The Nnamdi Azikwe Hall Press Organization is located in the University of Ibadan. In Zikpress, we are committed to playing our role as the watchdog over the political activities of both the Zik Hall government and the University of Ibadan Students Union (UISU) with our pen of truth constantly wielded in valor.
As an organization under umbrella of the Union of Campus Journalists, UI (UCJ'UI), we are committed to not only penning the truth about Zik Hall, but to the whole U.I and beyond.
Tuesday, March 30, 2021
My Parallel Universe
What if humans never existed? What if paradise was just a frame of mind? What if hell was never as hot as we were told? What if the sun was a prisoner kept away from earth with story untold? What if death was a rescue mission from this troubled world? What if many could be said without uttering a word? What if Jesus never died and Eve never ate the damn apple, Satan never left paradise and the Revelation just an imagination of what could happen?
What if Pa. Joseph never died and his smile never disappeared? Francis had a weak kidney. If I had given him one from mine, would he be here competing for the longest beard? What if love could be felt and not traded? And without conditioning, help rendered? What if my pens never bled these thoughts and are left dead? What if this piece never existed?
Father told me to stay away from Uncle James. What happened, he never said. What if AIDS never existed, would there have been another reason to give no aid? Pastor preached about suicide not being the solution But how could he understand when he has never been a victim of chronic depression? Father used to say “love shows up with a mask”. You never know when it comes Mom always says “the climax of comfort is not love, home is” The bible wants me to love But I wonder, what is love that it leaves so much confusion at my door? What if it never existed?
Last Sunday, I sat next to a soldier’s wife Her eyes were red and are knees were weak from praying Combatant Kenneth left home four years ago to protect the inside from the outside Could he be dead? She hopes not. Everyday she’s praying What if this piece is meant to do nothing but disturb your peace? What if this pen only laments about our weak ends?
Teacher once said “success is only for the selfish” Never cry at all. If you do, do so in the comfort of a cool Mercedes What if success was never about my surrounding but my state? What if the tears were to serve as therapy? What if my cracked voice is the key to help from above?
John used to say “this thing na scam” But I stay up most nights asking, what isn’t? What if things are not what they seem? What if that nonsense is just an indicator to the limit of your thought?
Cousin Tope once said “the joy of a man lies in the heart of his wife” Maybe that wasn’t applicable to Mr. Ezomo What if Adam was a woman who got pregnant to give birth to Eve? What if the union of man and woman never existed? What if the urge never arises?
I was forced to sing “twinkle little star” As much as I never cared, I was forced to wonder What if the height was just an illusion, And the star was neither little nor looked like a diamond?
What do I say about my obsession with these cold dark thoughts? What do I say about my obsession with poetry and how in my mind it trots? What if this piece was just an echo in my head? What if poetry never existed? And this piece? Never written.
Sometimes, I doubt if conscience is part of the compositions that make the body of some individuals. Some claim what they are not capable of doing, promising that they would do it in a limited time if they secure our votes.They promise what even hundred of them might never achieve in office even if permitted to use zillions of years in office.
They canvass around the nooks and crannies of various segments of the society with their sugarcoated tongues begging for votes, playing integrity, they greet you everytime you pass by them,reminding you their fake everdead promises which they think they would achieve but power drunkenness affects them, they are intoxicated by the power to rule.
Mr.A goes round the Itesiwaju society to get voted in as the chairman of the society, he moves in and out of houses pleading with them for votes and reciting to their hearings his promises and manifesto which turn unachievable and lies because of power intoxication. He uses rhetorics like a trained solicitor and uses logic like a logician to win people to his side and win the election.He is quite approachable,accessible and always caring to the people then. Election comes! Alas! Mr. A becomes the chairman of the society. A great achievement to be celebrated! what next?
Tick! Tack! Tick! Tack! Time passes by. The friendly Mr. A becomes something else,the approachable Mr.A becomes unapproachable.He is seen today in Canada, tomorrow in London. He soon forgot the problems he promised to fix in a twinkle of an eye if voted into office. Power has erased the memorised manifesto in his memory. He waves to people from his black tinted exotic car. What a pity! He is no more accessible, he becomes snow in Nigeria,that’s seen once in a blue moon.
The electorates are sitted patiently waiting for the manifestation of the supposed manifesto.It’s the electorates that do suffer after election,winners of election don’t. The populace are left with their own perils while the voted in watches their plights in Yalos Diamond TV in his fancy sitting room cross-legged and picking chunks of meat with his fork lavishly being caressed by his foreign lover,who he spends the public money on.
Once power gets to their hands, getting it back is not an easy task. Impeachment or recall is seldom in this part of the world. People mandated to impeach unfunctional government are also unfunctional and collectively turn a toothless bull dog because the government have used the prolonged fork of bribery to uproot their ever-sharpened teeth which were ready to bite corrupt, ineffective and inefficient administration but now what a sorry case! It’s powerless.
They behave like saints and friends of the people before entering the corridor of power but after succeeding in achieving this,they become the common enemy of the people as a result of power drunkenness. Why would power not corrupt them? It would because they lack the political will to seek the progress of the common society.
Being left with a sustainable legacy which was cherished by your ancestors and served as a collective heritage while they were in this world, but the sustainable legacy is being deliberately murdered by people of the newer generation, what do you feel about that? Of course, it is bitter! Our language is more than a sustainable legacy, in fact! It is us, our language is who we are, it simplifies where we belong.
It is no more news that our indigenous languages here is Nigeria are dying gradually but hopefully, they will not perish before our own eyes. I hear you say amen? Well, no matter the number of ‘amens’ you say, the ‘amens’ lie in your hand, and the answer to this prayer is before you. To face the reality, you cannot be as Europeanised as the Europeans, you can only try and your trial cannot make you one. Why not just uphold and accept what you are at all needed times. How will you be ‘osakala’ and ‘osakolo’ at the same time? Impossible! It is high time we rose up and upheld our heritage.
Well, it is now the argument of some people that realising the general speaking of our local languages in Nigeria is nothing but impossibility as a result of western education. As much as that is true, it is not worthy of a yardstick for such assertion at the expense of our own heritage. Going from home to home in cities in Nigeria, it is now so alarming that parents do not see any wisdom in communicating in local languages to their wards. How laughable? Parents who ought to be the promoters and custodians of this heritage are doing more harm than being sighted. They will be shouting ‘Junior, come here’ when Junior cannot even say ‘E kaaro’ as a Yoruba boy and even Junior still bears a Yoruba name, Jide.
There was this time I boarded a bus going to Dugbe from UI. It was an after-school hour. I can see mothers coming for their wards and wards running after their mothers to meet up with their steps. Luckily, that day as if being foreseen that I would need such experience later run, I sat beside a young woman in her prime lapping his child who was a boy who I believed was on his edge to the teen age category.
Based on my brief rapport with the woman, I extended the gesture to her child. With pleasure, the woman told me his son’s name was Ibukun but sincerely, they did not look ‘Yorubaish’ at all. I said ‘wow! What a nice name for a nice-looking boy’, his mum blushed on his behalf as he smiled too. Just to satisfy my curiosity, I asked the boy some questions about school which he answered loudly and laudably in English Language. Then I asked him in English ‘You have a nice name, do you know the meaning of your name?’ Then, my new found friend who was talking laudably and loudly before went on silence and gazed at his mum. His mum, to console his disappointment said to him ‘Ibk, you don’t know the meaning of your name?’ I just smiled and we went into another discussion. I never even put so much consideration on that experience until now.
Certainly, it is more than obvious that there is fire on the mountain. Of all things, the boy could not even find meaning to his own name, yet he bears a Yoruba name. This seems to be the case in some homes in our country today. Children will speak English all through their stay in school every day, they will get home and still bend to that English-speaking based on their parent mighty and unchallengeable influence.
Parents should not contribute to the degradation of our culture especially these languages. When they speak English language in school, speak their mother-tongue to them when they get home. It will not stop their fluency in English Language. Even it is an asset to them both as knowing another language and also, it aids their learning capacity in their academic life. A child who understands his or her mother-tongue will find it easy to comprehend his books.
