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.
Sunday, October 31, 2021
Zik Hall Management Committee meets, holds sendoff for Dr KK
On Friday, 29th October, the Hall Management Committee of Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, constitutionally recognised as the highest decision making body of the hall, held its first meeting for the session.
Present at the meeting which held at the JCR were the Hall Master, Professor A. A. Adedapo, the Hall Warden, Dr O. A. Adebiyi, the Assistant hall wardens, the hall supervisor, a number of the hall’s porters, the executive council and principal members of the legislative council.
The meeting which kicked-off at about 2:00pm began with preliminary introductions. The Hall Warden updated the committee with reports on the management of the hall, particularly to keep the Hall Master abreast of goings-on within the hall. At the start of the meeting, the Hall Master had briefly remarked on the failure of the Executive council to pay him a courtesy visit at the beginning of the administration.
The Hall Chairman, Ejemeka Joshua, also made contributions at the meeting, pointing out the need to beef up security in the hall. He suggested the installation of lamps where necessary along floor corridors. Discussions afterwards shifted towards other matters including ensuring compliance of residents with the hall rules. A motion for adjournment of the meeting was thereafter moved by the hall supervisor, Mr Durowoju, and seconded by one of the Assistant Hall Wardens.
The meeting however moved to its second phase to celebrate the appointment of Dr Kareem (KK), a former Assistant Hall Warden as Mellanby Hall’s new Hall Warden. The committee presented him with a gift amidst the showering of befitting comments. The new Assistant Hall Warden appointed in his stead was also recognised.
The absence of some Executive Council members was however observed, namely; Moriselade Soladoye-Adewole (Morriz), the IPM, Akande Peter (A Peter), the Sport Minister, Inioluwa John, the Health Minister and Popoola Sulaiman, the Finance Minister.
[Special Report] Zik Hall Inter-floor Quiz: A2, C4, B3, A4 advance to
Finals
In the second stage of the Zik hall inter-floor quiz contest, A2, C4, B3 and A4 emerged qualifiers, advancing to the final stage of the contest.
12 floors had begun the contest which kicked off on Wednesday with A3, B1, B4 and C1 getting knocked out. The second stage featured A1, A2, A4, B2, B3, C2, C3 and C4 tussling mentally for the four spots in the final stage.
Friday evening, the second day of the quiz, the contest started off with a deep dive into the puzzling recesses of how much do you know. In the early stages, C4 led the pack, performing impressively in the UI, Zik hall and general knowledge test questions. The same can’t be said of C2, whose guesses and hunches couldn’t garner them sizeable points.
The general knowledge category threw some floors to their wits’ end, where C3 voiced the opinion that Olusegun Obasanjo was the founder of Boys’ Brigade, though Wiliam Alexander Smith must have shifted in his grave wondering where Obasanjo was in 1883 when he founded the Boys’ Brigade. At another point, the people of Belarus would have thought A4 contestants have their knowledge sphere trapped in Nigeria when they suggested that the capital of their country is Lagos.
While very brainy answers were given, securing points for respective floors, hilarious responses continued to fill up the comic side of the contest especially when A1 believed Jesus Christ was the saint who inspired the boxing day or when Honourable Yamburger of A2 felt strongly that the reality show that Cardi B had starred in was America Got Talent and that ‘soapy’ was the most disliked video on Youtube, though Youtubers had shown the strongest detestation for Justin Beiber’s ‘baby’.
A2 went on to prove their mettle in the movies category, while B3 clearly had the music section. The contest was equally enlightening for both contestants and spectators. If you didn’t, now you’ll know that, Africa’s Napoleon is South Africa’s Shaka Zulu; Sportswriter, Gabriel Hanot conceived the idea of the ballon d’or; King Sunny Ade has been nominated twice for the grammy award; Tiger Wood’s real first name is Eldric.
