“The real language of African Theatre could only be found among the people – the peasantry in particular – in their life, history and struggles”

Ngugi Wa Thiongo

     We can begin with the moment I became one with the theatre. That temporal existence in my first year when I completed the triangle of actor, audience and stage with a young actor whose performance put me into a silent serendipity – a state that would manifest two years after that fateful performance. Those two years have led up to this day, as I put this to paper as a third year student of a Theatre Arts department. Or we could begin further back in time with Chief Hubert Ogunde, to 1944 when he created his professional theatre company which after two years – just as my fateful coincidental theatrical realization – he performed “Tiger’s Empire”, a stage performance that attacked colonial rule. Chief Hubert Ogunde would go on to put up a myriad of theatrical performances that enjoyed the people’s enthusiasm and satiated their need for a pristine allusion to the African self and a voice against national subjugation. Or we might as well go as far back in time as possible, to a moment in our collective history, where one amongst our forefathers wore the Egungu masquerade costume or the Adanma masquerade of the Igbos and the people escorted him in a unified theatrical and ritualistic expression. Our people are a people of ritual, and ritual to a large extent connotes repetition and cyclical definitions, so I must return to that place, that moment this all began – with me, an actor, and a stage.

       I do not love the theatre as a space. I love the theatre as an entity of people, an agglomeration of varying artistic presentations and its two-way communication express – actor and audience. The theatre, given a modicum, can mend social boundaries, can make statements, can create awareness and in its simplest form, can light fire in the eyes of a vast number of audience members or a greenhorn undergraduate. The European theatre today enjoys – as it always has – all the enthusiasm and acknowledgement Chief Hubert Ogunde’s theatre enjoyed from the 40s till the death of the Chief in 1990. The Nigerian theatre today however, has lost that glimmer, respect and awe it used to command from the audience. This death of a national theatre culture – by theatre culture, I mean the acknowledgement and appreciation of theatre – can be associated to a number of reasons; the rise of the equally defunct film industry; lack of intensive governmental support; the repulsive state of the national theatre; the massive crossover of theatre stage directors into the film industry; and the exorbitant price of theatre performance tickets today. Our people have been so bludgeoned by the over-productivity of the film industry that they have forgotten the immediacy of the theatre. I am most certain that my parents have never been to the theatre and this will most likely be the same story with all the people in my age range. Is it that in our history of juntas, a civil war, juntas, an ambiguous democratic rule, juntas and an ambiguous democratic rule we have forgotten a means of protest so interwoven with our existence? Or is it simply that the film did this before the theatre and thus usurped the theatre at speaking for and to the people?

     

 There are a number of functional theatres today – with quasi-professional spaces and spurious theatrical offerings – but they are highly commercialized because gate fees stand averagely at ₦5,000. And those rare ₦1,000 offers fall into found-and-created spaces and further down the ladder of performances and spaces are those found in the nation’s higher institutions which start from ₦300. An important factor in the demise of theatre culture among our people today is the exorbitant fees at the entrance of performances that have all the money to spend on colours and glimmer and spectacle but lack qualitative truthful theatrical experiences. For fear of being misunderstood, I present an iota of clarity. The theatre must at all times be an exaggerated and glamourized form of reality. Colours, glimmers and audacious spectacle are allowed to be present in the art form. But this extravagance and actor exaggeration must be done consciously with the audience (the final consumer) in mind. Audience in this respect unambiguously means every class in the social system. The Nigerian theatre’s glimmers and colours are only for a particular class. This type of theatre, I’ll term ‘Theatre for the Rich’. This theatre pushes the bourgeois and the common man out its door and exists simply for commercial gain. Arguments for this type of theatre must undisputedly be termed selfish and myopic because in a clime where the theatre culture is abysmal and that sacred art form silenced by a noisy film industry, this type of theatre is suicidal to the national theatre culture. The key figure of this piece, Hubert Ogunde is credited to have contemporized and commercialized the Nigerian theatre (the Yoruban theatre in particular), but even Hubert Ogunde’s theatre was open to all classes of people. And if we go back momentarily in time (again), we will arrive at the doorstep of our initiation rites, wedding ceremonies, our funeral passages, and find that the theatre never selected or rejected only a particular class. The theatre – as I have said earlier – is a singular entity of different peoples, races, sexes and classes. And if for variety purpose, we divert to a colonial selection as prototype, we will find that although the Roman, Greek and Shakespearean theatres had demarcations, all classes of the people were present for performances or better put, were allowed financially to see performances. The doors of the Nigerian theatre today are largely closed to the common man. The absence of the common man in the theatre has irrevocably contributed to dearth of the country’s theatre culture. The common man in Nigeria are those who do not have ₦5,000 (and sometimes even, ₦1,000) to spare for a ‘side attraction’. They are those who haven’t had their salaries credited to them by the state or federal government (the almighty civil service). The common man is the bus conductor, the petty trader, the taxi driver, the bank attendant. The common man is (possibly) you and me. The absence of the aforementioned set of people has reduced the potential revenue that the theatre could present to the country’s economy through taxation of spaces by state and local government. The theatre has core elements that define its existence – a space, a performer and an audience. One element is substantially missing in this holy triangle and its absence has thus subjected the theatre to artistic profanity.