Well, home being discussed as being a cankerworm that kills slowly the beauty of our heritage, schools too contribute to this in their own bit. Despite the acclaimed notice that all students must learn at least one native language in school, it is still not reinforced as being acclaimed all around by the authorities in charge. In some schools that I know around this community especially some privately-owned schools, Yoruba language or the choice of a native language is now narrowed to only Art students, I cannot but wonder, is the preservation of our culture for only art students? Even in some school, there is nothing like local languages and it is quite alarming. A drastic step has to be taken as regarding that especially by the government, specifically the Ministry of Education. After home, the school also has a very high rate of socialisation especially on kids. Through the compulsive reinforcement of learning local languages as a subject in our school will enhance the knowledge of children especially to the traditions, values and other peculiarities of their culture as there are very many important values in our culture that cannot be expressed through any foreign language.
It is highly pertinent at this stage that all hands should be on deck to preserve especially, the language culture of our indigenous societies from extinction. It is the responsibility of all Nigerians. It is our responsibility. Speak it or you kill it!
Abisola Adedeji is our Village Beauty for the week. Abisola Adedeji is in her second year of study in the University of Ibadan and Founder of Teenkin Faculty. Below is our thrilling interview withher.
Kindly tell us briefly about yourself.
I am Abisola Oluwadamilola Adedeji, also known as Abisinuola. I am a 200level student of the Faculty of Agriculture. I am a creative writer, public speaker and the Founder of the Teenkin Faculty, an adolescence-oriented community. In addition, I am a mental health advocate and I engage in series of activities aimed at mental health orientation and advocacy. I am inclined towards personal development and making social impact, thus my involvement in communities, organisations and programs geared towards these. On a lighter note, I am the quietest extrovert you will ever come across and a huge fan of sci-fi.
What is ‘The Teenkin Faculty’ about?
The Teenkin Faculty is a community on a mission to make forward-thinking leaders of teenagers, through strategic networking via a communal relationship, effective mentorship and empowerment. Thus far, we have had virtual skill empowerment programs for teenagers to acquire skills necessary to thrive in this digital age. We have also had several mentorship programs which take two forms: one-on-one Mentorship with experts, and weekly virtual seminars. Furthermore, we’ve had programs on mental health and we are presently working on implementing better structures and partnerships aimed at improving the mental health of, not just our community members, but of teenagers outside the community. Being a mental health advocate, can you share with us some relevant life-coping tips for the moment, especially now that students are schooling from home? These are trying times and it takes the strong to keep the head above water. Nonetheless, I’ve always believed that the strength to live is right within us. On that note, the first thing I tell everyone around me is to turn a deaf ear to the noise on the media. Many students come online to talk about how terrible the system is and as much as this is a way to de-stress, it could cause anxiety for other people. Asides this, come to terms with the reality; we all know things could be better but this is what we have and we should bring our mind to work with it. Face the reality and prepare your mind to work with what is thrown at you, this is not the time to overthink. In addition to that, we all must know that this problem is not peculiar to just an individual or an institution, almost all schools in the country are experiencing the same thing. With this, know that you are not alone and there are people who are determined to pull through; we all will survive it. You are not alone.
You belong to JCI and some other campus-based organisations, what influence do you think extracurricular activities have on students’ development on Campus that can’t be derived from academics?
In the words of Oprah Winfrey, “The whole point of being alive is to evolve into the complete person you were intended to be.” I have always believed in being an all-rounder Andrew, this is exactly what engaging in extracurricular activities does for a student. I am of the opinion that being book-smart is not enough to thrive in the outside world, consequently there’s a need to involve in other activities that would help broaden our minds outside the walls of the academic institution. Before coming to school, one thing I did was to try envisioning the life I want to have when I conclude my 5-year course, then outline all I’ll need to actualize the vision. On my list were many factors that I will only get outside my books, so when I resumed, I became a part of activities that aligned with my vision. In essence, extracurricular activities equip students to succeed in every facet of life they need to explore, academics inclusive. You get to network with people across diverse fields and put other talents and potentials to good use.
If given the opportunity to rule Nigeria for an hour, what would your first action be?
There are many things to do but I think money is the root of all the evils in this country. So, in one hour, I’ll first disburse money to everybody’s account, let everybody calm down; times are hard, we need money. That’s on a lighter note though, but on a more serious note, I’ll be very interested in the finances of this country, all those policies affecting our finances will be reviewed. Then, security is very pivotal, we need a secure environment to enjoy the life that comes with having money. I hope I’ll be able to achieve this in one hour.
What do you feel is the way forward to the incessant gender-based violence in the contemporary Nigerian society?
Honestly, reorientation. I had the opportunity of being an ambassador at an organisation against Gender-Based Violence in African countries. When I read about the situations in other countries and I checked Nigeria’s, I just knew that the existing culture and traditions play a role in driving this inhumane practice. Hence, the most important step is to enlighten people on the effects of Gender-Based Violence. This starts from the smallest unit of the society- The family. If members of families are taught that people should be treated because they are humans and not because they belong to a particular gender, I believe it would cause a shift in how children are raised and how adults are taught to behave. That is my opinion.
Mostly, NGOs instituted by females (ladies) have their scope tend to only focus on the problems faced by the female folks. What specific way do you intend to reach the opposite gender using your organisation, the Teenkin Faculty?
I love to tell people that I strongly believe that everyone should be treated simply because they are humans and not because they belong to gender, race or colour. In that light, when I was to establish the community, I ensured to start off with an atmosphere that allowed both males and females to thrive. We don’t run activities for just girls or for just boys; we strike a balance. For instance, when we treated sexual assaults issues, we ensured that our speakers and facilitators didn’t invalidate the fact that males are also raped. Also, I try as much as possible to not allow partnerships with female-focused organisations, so the guys won’t feel left out. If it ever happens, they are sure that there’s a plan for them too. In all, my team and I ensure to strike a balance. The major goal of the community is to create a safe space for every teenager, regardless of their gender or race or colour to express themselves.
Entrepreneurship or ‘8-4′ job?
This one is very dicey. I love the corporate world but I also love to be my own boss. Unfortunately, I am presently not much of an entrepreneurial person but I am working towards developing my mind in that light. This money must be made.
What comes to your mind when you hear “Zikites”?
CRUISE! Zikites are cruise Lords. I actually don’t have any experience with Zikites but thus far, all I know is that they are full of cruise.
Parting words?
Hey Kings, you’re all amazing and awesome individuals. Being a king means wearing your crown with pride and not letting any situation pull you down. However, being a king doesn’t mean you are not human, so allow yourself feel all that you want to feel, it’s okay to cry but never feel intimidated. Also, respect Queens and never be the reason a queen is scared or too broken to stand tall. Most importantly, Zikites stop ARO!
Social media details- Instagram: @abisinuoladeji Other places, I am Abisinuola Deji.
Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall is a pacesetter. While the new normal is greatly affecting activities on campus, Zik Hall is effectively coordinating her activities at a commendable level. Constructive criticism is essential, however commendation is not sin when efforts are made to do things right. The handover seemingly opened the floor for resumption of activities in the Hall. It is hoped that the fervency will not abruptly stop notwithstanding the virtual mode generally in force in the varsity.
The handover followed series of nominations which led to ratification by the Legislative Council. The nomination of the Chief Law Officer of the Hall, David Olayiwola was ratified, likewise seven Judges including the Chief Judge, Emmanuel Okonji. While the Attorney General shall be the Chief Prosecuting Officer of the Hall and shall prosecute all offences named in the Constitution, the Judicial Officers are expected to adjudicate on all matters as affecting all persons, committees, groups, associations, organs and students within the Hall. The Legislative Council also charged the Hall Chairman to take proactive steps in order to make available outstanding Hall packages. One can only hope something is actually done to that effect.
It will be a disservice not to comment on the obvious blunders in the resolutions published by the Clerk of the Hall’s Legislative Council. The blunders spotted are not necessarily grammatical. It is expected that the Clerk of the House would be meticulous enough to note that what Zik Hall has, as provided in the Constitution are Judges and not Justices, the Hall has a ‘Chief Judge’ and not ‘Chief Justice’. Even in the resolution published, the ‘Chief Justice’ was not written right. There are other few spelling errors. It also seems the Clerk do not know the names of people his Council ratified. Names of some persons ratified are not written in the right way. Former Minister of Sports of the Hall is right to sue the Clerk for the murder of his wonderful name. Kester was written as ‘Kesta’. It is trite that names start with capital letters, our Clerk started most names with small letters in the resolution he published. If members of the National Assembly should do that, heaven might have been let loose by Honourable members of the Hall. While perfection might not be attainable, it is reasonably expected that unpardonable errors are meticulously avoided. Hopefully, Honourable Clerk will be cautious in moments to come.
