One person

So in 2007, I just wrote my final exams and the world seemed to be full of possibilities. I was certain of one thing at the time… I wanted to dance. And being based in a then ‘small town’, I was not sure of all my options. Most of my friends and colleagues I danced with had done one of two things: either switched to ‘more lucrative endeavors’ or moved to Lagos. Yes Lagos, I remember that at the time, it seemed like the only place in the world I knew where my dreams stood a chance at succeeding, so I convinced my mum that I’d like to visit an aunt of mine for a while she said it was cool.

I had it all worked out, I would see Pastor Segs. of Spirit Of David GDC which I was and still am a part of and tell him i was looking for dance work, then I would enroll in SPAN and learn those things I’d seen on TV. Considering I just concluded a degree in foreign languages I would stop by the French embassy for some part time work. Yes, I was at that stage in my life when one believed everything was possible if you wanted it enough.

So I went for Spirit of David rehearsals, joined the technical team for Celebrity takes 2: Season 1, stated classes at SPAN and Sarah had agreed to put in a word for me at the French Embassy and everything seemed to be on track. It seemed everyone was in Lagos and also looked like every one was succeeding and moving ahead as well. Being me I asked my usual ‘how did you’ questions and wondered why my 'small town’ didn’t operate the same way. A lot of the people I met there in Lagos once lived in Uyo but I was told the systems and organizations needed where not yet available in my state to accommodate the kind of operations I was interested it.

First of all, as much as I enjoyed Lagos, being there was a little frustrating. To be anywhere on time you had to give yourself, literally at least a two hour head start in a bus if you didn’t have a car or a taxi if you had extra cash to spend, then you get dropped on some crowded high way which you probably have to cross like you were playing a video game. Now comparing that to Uyo where every point is at most 10minutes away on a bike if you didn’t drive, wind in your face till you got dropped by the very door you want get to. To say the least, as enlightening as that week was I wished the best options that made the different aspects of the dance community work in Lagos could be lifted and planted in Uyo.

Then I got a call from my mum “Edima, NYSC list is out and I think your name is on it” I can never forget that sentence because it set the course of my life in a different direction. I had a decision to make. Would I go and mobilize for service… or not? She argued that it would be just one year, and besides there was a one in hundred chance that I could be posted to Lagos and I would never know unless I checked. Remember I was at a stage i believed everything was possible so I packed some of my things and went back to Uyo.

I got to town and went to school and lo and behold I was posted to Katsina State. Katsina is in the North, It is a Sharia state, killings and riots at the time were rampant in the North. I am a Christian female, who wanted to dance and had a reputation for long red hair. In some communities I feared I would probably be stoned. Then I realized, for some reason almost everyone from my school was sent to the north that year. I was not the only one upset, in fact I didn’t even look upset, some people were crying, others raining curses on the government and some guys were planning to destroy school property as a result of their posting (like it was the schools fault). Then we got a message that the then Dean of Student Affairs wanted a word with all of us who were just posted.

Now I do not remember a word from that meeting, all i know was that when he was done we all were looking forward to leaving for service. I in particular thought 'what was the worst that could happen’. We had approximately 10 days to get our things together and arrive at camp.

I remember thinking on my flight to Lagos (because I had to get back to Lagos to sort some things before moving to Katsina) One person convinced hundreds of us to dare an adventure to a zone were we all knew at least one person who died serving in. I also played that thought beside the reality that another 'one person’ who dared all odds and also convinced hundreds round the country to dance with him in the name of God. Another 'one person’ who convinced the world to go to war for different reasons, and 'one person’ who made so much noise that changed the core identity of my entire state, Akwa Ibom. 'One person’ inspired carnivals in Nigeria which is now a multi billion Naira industry, 'One person’ redefined modeling and pageantry in Nigeria.

A lot of 'one persons’ were on my mind all of that 45 minutes. And the both the power and weight of responsibility of who they were and who they became. Considering the world, all the people in it and the possibilities if more stood up to one cause.

All of a sudden wanting to dance seemed too small a cause but a starting point of one. I was heading to a land where no one knew me or what I could do. So I decided I would use my service year to develop a cause and a plan to see it through. As I landed in Lagos I made up my mind, that I would leave for Katsina and when I was done serving I would return to Uyo with the new vision I would develop and only visit Lagos and other 'big towns’. Because I for one, am 'One Person’