculty of Arts in the University of Ibadan.

    XI.            We also demand the opening of classes and reading rooms 24 hours daily and not restricted to 8 am - 4 pm.

CONCLUSION

From the forgoing, we hereby urge the University of Ibadan authority to immediately look into the aforementioned issues as matters of urgency in that they form the very essence of the existence of the University, the inhabitants in the University of Ibadan.  The age-long complaints that the University may not or cannot provide the basic amenities for the inhabitants of the University had over the years affected the qualities of the students being churned out year in, year out. We further admonish the University authorities to always see the students as integral parts of the University with the essence of ensuring adequate facilities in the 21^st century in order to be able to compete favourably with their counterparts from elsewhere. We the students of the University of Ibadan had over the years suffered either neglect of responsibilities by the University administration or a total and deliberate clampdown on the voices of the students despite the existence of the Students’ Union with its reinstatement in 2011.

We demand full provision of the aforementioned demands which are sacrosanct for our wellbeing and sense of belonging within the University community. It is with frown we have come together as concerned students of the University of Ibadan towards our emancipation from the shackles of oppression from various constituent units of the University of Ibadan.

We ask that the University of Ibadan take a proactive step in addressing all these displeasure as it is glaring that facilities in the University of Ibadan are still inadequate and dilapidating.

Thanks for your prompt and favourable response.

*This is the report of the students’ welfare meeting convened at the SRC on the 16^th of May, 2015.

contact: +2347095987192, theconsciencenews@gmail.com.

WHEN ABROAD, NOW HOME

source:google images.

BY KAY BELLO

‘’Hello, kumusta? (kumusta means ‘’ how are you?’’ in the Philippines).

‘’ Okay Lang.’’ (meaning am okay).

‘’Am Kayode Bello, a Nigerian, I am sure you are a Filipina.’’

‘’ Yes I am, oh! You are a ‘Nigirian’? Hmn!’’

Suddenly, the conversation dims. She may not respond anymore.

Another encounter could be like this:

‘’ Where are you from ?’’

‘’ Am from Nigeria!’’

‘’I heard that some ‘Nigirians’ are doing illegal businesses and taking money from people’s account illegally.’’

‘’ Are you sure they are all Nigerians because some people pretend they are Nigerians, because they are black they may say they are Nigerians’’.

I needed an accommodation badly at a time. I approached a Seminary quite near my school where I presently study at Master’s level, Public Administration. The following came up too:

‘’ There was a Nigerian Priest that brought a Nigerian here, and dumped him. He earlier promised him he would take care of him. Since he dumped him, he never came back,’’ said the woman in charge of the accommodation at the Seminary. To this, I could not respond as I was dumbfounded.

Regarding the fact of going to the Nigerian embassy in the Philippines, it may be discouraging, and that this I learnt other Nigerian embassies too worldwide cultivate similar attitude. However, the Nigerian embassy here had been somehow cooperative and responsive though not without blemishes, but to a large extent, and people could attest to that, they have been living up to expectations compared with previous set of diplomats at the Nigerian Embassy, Manila. I have heard people saying that the Nigerian Embassy in Malaysia is in a sorry state. The Malaysian Embassy came at a time to the Philippines to process new passports, especially the expired ones or ones remaining about six months to expire. Nigerians were crying that they needed their passports due to the fact that the passports haven’t arrived, they needed them for important things at schools, for businesses, travel, etc. Before I left my Filipino abode, about 44 passports had arrived, and that was shortly after Buhari won the presidential election. Maybe kudos to the emergence of the General, and that the Petroleum Minister, Alison-Madueke, too has started compliance with report of the audit committee on the Nigerian  National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) was quite surprising that the Petroleum Minister would refund about 1.48bn, despite her  apparent contempt to the National Assembly to investigate the expenditure of the NNPC. She has been a sacred cow no doubt during the outgoing People’s Democratic Party- led administration of President Goodluck Jonathan. To think Nigeria, maybe after a long while, it would be a country that does not condone or abhor corruption, indiscipline, and maybe ‘stealing will now be corruption,’ as it ought to be properly labeled.

Back to the passport issue, there were still remaining passports that haven’t arrived from the Malay region maybe they need special shipment by the Navy – who knows?