With fantastic systems including the Executive, Legislative and Judicial Councils being fully on ground in the Hall, it is hoped that sensitisation will be done to ensure that all Zikites benefit from various opportunities created by the Councils. The Academic Committee being put together by the Hall Secretary is a classic example. Hopefully, their efforts will pay greatly and posterity will applaud them.
[Vox Populi] Zikites share their first year experience in Zik Hall
Residents of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall who are currently in 200 level share their interesting experiences staying in Zik Hall in their first year.
Everyone in the Hall stands with one another in time of need… — Fabiyi Oluwadamilare (FADACA)
FADACA
I felt a family structure in the Hall, everyone in the Hall stands with one another in time of need both politically and academically. I also tried to put my best in the success of the Hall. I was very much involved in activities that would bring the quality of greatness of the Hall out.
Zik Hall was a perfect environment for my mental health as there was no moment of boredom in the Hall, from the “Aro” to the “Ewa night” and the frequent gyrations. In term of academics, Zik Hall organised series of tutorials and mock examinations which helped me and many other Zikites in preparing them for examinations.
“Zik Hall was home” for me, I got everything I needed and I also offered everything I could.
A Zikite without academic excellence, from my own view, will not be considered a true Zikite — AbdulRaheem Nasirudeen
Nasirudeen
Q: What was your first impression about Zik Hall? A: Yep. The first time I heard about Zik was during my Post UTME. I was in Indy and any mention of Zik hall was always about their rugged behaviors, bugged rooms, breaking rules etc. Only few talks about the intellectual attributes of Zikites. At that time, I never wished to be a Zikite.
Q: What was your emotion when you were allocated to Zik Hall? A: I wasn’t so happy about it initially. The only thing I loved about Zik was the spacious rooms compared to Bello and others. So, whenever I think about Zik, I try not to remember what I’ve heard in the past and just live with it, just live with the fact that I’m a Zikite now and I must learn how to survive in that environment.
Q: Is there a change in how you used to see being a Zikite then and now? A: My perspective about the Hall changed in the very first week of being a Zikite. Then, I thought it was because we were all freshmen, but when stale students resumed, it wasn’t as I expected. I had no choice but to fall in love with the Hall. Every attribute of a typical Zikite I heard of in the past were all true but not the way they made it sound. From rugged guys, to rather assertive set of people.
Q: Is the “rugged lifestyle” a terror to academic excellence? A: To me, nop
e. A Zikite without academic excellence, from my own view, will not be considered a true Zikite. To be very honest, those vibes don’t have any negative effect on my reading. It almost has no effect at all. I’ve tried the reading room once and it’s just not my style. I prefer my corner to the reading room.
Q: How do you feel about Zikites and Aro? A: Aro is one thing I like about Zik. Just that sometimes they tend to overdo the whole thing especially when it involves girls passing through the Hall. I dislike how they tend to insult the girls sometimes. But the typical Aro is a vibe and I miss it.
Q: What’s that moment that caught your attention the most as a Zikite? A: Baptism. It was fun but I didn’t partake.
Q: What has being a Zikite done to you? A: I can’t say. I don’t even know what has changed about me that could’ve been the result of being a Zikite for a year.
Q: Can you describe Zikites’ lifestyle in your own perspective? A: Zikites “wannabe’ Zikites anywhere they have to present themselves. Wherever they are, they want people to feel their presence. You can’t oppress a typical Zikite, it doesn’t end well for the oppressor. It’s like they’re everywhere and always ready to defend each other. Make e no be like say person they form, I’ve seen stuff like this happen where someone tried to intimidate a gentle Zikite and fellows around stood up to defend their own.
People of the Zik society have a particular way of life and a distinct way of doing things — Akinmusire David
David
Zik for me is a society on its own. People of the Zik society have a particular way of life and a distinct way of doing things. Even though one would say they show it in the weirdest of ways. Well, for me it was very exciting and I did enjoy it ; from being a member of the health team , to our ever dope “Ewa Nights ” and nights where we all gathered to watch football matches. But above all I’m grateful to God for being able to meet some of the brightest minds to have ever been created.
One thing that differentiates Aro from harassment is ACTION — Adeniji Uthman A (UI Yamburger)
Uthman
Q: How did you feel when you got allocated to Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall? A: I was so happy, finally in my dream Hall. I was so happy.
Q: What is that one moment that lives rent-free in your head from your stay in the Baluba Kingdom? A: The moment Sebastian was announced as the Winner of Zik Hall chairmanship election.
Q: What do you feel about Aro? Who should do Aro and what makes an Aro different from harassment? A: Aro is just a culture in Baluba Kingdom. To me, I do Aro whenever I feel depressed, you know? Life as a freshman then was not easy. Problem everywhere among course mates, with lecturers, and other things. I just use Aro to cure depression and also to improve my self confidence, that is, ability to approach people. Every rational human being should be able to do Aro. One thing that differentiates Aro from harassment is ACTION. I mean your action towards the victim. You know you can’t be using abusive words against someone and picture it as Aro. No, that is not aro but something else.
Q: Lastly, how would you summarise your life as a Zikite? A: Let me just say greatness. I hope I never regret to be a Zikite. Life in Zik Hall is like life in Heaven. BALUBA TO THE WORLD!
The tradition of oneness , togetherness and brotherhood is what I cherish most about Zik Hall— Henry Nejo
Nejo
Q: What was your reaction when you found out that you got Zik Hall as your Hall of residence? A: I was very much excited because I have stayed in Zik during my post-UTME days and I enjoyed it then, so, that made me admire Zik Hall a lot.
Q: Was there a prior stereotype you had about Zik Hall before becoming a member and did those stereotype (s) turn out be true when you resumed to the Hall?
A: The “Elders” in Block D sometimes dealt with fresh students in harsh way on issues that could be resolved peaceful and it happened that way times without number.
Q: What have you come to cherish most about Zik hall during the course of your first year? A: The tradition of oneness , togetherness and brotherhood is what I cherish most about Zik Hall. It really helps in many areas the educational aspect, the political aspect , just to mention a few.
Q: Adapting to life in the “Baluba Kingdom” , was it seamless or strenuous ?
A: Seamless.
Q: Overall, how has been your experience so far? A: I’ve had such a cool experience that I won’t forget so easily. Anytime I remember days in Zik hall I will smile and be full of joy for the priceless memory.
Q: Do you have any piece of advice for incoming Zikites? A. My advice to them is not to be carried away by the activities in Zik Hall alone.They should emulate the tradition of excellence in their academic pursuit which is the most respected tradition in Zik hall.
It was an awesome experience, like a dream come true— Bamidele Taiwo Paul (Bam T)
Bam T
It was an awesome experience, like a dream come true. Getting to stay in UI in my first year was one of the best things I had. Like immediately I saw I was allocated to Zik Hall, I was elated and eager to pay my accommodation fee. Like the spirit of Baluba Kingdom is meant to enter every freshman after baptism, spirits of excellence were also incorporated in me. I had good results in my first year.
‘My wife and kids reside in Canada’ – Small Doctor
Nigerian singer Adekunle Temitope popularly known as Small Doctor has revealed that he is married with kids.
The music star made this known during a chat with media personality Nancy Isime on her show, ‘The Nancy Isime Show‘. Isime had asked the music star what advice he had for anyone working hard to make ends meet.
“What I’ll say to him is if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. There’s no limitation to what someone can achieve in life. This is Canada that I can never believe I’ll have a visa talk less of having a family there,” he said.
Isime apparently shocked to hear about the singer having family pried further; “You have a family in Canada?”
“That’s where my family is based,” Small Doctor replied.
“Your wife and children?” she asked.
”Yes,” he replied.
