Simbi goes to school [Featured Artiste: Psalmos]
 |
| 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.
 |
| 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).
 |
| 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.
 |
| 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:
|
Psalmos
|
Artiste’s
Real Name:
|
Bolaji Olayinka
|
Social
Networks:
|
|
Download /
Listen to Music:
|
|
More
Information on Artiste:
|
|
Featured
Song:
|
He Good featuring Hess
|
He Good (Audio):
He Good (Video):