       The revival of theatre culture cannot be sensitized with exorbitant gate fees. To reawaken this ancient urge within the people, we must obviously fling the doors of theatre open to all classes and perhaps show elements hitherto present in our own form of theatre, which in this case are ritual and communality. When I speak of the common man, I speak even for the market woman and those who have never heard and will most likely never hear of the theatre. When I speak about the revival of the theatre, I speak of a holistic national revival. This can first be arrived by the theatre itself answering a collectively silent but pertinent. question; what does this audience want? This question is there, laying underneath rubbles of forgotten actor-audience interrelated immediacy. Forgotten beneath years and years of active and authentic theatrical spatial existence available for all classes. Sadly, throwing the theatre back in the face of the audience will not solve this problem. It will be procedural and excruciating. I do not believe in fact, that it can be reawakened completely in my lifetime (and I am a young man). But it must start somewhere and if not now, then when? If not us, then who?

Some solutions are presented in this fashion:

1. A collective, national competition that holds at the end of every year, around the festive period (when we are most simultaneously active and relaxed) where each theatre department in every university in the country selects its best student play performance and these plays are run before seasoned theatre directors at the National Theatre before a national audience and a winner is selected. Of course a form of incentive must be made available. This gives a national platform of exposure for upcoming stage directors (and even potential screen directors) to express their talents.

2. If the people will not go to the theatre, then the theatre will go to the people. Ngugi Wa Thiongo held rehearsals in open spaces in the eyes of the Kenyan people thus demystifying the theatrical process. He accepted contributions from strangers and passers-by. When the performances got to the people, they found their contributions in them. This undoubtedly solidifies the communal theme of African theatre. Although, Ngugi isn’t totally our solution, he is a valid example.

3. A more active (than the current taciturn ones) and necessarily proactive and collective theatre student association be created that addresses issues concerning this problem and those to arise to replace it when it is finally battled. Membership into this body should be compulsory for every theatre arts department in the country’s higher institutions.

        I have been accosted verbally and labelled an idealist for believing the Nigerian theatre stage can be a valid platform for directorial, musical, dance and generally, theatrical inclined artistic expression. I find this distasteful because if we all spend an average of four years in theatre departments at our various universities only to graduate and serve the film industry, why come into the department to begin with? I also understand that there is a faction of students who find themselves in the department because of lack of adequate film schools in the country. I am amongst those people, but from that moment I saw that actor – in my first year –, that momentous spark between audience and performer that film mediates, that silent acknowledgement and recognition of audience in performer and vice versa, that immediacy gifted to performer and audience by the stage, it all changed for me. I understand that this might not be the same for others, but certainly, these film enthusiasts if presented with a functional theatre and a willing audience (of all classes) might be converted into the light of the stage.

      I must end this as I began, due to the cyclical nature of my essence as an African – with a new and more defining theatrical moment (this time not with a student actor, but a student director) in my third year. The climax of any theatrical experience can either be a resounding applause and shouts by the audience in acceptance of the performance presented to them. Or it could be a deafening silence which is birthed by an audience that has seen something truly profound and has been transported into the endless realm of introspection. I found myself a member of the latter recently when Sarah Kane’s “4.48 psychosis” was presented by a student director in my department. An audience of near 300 left the theatre thinking and rethinking critically about what depression and insanity are and how these conditions affect the human psyche. I imagined how theatre could hold the common man and enlighten the pastor beating a depressed child to cure her of “witchcraft”. How that theatre could enlighten the common man about the true colours of an oppressive but ambiguously deceitful government. Or simply, as it did two years ago for me, spark interest for the stage in a random young enthusiastic audience member.

© OLAMIDE ADIO OLANREWAJU.
DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS,
UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN,
NIGERIA.
AUGUST 2018.
Oolamide94@yahoo.com
@Adioofibadan on twitter

The Students' Union of the University of Ilorin is set to conduct a skill acquisition training tagged 'Earn as you Learn' for her students during the 2017/18 session holiday.