Small Doctor is a Nigerian Fuji, afro-pop recording artist and performer.
He rose to fame in 2015 after he dropped the single ‘Mosquito Killer,’ which was followed by the hit song ‘Penalty‘.
He has gone on to release several hit songs and collaborated with other music stars including Davido.
Burna Boy takes a swipe at those who prayed for him not to win Grammy
Grammy Awards winner, Burna Boy has slammed those who denigrated him and prayed for him not to win the biggest prize in the global entertainment industry.
The singer took a swipe at his critics on social media barely a week after he won the Best Global Music Album category with his Twice As Tall album at the 63rd Grammy Awards. The Nigerian star beat Antibalas (FU Chronicles), Bebel Gilberto (Agora), Anoushka Shankar (Love Letters), and Tinariwen (Amadjar) to the award. Burna Boy who lost the prize to Angelique Kidjo in the 62nd edition of the awards believes some of his compatriots rejoiced over his loss.
But on Saturday, March 20, 2021, the Nigerian singer took to Twitter to appreciate his fans and take a dig at his detractors at the same time.
He tweeted, “GOD is most definitely NOT A MAN. I will never forget how so many of you prayed that I don’t win. Too dumb to understand that you also win if I win. No worry, this is just the beginning. God is Great.
“God bless everyone/ anyone who has stood with me! Let’s keep making history!
“Every single person that worked on the project, my incredible team that works 24/7, and my OUTSIDERS!! Big love always.”
The tweets got Nigerians talking as many praised him for his talents and consistency while others criticised him saying he is arrogant.
The Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall Legislative Council has on Saturday, March 20, 2021 ratified the appointment of officers nominated by the Judiciary and Executive Council of the Hall.
In accordance with Section 31(4) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall Constitution, David Olayiwola, a penultimate student of Law was ratified as the Attorney General.
The following persons were confirmed as members of the Judicial Council of the Hall subject to Section 36(4) of the Hall’s Constitution:
Okonji, Emmanuel, Law 500- Chief Judge Adeniji, Kester Tomiwa Law 500 Adejumo Precious Law 500 Olulewa Victor Law 400 Adebanji Olamilekan Law 400 Abodunrin Emmanuel Economics 400
UI aspirants to write post-UTMEin April
The University of Ibadan management, has scheduled her long awaited post UTME to hold from Tuesday, 6th April to Saturday 10th April, 2021.
The examination is to be written at the Computer Based Test Complex of the University distance learning centre at Ojo. The examination will be written into 9 batches, with each day having 3 session.
The candidates are enjoined to check the school portal for their own date and time of examination.
Inter-Campus Sports Fever: As HiFL, NUGA Games Set to Commence
On the 5th of March, 2021, the organizers of the Higher Institutions Football League (HiFL) competition announced the commencement of the 2021 edition of the annual national tournament. HiFL, the football franchise of the Higher Institutions Sports League was established in 2017 and held its maiden edition in 2018. The competition which is open to all members of the Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA), includes the participation of higher institutions from various parts of the country.
Speaking on the commencement of the HiFL 2021 edition, the Director of PACE Sports, Sola Fijabi affirmed that preparations are in top gear for the upcoming competition scheduled to kick-start in April 2021. Also, NUGA President, Professor Stephen Hamafyelto commended the readiness of the 2021 HiFL organizers in ensuring adherence with COVID-19 protocols.
At the time of this report, over 40 institutions have been scheduled to participate in the qualifying rounds of the competition. However, UI Pioneers, the University of Ibadan’s team side, is yet to receive approval to participate in the 2021 edition. The UI Pioneers have been consistent participants in the league with impressive performances, winning the competition has however remained an aspiration.
While the league fixtures will be revealed later in April, it is expected that big contenders in the league, including the likes of; University of Agriculture Markudi (UAM Tillers), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU giants), University of Calabar (UNICAL Malabites) and others will set the pace for an entertaining and highly competitive tournament in this year’s edition.
Teams to watch especially are UNICAL Malabites and UAM Tillers, who were winners and first runner-up in the last physical edition (2019).
Meanwhile, the three times postponed NUGA games, which was last held in 2018, might receive the green light in 2021. The annual inter-university sports competition had been severally interrupted due to incessant strike actions, the 2019 general elections and other crisis rocking the competing institutions. Professor Stephen Hamafyelto, the NUGA President, has however raised hopes when he stated that the conveying of a council meeting in April will be held to discuss recommencing the NUGA games.
Most politicians are lions. Lions do eat like every other person, politicians do too, and we also do too. Lions walk around the jungle, politicians walk around places too, they even travel far to walk far, no doubt – we do too. Enough of what we do, politicians do and lions do. You might not be a politician and possess the feature of double identity but now I am strictly talking about double identity in the politician’s nature.
Before you might get confused, let what I mean by double identity be shielded out. Changed identity as a result of change in location is the unique feature of lions and politicians, on another thought, let me say most politicians.
The degree of double identity might vary but it exists. Just like the daylight, we can see it, we can feel it. Should I say we can touch it? At least some touch it, instead of a civil servant working in a state government owned secondary school to be touching fat wads of notes, he keeps touching slim wads of note every end of month as a result of no payment of salaries or half payment. That is a typical condition of a Nigerian working in public sector – unpaid salaries up and down. Yet, our big men are seeing what civil servants see extra-ordinarily expensive as extra-ordinarily cheap.
Enough of sideway attractions, a visitor at the zoo, maybe UI zoo, I don’t know, was chatting with the keeper of the lion’s den. “I have a cat at home”, said the visitor, “and your lions act just like my cat. Look at them sleeping so peacefully! Why put them behind bars?” The keeper laughed, “These may look like your cat, but their disposition is radically different. They look like your cat outside but they are lion inside. You had better be glad the bars are there”. Mere looking at that exposure, should we be glad the bars are there? Absolutely NO! Because it prevents us from knowing their true nature from that their second nature.
Those lions are likened to politicians, most politicians as the case may be. They have different natures at different places but still remain their selves. Politicians greet you, hail you, promise you, give you souvenirs, care for you, help you… but upon the move from common man to the corridor they upload a new nature. When they have used the masses to rise, they turn to something else-a lion! They become fierce. Anyone who criticizes is terrorized, anyone who claims they do badly is punished, and anyone who tries to expose them is witch-hunted. They tend to be seen, not every time as we see them before, but now rare in a blue moon maybe when they want to launch a substandard but vocal and widely known exaggerated project. That is how they use to do.
Senators, representatives at both the federal and state level, who we see every day before ascension into the power. Those who claimed that the people’s welfare is their priority, those who claimed to be responsible to the people at the grassroots, those who promised to help improve the water system and road of their districts when we felt the pain together but now that there is change of location, they change their identities. They have all left their local communities and ran to Abuja; those in the state ran to the capital to update their status and standard of living. They no more feel from our pain; they no more experience power outage, they no more fall into pot holes while driving; when we greet them. They wave at us from the end of discussion car but it is more than that, connotatively, they say “bye bye”. Some kind ones try and do some projects and even forget its maintenance after execution and it becomes the talk of the town, yet, people of that community will be wondering, “what has he done that people are hyping?”. Their promises while contesting is far from the reality they follow when elected. It is all about their double identity.
For any politician, I believe basically that they have two identities. The one he shows when he is contesting and the ones he shows when he gets what we want. That is, when he gets to the corridor of power. Power, soon corrupt them. After getting the mandate to rule, they become oppressor and behave with great negligence to the welfare of the people. It is believed that some politicians are quite unique and specially made that they are always well and doing no matter how. It is believed that they only have a single identity. It is okay but I have not seen one. You can be a politician with different in our generation. Yes!, you can do it. Start now and be upright! May they not influence you!
Here are top indoor physical activities you can engage in at your convenience:
Skipping or Jump Ropes
Health benefits here include; cardiovascular, core strength, arm strength, leg strength, overall body fitness.
Simple steps: Buy a jump rope, go to back to your childhood skills and jump! Keep your head looking forward and your hands about waste height. Start with small goals; say a minute without stopping, then build up to 10 minutes or more.
Pushups
Health Benefits include, chest, biceps, and core strength; beginner to advance.