Most times, Nigerians abroad prefer to associate with the foreigners, and if they ever gather as an Association abroad,  trust me, it is  either they are  ‘fighting’  at the meeting or discussing  how to organize parties and show off their latest cars, wears or property.

Some Nigerians in the Philippines could be helpful or reliable, and I have received some help from the officials too, but there are lots to be done over time. The attitudes  or dealings of some Nigerians abroad could make the embassies design  ways of dealing with the Nigerians abroad, but notwithstanding Nigerians should always feel at home while abroad, and to me it is symbiotic relationship- the embassy performs its roles accordingly while the Nigerians conduct themselves accordingly. Stories of past ambassadors or consular officers who had mortgaged and ‘sold’ their birthrights and that of others are heart-wrecking. Nigerians are suffering in the Philippines while others enjoy the goodies of the land via sponsorship one way or the other, by governments or private persons.  Don’t be surprised that the repentant Niger-Delta militants are in the Philippines enjoying, living large and making the authorities in the Philippines think all Nigerians are rich. Such affects other Nigerians who rely heavily on some amount from parents or well-wishers. That notion that Nigerians are rich, among other considerations, may have made the Immigration authorities increase the amount of immigration fee or charges, or might have made even school fees higher than necessary. We pay foreign fee as students in the Philippines, but some foreigners are demanding what the fee is being used for. Although one may not conclude that Nigerians only would make the authorities increase the school fees, because there are other nationals in the Philippines such as the Americans, Koreans, Iranians, Turkish, Pakistanis, etc., but the attitude of most of the Niger-Delta Militants is worrisome and the programme itself requires urgent review to determine the success, aims and objectives of its establishment. Nigerians abroad just like me may have escaped poverty level at home, unemployment, ‘UP NEPA’ today and always. They may have gathered all they had, borrowed too and made a risky and hopeful journey. Some may not be able to travel directly to the country of their destination, they may go through the forest, boat over the sea (deaths of those on the Medittarean sea en route Europe are still fresh in our memories). Some may have sold whatever they had. They may have given up on their ‘forsaken’ country. Some travel agents too, just in the name of milkng money out of the unsuspecting Nigerians and risk-takers, give wrong information or better still deceitful information about the Philippines. Don’t get it twisted, the Philippines could be a nice place or vice versa, just as anywhere in the world.

Sex tourists come around in the Philippines, partly due to poverty level, and the fact that Filipinos are attractive, and take care of themselves, such is an attraction itself. In fact, Filipino women (Filipinas) are part of the tourist attraction. My fellow foreigners know better, and the Filipinas are almost everywhere- from Baguio to Manila, from Manila to Bohol, from Bicol to Antipolo, from Antiplolo to Mindanao where the insurgency flourishes like the Nigerian Boko Haram situation and the Syrian-Iraqi ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Levante).

Still on the Niger-Delta programme which gave some repentant ones the opportunity of schooling abroad, the initiative may have stopped the insurgency in the region, but the Niger-Delta  boys around (though there are Niger-Delta girls too, as there are ‘Hausa’ Niger-Delta militants surprisingly, your guess or thought is as mine) spoiling the show  for the ‘poor’,  average or not-too-well-to-do Nigerians here ( though  one might say once  you find your way abroad, you aren’t  poor, just as the locals think too, but it isn’t the case most times. Many peoples’ hopes of better living than where they came from are dashed. In my own case, before venturing into Master’s programme, I volunteered for the Typhoon Yolanda victims in Tacloban, Leyte, Visayas region, Philippines.

The Niger-Delta boys spend anyhow at the clubs and have access to ‘unlimited girls’ around. They have money to pay at their respective schools, they virtually lack nothing, but when they go broke, they become humble or softened like rain-beaten leaves, or like that leaf that responds to external stimulus when touched. I overheard someone saying this is another means of milking money from the Nigerian purse, how Nigerian money may be disappearing through the Niger-Delta initiative. One question is: hope the Niger-Delta repentants are studying or they came to dance ‘Azonto’ or ‘Skelewu’ (one of local forms of dancing? Hope no repentant Niger-Delta militant is reading this? You can contact me if you want to lose that temper. Perhaps if they can extend some help to fellow Nigerians who are suffering one way or the other in the Philippines, they would be quite happy. Some Nigerians’ education has been abruptly terminated when they couldn’t cope with the financial challenges in the Philippines, coupled with the facts that they had to study and not just study but pass as well. They pay for extension of visas at usually exorbitant rates, pay for accommodation at amount even workers may not be able to afford, and usually this is the kind of accommodation available for them, as if the locals had met and had the view that foreigners or Nigerians are rich.