The training, being the first project by the Animashaun-led administration (Investing in our people) is aimed to increase the capacity of students even during the break.

In addition to the training package, the project hopes to pay students as they learn.

The registration for the exercise is opened from 29th till 30th August, 2018 at the Student Union Building(SUB), University of Ilorin.

The program is said to include courses like: catering, barbing and hairdressing.

The Nigerian Senate President, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki has declared his intentions to run for the President of Nigeria under PDP in the 2019 general elections.

The Senate President made this formal declaration on Thursday, August 30th, 2018 at a public dialogue with youths and young PDP aspirants in Abuja.

In his speech, he shared his ideas and prospects regarding the challenges faced in Nigeria. He addressed issues inclusive of poverty, economy, ethnic and religious discrimination, security and the general well being of citizens.


Tomi Ojebode,
UCJ, UNILORIN

Imagine waking up on a regular Saturday morning, stretching groggily from the previous day’s work, only to read in the newspaper delivered to you by your vendor that the last speaker of your so-called native language had passed on. Such scenario is in no way different from what Nigeria seems to be preparing for her not-so-futuristic posterity with regards to her indigenous languages.

Nigerian schools are constantly suppressing the use of indigenous languages, so much so that schools now refer to our native languages as “vernacular” and even punish students for their obduracy in speaking them. Many classroom contexts now consider the use of Nigerian languages a gross flouting of the modus operandi of the context in question. The linguistically over-eurocentric nature of many privately owned educational institutions even seems to have exacerbated the status quo such that it is not so uncommon to ask a regular Nigerian child what language s/he speaks and get the reply “My daddy says I  am Igbo”, with the child scratching his temples in uncertainty.

More so, many children for quite a while now have been derailed and dissuaded from acquiring linguistic proficiency in their mother tongue and this, often times is always traced back to the home and unmitigated ignorance on the part of their guardians who give the children the impression that speaking indigenous languages marks one as a being a rustic and archaic person. This situation, agreeably  is  common with the last and/or penultimate issue of Nigerian families who often end up not acquiring any significant level of competence both in English and in any indigenous language–precisely the caliber of people usually referred to by the Igbos as “Éfùléèfù”, which translates “the lost ones”. We keep killing our languages in these ways, yet, lament about the deteriorating use of same by the younger generation.

Quite unfortunately, even the administrative sphere is not totally vindicated with respect to being key player in the engenderment of this inglorious trend. A number of questions must therefore be asked–What of the impact of governmental policies on the pragmatic pattern of languages in Nigeria? Why has the Nigerian language policy not been fully implemented to accord due prestige and value to indigenous languages and to obliterate the level of contempt and debasement frequently dealt on indigenous languages by its speakers? Why has the government championed “linguistic unitarianism” in governmental and administrative business as well as many other key sectors of the country only to give credence to the idealness of adopting indigenous languages in canvassing for votes?  Does this mean that it fully recognizes the importance and paramountcy of native languages in the engenderment of national oneness but is only skeptical as regards the worthwhileness of their development and funding or that it nurtures doubts as regards the practicability of same?

Consequently, the level of neglect being dealt on indigenous languages has become so conspicuous even to the blind. A few months ago, the renowned writer and veteran novelist, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, lamented as regards the fact that many Igbo people in the city of Lagos are ashamed of speaking their native language but many dismissed her claims as being illogical and unfounded when the very axiom as regards same stares us in the face.

Another instance was in 2016, when the linguistic association of Nigeria (LAN) lamented that 50 languages in Nigeria would go into extinction in no distant time if stringent steps are not taken to avert the situation. Well, none was taken. All we end up hearing is that strategies to forestall the menace are being thought up. Similarly, around the second half of the year 2006, the United Nations marked Igbo language  among the world languages projected to  go into extinction in 50 years from that time. As expected, many dismissed the idea and construed it as a baseless ruse. Is it then a co-incidence now that many Igbo people see the use of their own native tongue as being professionally and educationally disadvantageous or that many Igbo parents no longer speak Igbo language to their children? If a language is not being acquired by the younger generation, is it growing or on its path to extinction? Even among the seemingly unendangered languages are some whose purism are being contorted by English, yet, there are no obvious steps being taken to save the situation.

The importance of speaking one’s native language is something that can never be over-reiterated.
Our native tongue is a reasonto live. It is our very own identity and a means by which we are made known to the world. Language and culture are two national attributes that are frequently found in synergy such that the death of a language also implies the death of a culture and the identity and prominence of its speakers. Language is a symbol of national identity and any meaningfully developing or developed country should have an indigenous language as its official code but in the case of Nigeria, we no more speak of an indigenous official code but revamping the use of the very indigenous languages for which we are supposed to be known.

