Simbi goes to school [Featured Artiste: Psalmos]
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| Simbi / Image Source: BBM |
One
problem we can all agree on that plagues Nigerian universities is cultism. It used to be that this was a problem that was
peculiar to public universities, and that the private universities were
“squeaky clean” and did not have cults.
But the reality is that regardless of the affiliation of the private
universities (e.g. Bowen University is owned by the Nigerian Baptist Convention,
and Babcock is owned by the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Nigeria), there is
a growing problem of cultism in private universities. It does not matter
whether the cultists in private schools are ex-cultists who were rusticated
from public universities or whether some students feel that their learning
experience is not complete without cultism (hence the need to create cults in
an otherwise “cult-free” environment). What
matters though is the implication of this trend for private universities in
Nigeria.
It means that for those who refused to enroll in public universities for that particular reason (i.e. to avoid cultism wahala), presently (and arguably in the years to come), they can expect to ‘face the music’ in private universities as well. I don’t think I need to make a case against cultism; it has claimed too many lives and caused too much irreparable damage for any sane person to brand it as a good thing. I personally think cults are gangs and so the problem should be treated as a “special crime.” However, labeling it as a crime (which I think you can justifiably call it), raises the issue of enforcement, and as we all know, the Nigerian Police Force is not exactly capable of handling regular crimes like armed robbery, talk less of cultism.
It means that for those who refused to enroll in public universities for that particular reason (i.e. to avoid cultism wahala), presently (and arguably in the years to come), they can expect to ‘face the music’ in private universities as well. I don’t think I need to make a case against cultism; it has claimed too many lives and caused too much irreparable damage for any sane person to brand it as a good thing. I personally think cults are gangs and so the problem should be treated as a “special crime.” However, labeling it as a crime (which I think you can justifiably call it), raises the issue of enforcement, and as we all know, the Nigerian Police Force is not exactly capable of handling regular crimes like armed robbery, talk less of cultism.
Without
going into details of the various ways in which the police force is in dire
need of help (I am sure we are all aware of this), my point is this: Changing
the nature (I am not sure this is the right word) of schools (i.e. private
versus public) clearly has not eliminated the problem of cultism. If that was the solution, then we would not
even be having this discussion. But clearly
the problem of cultism is much more deeply-rooted than we may think and just
chopping off the “branches” cannot even be classified as damage control,
because the root of the problem still remains.
The question though is what is the root of the problem of cultism? I have a few thoughts, but I will share them
in subsequent posts. Let me stop here
for now, but please if you have any answers, share them abeg!
Featured Artiste: Psalmos
Today’s
Featured Artiste is none other than Psalmos.
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| Psalmos [Screen shot] |
Her song “He Good” featuring Hess caught my attention for two reasons:
First, her voice. She has a sonorous
voice (the auto-tune was totally unnecessary, Psalmos. Just singing with your own voice throughout
would have been just fine). Second, the
song combines a few popular Yoruba praise and worship songs (maybe I should
even call them “old school” self because I have not heard those songs in ages)
in a nice medley while adding her own distinctive touch to it. For me, that’s a plus because I typically
don’t like listening to praise and worship songs unless you have done something
different and/or innovative with them to make me look at them from another
angle. (*Gospel artistes, please take
note o!*). The video was also enjoyable
and I loved that her pink and blue dress (pictured below).
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| Psalmos in her pink and blue dress [Screen shot] |
And if I am not mistaken, the Late C. D. John (comedian) made a cameo appearance in the video. He was the one “conducting” with his hands and keeping a poker face. (*see screenshot below*) I still can’t believe he is gone. R. I. P. C. D. John.
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| C. D. John [Screen shot] |
Alrighty,
you know the drill. Please see below
further information on Psalmos. I
decided to play around with a table today *smiles* Enjoy!
Artiste’s
Stage Name:
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Psalmos
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Artiste’s
Real Name:
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Bolaji Olayinka
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Social
Networks:
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Download /
Listen to Music:
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More
Information on Artiste:
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Featured
Song:
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He Good featuring Hess
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He Good (Audio):
He Good (Video):
I totally agree it should be treated as some sort of crime. private universities these days have the worst of morally decadent youths.
Nice post, looking forward to subsequent ones
Wherever you find a large group of adults from different backgrounds, some social vices are bound to be present. It doesn't matter whether you label it public, private or whatever. Names don't change the root cause. Well done
Yes, unfortunately it is the case. Private universities are not the answer to all the problems faced in Nigerian universities. They just surface again.
Thanks for stopping by!
Thanks, Atilola. The students themselves are part of the problem, and sometimes it is rooted in the families they come from. Private schools may have started out as an alternative, but now, they have certainly joined the bandwagon.
Thanks for stopping by!
The root cause...Family. Family systems are degraded and parents have little time or interest in monitoring their wards these days. Thing is, one way or the other, these kids always learn. If you fail to teach them at home, they learn outside. Its inevitable. It's the reason for rise in vices and moral decadence these days. UK riots is a good example.
I believe if an individual has the right background and perception of life right from home, it would be hard to build upon that already-sound belief system unlike the naive one left to be whatever he cares to be.
Very true, Michael. Family is definitely at the root of the cultism issue, but it is not the only culprit. Cults can only survive for so long without "support" (financial and otherwise), and so there are powerful people in society who support these groups and of course perpetuate them too. And you really hit the nail on the head with the "learning outside" point (it applies to sex education too).
Your last comment reminds me of the bible verse that talks about training up a child in the way he should go and when he grows up, he will not depart from that part. But I still wonder at some PKs (Pastor's Kids) who were supposedly raised right, but their lifestyle ehn....E be like say dem don miss road.
hey dear, i passed on the 'one lovely blog award to you'. check it out on my latest post. xoxo
My goodness, Uduak, you are SO SWEET! This totally made my day. I was pleasantly surprised (I love surprises) ... Thank you so so much. I am off to your blog to check it out. Thanks so much again! I really appreciate it.
Awww I love Psalmos's song actually. I love the outfitsl and the words were amazing although like you said she did include the old school song, it still made sense. I can't stop listening to the song. My speaker are begging me to stop. lol.
And CD John definitely added a touch. Bless him.
Thanks for coming by my blog and following. God bless ya plenty!
;-)
You love the song? Well, I am definitely glad to hear that. Lord knows I was fighting ojukokoro looking at those outfits. LOL @ your speakers. They better stop complaining jo ... Tell them you haven't started sef! CD John left a vacuum behind and I am sure he is missed.
Thanks for stopping by my blog too! Please visit often.
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