Simple Steps: Start with your hands facing forward on the ground, shoulder-width apart, and chest a few inches above the ground. Keep your body straight, resting on your toes and hands, push up to a full arm extension then release back down to a few inches above the ground. Repeat. Keep your head looking down or slightly forward, do at least 3 sets. If necessary, you can rest your weight on your knees instead of your toes to make it easier. Start with 5 to 10 repetitions for each set and build up from there. This might be hard at the initial stage, if you are a beginner, but don’t give up, continue in the process and before long you will master the act of a swift push up.
Burpees
Health Benefits include total body exercise, strength, and cardiovascular. Beginner to advanced.
Simple steps: Start from a standing position with arms at your sides. Bend your knees and lower to the ground until your hands are touching. Kick your legs back and move into a pushup position, then kick your legs forward and jump up. Repeat. Start slowly and do for a minute. Increase your speed and the amount of time as you advance. Shoot for 5 to 10 minutes and you are good.
In between the above exercise types, you could incorporate 5 to 10 minutes of running and jugging to get more out of your fitness routine. But while you do this, be reminded that exercise is addictive once you make it a habit. Building the habit is more important than what you do or how long you do it. Most habits take three months to establish, so if you are beginner, start your habit by committing yourself to three to four days a week. The amount of time doesn’t matter — do whatever you can fit in, even if it is only five minutes of the above exercises. Once you build this routine into a habit and you begin to feel the results, increasing the amount and type of exercises you do will be easy.
At one, he was backed by his Mother like a conventional African woman and not like Kangaroo, seemingly the latest trend moving around just like flu epidemic.
At ten, Mother no more backed him; he now backed his bag to school.
He ran to the school next-door hopping like a gay rabbit, his basket occupied by a water-bottle and a food-cooler filled with more than enough food prepared by his over-caring Mother.
For him at that time, learning with sufficient food was fun just like hopping to school.
At twenty-five, he no more backed his bag to school; he now backed life, carrying his credentials-filled briefcase down the street.
Searching for job?
Mother was getting tired of sending almost half of her hard-earned money to a man with first degree, second degree…
What can he do after doing all those dos?
What else can be done?
He has been the best ever since basics till tertiary.
Like forever moments after tertiary, the best did not want to be his.
At thirty, he now backed more responsibilities; life became too weighty to be backed.
Mother was aging; she could no longer do all those odd jobs to make ends meet.
It was his turn to back her just like she has done.
With a round-the-clock job that couldn’t cater for up to half-the-clock expenses
Mother prayed for him before she kicked the bucket.
He wept till he ran out of tears.
Time whiled away, nothing improved.
He took a rope, trekked far from the livings to find a tree and put an end to his chaotic life.
He met a saviour who facilitated a rethink.
He ran back home soberly.
Two days after, fine job with fine salary came, fine life followed.
Sunday marked a great weekend for Leicester City football club, as the blue foxes continued their brilliant run of form on the English premier league, pummelling Sheffield United 5-0, to maintain their third position on the log in their quest to qualify for Europe’s top competition, the UEFA champions league, next season. Nigeria’s super eagles striker, Kelechi Iheanacho was the star of the occasion, the former youth prodigy turned back the hands of time, as he netted a fantastic hattrick to propel his team to a comfortable win over the premier league bottom dwellers. Kelechi who has been struggling for form and playing time since moving to the east Midlands, showed why he was regarded as a future superstar and a player to watch out for while he was dominating the world U-17 championship in UAE, 2013, leading Nigeria to the title and winning the best player of the tournament in the process.
In the summer of 2013, Kelechi had the world at his feet after just winning the U-17 world championship and being recognized as the world best player in that age bracket, Iheanacho was destined for greatness with so many great European clubs hovering over him to snap him up, he would later end up with Premier league big spenders, Manchester city, where he would continue his journey to stardom. At city, he was integrated into the team gradually, joining the team on their USA preseason tour where he scored a goal in the first match of the tour against Kansas city and another against Ac Milan. He would join the team youth system after he was granted a work permit and gradually made his way into the first team unit of the club. In his first full season under the guidance of Manuel pellegrini, he scored 14 goals in 35 appearance and helped the team reach the semi finals of the champions league, farthest the club had ever gone in Europe’s biggest competition. He struggled a bit in his second season under a new manager, Pep Guardiola, scoring only 7 goals in 29 appearances, which led to him being offloaded to Leicester city the following season.
At Leicester, Kelechi was supposed to bring in a new breathe of life to a team that was trying to replenish a squad that has been plundered with most of its best players leaving for greener pastures. He would later underperform, scoring just 4 premier league goals in his first two seasons and 10 overall in all competitions. Last season seems to bring a breathe of fresh air as kelechi seemed to have turned the corner scoring 10 goals in 26 appearances and matching his goals return in his previous two seasons combined. He looked to have reverted back to status quo as he started this season a little poorly but he seems to have regained his confidence as his exploit in the Europa league has shown this season and Sunday further emphasized that he might be coming back to his best. Sunday’s hattrick brings his total tally to 10 goals matching his previous season and puts him behind Jamie Vardy (14 goals), as the club second highest scorer this season.
It might be a small sample size, but it must be noted that Kelechi Iheanacho is having the best time of his life in Leicester city, and we hope he can continue to soar higher as his game expands. Sailor
Top Gadgets for a convenient Virtual Learning Experience
A new semester is here again! But this time, we may not need to pack our stuff to school like other regular semesters.
Life has saved us the stress of spending the first few weeks of resumption sourcing for accommodation and the stress that comes with manual course registrations. If you’re a fresher in UI at this point, you’re indeed lucky (at least in this aspect) The difference this time is that we’ll be leveraging on the power of technology in running the first semester of this academic session. The management of the school made this decision in a bid to avoid the spread of the pandemic within the school environment.
Without the face-to-face component of the traditional classroom, distance learning requires a host of technologies to enhance the educational experience. From versatile computing options to basic devices to boost home connectivity, there are a number of devices to help educators and students make online learning better this fall. We’ve curated this roundup to highlight some of the best online learning tools to enhance the new normal.
A LAPTOP OR TABLET DEVICE
Yes, you really need one of these if you’re planning on having a hitch-free virtual learning experience. Unlike mobile phones, laptops and tablets allow you to leverage on a traditional screen-and-keyboard style device while offering wider and better potential for connectivity
A WEBCAM
Not all computers come with quality webcams and some more affordable devices lack this hardware entirely. A basic webcam is also a great option for those looking to enhance their e-learning experience.
NOISE CANCELLATION HEADPHONES
Learning at home can be very distracting for students, even teachers. Having a noise cancellation headphone is a great option for individuals who wants to block outside distractions and tune in for the lesson at hand.
A WIRELESS BLUETOOTH SPEAKER OR SOUNDBOX
Not all computers are designed with top-notch speakers onboard. At higher volumes, these factory components can pop and crackle, greatly diminishing the sound quality. In an online lesson, clean crisp audio is imperative. A Bluetooth speaker is a great option for those looking to turn up the volume and dial in for a lesson. During independent learning, students can also use the speaker to play their favorite study playlists.
AN EXTERNAL MICROPHONE
Having an external microphone is a very easy way to give your virtual collaboration a boost. This ensures your voice contributions in class are received well and clear.
A DATA HUB SPLITTER
For an optimal online learning experience, many students need to leverage numerous devices, often at the same time. Many newer laptops have few (if any) USB ports to help with external recharges. Moreover, running all of these devices off of the laptop can quickly drain its battery midway through the school day. For this reasoning and others, a dedicated external USB charging hub is a great way to keep all of your devices fully charged without burying your laptop under a mountain of cables and dongles.
Daddy Freeze heads to Appeal Court over adultery scandal
Popular controversial On-Air Personality, Ifedayo Olarinde, notably known as Daddy Freeze, has expressed his mind on a Court ruling requesting him to pay N5m for committing adultery with his lover, Benedicta Elechi.
A High Court sitting in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, recently ordered Daddy Freeze, to pay the sum of N5m for sleeping with a woman who was still statutorily married when the said sexual act happened.
Reacting via his Youtube channel, Daddy Freeze said the court judgment was obtained in his absence.
“What we will do now is go straight to the Appeal Court. A lot of people are unaware that the judgement is not final until it gets to the Supreme Court.”