 Are we supposed to sit arms akimbo and watch mouth agape while the havoc-wrecking “fly” of language extinction hovers around our noses when there are uncomplicated steps that can be taken to ameliorate the pathetic trend? Are we going to maintain our frivolous disposition, keep refuting overtly glaring facts regarding the looming death of our languages or actively seek ways of salvaging the situation? Even at that, saving our linguistic assets is not just a solo task with which the government is saddled. All hands must hence be on deck if it is to be ensured that our wealth of languages is not lost to antiquity right under our watch.

Parents, the home have a primary role to play in this respect. They should understand and make it known to their wards that speaking a native language does not in any way deter them or their wards from acquiring laudable level of competence in English and other highly-priced European languages neither does it, in any way, deprive them access to professional opportunities that await them out there. The future of our native languages lies with the younger generation. It should hence be ensured that our languages are being spoken to the children at home.

The school is yet another social force to whose whims and caprices the children are relatively subject. They are to desist from choking our languages with their crude strategies but should rather adopt strategic measures to help students discern between their native tongues and English which is today one of the basic goals of formal education.

Ultimately, the government is not left out. It, in fact, has a major role to play in this respect by virtue of policy making and implementation. Teaching our languages across educational institutions in the country should be encouraged and enforced. Our seemingly moribund language policy should be revamped and measures should be taken to see to it that it remains not just a policy on paper but becomes a reality. With these measures in place, Nigerians would once again come to hold indigenous languages in high esteem and, who knows, perhaps in the nearest future, an indigenous official code might inadvertently present itself.



Stephen C. Kenechukwu is a linguist, a writer, an editor, a media enthusiast with keen interest in Public Relation and empowerment. He loves writing to educate, and unravel unwholesome trends in the public sphere. He is also interested in volunteering and is open to mentorship. He can be reached on +2347012312285 or StephenCharlesKenechukwu@gmail.com.

The University management has assured the student populace of a timely rectification of the issue regarding GNS312, stating  that the cause was a technical error experienced in the management of  the portal. The statement was made during a dialogue between the SU and the management.



The information was disseminated by the Students' Union, through its PRO, Isa Abass Usman. The Press Release signed by the President and the PRO of the Union, reads:



SU PRESS RELEASE:

DEAR UNILORITES,

RE: CHANGE IN UNIT COURSE FOR GNS 312

In response to sudden change in the credit unit of GNS 312 from 1unit to 2units as noticed on the school portal, officials of the student union have taken swift and immediate actions to address the issue. 

We are pleased to inform you all that confirmation has been made through our encounter with the management whom in turn assured us that the rectification shall be done soon.
The abrupt change was also reported to have been effected by some errors in the technical operations of the portal.

Be rest assured that we remain steadfast in our determination to INVEST IN PEOPLE

Signed:
ANIMASHAUN, Oluseyi
Executive President,
Student Union,
University of Ilorin.

Through:
ISA, Abass Usman
ANALIZER
PRO, 
Student Union,
University of Ilorin.



Reporting,
UCJ UNILORIN.

The Students' Union of the University of Ilorin, through its PRO, Isa Abass Usman has issued a press release regarding the sudden change in the unit of GNS312.

The report signed by the President and PRO has it that the Union has taken it as a responsibility to dialogue with the school management regarding the matter.

The statement reads:


SU PRESS RELEASE:

CHANGE IN UNIT COURSE FOR GNS321

Dear Unilorites,

Sequel to the report received concerning the sudden change in the unit of GNS312 from 1 to 2 unit course, the Union have taken it upon itself as a matter of responsibility to ensure we meet with appropriate quarters as regard the update.

We want to assure you that we are fully concerned about this and we are going to make sure that we find the reasons behind this new development and communicate to our fellow members as soon as possible.

Be always assured that we are going to be steadfast in our mission to INVEST INPEOPLE.

Signed:
ANIMASHAUN, Oluseyi
Executive President,
Student Union,
University of Ilorin.

Through:
ISA, Abass Usman
ANALIZER
PRO, 
Student Union,
University of Ilorin.



Reporting,
UCJ UNILORIN

Shortly after the release of GNS 312 (Digital Skill Acquisition) result, the course, originally a unit, changes to 2 Units.

This was confirmed on the university portal at about 1:22pm on Sunday, 26 of August, 2018.

The recently introduced course was offered by 300 Level students and some of the finalists.