To spice things up, a spectators’ round was held with just five contestants, where Bello (Shaggy), former finance minister failed Azikiwe by answering that Buhari was Nigeria’s first President. Liam Anthony eventually won the spectators’ round.
At the end of day two contest, A2 had 38.5 points, C4 had 36 points, B3 had 34.5 points and A4 had 27 points, qualifying as first, second, third and fourth respectively. B3 clinched the award for most coordinated floor.
The final stage of the quiz contest will hold during the hall week, featuring the four qualified floors.
Zikites and the Unbecoming Attitude of Apathy to Gainful Webinars
For over seven months, the University of Ibadan has made a relatively successful transition to a learning system that accommodates the use of virtual tools. In many ways, virtual classes have naturally reflected a clear shift towards platforms engaged to break barriers in learning and social connectivity in general.
While virtual classes might have gained traction within the University, a generally pervasive inclination to virtual meetings for other purposes, online seminars and programmes, especially where participation is invitational is yet to become an accepted participatory norm.
Such virtual programmes may be organized by campus-based organizations, student government bodies, NGOs and others in the scope. This is not to say that such bodies have not demonstrably shown such inclination for virtual meetings, however, the discontenting issue here is tailored towards the problem of poor audience attendance in these virtual meetings. The attitude of Zikites to online seminars or programmes largely exemplifies this situation.
Earlier in the session, April 10, 2021, the Sebastian-led administration had organized a mental health online seminar through the office of the health minister, headed by John Inioluwa. The online seminar was held in the first semester while the prohibition of students’ accommodation was still in place. The virtual seminar which held on Google meet however recorded a poor attendance ratio of Zikites, freshmen and stalites. Lamenting the poor turn-out, the health minister pointed out how much Zikites were missing by not participating in the health seminar. According to him, “mental health is an emerging issue which is recently being focused on…the fact that people don’t understand the benefits of what they stand to gain at the seminar can be an impediment to attendance.”
More recently, the Zik Hall Academic Committee organized an online academic seminar for stalites on telegram, on the 22nd of October. The Academic Committee head, Mr Samson Oloyede, also the Hall Secretary, clarified that, telegram was used for the seminar as using zoom would have consumed more data. Clearly, a cost-effective medium favourable to the participants was planned.
Also, the committee organized another telegram-based academic seminar for finalists on the 25th of October. With beneficial academic seminars planned, interesting and relevant topics to be discussed by resourceful facilitators and adequate publicity, the committee head could only express shock at the meagre number of participants present at both seminars. With Zik hall’s population running in hundreds the expected average level of participation was drastically disproportionate to the recorded participants’ figure. The average number of participants in both seminars was barely 13. 13 participants for a Zik hall programme! Excluding the facilitators, moderator and non-zikite participants, participants from Zik hall could barely reach 7.
Perhaps, it could be contended that participation could have improved if the seminar had been physical. However, the committee head argues the need to broaden the audience range, making the programme inclusive of non-Zikites, hence, the virtual seminar. Including non-zikites in the hall’s programme is not a novelty. The Academic Committe’s tutorial sessions have always accomodated non-zikites, a show of Zik hall’s quality of generosity and mark of inclusiveness. Secondly, he laments inadequacy of funds to set-up a physical seminar, especially as it would require the provision of ‘participation-motivating‘ item 7.
He further pointed out that one of the facilitators for the finalists’ seminar, Mr Tosin Adebanjo, connected from Spain, clearly, holding the seminar virtually was required. Buttressing his reasons, the virtual seminar certainly puts participants at their convenience. Familiarity with the virtual platforms from the virtual class experiences also adds to ease of navigation.
Unfortunately, Zikites failed to match up with the zeal of the Committee with the clear show of disinterest. Remarking, Oloyede says, “the response we expected were not it and we were really surprised because even non-zikites who attended testified to the impact. In fact one of them mocked at the low turn-out by Zikites who profess the spirit of Zikism yet boycott such a beneficial programme” Needless to say is the fact that the seminars had been well publicised across zik hall platforms with over a hundred participants. The presence of non-zikites clearly demonstrates the publicity’s intensity.