“I’m very confident in the judiciary system, and I do believe that I will receive a fair judgement”, he made known.
UI via her committee focused on implementing the virtual learning has scheduled meeting with students. This is said to be a level-by-level virtual interactions with returning undergraduate students.
The meeting is set to hold in batches on YouTube. The schedule is as follows: Monday (8th March)- 200level Tuesday (9th March)- 300level Wednesday (10th March)- 400level Thursday (11th March)- 500level and above.
The first meeting holds 6:30pm on Monday. The meeting can be accessed through https://youtu.be/LhCj0Y7uQ5o
Recall that a meeting has previously been held with the fresh students.
Vet Faculty inducts 2018/2019 Graduates on Wednesday
The Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan will be holding her 50th swearing in or induction ceremony on Wednesday 10th March, 2021 by 10am. This is according to a release by the Faculty.
The event planned to hold at the Faculty Auditorium will be chaired the University’s Vice Chancellor, Professor A.B. Ekanola and hosted by the Dean of the Faculty, Professor A.B. Adedeji. Dr. Vinod Kumar Mischra is set to be the Special Guest of Honour.
2020 wasted high volume of resources in human history on the account of coronavirus outbreak- a new strain of zoonotic virus. It’s learnt to have mutated and transmitted to humans from its natural host or recent vector. Coronavirus has raised a very high clinical challenge and without let or hindrances received an explosive reactions from the connoisseur and academic scholars around the world.
At beginning however it sets an inscrutable puzzle for humanity to solve coupling a steady establishment of its culture in the face of existing normality. Amongst others, using nose masks has been either compulsorily or voluntarily infused into sense of dressing. While some live in perpetual fear of contacting the virus, others don’t give it a slight recognition due to religious beliefs, cultural settings or individual views in most cases of skepticism which had contributed immensely to the pandemic.
Moreover, several advances have been attained and recorded across the the globe in the struggles against the virus. It is without any iota of doubt that it is impossible to prevent such natural occurrences as they are important tools to either put check to geometrically exploding human population or expand the number of existing organisms. However, human race must be equipped with necessary tools in terms of education, facilities on the part of the government to tackle such occurrence effectively when they arrive, such that the focus will not be divided on the enlightenment and efforts towards eradication.
Covid-19 has assumed to be more than a viral strain. It is indeed a mental, physical and socio-economic strain. It has claimed many lives (about 2. 6m death according to the WHO’s report) and it is yet to be completely eradicated, hanging a perpetual fear on man’s neck as new strains are being discovered in some regions of the world. It has dealt with man’s mental well being as it operates to set sudden changes in human minds as well as obstructing its productivity and compulsorily led to mismanagement of its resources.
An economic strain have been imposed which are being properly “Le chatelierize” in some regions of the world by injecting funds via palliatives, periodic stimulus checks and availability of reasonable loan to help businesses grow again which should be emulated by African countries.
Healthy tips to keep staying safe: • Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash frequently with soap and water. • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. • Cover your mouth and nose with your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze.
•Clean and disinfect surfaces frequently especially those which are regularly touched. •Wear a clean nose mask.
Handover has come and gone, yet the Impact and Tradition Team led by Christian-viva Aquah has a role on the Zik Hall theatrical stage. Many Zikites are airing that they are yet to collect their package from the immediate past administration while some claim they got incomplete ones. Magazine was paid for by Zikites specifically, no one seems to have collected not even a copy. Zik Hall leadership finds it easy to get dues while it often finds it dicey to get packages across to Zikites. It is fast becoming a trend, not only in the Baluba Kingdom but in general.
Hall dues are always collected in the early weeks of first semester. At most, before the mid-semester, all that pertains to dues payment must have been concluded. Reasonably, it is expected that process of package production will be swiftly done. Reverse is the case, leaders often tarry till it is getting late. Hence, many eventually miss the opportunity of getting the value of the money they paid because of long vacation or graduation. Yet, it is worrisome and worthy of suspicion that cries of colossal waste of Hall packages have never been heard despite the fact that many claimed they have not got their packages in the previous years. Does that mean enough has never been produced to take care of all Zikites who paid?
The previous administration did greatly by making numerous copies of the Zik Hall Constitution and distributing them to Zikites but have they done well by abiding with the content religiously? Section 32(5) of the Constitution of Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall 2019 provides that “the Hall package shall not exceed first semester”. Literal interpretation is clear. Production, distribution and anything regarding packages shall not exceed the first semester. The Law does not compel the impossible. Before the Constitution got the force of law, public hearing and other stringent procedures were done to ensure that the Constitution is in touch with reality. It can be deemed that the previous administration erred. Hopefully, successive administrations will do fair justice to all that pertains to Hall packages, so Zikites will never be reluctant of paying dues or resolving that the only reason they pay dues is because of the compulsion and not for its value. Though, due to the pandemic, no one seems to know about the possibility of the current administration getting hold of students’ dues. These are peculiar times.
The current Hall Chairman, Joshua Ejemeka was reached by ZikPress to know peradventure the remaining packages and copies of Magazine were handed over to him. He stated thus “Yes, I am aware that some Zikites are yet to receive their package. In fact, that was one of the reasons why we had to delay the handing over, because we wanted the outgone administration to be done with all the necessary activities, but due to the pandemic it didn’t go as planned. However, what I know about the package is that most are in the custody of the Financial Secretary of the outgone administration and not with any member of my Council. I believe that they are making plans as to when to distribute it to the people who paid for it. So, the package including the magazines will be distributed when everyone is settled”.
ZikPress contacted the immediate past Financial Secretary, Bello, popularly known as Bro Shaggi to confirm the information got from the Hall Chairman. He confirmed the information. “Actually, the packages are with me but since there are rules now that no opening of hostels and the Halls are locked. Everything is still in my room. I can’t share it since there are no students in the Hall. There are Magazines, the bags are in excess. We just have to resume. Once it has been declared that the Hall should be open, then, the sharing could start but since the Hall is still locked, I cannot take out any of it”.
Responding to the question on when Hall package will be distributed on the Hall’s Whatsapp platform- “Issues Affecting Zik Hall”, the former Sport Minister, Kester Tomiwa made it known that the package has been available since last year and the problem is distribution. He further stated that Zikites can reach any member of the Impact and Tradition Team to discuss a way to get the package. Further corroborated by the Immediate Past Hall Chairman, Christian-Viva Aquah on the same platform, He stated “We are finding a way of having it distributed without having to go against any COVID-19 guidelines or flout the school rules. You all will get your package, it has been stored for over a year now. Due communication will be done and information on receiving your package will be passed round through the official group of those who paid, and other Zik Hall platforms”.
While the pandemic can be easily blamed for the current predicament, it is still valid to state that if the situation had been managed much better before now, the current issue won’t be a relevant topic. This does not however change the fact that some Zikites, especially members of the graduating class will most likely not get the package they duly paid for because they have moved on to pursue other exploits in life. Distribution of the package will be anticipated. Finger crossed!
This could have ended in a better way. This could have been one of those times you say "God pulled him through". He stared right down there on the stairs to his apartment with a grin on his face betraying his real intention. He wore a triumph look and caged a terror. This isn't the worst that had happened, but a man can only stand so much. He belched and gave an irritating look powered by the smell of the petrol he had drank. " It's all gonna be over soon" he had said as he felt himself heavier than a generator's tank.
This wasn't his first attempt to end "this miserable" life that was given to him. He once took an overdose of the drugs his mother had left on the table when he was 13. He said he thought they would kill him, but instead they were just vitamins. He had intentionally jumped in front of a running car, only to wake up at the hospital three days later. "Why is he torturing me with being alive!?" He screams at God. But who would blame him for wanting to run away? Run away from the stigmatization he faced. He'd be 42 next Saturday but the closest anyone had ever been to him after knowing about his predicament was 5ft apart.