There has not been any official report to confirm if it was a technical error or an intentional act by the management as at the time of filing this report.

UCJ Unilorin

The sensational 8th most influential young Nigerian, Mr. Abideen Olasupo has walked the path of greats once again as he was selected as one of the 17 mentors — the youngest in fact — for Venture  Capital For Africa mentoring camp.

The Venture Capital For Africa VC4A is a multinational organisation that supports entrepreneurs; building, bridging, and connecting them with mentors on the field that will allow for key partnerships to develop the African marketplace with the ability to raise capital from more than 2,000 Africa focused early stage investors. More than 1,000 program partners engage members with their entrepreneurship programs, competitions, and services.

The VC4A in partnership with MAKE-IT in Africa is holding a two month long camp that rotates routinely, allowing for connections and partnerships with African investors and the market makers, towards repositioning Africa. The seventeen mentors selected for the mentoring programme include:

1. Chimaobi Agwu
2. Abubakar Abdullahi
3. Segun Samuel
4. Chike Asiodu
5. Ivana Osagie
6. Charles Uche Emembolu
7. Olajumoke Oduwole
8. Jude Atebe
9. Laurens Kreuze
10. Achenyo Asimegbe
11. Abdul-Hakeem Ajijola
12. Dipo Adebo
13. Yemi Lawal
14. Yemi Keri
15. Olasupo Abideen Opeyemi
16. Victor Obioma
17. Tonna Ezumba

Mr. Abideen, who has ememplified himself in youth advocacy, entrepreneurial support, and growth for other youths appears surprisingly on the list, as the youngest person to be a participatory mentor on the list.

The project is billed to end in September 2018, with mentors and their wards bonding and learning over the course of two months.



Akinyemi Princely X Adedeji

The just inaugurated Students' Union Senate President, Akano Jesunifemi reveals in this exclusive interview with the Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ) that he does not foresee threats in the Senate Council in the upcoming session.

Read in this interview as he reveals more about his personality and why he vied for the position of the Senate President.

UCJ: Can we meet you sir?

SP: I am Akano Jesunifemi by name, a 500L student faculty of Veterinary Medicine. The Senate President for 2018/2019 parliamentary year by God's grace. Basically, that's the brief.

UCJ: For how long have you been a senator?

SP: I will say this is my third time of returning as a senator. I am a 3rd time senator. So, in a nutshell, I have been here since 2015.

UCJ: Wow! For you to have been reelected three times it means that you're a good per...

SP: (cuts in) It is not even about being good, I'll say being good does not take us too far, it is just about people believing in you. So, it's the belief and the trust. I know many people are good and I am not the only one that has served but the worthwhile things I've done is what they have been able to benefit from. It is not until material things are given to students before they appreciate you, even effective representation which was obvious to them is enough to build a good trust level.

UCJ: Can you spell out the things you did that made them want you back?

SP: That can be rhetoric sometimes but I won't let that be rhetoric. I will just say one or two things about that. The first time I served in the house, I served as the chief whip officer and being the chief officer of the house does not involve being in the sitting for sitting sake. I engaged myself in every matter that pertains to the school. The first time I came in we had a 36 hours budget sitting and I was actively involved all through the course of the sitting and so many things that engaged and dealt with the union as a whole. I didn't just represent my faculty but was in for the union as a whole.

More so, my faculty used to have big issues with transportation and there were ways in which we went about that. Also, we discussed matters in the house, so, let me say that was one of it. They basically saw a good representation the first time.

The second time I came on board for the faculty and the union as a whole. It's not by just seeing "Nifemi" as a name in the Senate Council, it's a name I tied to build not just because I have a political ambition but to protect my integrity as a person and when you consciously and unconsciously protect your integrity, you do things that your subconsciousness can't even define. I remember playing an active role when we were talking about how to distribute the tablet... There was a rumour that  non-worthwhile things were coming in for fresh guys and we looked into it and made sure only worthwhile things were in stock for them, and that if not worthwhile should be pended. I also played an active role in starters' pack issue.

Also, in the course of the tenure, we had a 14-hour budget sitting again and that led to men calling me "a man of budget". I am not just a man of budget, I just want to make sure things get better and I'm not just making things get better because I hate anyone. I'll be doing this so objectively and not emotionally because emotions are not set in such conditions and one must objectively look into things.

During the tenure, I was also able to become the chairman for property assessment, we assessed properties and there was a land scandal at Oke-Odo that we were involved in and it was settled. We checked for vocational centres and how well we can make it beneficial to all students.

