NYSC-Now Your Suffering Continues

Fresh university graduates in Nigeria are obliged by law, since 1973, to serve the country for 12 months, in a location other than their geographical region of origin. This is otherwise referred to as the NYSC-National Youth Service Corps.

Well, I have just approached that stage in my life, and it is only normal that I give it more thought than ever before.

In my first sentence, I emphasized the word ‘serve’. Why, you ask? From my survey only a minute fraction of these service corps actually look forward to ‘serving the nation’. This is simple to explain; patriotic service in this nation gives you a public image of a naïve or unwise person, even if it gives you personal fulfillment. I remember, twice, being the subject of a practical joke (by grown-ups) for using a public waste bin instead of the more convenient floor. “He is still a student”, they said and giggled; which translates to “He is still being taught the ideals in school not knowing how impracticable they are in the real Nigeria”

In spite of this, there are two reasons why graduates go ahead to serve: 1. Certificate of NYSC is a requisite for a lot of job applications; 2. To stay busy straight out of school since you’re probably not yet earning a decent living.

So let me create the familiar scenario of an intending corp member from, say, Anambra State (South-Eastern Nigeria). This means that this corp member would most likely be posted to a northern state say Zamfara State, which has an unfriendly, religious extremist public image. There are 7/10 chances that his primary assignment would be in a remote location in Zamfara. When I say remote, I mean remote. Perhaps, faded cell communication signals or inaccessible transportation (canoes as some ex-corp members experienced). Yet, you’re expected to live on an allowance of N7,500/month, i.e. $52/month, or somewhat above. That explains why a lot of corp members are still dependent on parents and well-wishers. “It’s not all that bad; it’s an experience” some say. On such issues, I’d prefer to learn from someone else’s experience.

Naturally, one of the objectives of NYSC was to foster unity, but I wonder if it has made any impact since inception. Unity, unfortunately, is another ideal concept in Nigeria. Jingoism is zealously projected in the media but deep down in the hearts ethnic separations and diverse beliefs are its greatest enemies. The future seems bleak as to when these enemies may turn around to become strengths.

Now, these enemies as well as the case of my pitiable fictitious corp member, cause a lot of graduates to nurse uncertainties over the NYSC programme. So, what are the defense mechanisms commonly employed?
1. You make an attempt to influence your posting, through officials, to at least a civilized location.
2. You sort out for yourself a convenient primary assignment may be with pecuniary gains or better professional experience; and still act on (1) above.
3. Boycott the entire service, if you have momentous plans for life, and device a means to obtain an NYSC certificate after 12 months
4. If you are a lady, and you’ve gotten spliced, look out for, and enjoy concessionary benefits with regards to posting.
5. Be patriotic; serve the nation even if she is considered undeserving, and ignore opposing opinions. After all, to do what no man has done, you must go where no man has gone.

Nevertheless, I hope to serve my nation soon. The next batch of corp members will start by March, another by September. I hope to be enlisted. I hope to make a difference. I hope I have communicated!!

Afro Hip-hop; made in Nigeria

I was, about 24 hours ago, racking my brain to write on an issue that really summed up 2005 in a social context, and I slapped myself two minutes later in disappointment. How come I even had to ‘rack’? Nigerian hip hop had settled in so nicely that I almost lost sight of the massive leap it experienced this year. Proudly, I tagged it “Afro Hip hop; made in Nigeria”.

So, what made the immediate past year different?
To start with, I must state that hip hop has been in Nigeria. I can’t even guess how long. Most of what I see in the Nigerian artists are styles, concepts, and themes adapted from foreign (especially American) artists. However, the real ingenuity is revealed in the use of pidgin English blended nicely with the Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, or any other local language, to produce melodies just as nice as any of the foreign ones we have craved all these years. The most improved area of the business was the music videos. The production was television-worthy; I mean internationally. That’s the key for export, and that’s why it was exported. A few Nigerian artists are unbelievably popular and adored in so many African countries; thanks largely to MTV Base, and Channel O who beamed these artists to the world on satellite TV (predominantly DSTV® for Nigerian viewers). Hey! I must also add, to the credits, Soundcity, our local alternative for those of us who do not subscribe to satellite TV.

2Face, D’Banj, P-square, Rugged Man, Faze, Styl-Plus, Ruff Rugged n’Raw, Majek Fashek and a host of others were the star names. In particular, two artists: Sunny Nneji and Lagbaja caught my attention. I singled them out because I can not exactly classify them as hip hop. Sunny Nneji captures highlife in Rhythm and Blues, while Lagbaja does the same to Afrobeat, or Afrocalypso as he calls it. Hence, they both appeal to a wider age range of audience, whereas the others have the bulk of their fans as youths.

2Face was undoubtedly the ‘Revelation of the Year’ as the Kora® Awards puts it. ‘Best African Act’ according to MTV; and that gesture by MTV is probably what shot 2Face well ahead of the others. He is indeed, at the moment, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) in the game.

Despite all the accolades of the hip hop scene, Lagbaja remains top on my list. A high export value. His concept is unique; the man without a face who speaks for those without a voice. A masked man; the only visible details are his eyes and mouth. That, alone, is sufficient to instigate interest and suspense. The orchestra of percussionists, the brass section, and the melodious coarse voice, defines this persona.

The radio stations had a rich harvest. For once they had good reason to play a lot more local content; an issue encouraged by the government’s regulatory body (NBC). The DJs virtually play Nigerian and the preferred foreign music back-to-back, and most importantly, leaving you still tuned in.

The image which this Afro hip hop portrays creeps up as an afterthought. Is that what music in Nigeria is all about? NO, but it is the popular music because it is unremittingly on the air, which in turn is aligned with our desire as a developing country to keep up with the Joneses. There is a massive variety of Nigerian music out there yet too unrefined for outright popularity, in the commercial sense.

Besides the national football team, Super Eagles, Afro Hip hop might be the proudest ‘Made in Nigeria’ product a lot of youths here can identify with.