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.

POP MUSIC LOSES ITS "MUSES”!!!

source: google images

 By Chima Ikenganyia                                       

Common sense suggests that something is utterly amiss in today’s celebrated popular music. Gone are the days when popular music was referred to as the language of the soul. Could it be that pop music is losing its art or that art is losing its essence in pop music? Where have all those deep-seated elements in good old music gone to? Could it be that this ‘enlightened’ age is about to snuff off the light of music, or that it does not just see that beauty in good music anymore?

Music is art concerned with combining vocal or instrumental sounds for beauty of form or emotional expression, usually according to cultural standards of rhythm, melody, and, harmony. The Greek term from which the word "music" is derived was a generic one, referring to any art or science practised under the aegis of the muses, which were considered as the source of knowledge that inspired the creation of arts and literature. From the aforesaid, music demands creativity, an outpour of knowledge that should lean on nature, values and morals, no matter the form of expression it takes. Re-echoing the French theorist, Abraham Moles, music must, as an art, obey rules; the rule of aesthetics which is to enumerate universally valid roles, not to perpetuate the arbitrary or merely traditional or popular culture as opposed to meaning.

From historical accounts, it is evident that the power to influence men has always been attributed to music. Its ecstatic potentials have been recognized in all cultures, the ancient Greek, Roman, Chinese, and Persian philosophers have great attribute to music. According to Confucius (551–479 BC), 'great music should be in harmony with the universe, restoring order to the physical world through that harmony’. He saw music, as a true mirror of character, which makes pretence or deception impossible. Confucius also assigned an important place to music in the service of a well-ordered moral universe. Plato (428–348/347 BC), like Confucius, looked on music as a department of ethics. He saw a correspondence between the character of a man and the music that represents him. Even African traditional cultures which are warmly preserved and exhibited in music through folk songs (moon-light tales and dirges) affirm such proposition by Confucius and Plato.

There is a huge gap between what music has been historically, and what it should be in the contemporary time. A glance at important element of a good music shows not only rhythm, harmony, melody, structure and form but the text/lyrics as well. In recent pop songs undue importance have been placed on the  rhythm, harmony, melody, structure and form (which is normally regarded as the 'beat' of a song), and this has resulted to the prevalence of plenitude of music with low intellectual, moral, and even decadent lyrics. It is common now, that for any music record to be a success there could be either a vulgar content or an immoral display, which is total deviation from what music should be. Even live performances, which are the physical expression of music, have been turned to a mere tool for promoting a record label.

The most troublesome problem not only for the untutored listener but also for the professional musician has been, in this contemporary times, the loss of the main purpose of art. The principal focus of arts is to imitate the nature of man and the universe, and not merely to depict the unnatural attribute of man. It is an offence to nature to perceive music as only ‘fun’, while it, in reality, transcends to more noble aspirations of man.

There is a need to revive the real essence of art that is lost in recent pop songs, because this present generation has the responsibility of rejuvenating the sound intellectual, moral, and aesthetic heritage which it acquired in the past and build upon such structure. And posterity will never forgive us if we consciously terminate this nexus that unites us with our past.

Chima Ikenganyia wrote from University of Ibadan, Faculty of Law, and can be reached at Chimaobi.ikenganyia@hotmail.com

Editor: Kay Bello, +2348037298557, theconsciencenews@gmail.com.

ASUU STRIKE: MATTERS ARISING

Nigerian students.  source:ynaija.com

BY KAYODE BELLO

With the tirades of accusations and counter accusations from both ends: one from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the others from the Federal Government ably represented by the Finance Minister, Mrs.Okonjo Iweala, Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike, and Doyin Okupe, the Senior Special Assistant to the Nigerian President on Public Affairs, not forgetting the NANS President’s contributions, Mr. Yinka Gbadebo cum various opinions, facts, and figures presented in the course of the strike, it is of concern that such cannot just go without certain consequences. Some consequences can be envisaged while others may remain hidden. Just with 200 billion Naira injected into the public universities nationwide, how will it be divided within the universities? Will it be according to the population of the university or in terms of the needs of the universities? Take a typical federal university for instance and compare such with a state-owned university. Olabisi Onabanjo university for instance has been reported by the National Economic Empowerment and Development Strategy (NEEDS) in its report that facilities at the University are in a sorry state, yet year in, year out, the university churns out  graduates. Only OOU’s Faculty of Law was rated fairly in terms of facilities and level of development. May be it is not far-fetched to know why it is one of the best Law faculties in the country. With no malice against other institutions, I have met some OOU products from the university, and they have proved me wrong with such notion that OOU may be a dumping ground of students. It is only that the other institutions may pride themselves due to such facilities and names they enjoyed over time. What the Federal government and the Academic Union of must be after is ensuring if not even developments, at least a noticeable development across board. It still remains unclear if the state-owned universities would benefit from the the lot.