This much attests to a persistent apathetic attitude by Zikites towards open virtual seminars. Quite appalling is the gross show of disinterest for these programmes especially where its essence is deepend by the need for optimal preparation for the forthcoming exams. Interestingly, it was observed on the Zik hall’s “Issues Affecting Zik Hall” group that there was a demand for a finalists targeted programme subsequent to the organization of the stalites’ academic seminar. However, this show of desire turned out to be merely superficial.
The bothered Academic Committee head went on to press the need for concerted participation for the success of any of the hall’s programme whether online or offline. He called on principal bodies, including floor representatives to help sensitize and facilitate Zikites’ participation. He also advised that subsequent administration can make data or other internet connectivity provisions to foster online activeness.
Recalling how much the Hall Warden had hammered on the need for maximizing academic-related activities to bolster the hall’s academic reputations in his latest interview with ZHPO, the need to address indifference towards these resource-filled programmes, be it online or otherwise is necessary for its inherent benefits even without ephemeral enticements like item 7.
Upon the resolution of Zik Hall Legislative Council to investigate Mr Miracle Marizu, who was before suspension the Social Minister of the Hall, an Investigative Panel was constituted.
The Investigative Panel led by Rt. Hon. Jamiu Olaoluwa, popularly known as Rashford submitted a report corroborating the validity of all allegations levelled against Mr Marizu. The allegations which have been confirmed true constitute the six sins of Saka, the Barber, suspended Social Minister of Zik Hall. They include;
Marizu generated funds in the name of the Hall for an event titled “BOOS & BOOZE” which was not remitted into the Hall’s account contrary to the provision of Section 59(3) of the constitution;
Mr Marizu generated internal revenue on behalf of the Hall on several occasions by renting/ leasing out the Junior Common Room to private bodies for usage without remitting the generated funds into the Hall’s account contrary to the provision of Section 59(3) of the constitution;
Mr Marizu is grossly negligent in the discharge of his duties as the Minister of Socials as provided for in Section 27(4) of the Constitution. Evidence exists to show the deplorable, dirty and unkempt state of the Junior Common Room;
Mr Marizu is negligent in the discharge of his duties as the Minister of Socials contrary to the provision of Section 60(3) of the constitution. That since 11th of September, 2021, due to his lackadaisical attitude towards work, Zikites have not been able to use the Hall’s television thereby wasting the DSTV subscription for the month of September while he did nothing substantial about resolving the issue;
Mr Marizu borrowed two 25 kegs from a certain shop named OLAS MART in your capacity as the Minister of Social for the Hall’s usage since Friday, September 24th, 2021, has failed to return it back to the owner and all efforts to retrieve it proved abortive;
Mr Marizu, assaulted a certain Mr Oloyede Samson, a fellow Zikite on the 25th of September, 2021 at the B Block basement, near the Hall Secretariat. An assault means any act from a person to another which puts the other in fear of application of physical force to his person.
After long deliberation, the house decided in accordance with Section 55(1)(g) of Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall Constitution to suspend Mr Marizu Miracle for three weeks with immediate effect.
The following are the conditions stipulated for his reinstatement.
That, he writes an apology letter to the generality of zikites, to be published by Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall press before 1st of November, 2021
That, he remits the sum of #7,500 being the total amount proven to be generated from leasing out the Junior Common Room to the Hall’s account before 1st of November, 2021.
That, he refunds the sum of money approved for the DSTV subscription for the month of September.
All constitutional duties under the office of the Social Minister are henceforth vested in the office of the Vice Hall Chairman.
Saka's Political Ambition down the drain as Hall Management reinforces
House Resolution
The Hall Warden has via an internal memorandum made available to the Press, reinforced the resolution of Zik Hall Legislative Council concerning the suspension of Mr Marizu Miracle, popularly known as Saka.