Alas! That is not the case, in fact, the exchange rate between naira and peso (Philippines currency) is worrisome as between the two Third World or developing countries (Nigeria and Philippines). You cannot work in the Philippines as students, though there are categories of foreigners that  are entitled to work, for instance if you marry a Filipina you would be entitled to work based on your stay permit, but this would still come with some clause that may be discouraging to marry Filipinas, one of them might be that of extending your stay regularly just like a tourist would, but a tourist in the Philippines has just two years to keep extending his or her stay in the Philippines, then after such expiration he or she is expected to return to his or her country of nationality. Nigerians may suffer from two ends or face somewhat discrimination: that they are Nigerians and that they are black-skinned. Sorry, that is the norm there, your skin colour or nationality determines a lot: your status, acceptance in the society. These form part of ‘when abroad’, and you may not know beyond that ‘’Telephone Conversation,’’ by Wole Soyinka or ‘’Black Boy’’ by Richard Wright or ‘’Mine Boy,’’ by Peter Abrahams, except you leave your ‘comfort’ country and make a trip here or elsewhere, unlike places like United Kingdom or United States where students are allowed to work, whereas in the Philippines, you pay relatively more with less or no opportunities for work. And when you are done in the Philippines maybe as a student, you are expected to go back to your country of origin. Maybe  the United States of America’s citizens are more welcomed in the Philippines, and have opportunities in some aspects, as Filipinos literally ‘worship ‘ and respect  them (at times unduly), supposedly for one reason:

‘’US Colonialism in the Philippines

Under the treaty of Paris of 1898, the United States acquired the Philippines from Spain for $20million. Senator Jovito R. Salonga noted a number of compelling factors that instigated this decision by the imperial power: [T]he growth of American industrial and commercial strength which increased the pressures for Foreign Trade and Investment; including England, France, Russia, Germany and Japan; the overriding thought that the Philippines would  serve as the American ‘’ gateway to Asiatic markets’’; the presence in key positions of prominent figures who saw in the war with a rare opportunity to establish naval bases in the pacific which would enable the United States to compete with over imperial powers, the widespread belief among Americans in a Senate of mission to accomplish great things in the world as part of America’s ‘’ manifest destiny,’’ and the enthusiasm and pressure that came from the Protestant Churches.’’ ( Jovito R. Salongo, A Background Paper on American Military Bases in the Philippines (1976).

That the United States of America colonized the Philippines for more than three decades is no longer a news. That the US still wields considerable influence on the Philippines is a concern after the latter’s independence from her colonial masters (including Spain for more than 300 years). That the citizens of the stated colonial masters have more opportunities in their former colony is of interest as the Filipinos would love to think American, and act same, as a real Filipino is a decolonized Filipino.

Now home, from mosquitoes at night to flies in the daytime, from the chaos and disorderliness to the state of observing a protest by the students of the University of Ibadan embarked upon on the death of their colleague as such death could have been averted if there had been adequate facilities from rooms to viewing Centres at the halls of residence. The miasma of malodorous smell I left over a year ago still oozes out of the toilets in most halls of residence, darkness still looms, and beckons over the first and the seemingly best University in Nigeria, under Prof. Adewole’s administration of negligence. I learnt the kitchenettes that some fought against its practicality in the face of hunger and tyranny orchestrated by Prof. Adewole and his people months ago now have become show of shame, as it has been reported that the cookers are now malfunctioning. I think our so-called managers and administrators need some floggings for wasting the taxpayers’ money, awarding contracts that are not feasible or long-lasting. The University Medical Centre, christened Jaja Clinic has been known for some lackadaisical attitude on the part of the staff members. In the Philippines, where I study,  to pass through the gate there is a computerized gate-like entrance, mere displaying of your identity card on the screen of the entrance, you would be let in as your photograph and identity are displayed on the screen of the computer with the security officer right in front or beside the gate. Such can be replicated at the University level. Ensure proper identification using such computerization or biometric system. We still rely heavily on the primitive way of doing things, or how can you explain the request for the Jaja Clinic Identity card before treatment or before attending to the patient brought to the Health Centre at a critical state? Ensure the students do biometric and input their data into the computer system, then once anyone shows up for treatment, just on the click of computer buttons, their data would show, not asking, ‘’ where is your Clinic card?’’ To me, it sounds archaic in this 21^st century. You may have the Clinic card, but in the absence of it, it should not stop the treatment of the patients. Cards and computerization card go hand in hand. And the health personnel must be trained in the use of the computers to facilitate delivery of medical care.