Also, I over saw all properties pertaining to the Union including counting of souvenirs during the Eminent souvenir saga. The committee counted so as to accurately feed the entire student populace and give the actual number of the souvenir. People saw these things and realised that this "little man" can also serve.

Although, transportation issue has been a general problem in the whole school, we are looking into it as well as it is not just peculiar to my faculty alone. We hope for better days and not for new days because it is not all new things that are good/better so, we keep anticipating for better days.

UCJ: What exactly drove you into vying for the post of the Senate President? Is it for you to oversee the budget or like you said you have keen interest in budget planning. Was that what brought about the passion for being the Senate President?

SP: Hmmmn, thank you very much, ma. I didn't say I have keen interest in budget. I've just said overtime, everything that pertains to the Union, you know I didn't mention only budget now. I mentioned everything that pertains to the Union including a saga about Faculty of Veterinary Hostels at Sabo-Oke that we even discussed in the floor of the house when they were asking about it and we explained that it was lit opened like that but there are still some documentations and proper reviewing that would still be done to the building. So it's not just about budget alone.

Now, if we say what drove my ambition was just budget, then the question for us to answer is this: "Is Senate Council just all about budget?"

The school of the Senate Council expands more than budget, so, we will not be myopic to say that all what we do is budget sitting. Although, that is one of what people look up to. So I reiterate that we will not be so myopic to decide on budget alone.

Now, what drove my interest for Senate Presidency is took majorly at his well we can have an objectively-led Union. I want a Union led on credibility  and objectivity that will go with meritocracy...

UCJ: Sorry to cut you in. Are you saying that the past administration was not objective, credible and all?

SP: Why will I say so? No, I didn't say they are not, but, for objectivity to be a sustainable goal and not just a thing that just because the past administrations has made it so but for us to have a continued existence of objectivity and credibility and all inclusive-not just because you belong fraction or to some sects that you have things that pertain to you on the floor of the house but people that look into all things and lead the affairs of the Union at large at any place in all ramifications  and would be able to prove their worth, so that is to answer the question.

Also, what drove my interest to vie for the post of SP is that; I think I can be of help to the Union with the little experience I have been able to gather. It's not about the number of experience I have gathered now, but if the fee experiences can be productive to the Union, I should give it back to the Union because I believe that the SC is a school I have learnt from even though I didn't come in as a novice.

UCJ: Okay, based on the result of the election, you were far beyond your opponents. Do you think it is as a result of your input to the council or it is just a political play?

SP: Election most times is a thing of individual interest, so I can't really say the platform on which I was voted for; but I believe senators that were inaugurated wanted a person that can partner in their progress. So it is not having a uniform council but a unified senate council. So unity is our goal not because of where you come from. I said during my manifesto that "It is not because I am the best, but it is why I'm soliciting for your support but because the best people deserve to be a benefit of that, to see if I can be able to lead the house of Senate Council". Also, I said that they are great challenges as well as great opportunities now with their help, we will meet them and make this parliamentary year best in history. So, when like-minds come together, we will be able to have things go well. Probably most senators thought about my words and decided to vote me in; it still remains what I can't answer. More so, such question is for those that voted as I can't best explain why they voted for me.

UCJ: You mentioned that you want to make  this parliamentary year the best in its history, are there things the immediate past SP could not achieve and that you intend putting such to place or how do you intend to do this?

SP: Okay, the IPSP has done a lot and one of those things I think that means the best, is when common things are done in different ways, it can make things better.

So, basically, we are going to be doing things common to people in dynamic ways i.e we are not going to be static with our thoughts.

Also, my administration will have all senators come together because the Senate Council is the actual representation of the student populace because it is the microcosm of the Union itself in that we have all fifteen faculties duly represented including hall representatives which means all school hostels and faculties have representatives in the Union.

With the foresaid, one of the things to actualise is the vision of the house in that we have a productive Council that is not just productive with words but how well we see to things and also to proceed on how well we can make things better. We can actually achieve this by making every body worthwhile; nobody will be looked down upon as it is the pathway to intimidation so if all senators have the self esteem to do things well and one of those ways I think we can make this year better in history is if we all come as one to make the Union progress, every senator will have agenda but the best way to make us the best is that we unite despite the fact that we are from different faculties as all we would be concerned about is a unified union and our selfish or personal goal does not supersede our general goals because as far as personal goals is being given preference, we won't achieve much. When general goal is the first thing achieved before personal goals we would have a better union and parliamentary year.

UCJ: Thank you so much for that. In correlation with what you said about personal goals or interest, are you confirming the general belief that most senators are affiliated with the Central Executive Council (Students' Union officials) in order to influence easy grant of their request especially budget?