The release signed by Zik Hall Warden, Dr Adebiyi stated thus: “Your actions are against the culture of the Hall, therefore the management of the Hall is hereby upholding your suspension from office until further notice and in addition you can no longer hold or contest for any other political position in the Hall henceforth”.
The release further highlighted that the suspension can only be reviewed when there is show of remorse by Mr Marizu and all conditions provided by the house are met.
Important to note that Mr Miracle Marizu has been discreetly seeking support from Zikites to occupy the Number One seat in the Hall in the coming session.
FATSSA dares Zik Hall in First Ever UI Super Cup Match
This semester has been a sporty one due to the lively Inter-Hall competitions that has taken place, furnishing several skills as potentials are also explored. Many students have been able to get an improved set of skills which is a good platform for the birth of future Olympic Champions.
Recently, the Faculty of the Social Sciences dared the Lions of the Baluba Kingdom, the champion among other mini-Halls. They challenge results in the birth of the first ever UI super cup.
The idea sprouted from Oyeyemi Michael King also known as the IMMORTAL striker of the FATSSA football team, he is known to have a well-developed football coordination with a top-notch powerful shot which often make keepers go spineless.
This idea later became a deal as the genius coach of the great Baluba kingdom accepted after consulting the opinions of the players, and presently, October 22nd has been suggested for the showdown.
The two parties are working very hard to get sponsors for this great event. Initially, they wanted it to be a normal match without any prize or medals but later changed the direction of the wheel so as to get sponsors for this great match, It is hoped that they get one for the occasion to be well-spiced.
Another riddle to be solved by the players is to choose the team they want to play for as we have some players in the Zik Hall football team who are also from the Faculty of the Social Sciences. Players like Olabamiwo Emmanuel ( the furious Kante), Adediran Adedayo(DY). After investigation, it was realised that these two players put Zikism in front of their faculty as they chose to play for the Baluba lions rather than their Faculty.
Surely, Franco burger is ready, Maniggy is set, DY is ready to put in his best, Emmanuel is ready to frustrate the living hell out of them. Skinny, ma fo.
Some Zikites were asked on their stand concerning the match. Ajibade Israel also known as ISCO from C31 said “the match is going to be a 50-50 chance.” Ikpi Kelvin, an adroit player of the Faculty of Agriculture also said both teams are evenly matched. While popular opinion may suggest that both teams are good, one thing is certain, the match will be one of a kind in the history of intra-campus football fixtures.
Please, you can share your views about the match in the comment section below. Thanks.
Legislative Council relieves Saka of his Constitional duties,
constitutes Investigative Committee
The Zik Hall Legislative Council in an emergency sitting held on Monday, 4th October 2021, resolved to relieve the Social Minister, Mr Marizu Miracle, popularly known as “Saka the Barber” of all his duties on the allegations of gross misconduct pending the result of an Investigative Panel set up by the Legislative Council.
In a broadcast released after the sitting by the House’s Clerk, Hon. Fabiyi Oluwadamilare, it reveals thus: “After thorough deliberation, the following are the resolution reached by the Council:- 1) Following allegations of gross misconduct levelled against MR Marizu Miracle, he has been relieved of all his official duties as the Minister for Socials, pending the report of an investigative panel set up by the Legislative Council. He is to submit all Hall properties in his care to the Speaker within the next 24 hours. 2) In accordance with section 55(1)(e) of the NNAMDI AZIKIWE HALL Constitution, an investigative panel has been set up to probe the allegations levelled against the Minister for Socials and report back to the house on Monday for final hearing.”
The motion for adjournment of the sitting till the 11th October, 2021 was moved by Hon. Salawu Daniel and seconded by Hon. Hassan Ayomide, the sitting ended at exactly 9:00PM.