Just as I discussed with some fellow Nigerians, it is not that all is bad for Nigeria, or all is well for the Philippines or even the United States of America, but when you speak of basic amenities such as electricity, water, good roads, available and effective internet (wifi), the Philippines and United States of America have got the aforementioned ones, while Nigeria still battles with epileptic electricity, bad roads (with potholes large enough to swallow a ‘Dangote’  trailer). Nigeria can become one of the top twenty economies in the world by the year 2020 (vision 2020), but such feat can be achieved with adequate power supply uninterruptedly, good roads, security and the likes when there is the willingness, dedication, foresight and enabling environment coupled with visionary, selfless leadership. Noteworthy is the fact that there are Nigerians doing great things all over the world, from business to education, from education to inventions from economic sphere to agriculture, and the rest of human endeavours. With these, I love to join fellow Nigerians in projecting a new Nigeria of prosperity for all, God bless Nigeria.

May the soul of the departed rest in perfect peace. 

Kay Bello, a Law Graduate, ex international volunteer, presently pursues Master’s in Public Administration in the Philippines, Asia. +2349095987192 (Nigeria), +639997713101 (Philippines)

PHILIPPINES EXPERIENCE

Black or White: source: google images.

 
Fellow Nigerians, it is my greatest pleasure to share with you my experience so far in the Philippines. If I tell you not to travel to the Philippines, you may ask me why, especially that I am now here. Before I go on, remember I told you I would let you know about what Nigerians are actually facing here in the Philippines, including what some asylum seekers and refugees face. To proceed, travelling outside one's country widens one's perspective and horizon no doubt, but please and please if you have any relative, friends, loved ones or family members even enemies who want to come to the Philippines for any reason or the other, please share this story am about to tell you with them and warn them a lot.

Ordinarily, I should begin this writeup with some background about the Philippines, but you can always google that yourselves. My personal experience actually started when I made up my mind to come here to volunteer to help the Filipinos that were devastated or affected by typhoon Yolanda last year. Little did I know about how Filipinos see black colour differently. I mean they prefer being white to being black, in fact among themselves they discriminate those who are not actually white, and I tell you this might lead to some psychological, social and even political implications. Generally, among the Filipinos, there is inherent discrimination against people of black colour. Thus, it is not surprising that I am being discriminated against wherever I go. To confirm my statement, just google: 'Racism in the Philippines', there are lots of writeups about this.

As a former Literature-in-English student, I have read about apartheid in South-Africa, the books titled, 'Mine Boy' and ' Black Boy', are instructive about the discrimination against the blacks, among other notable poems like 'Nightfall in Soweto', but this time in a far away Asian continent, I experienced such discrimination simply because I am black. Worst still, if one is from Nigeria, one Nigerian called it double discrimination, which I personally tagged, 'double jeopardy'. In a way, there had been reports that some Nigerians engage in illegal activities, and my writeup is not to justify any illegal dealing by anyone, but to state categorically and affirmatively the level of both psychological and physical insecurity against Nigerians, and of course of black race.

On one hand, this is expository and on the other hand it is a clarion call to those who think or know the level of discrimination against the Nigerians in the Philippines or elsewhere in the world, but yet welcome the nationals from these countries or fail to remedy it. Also, this is not to start discriminatory practices against the Filipinos or anyone, but to tell them that if there is ongoing discriminatory practices against Nigerians in their own country, they do not have the moral reason to still stay in that country. On this note, this writeup shall form part of my petition(s) to the Nigerian embassy here in the Philippines, the Nigerian Foreign Affairs division, the Philippines Embassy in Nigeria, among any other diplomatic or international mission.