SP: Talking about this sort of affiliation can be ambiguous in some ways. Affiliation with CEC can be either to help them express their own feelings on the floor of the house or to achieve their intent, so,  which of these patterns are you referring to?

UCJ: You can talk on both patterns, sir.

SP: OK, I will like to think that even though we are affiliated with CEC, we should be objective enough. In the real sense, if you as a senator know that what you're going to say or defend does not worth it, why then would you put your integrity at stake just because your friend is involved? Any thing done on the platform of friendship or because we are from the same faculty won't make it better. It may have happened in times past but I believe the past administrations in which I served i.e Sen Ademola Adekunbi and Sen Imam Abdulquadri were a better fraction of that because we don't have replication of such affiliations. Intact, why would a senator start speaking for friends when he/she knows that he would be affected by what he says and not make the Union better? I believe that as an intellectual, things that are worthwhile only should be placed on the floor of the Senate Council.

UCJ: You mentioned that the past administration led by Sen Ademola Adekunbi did great things, on a scale of 1 - 10 please rate his performance?

SP: I will rate his performance 10 of 10 if possible.

UCJ: Wow! Does that mean there were no flaws in the course of his leadership?

SP: Now, I said 10/10 because I see much more of his good deeds than his bad deeds. The worthwhile things he did overshadows all besides every man comes with his flaws but when your good deeds covers your mistakes, people will say you are good and vice-versa.

UCJ: Are you willing to work with the bodies that are necessary in order to achieve your purpose?

SP: Thank you very much ma, I will say that the kingdom that divideth its gates cannot stand; why will I then say I cannot work with bodies that will make the Union progress? I am saying categorically that body whose interest is to make the union progress would be worked with and by God's grace we would be able to achieve because I can't achieve all these single handedly.

UCJ: What should Unilorites watch out for in 18/19 Parliamentary Year?

SP: My advise to all Unilorites is that we should all crave for better things, like I said at the inauguration that; "all progress remains at a state of rest until a mental force is being applied to it." Let us all just participate in making the Union better.

UCJ: Do you foresee threats from co-senators —:those that contended with you or even from the CEC during the course of your administration?

SP: I don't foresee any threat in anybody and I see everybody as people who we can work together. I believe that everyone with whom I contested with, have the mind of making the Union better; so, no one is a threat to progress. The only threat to progress is those who don't want the progress, and I believe all Union officials have sworn to the oath that all of what they will do with their office will be to make the union progress. Seriously,i don't see anyone as a threat.

UCJ: Lastly sir, how do you intend to bridge the gap between the SC and the CEC?

SP: The way to bridge the gap between both parties is that we all understand our functions. There are times each arms of the Union try to do oversize functions and when the purpose of a thing is not known, abuse is inevitable. We would try in all ways to extend arms of friendship as well as willingly work with them. Most times, the problem we have is that they think the SC is their enemy but I want them to erase that motion as we are willing to work with them at any time of the day. Our doors are opened to them and like the VC said - the University is running a no-door policy therefore the SC is operating a no-door policy. We will welcome every idea from the CEC and admire our ego does not affect the progress of the Union.

UCJ: Thank you very much for the time. we would be coming in subsequent times.

Graced by dignitaries and other key members, the University of Ilorin ushered in the new Students Union administration for the 2018/2019 session on the 14th of August, 2018 at the University Auditorium, University of Ilorin.

Representing the Vice-chancellor; the Dean of students affairs, Professor L.T Ajibade welcomed everyone present and commended the outgoing administration. Mounting the podium for the second time,  he noted that the election for the new administration was free and fair.

"For the first time in history, 8 equally eligible and capable students contested for presidental election and in total, 35 people contested and 11 people emerged as winners." He said.

Stating that the process was not without turbulence, He thanked the students for their patience and peaceful acts throughout the process of the election. He noted that "modern unionism is constructive unionism".

He charged the newly elected to be very honest and uphold integrity with a reminder that the essence of their position is service. According to him, leadership is not about aggrandizement: “To be successful as a leader you need to gain the trust of your colleagues and this can be achieved with honesty and integrity".

He urged the president to be committed to the welfare of his colleagues  noting that there would be dissent and disagreement but such should not lead to "sinking the ship of the administration".

When invited to speak, Adebisi Ridwan Abinbola, the outgoing president appreciated everyone present  for their support. In his speech titled "soldier go, soldier come,  barracks remain", he admonished that the 2017/2018 administration raised the bar of which some people have refused to accept. He asserted that "success is a different stroke for different folks". Commitment and zeal he noted would ease the path, as the task ahead is enormous

The Legal Adviser to the Students Union, Professor Olorukwoba after dissolving the outgoing administration, he inaugurated the incoming executives.