However, in an interview with the Speaker of the house, to throw more light into the situation of things on ground, he had this to say “First, the Social minister was not “suspended”, since certain constitutional steps need to be taken before an officer could be suspended. However, he was relieved of all official duties pending investigation by a panel set up for that purpose according to section 55(1)(e). The decision to relieve him of all official duties was reached after several allegations of gross misconducts levelled against the Social Minister and which he admitted guilt”.
He further stated that “he admitted that the allegations are true but then just like I said earlier, there is an investigative panel working on determining his guilt or otherwise“.
Efforts to reach the Social Minister to get his own side of the story proved abortive as he failed to reply to messages and other measures trying to reach him as at the time of publication.
I’m dusting my pant once again. Not to remove the dirt on it but to confirm the state of my pocket. I stood right at the corner of the stairs While I day dreamed about the times I took food for granted.
I’m back at the site for another shift But baby wont stop calling for another gift Who art thou among men to own a babe when you have not a dime? How close art thou to Sapa’s arm
He can make a grown man sigh after a long pause For the last tukay disappeared right in front of his nose He grits his teeth with so much anger While nodding “Nice one. Nice one”
He’s the energy that makes a grown man twerk on IG giveaway No respect for John Thomas? F**k John Thomas. He’s the voice that makes you notice your friend taking a bigger scoop Punches are bound to land on one of you, for everyone is a detective.
Who’s he that makes you smile while crying. Who’s he that changes your lengua with a plead? Sapa, bien merci!
Sport is genetical as it is of invaluable worth keeping humanity together. Nnamdi Azikwe Hall has been a Hall of greatness sparkling out sport excellence in diverse angles of Iife. It is of no doubt that our excellence in sport gave rise to our anthem especially the part that says ” WE ARE THE UNDISPUTED UI SPORT KING AND AZIKWE NEVER EVER FAIL“, this statement wasn’t born out of nothing, it was born out of action as Baluba Lions who became terror on the field to other mini Hall’s who tried to compete with them then.
Baluba kingdom has given rise to many stardom, a particular Super Eagle player called Mutiu Adepoju was once a Zikite who captained the Zik Hall team and led them against other Hall’s, he was known for his goal scoring ability and coordination during his undergraduate days as no players would even dare to come near him, he is ready to make you a victim of mockery by dribbling you down the lane followed by an accurate pass to his fellow Zikite.
He even led the university team to NUGA (an inter university competition) in the year 1976 which made him a hot deal as he was chosen to join the super eagles then. He played in the world cup game for the under 20s where he scored integral goals of the match against Spain and other countries which made him to be known as one of the best attacking mid fielders super eagles ever has. No wonder he was nicknamed HEADMASTER as he could nod almost anything with his head, some even nicknamed him COCONUT HEAD (ori agbon).
This genetic make up got proven once again as Zik hall emerged the winner of the recently concluded inter hall competition after several cascade of intensive training combined with self improvement on the part of Baluba Lions. This cup was raised again and the ferocity of the Baluba Lions got an exponential increase which is a good news but how do we pass this quality of greatness to the upcoming Ziklet?
In order to maintain the quality of this genetic excellence we have in sport, we must redefine the mentality of the upcoming Ziklet, winning is a mentality which fuels the mind and the body to put in more work for a particular task to be achieved, the upcoming Ziklets must know this as it would help them go far in maintaining one of the qualities of Zikism which is EXCELLENCE. “SPORT IS AN INDUCED GENETICS WHICH CAN ONLY GO FAR WITH THOSE WITH THE MENTALITY OF WINNING”.
Unaired Matches at JCR: Social Minister Explains Why
In Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, it is fast becoming commonplace to find a significant number of Zikites trooping into the Hall from Indy hall through the by-pass behind D-block. This is noticeably so especially during the weekends or weekdays of Tuesday and Wednesday.
It is not so difficult to make the connection explaining why. The football season has been back for a while with EPL and UCL matches been aired. Football fans and supporters are inspirited with much enthusiasm especially with the enthralling trends trailing the sphere of top-flight football.