The first time it had happened was when he turned 10. A big number for the boy turning to a man. The party was huge and he was the point of attention. "Happy Birthday, James" echoed from the crowd orchestrated by Mrs Aiyegbeni, his mum. Then the devil chimed in with his tunes and left James to dance under the table. The coldness in his eyeballs sent a horror to every kid present. He stretched and stretched till his lips were all filled with soap lather as Simeon(his classmate who was also his class captain) had recounted the experience. The bubbling party was now nothing more than a stare of confusion and countless worries. "What could be wrong?" "Is he dying?", the kids were asking but the parents knew that was the last time their kids would be hanging out with James or his family.
He felt the taste of his own blood on his tongue. The drowsiness had set in. " Would anyone see the note I wrote?" He asked himself. Perhaps not, but he hoped they will. This time he would fall, but unlike always he would not be getting up. He would not be cleaning his hair himself. He would not be ashamed to talk with anyone ever again. He would not be reminded how many times he'd been rejected (not by incompetence but because he could fall anytime).
He wouldn't have to go another day yelling to people's ears that "EPILEPSY IS NOT CONTAGIOUS! YOU WONT HAVE EPILEPSY BY HOLDING MY HANDS!". On the other hand, he thought he might be on the floor for a while for two reasons: a, they might think this is another feat and b, no one wants to touch an epileptic corpse.
And with this, he smiled in his tears for the end.
[Sport] Collision of the Old Guards and the New Order
The 16th of February 2021, saw the return of Europe’s biggest and arguably the biggest and most revered competition in the world of sports; the UEFA champions league, on a night when two giants of the modern game, Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain, locked horns to fight for supremacy and a chance to move to the last 8 of the competition, in the absence of his talismanic teammate, Neymar jr, and in the presence of one of the greatest footballers of all time Lionel Messi, up stepped Kylian Mbappe who stole the headlines with a sublime well taken hat trick.
Like everything synonymous with every big events and occasions, it churns out big questions which require deep thoughts and answers. One of such deep thoughts was what inspired the pertinent question; are we witnessing the passing out of the old guard; Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have dominated the world of football for the past decade and beyond, and the emergence of a new order Kylian Mbappe and Dortmund’s top striker, Erling Haaland?
In discussing this topic, one might want to take a look at other sports which are experiencing the same form of revolution and emergence of young superstars ready to take the mantle of supremacy from the old order in their respective fields. Like in the WTP, Naomi Osaka has proven to be a strong face of women tennis as she looks to have taken the reign of supremacy from the old guard, Serena Williams whom she defeated at the semi finals of the Australian open on her way to winning her third major title. Although in the men’s section, the likes of Dominic Thiem and Alexander Zverev are still finding it hard to usurp the triadic old order of ATP, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic.
The world of American sports has also witnessed a surge and a revolution of some sort, with the emergence of Cam Newton and Patrick Mahomes as new enterprising superstar quarter backs in the NFL, although the latter lost out to the old order, Tom Brady, in the recent super bowl LV, 2021. The NBA is also witnessing a sort of revolution with the emergence of new and young superstars like Luka Doncic, Trae Young, Zion Williamson, Lamelo Ball just to name a few, who have proven that they can take the mantle of supremacy from the old guard, LeBron, Durant,Curry, when they leave the scene.
In the world of football, the same can be said of the revolution as the emergence of Mbappe, Haaland and the likes has had people throwing out summation of an emergence of a new order in world football and the declining of the old order. These questions could be argued to be logical with the statistical evidence being churned out by these new superstars. At 22years and 58days, Mbappe became the third youngest player to score a hat trick in the UCL knockout stages, he is also the third youngest player to score a hat trick at the Camp Nou. Borrussia Dortmund have scored nine goals in the first half of this UCL season, tied for most with Borrussia Monchengladbach.
Haaland scored five of those first half goals – the most by any player this season. Haaland has scored 10 UCL goals in just seven games for Dortmund, the fastest a player has ever reached 10 goals for a team in the UCL, breaking Roy Makaay’s record with Bayern Munich ( 10 games, between 2003-04 ). Haaland has scored a total 18 UCL goals, one shy of Mbappe, for most goals by a player before his 21st birthday. Mbappe on his own part is the third highest goalscorer in PSG’s history overtaking Portuguese legend Paupers (109), only Cavani (200 goals) and Ibrahimovic (156 goals) have more. Messi and Ronaldo have scored 15 UCL goals since the start of 2019/20 season which pales in comparison with the 28 Mbappe and Haaland have netted in the same timeframe.
Although the duopoly of Messi and Ronaldo’s reign may be coming to an end, it must be noted that the two legends are still playing pivotal roles and remain game changers in the game. Both players still lead the goal scoring standing in their respective leagues with 19 goals apiece (at the time of filing this report). With penalty against PSG, Messi has scored UCL goals in 17 different seasons (2005-21) equalling Raul Gonzalez (1995-2011) for most in the UCL history. He has now scored 20 goals in all competitions for a 13th consecutive season. The goal also means Messi has extended his record of UCL round of 16 goals to 28 – the most in the tournament history, with Ronaldo closely behind him with 25 goals of his own.
Haaland spoke about how Mbappe’s goals against Barcelona spurred him to blitz Sevilla the following day. “I saw Mbappe scored a hat-trick, I got free motivation so thanks to him,” he said after his double in Spain. But it is perhaps unfair to put such a big label on two players so young by comparing them to two of the greatest players in the game.
Ronaldo and Messi have won 11 of the last 12 Ballons d’Or and have broken dozens of records along the way. Ronaldo struck twice for Juventus vs Crotone earlier this week. The Portugal superstar is the top goal scorer in history with 763 to his name, although this is disputed. He is also Real Madrid’s record scorer and has won an incredible five Champions League trophies. Messi is not too far behind with 654 goals and is Barcelona’s all-time top scorer as well as breaking numerous LaLiga records. Haaland and Mbappe are at the start of their careers but the future looks in safe hands once Messi and Ronaldo retire.
Quite recently, ‘resumption’ has been a relatively hot subject, even in the University of Ibadan. While it generally denotes recommencing activities that were prohibited due to the pandemic, for a large part of great Nigerian students, it means returning from a rattling lockdown period elongated by the now suspended ASUU strike.
While it is no news that resumption is complimented with restrictions in compliance with COVID-19 safeguards, the overwhelming effects are quite stark. The revamp to virtual class systems, non-accommodation of students on campus and the drastically reduced student population within the school premises are some of the apparent results of adaptation into the COVID-19 era.
However, what is probably most observed as few crop of students peep around the streets of UI is the unusual silence in SUB. Now, the SUB area is a stranger to being a cynosure of all form of sport and recreational activities engaged in by students, staff members and other recreation or sport motivated individuals. Perhaps, this is not a sad tale as it is reasonably understood that to comply with the health realities of the times certain sacrifices must be made.
Indeed, the University management while making efforts to kick start the new session and simultaneously successfully end the old one, will certainly not have resuming sporting activities among the top agenda on its to-do list. Frankly, it will be thoughtless on many levels to write this piece as a clamour for the resumption of sporting activities on campus, and not just because the management has enough on its table, the absence of the greater student population on campus makes pushing for resumption of sports a vain venture. Yet, the impacts are bugging.
It must be noted that the social life of students in UI thrives to appreciable extents on sports. Take football competitions for example, at least each level, Department, Faculty and Hall of Residence have a football team and actively participate in competitions of various categories. Given that many of these competitions take place in the second semester, the first semester is usually dedicated to team integrations, trainings and other related team build-ups. In normal circumstances, organising the inter-hall football competition should be in the works for the second semester, and the first semester should see the rallying, preparation and development of players. Unfortunately, the possibility of hosting such event is not a certain eventuality.
More to it is the fact that the first semester gives the privilege of discovering new talents among freshmen. Missing out on the opportunity to develop fresh legs into formidable team players might turn out to be hitches in team play, development and success in the very near future. Moreover, sport has been realized as an integration tool for freshmen, which is why ‘freshers’ versus ‘stalites’ matches remain a core part of freshmen orientation programmes in Departments, Halls and even Fellowships. What sport pleasures freshmen will be missing can only be related by stale students!
Equally, spectators and supporters are not left out in the aftereffects. The frenzy of the crowd, the ululating shouts of supporters, the hubble-bubble of rival groups and the general game excitements are fondly remembered with hopes of a soon return to the stands. Other sports apart from football do not escape the impacts. Many enthusiasts of contact sports as; volleyball, tennis, basketball have had to settle for locations other than the school premises or take a break from their sport interests.