In his speech, the incoming president, Animashaun asserted that the previous administration achieved a lot as which his own administration would be towed on. He revealed that they "have resolved that we would tag the new administration together we can invest in our people’'

He promised to further strengthen the academic stability of the University as well as other aspects inclusive of sport. He therefore assured that the administration would be an all-inclusive one for the people that brought him into power. 

The University Registrar in his vote of thanks, appreciated the three pillars which according to him hold the University firm; the legal unit, the corporate affairs unit and the security unit. He also appreciated all members of the students affairs unit, the outgoing administration as well as the incoming administration.

Iwayemi Zainab
Ayeyemi Deborah
Opakunle Olaotan

Millennials Active Citizenship Advocacy Africa, (MACAA) held her 2018 Citizens Conference themed 'Not Too Young To Run and Then What?’ on 11th of August, 2018 at Government House Banquet Hall, Ilorin, Kwara State.
MACAA, an organization that aims at building the active interest of youths in politics, had her first conference with politicians as panellists and the youths as audience of an interactive session. The interactive session was a question and answer session following the display of videos

The first video played to the audience highlighting political issues that have sprung up in the nation, showed former Prime Minister Tafawa Balewa's visit to the United States with the then US President, John F. Kennedy receiving him at the airport, a contrast video was displayed showing Buhari’s visit to the US without a reception by the president like the former.
Convener, Seun Awogbenle directed a question to the Speaker of Kwara State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Ali Ahmad:
‘Comparing both videos; has Nigeria lost its greatness?’
"Nigeria is not as it was and we have disappointed the whole world"- Ahmad Ali

Next, the video of a music track said to portray the state of the country “This is Nigeria" by Falz was played before the audience. The convener directed his question to Yemisi Adeojo, Economic Advisory Trainee and Co-founder Triift Africa.
"Is this truly Nigeria?"
"This video has highlighted the negative part of Nigeria but this is not all of Nigeria... where are the hardworking people?"- Yemisi Adeojo

The video of President Buhari which was interpreted to have meant he said “Nigerian youths are lazy" was played, the question that followed was tendered to Hon Moshood Bakare, a member of Kwara State House of Representatives
  "Is the youths lack of involvement in politics a result of their laziness?"
 "Buhari said what he knew, It is a challenge for youths to do more work..."- Moshood Bakare

Other videos were played and several issues were raised, issues ranging from politicians willing to serve the populace well, women-involvement in politics and the challenges that obtain, the ensuing political apathy with youths being the most affected.
The program proved educative and interactive for the audience as the question & answer session continued till the end of the program.

To the right, to the left, to the right again, Checkmate!
We are pawns, pawns on a death match.
We are puppets, puppets on strings bent to the will of faceless players
“They’re just numbers and don’t count”, they say to themselves.
Bam! Another pun is lost to the diagonal move.

We are instigated against our fathers and brothers,
We wage senseless wars against our sisters,
And rip out the unborn child of our mothers
to realize the aimless and obscene political goals of our detractors.
All it takes is mammon, and our reasoning is kept away for later re-installation.

Night to Night, Day in day out, under the scotching sun we toil.
Still alive, above a hundred degrees our own bloods boil.
Our brains run low on water; the biting cold dries our trembling lips.
Dark brown ditches appear below our sullen eyes.
Yet, our string bearers do a bunk with the dosh.

They are the kleptomaniacs with suckling filaments.
They’re the jagged faces behind pretentious smiles.
They’re the jinx behind our unmitigated stupidity.
They’re the seemingly immortal incubuses that have plagued our lands for 58 years.
They’re the vicious pythons and mythical monkeys that swallow our collective treasuries.

They’re the mafias that save up our gold and stash away our silvers
Not for us, but for their seven generations to come.
They’re the extravagant fools in hopeless causes.
They are the anus over-fed teddy bears
that call us lazy in front of the white man.

They peel our skins and make laws that forbid us from crying.
Our hearts bleed until we’re bloated and are on verge of explosion.
Owing to their bloody games, our loamy soils have become red clay.
Our once bright future has become bleak.
Amidst affluence, we’re made to feed on flies palm kernel nuts.

The whistle is blown; we heave sighs of relief; the game is almost over.
But our string bearers make truce even with their diehard rivals.
They exchange handshakes, change their skins.
Once again they buy our senses and pay us to advance their hopeless causes.
As always, the game continues; our great grandfathers, forever our string bearers.



UCJ, UNILORIN.