Furthermore, if you think you are coming to study in the Philippines, I think you should note that you won't work but rely on the money sent to you from Nigeria, and if you think am lying just ask anyone in the Philippines who is presently studying, some of those enjoying the Amnesty Programme of the Federal Government are here, I mean those former Niger-Delta militants.

Some Nigerians have spent donkey years here, so I heard. And some of them married Filipinos, so I have seen, while priority for jobs is given to those that married the Filipinas. The question is: how many would marry or love to marry Filipinas? It was raised in one of the Nigerians' Association's meeting that: what sort of visa does the Nigerian Embassy give Filipinos who work in Nigeria? But trust me, typical of Nigerians and Nigerian politicians that may not be answered till thy Kingdom come,yet almost everyday Filipinos troop to Nigerian embassy in Manila for visas, am sure for working visas. I know quite well it is a means for some and the embassy to make money. The question is: who is giving Filipinos work or employment in Nigeria when here in their country if you are black is a problem, when you are a Nigerian, you might be thinking or asking: why did God create me black? Fellow Nigerians, never you think of such, if you see anybody that discriminates against you, though do not be racist yourself, just say, 'black is beautiful'. I am sure my fellow Nigerians in diaspora either in United Kingdom or in the United States of America, they are also feeling the same way too. And when you feel the same way, you are home-sick. You feel like taking the next flight home, and be among your people of same colour, same orientation, same belief, culture, aspirations or goals. These, being stated so far, does not mean all of them are racist, but there was a report by the World Value Survey that Philippines is one of the most racist countries in the world. What this translates as is that even at social, political or economic gatherings or engagements, racism is seen. How can one then cope in such atmosphere of racism and various forms of discrimination against one? One, the racist thing seems inherent in their culture, and two, except their government starts campaign against it, it maybe here for a very long time being handed down to generations even after.

It is true that the Philippines was colonized by Spain for over 300 years, and America was here too for some thirty-something years or so. Some of them express that maybe their racist tendencies could be linked to the influence of their colonial masters. But wait a minute, Nigeria was colonized by Britain, and I am too sure Nigerians are not racist, though we might have tribal differences and discrimination as well, in a whole scale, as to the colour of one's skin is somewhat disturbing, and if you have any friend who is racist, please tell the fellow that it is simply against humanity.

Moreover, let me state that this very article was propelled by what was an attack on me, and I found out that here if you are a foreigner, especially a Nigerian or of somewhat a nationality that is not American or its ally, am must say am sorry, maybe Philippines is not anywhere you love to come. A group of Filipinos first attacked me in a mini stop on reasons I am still trying to decipher, but I hope if the Foreign affairs intervene I will actually know. I reported at the Police station and I found out the Policemen could only watch and observe how the Filipinos could speak their language called Tagalog. Right in the presence of the Police officers, one of them actually asked if he could punch me and I shall see the real meaning of punching. At the end, especially after I told the Police that the guy must make a statement, the former said they were only there to settle issues amicably whereas I have heard of Nigerians languishing in prisons. Nigerians have said that some of them have been spending years in prison, while others said the Nigerians have been sold out by the former Nigerian ambassador to the Philippines, that the Nigerian Mission was being dictated to by the Philippines government on what to do and not to do.

My fellow compatriots, let me tell you that if you come to the Philippines with body odour or bad smell, or you are just cited as a black man, don't be surprised when Filipinos cover their noses and mouths for you, or they start to fan themselves when there is no heat or sun or inside air conditioner. You know what that means? You are smelling, but white men or white people don't smell here. And to my fellow Indians or people from Bangladesh, the belief of an average Filipino is that you smell, that you have body odour. I have witnessed this, and it is on daily basis. However, Manila is one of the most polluted cities in the world with much and many people stricken in poverty, plus the fact that the environment sticks, and smells malodorously, yet as a black man you smell more than the polluted environment of smoke, dirts and I must tell you that you may stink more than their beggars on the streets. Later, I will tell you what I feel is the good side of this place, but these negatives are fast painting here as a place not for a sane fellow, however, some find schooling here less expensive, but psychologically it may not be enticing. Already I have been accepted for a Master's programme here, but I don't feel secured anymore.