By and large, the compulsory break from sporting on campus creates a vacuum in the extra-curricular interests of UI students. Interestingly, the narrative could change. It is not ill-conceived to desire the resumption of sport activities on campus. Where a well-managed system is implemented, sporting flair can be reignited on campus without the risk of triggering health crisis. Perhaps, certain policies will be reconsidered subsequently as relevant stakeholders thoughtfully make efforts for a return to the pitch.
Two towns. Two new Sheriffs. Virtual mode takes charge for the first semester. Joshua Ejemeka, popularly known as Sebastian takes over as the Zik Hall Chairman. For the two happenings, there emerges not only a new Sheriff but also a new order. In the light of the new developments, what stands to be the fate of the town? How has academic activity been under the virtual mode in the University of Ibadan? How has the Sebastian-led administration as the new Sheriff faring in the Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall? Time will only tell.
Notably, these times are peculiar. It takes innovation to run a student body or organisation under the new order occasioned by the pandemic. Before now, physical presence or social interaction, so to write, is everything to student leadership on Campus. Zik Hall is known for its high level of conviviality and social engagement, most especially through gyration and Aro. Meetings, including sittings are held to ensure things are done rightly. The highlight of a Zik administration is widely on how well it fared in coordinating the Hall socially. Block B basement has to be bubbling. Soccer Leagues must be aired at the level of Junior Common Room. This is out of the present equation, all and sundry is at home. How else can Zik Hall nature of social interaction be done without physical gathering? Is this valued Zik Hall tradition on hold and shall continue to be? Can there ever be virtual mode to that?
Water must flow, if it does not, Hall executives are not working. Hall package must be distributed early enough, if it is not distributed early enough, the executives are siphoning the money. A Zikite’s right being violated? Executives must rise to the task through demonstrations, if they do not, then, they are not active. Name any deficiency in the Hall, most Zikites definitely have the Executives blamed for it. Of course, besides the numerous promises they made while contesting, it is their responsibility as leaders. However, those times have been paused, at least for the first semester. The present reality is not the time for Zikites to call on the Executives to act because many do not know how they can. It is the time for the Executives to prove their existence to Zikites by acting innovatively.
Fresh Zikites are highly welcome to the Hall. Zik Hall is definitely a place to be for any male on campus. While the experience of being a resident of the Baluba Kingdom shall always be memorable, it has to be wholly used for the all-round benefit of one’s studentship on campus. Best experiences are set to come by second semester with physical presence on campus. Every other Zikites are wished well in this new session. May the odds be in our favour!
[Interview] We are committed to delivering our promises- Zik Hall
Chairman
ZikPress interviews Mr Joshua Ejemeka, the recently inaugurated Zik Hall Chairman as first semester of the 2020/2021 academic session officially reaches third week. He reveals his Council’s plans for the session amongst other topical issues.
There are claims that some Zikites who paid Hall dues have not got their packages for the last session. Besides, a separate amount was set apart for the Magazine which no one seems to have collected. With handover being done, were Hall packages being awaited and copies of the Magazine part of the materials handed over?
Yes, I am aware that some Zikites are yet to receive their package. In fact, that was one of the reasons why we had to delay the handing over, because we wanted the outgone administration to be done with all the necessary activities, but due to the pandemic it didn’t go as planned. However, what I know about the package is that most are in the custody of the Financial Secretary of the outgone administration and not with any member of my Council. I believe that they are making plans as to when to distribute it to the people who paid for it. So, the package including the magazines will be distributed when everyone is settled.
Mr Ejemeka, do you hold the view that the virtual mode first semester of the 2020/2021 academic session is taking as a result of the pandemic has nothing on your administration?
Of course, the virtual mode of running the first semester is affecting my administration in a lot of ways of which most are negative, but then the times have changed and things will never be normal. It is only a fool that will sit down and expect things to be as it were. What we are doing is to look for ways to come out of this whole position and salvage the situation. Even the school management does not know how to go about it, not to talk of Halls of Residence, but we are doing a form of damage control.
What are the spectacular impacts Zikites should be expecting from your tenure as the Hall Chairman?
Before now, we had envisioned that the pandemic was going to affect our dues collection that is why I and my colleagues in the Executive Council started looking towards getting sponsorship for projects. We intend to carry out some projects in the Hall which is expected to be sponsored by some of our Alumni. In due time, we will be telling Zikites about these projects. However, all hands are on deck to meet and talk to sponsors. We have been getting favourable responses.
Dues can be said to be the major source of revenue for Hall administration. For now, dues collection is largely uncertain for the session. Is the vision team set to explore alternatives?
Like I said earlier, we had envisioned the whole situation, we had seen that the pandemic was going to affect us in the area of dues collection. We had resulted in sourcing for sponsorship from corporate companies and individuals alike. So far so good, the responses we have been getting have been good, though nobody has made any monetary commitment yet. They have given us their words and we are working on getting their financial contributions soon.
With freshmen recently allocated to Halls, are there moves towards giving them orientation or hinting them of the greatness in being a Zikite?
I will gladly say that we are the first Hall in UI to create a medium whereby allocated freshmen can reach out to the members of the Executive Council and get added to an official WhatsApp group, not just a normal group created by a political enthusiast looking to vie for a position later and then trying to gather data. This group is just for freshmen. We intend to hold our virtual orientation programme on the group. The Orientation program will be a three-day programme. It is expected to hold later in the month of March.
Zik Hall Constitution provides that the Attorney-General shall be appointed by the Executive Council within two weeks of inauguration. Ignoring that two weeks have lapsed already, is there a name waiting to be announced?
The possible candidate for Attorney-General has been contacted a long time ago, the only problem we have now is the situation of things in the Hall. We really have not worked out a plan towards doing it either virtually or physically, but I want to assure you that as this has been raised up, it should be sorted out before the end of this week.
The Executive and Legislative Councils are set for the 2020/2021 tenure. What about the Judicial Council, Mr Chairman?
I admire your enthusiasm. You trying to hold on to the trend of things, making sure that the ZikPress moves on, but then I would want to point out that because of the situation of things in the Hall most people have lost vibes for everything in the Hall. What we are trying to do now is first get people settled down, because as we speak a lot of people are still hanging around. They do not have a place to stay yet and then, the supposed members of the Judiciary Council are having issues right now. So, we are looking at giving them some time to settle down. When we know that people have settled down probably before the end of the fourth week, we would have sorted the issue of the Judiciary Council.
Considering the fact that students still claim to have some properties in the Hall and even Hall properties and amenities are domiciled in the Hall, what is the state of security in the Hall as students won’t be generally available in the Hall?
I know that some students have properties in the Hall of which they should not be having anything in the Hall. Students were advised to take out their things before they left due to the school fumigating and all. What I met on ground when I was handed over to, I can give you full assurance that we have been on our toes working and ensuring there is security in the Hall. I am also working to see to it that the school reverses the directive not to allow any student on campus, at least for the Executive Council. I am the President of Council of Hall Chairpersons and I have been meeting with the University management. I have also been taking people loitering in the Hall aimlessly to the Security unit. Though, we cannot give you full assurance of your belongings remaining in the Hall, but then we are working tirelessly to ensure that what you have in the Hall are secured and safe pending the time students will be allowed to come back to pick up their things.
Mr Chairman, we felicitate with you on your new office, is there anything else you would like to say to fellow Zikites?
My parting words to Zikites are that things might not be the way we have planned but then this condition should not dapple our spirit. We have been working with the university management to ensure that at least some people are returned back to the Hall in second semester. The Executive Council is hoping to work with Zikities. It is heart-breaking to see that the ever vibrating hall is just calm and nothing is happening. Zik hall has never been this dry in an academic session. We want to assure everybody that we are working towards the interest of every Zikitie, at any point in time when a Zikite needs help, they should not hesitate to reach out. We are going to open platforms whereby Zikites can interact so that when we resume we would not be strangers. We were elected to serve the people but it is so disheartening that we do not even have people physically to serve. Nevertheless, we are committed to delivering our promises. The pandemic is not strong enough to take away Baluba, that is, Oneness, Togetherness and Brotherhood.