However, for a considerable number of weeks, games have not been viewed at Zik hall’s JCR. As a result, Zikites have turned to alternative locations to view live matches. This does not sit well for a majority of Zikites, and the unsatisfactory feeling is reasonably so as it is better preferred to view matches within the Hall.
Daniel, a Zikite, speaking with a ZHPO correspondent laments that it has been pretty inconvenient watching the matches in other locations. He said, “Since they’ve not been showing matches in Zik Hall, I’ve been going to Bello or Indy, and it has been difficult because before you get there the place is usually full already. It is bothering that a whole Zik Hall doesn’t show matches and we have to jostle to view them in other halls. Even the plasma TV we use in Zik is an old one from Akala’s time in 2011. Shouldn’t our excos, past or present have done something about that?”
Another Zikite who pleaded anonymity aired his discontent on the situation. He vented to ZHPO that, “I’m not happy about it. Zikites having to go outside the hall to view matches is not cool at all.”
In light of the pervasive feeling of discontent, Zik Hall’s Minister for Socials, Marizu Miracle, who is constitutionally in charge of the functioning of the JCR and its facilities, was approached by ZHPO on the attenuating issue. He clarified that, “Actually, the JCR TV set is faulty with a screen problem and in cases like this, it’s most likely a new TV set will be bought because of the cost of repairing the screen. However, I have made several attempts to at least let an engineer outside the university premises check it but this has proven almost impossible due to the unnecessary stress and protocols the University Security Department has put me through in order to take the TV outside the school.”
He expatiates that a letter authorizing the moving of such gadget out of the University premises was demanded by the intra-campus security officers at the gate. “They have rejected a written note which was signed and stamped by the Hall Supervisor and requested for a letter, signed and stamped by the Hall Warden with our letter-headed paper and directed to them, or the receipt of the device.”
As an alternative to this, the suggestion of moving the TV out for repairs in a car was given to bypass the stringent security requirements. “Due to the fact that the Warden has not been able to prepare this letter, he has advised me to take the device outside the school in someone’s car,” he says. Taking this approach has, according to him, proved difficult. The Social Minister disclosed with chagrin that, “The capable zikites who I have asked have declined and this has left me stranded.”
Jaw War 2021: A Soundless Public Speaking Competition?
On Wednesday, the 29th of September, the opening ceremony of Jaw war, widely acclaimed the biggest public speaking event in Sub-Saharan Africa, was held. The prelude to the competition had sparked excitement and piqued interest in UItes supporting their constituencies – Hall’s of residence and faculties. However, the course of the opening ceremony and the subsequent fixture on Friday are significantly punctuated with questions, complaints and tones of dissatisfaction from the representatives and the larger audience alike.
ZHPO garnered that these grouses center around general discontent with the poor functioning of the sound system used for the debates. Aisha, Awo Hall’s first speaker in the first leg of the hall category’s first round shared her opinion. When asked how the condition of the sound system might have affected the quality of the speakers’ (representatives) delivery, she said, “the poor audibility affected a lot of speakers’ delivery, doing a disservice to the efforts put into their preparations and I believe TLDS owes us an apology for that. It is one of the major reasons some results are contested.”
Joy, Idia hall’s first speaker on the first day of the competition also corroborated the point, emphasizing that the successful organization of Jaw war is largely contigent on a well functioning sound system, afterall the competition is a speaking one. She said, “In organizing a public speaking competition, the speaking should come first before anything else.”
However, the point may be given that some speakers were able to project clearer than others, as was observed with Faithful, the first speaker on the first day for Kuti hall. Nonetheless, it is inequitable to argue that all representatives should have managed the microphone well since some could, especially as the voice projection from the sound system was notably low and unclear enough to amplify the average voice pitch of the speakers.