Although not all matters concerning the ASUU strike can be reported on the pages of newspapers, magazines or aired on the broadcast media, but issues that form the very essence of agitations and related ones should not be left unaddressed. The Unilorin 44 is an issue that reminded the National Executive Council (NEC) of ASUU of the need to include the non-victimization clause in the Memorandum of Understanding plus other issues like the payment of the stopped salaries, since the varsity lecturers down tools. Initially, itwas a case of: ‘No work, No Pay’, then later it became: ‘’ No Pay, No Work.’’ President Goodluck Jonathan said it was the pro-chancellors and vice chancellors of the universities that gave the directive that the varsity lecturers must resume on December 4, 2013, which was later extended to December 09, 2013. The varsity lecturers kicked back saying such were empty threats. In a swift reaction, Wike and his counterpart at the Aso Villa, Okupe, who once accused some Nigerians of suffering from certain medical disease to have criticized President Goodluck Jonathan, launched an attack at the agitating lecturers.Okupe has always been referred to as the Presidency’s bulldog. Anyway, Femi Fani-Kayode once acted such role, as he one-time lambasted the grey-haired English maestro, cum public commentator, Prof. Wole Soyinka of suffering from old age.

Still on ASUU/FG impasse, one would love to opine that this should be the last industrial strike action. Yes, of course, everyone that had been affected one way or the other must have opined so, but what would happen to the N200 billion is something only known to the deity (God). Thus, the spending would be left in hands of those that the lives of many living and unborn are entrusted in terms of bringing back the glory of our tertiary institutions especially the universities in the country. If one can vouch for the Economic and  Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt  Practices and other related offences Commission, and other  monitoring or civil societies, then  Nigerians can be told to have a hitch-free or ‘mosquito-free’ nights without getting disturbed,but would the spending of the fund be like normal cases of untraceable funds in the country. The cases of Oduah, Farouk Lawan versus Otedola, among others are hanging sending signals to those still interested to take away their gaze on the matters. ASUU claimed its lingering strike would bring about rejuvenation of the public universities, but is it ready to monitor the fund, and ensure it is used for what are outlined? Hope when the fund disembarks at the various airports of different beneficiary varsities, it would not take another flight through the back doors of the governing councils of the universities, or part of it would suddenly get wings and fly away.

Furthermore, the Union had put as a clause, the non-victimization of its members but are they not going to be victimizing students again in their respective institutions? ASUU can be said to be the only fighting or living Union in the country, as the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) lost it during the Oil Subsidy Removal protest. ASUU today could not have put as part of the clauses that there should be no increment in school fees payable by the students in different institutions, because it would leave that to the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) that had been seen as anti-ASUU in this struggle. One must be reminded that NANS has apparently become a political wing in the hands of the ruling party for the monetary reason of being rich quick by those that occupy the helms of affairs of NANS. Of course, at various instances it had been said that the government is really subsidizing public institutions. Remove the subsidy or subventions, then students are expected to pay through their nose because they often come from very poor backgrounds. These students may in nearest future face an increment in school fees. Why? The answer is simple. The government needs money to fund public institutions. Already, LASU example is always being justified by Babatunde Fashola (SAN), the Lagos State Governor, saying for instance, if you pay N25,000 as tuition fee, then you should expect N25,000 worth of knowledge, but if you pay N250,000 worth of tuition, then expect a bountiful and robust knowledge that worth an international level, or somehow close to it. One argument to put up is: do we really provide such facilities worth huge amount when students or parents pay handsomely? Take the case of the Nigerian Law School as an example as reported in the Punch newspaper of Saturday, December 7, 2013, pages 18,19, and 20, titled: ‘’Suffering and Smiling in Lagos Law School.’’ The law students would pay over N295,000yetthe facilities are not commensurate with the amount payable. Some students on the social media had said there must now be air-conditioned classrooms and the scarcity of water and epileptic power supply that discourage learning and studying must be things of the past as N200 billion is on the way to the institutions. If the school fees are increased, then some students may be rebellious, take to the streets. When they take to the streets, some are used as scapegoats, as deterrents to others through rustication or expulsion especially if their parents are not known Professors in the University or they do not belong to certain caucus.

