The RSVP diaries: episode 1.

This is the story of a youth who has complained for a long time about Nigeria, and finally gets a chance to contribute his quota.

Ever since the DG of NYSC announced during orientation camp that Youth Corpers will be used for the registration and elections this year, i have waited for this day. To be a part of the process and try to make a little change, to put in a little effort, is something not many can lay claim to. Some WANT to be involved, but can't. Some CAN get involved, but are pessimistic about things changing so they do nothing. Some CAN do more, but don't because of the same reason: they feel nothing will change. I on the other hand CAN get involved, IS getting involved, and i AM optimistic about change. So i feel blessed. Yes, optimism is a blessing, skepticism is a curse. Quote me.

However, the road to this participation was fairly stressful. Dealing with civil servants is an exercise in perseverance, especially the INEC officials in Apapa. Maybe i'm just complaining. Anyway, after 2 days of training and endless time on one queue or the other, i ended up at Sari-Iganmu, just off the expressway that goes to Mile 2. The making of a railway line that links one end of Lagos to the other is already well underway. Let me not digress.

I found very enthusiastic residents, who were very warm and helpful to us, and helped us to set up. The big disappointment of today were the finger print scanners from Zinox. It seems that we in Apapa got most of the bad ones, because registration virtually ground to a halt across the local government, and even beyond. Zinox can do a lot better than that. They have just given other local companies a bad name. I hope INEC has a back up plan that can go into effect early tomorrow morning because there is a tremendous amount of expectation and desire among ordinary Nigerians to get involved in the process. People are waking up. It is something that can't be properly grasped unless you are walking the streets with a box marked 'INEC', being stopped every few feet by ordinary people asking: 'will you come tomorrow?'

However, some youths are going to have to stretch themselves physically and deny themselves a few comforts for a short while to keep up with this enthusiasm. My day began at 7am, ended at 8pm and It seems I am condemned to missing Manchester United's game at Spurs. The things I do for my country. I wouldn't have it any other way.