Lest I forget, in case you want to 'toast' their ladies, but you don't smell good, it might be a big challenge. You can try some fragrance, I mean put some roll-on on, look good and decent, but does that make you a white which they prefer? Hell, No! Oh, maybe if you ride a nice car or you are rich, ladies might come your way, even if you smell bad as an African, and hope the Indians or so are aware of the perception of Filipinos about them.
I love to go on and on, but I love to leave certain aspects of security of lives and property and discrimination in terms of what the Filipinos benefit in Nigeria to diplomatic or legislative discourse or remedy.

Still expressing my thoughts as per security of lives and property, in terms of assassination rates world over, I have a somewhat good news for Nigerians,that the Philippines also has somewhat high number of killings of journalists and some political assassinations. The records are there on the internet, even as reported by the Aljazeera news recently. As a foreigner, an average Filipino thinks you are rich for you to have left your country you must be rich. I think they even find it hard to believe when you tell them you are just on the average, anyway maybe for any foreigner they might have reasons to believe you are rich, because the news about Nigeria may be that we are bunch of poor people, so for anyone to travel via the plane, he or she must be rich. If this is just a notion, it would have been okay since one will not have to display that one is rich or poor being gaining pass anywhere, but if you mistakenly show that you are rich in a Third World country like Philippines, then any love expressed towards you is just that of love for your money.

This might sound derogatory or demeaning, but in most cases it is the belief that most foreigners are sex-starved, and you should always pay if you want to get laid. Also, please warn any Nigerian or foreigner that if that they want to fall in love, they should remember a charge of rape. Most times,it is not rape itself but that you are a foreigner, you may be set up, and the mention of rape is itself a ground for you to be locked up in jail for a good number of years. Please, know where to go, or whom to fall in love with. If Abike Dabiri is still chair of the Committee on Nigerians in Diaspora at the House of Representatives, I think these issues might interest her. Although I have read that over 15,000 Nigerians are in foreign prisons, but let me state that not all of them actually committed the crimes they are held either as suspects or offenders for. But you and I know that even at home in Nigeria there is no security of lives and property talk less of far away from home. Who would bail them? Who are their lawyers? But yet I am sure Nigerian officials still welcome nationals of these countries including their diplomats without raising a finger against unwholesome treatment against Nigerians in foreign land, maybe this is the time for review of some of foreign policies or actions. Kudos to the Foreign Affairs Minister, Gbenga Ashiru, that reacted vehemently against unlawful deportation of Nigerians especially in SouthAfrica. But I learnt he was Baba Iyabo's son, so he had been booted out of office.

Back to security and security and security, because in the atmosphere of insecurity, what really can you do? Or, can you be productive at all? I came to the Philippines on humanitarian and just grounds, thus I have the moral grounds to write about these, especially as it concerns Nigerians and others. Filipinos are mostly abroad working and remitting money home, but here at home the level of discrimination is alarming and unimaginable.

To cap it all, there are some asylum seekers and refugees in the Philippines who have health challenges, financial problem, accommodation and general welfare problems despite the fact that United Nations pump money to Philippines for the help of these people. Alas! Philippines is one of the most corrupt nations just as my dear country, the Philippines cannot cater for all of its over 90 million citizens, many are undernourished as reported, foreigners cannot secure jobs, but there is another good news for the Americans, especially with the valid American passports, you are always welcome. The organization I worked with in the Philippines is US-based, maybe the fact that Americans are welcome so it is easy for anything American to be accepted. Most Filipinos dream, think, eat, sleep, behave American, but in a way it is an open door of imperialism and inferiority. One Call Centre company in the Philippines that has Americans as its clients told me I didn't have American accent, thus I could not be employed.

All stated and said, unlike Nigeria, there is constant electricity, with a working rail system, fast growing economy (though Nigeria is said to be the largest economy in Africa without improvement of per capita income of average Nigeria), but the issue of homosexuality is tolerated in the Philippines though the Catholic Church opposes gay marriage, as it is noteworthy that over 70 percent of Filipinos are catholic faithfuls. These are just some of my experiences and observations, some based on my interactions with Nigerians and some Filipinos. With these, there are reasons to think Nigerian and work towards national integration, awareness, development and the need to put in Nigerians the reason to associate with Nigeria, and tell those giving us bad names either at home or abroad to stop such, that it does not help us, for there is nothing it does but giving us bad names. While I am here with my green passport, I love to conclude that God bless Nigeria.

Written by Kay Bello, +639997713101.