More importantly, hope the Presidency is not paying lip service to the matters on ground. One must know that the ultimatum on resumption to the striking lecturers was due to the fact that year 2013 is a  crucial year in resolving all matters before 2014, and ultimately year 2015, the general elections are due to hold. So, hope there would not be another ploy to frustrate the whole struggle by ASUU later on. Initially, what Okonjo Iweala was saying was that no money to pay the striking lecturers, but at a time some amount was added. From experience, the Presidency parades the likes of Wike, Abati, and Okupe who apparently say something today to come out the following day to say no they did not say so. Hence, maybe the FG is saying abracadabra. Also, the pumping of the N200 billion yearly in the next five years into the universities may be turned into a set-up by the government. How? Take a scenario where the money is actually given to the universities to discredit them in terms of spending. Can you as a Nigerian vouch personally to be on a look-out for how the money will be spent judiciously? The Federal Government may be a devil that one has to hold a long spoon to eat with. To ASUU, they are winning,  but to Federal Government there may be hidden agenda to tell Nigerians that the money given is not appropriately used by the universities and  the governing councils of the Universities would comprise  if not all the ASUU members, that would determine the spending of the money on the itemized projects. This is to say that the universities cannot be really separated from ASUU, while the principal officers of the universities are often members of ASUU, especially the vice chancellors who are picked from ASUU’s rank and file. The issues on ground are intertwined, and except those in charge realize that it is one thing to embark on strike, or protest, it is another to ensure victory, success or to achieve at the end of it all. Of course, some would jostle for contracts and supervisors would naturally inflate prices for there is N200 billion coming from the government. The vice chancellors and pro-chancellors even top functionaries or politicians would recommend their people for contracts. Part of what had been enumerated by ASUU as lacking are inadequate or poorly funded libraries, poor living condition,inadequate and overcrowded  classrooms, inadequate  staff, low ranking of Nigerian universities, inadequate  research and learning facilities, compared with the rest of the world and what ought to be.

Moreover, one must inform ASUU that one major reason the students were divided over the strike has been that the varsity lecturers themselves do not promote an atmosphere of freedom of speech at the universities. NANS either lacks proper orientation on what ASUU is fighting for or the NANS itself has been bought over. Lecturers must see students as partners in progress and development of the universities. They must be given courage to speak against evils or ills in the universities and society, with the view to contributing critically and meaningfully.But it is alarming that what an average student preoccupies his/her mind with is how to make money quickly, become most successful instantly or watch who and who are reigning in the entertainment industry, or which song is the latest. These days due to government’s failure to provide basic amenities for the citizenry, citizens are now thinking of how to create wealth and be able to attend congregational services to give thanksgivings, whereas many might have duped or outsmarted the other in other to ride the latest vehicles. Hope, moderation, discipline, contentment and corruption-free society must be ensured. The educational institutions must contribute their unreserved quota in these ventures. They must be seen as contributors in the Project Nigeria. Lectures or University administrators must not think they have the monopoly of knowledge or solutions to the Nigerian problems. These if ensured would restore hope in an average young Nigerian. Though it is a gradual process, as an average lecturer in Nigeria may think the hell he goes through, others must go through it. The decadence and educational backwardness in Nigeria is not today’s occurrence. It is an accumulation of years of neglect and bastardization. Many public primary and secondary schools have been turned to their shadows or skeletons- no adequate classrooms, laboratories are now warehouses for cockroaches, rodents, spiders, and all sorts of unpalatable inhabitants. Quack personnel litter and parade those schools. Teaching is no longer interesting, as even colleges, institutes or faculties of education might boast of competent personnel or products, yet the privately-owned ones are unaffordable for the common men who think their votes would result into better life for themselves and others.

Additionally, would competency, adequacy of facilities and personnel among other criteria be truly looked into by the Academic Staff that accredit the universities? The Academic Union that complains of dilapidation in some institutions has also been accused of participating in accreditation of those institutions hence there is the need for sincerity in approving those institutions. Some solutions to the perennial and recurring problems have been proffered. The government, ASUU, students, all and sundry must ensure that their hands are on deck towards revamp of the Nigerian primary, secondary and tertiary institutions for the actualization of the progress, development, and transformation we yearn for. Most importantly, a Committee must be set up to monitor the spending, while the National Assembly performs its oversight functions. And that is if they perform actually their oversight functions, not witch-hunt or what-do-you-have-for-us functions.

Happy resumption!!!

Kayode Bello is a Law Graduate, Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. +2348037298557.