On the subject, Joy elaborated that, “the condition of the sound system is advantageous to aggresive speakers since they ordinarily raise their voices. But not all speakers use the same style. Delivering a speech requires voice modulation which could be low or high at different points, and taking pauses mid-speech, to give the intended effect. Being monotonously high or low would usually not produce the expected effect. So, having to speak at a high pitch all through due to the bad condition of the sound system can affect the quality of the delivery.“
Aisha also noted that the sound anomaly might have impacted the judges’ assessment of the speakers. She said, “the terrible sound system is only half of the problem, which brings me to the judging. I don’t believe poor audibility should be used to mark down any speaker who spoke using the faulty sound system, and if it wasn’t used it raises more questions than it does answers.”
Interestingly, in the first leg of the debate between Independence hall and Alexander Brown Hall (ABH), John Eriomala, second speaker for Independence hall had to undergo the avoidable pressure of starting his speech all over as he was barely audible. In contention, ABH clamoured for equal treatment demanding that their second speaker as well be given the opportunity to deliver his speech again. When asked if he felt pressurised by the incident, he responded, “Yes, it did. I didn’t expect the reaction that followed the judges’ decision (to restart my speech). Fortunately, it had minimal effect on my eventual performance and thankfully we were able to secure the win.” He however commented that, “frankly speaking, Sub-Saharan Africa’s most important public speaking event deserves better.”
Ayeni Otito, the TLDS President however holds a different view of the situation. When approached by a ZHPO correspondent at the venue on the first day, he explained that several hours went into testing the sound system at the venue, including a dress rehearsal in preparation. When asked about the complaints about the sound system he indicated that several reports of such have filtered but he can’t be blamed as he wasn’t the sound guy. He pointed out that the microphones used are machineries and they get worn after use for a long time.
Aisha, speaker from Awo hall, decried the organization on the first day, saying, “the whole thing is messed up and it’d be better for TLDS to get their acts together before more people lose interest in Jaw war. In all, the first day’s event was definitely not the Jaw war we had looked forward to for 94 weeks/662 days/15,888 hours/953,280 minutes/57,196,800 seconds.” Aisha might have been prophetic in this wise as the audience turnout on Saturday, the third day of the event, was unquestionably and significantly low, In spite of the fact that the competition was still in the first round. An unfortunately different record from previous editions.
Reacting to the unsettling situation, David, a member of the audience on the first day said, “the sound at the Jaw war events have been abysmal. This is a double headed issue as it affects both the speakers and the audience. The audience barely hear speakers when giving their speeches.” Another member of the audience who pleaded anonymity said, “With all the planning that went into the widely acclaimed Jaw War, a proper sound system should have number one priority. Alas, it wasn’t.”
By and large, the organization of Jaw war this year has met with major discontent. It is hoped that the subsequent rounds will show significant improvements.
[Special Report] L&D President Wins Best Speaker Award at Jawwar,
boosts Zik Hall's Title Chances
Following Bello’s pullout from JAWWAR due to the controversies surrounding the accuracy of scores in the first leg of the Hall round, Zik Hall was represented in the second leg inspite of the absence of their drawn opponents from Bello Hall.
Before Saturday, September 2nd, scheduled for the second leg’s debate, there had been back and forths as to whether Zik hall should remain in the competition. The consideration for a withdrawal was instigated by the reviewed outcome of the results of the first leg which places Zik Hall behind Bello hall, a significant turn around as Zik Hall had been previously declared winners.
To resolve, stakeholders of the Hall met on Friday night to deliberate on the option of a withdrawal as the integrity of the competition was held questionable. However, the L&D’s President, Chiziterem Ogbonna (Chizzy) made a case for continuity in the competition and assuring Zikites of victory against Bello Hall, regardless of the distrust in the competition. In support, it was resolved that the L&D has the backing of the Hall to remain in the competition.
In a sharp turn of events, Bello Hall’s Literary and Debating Society made a public statement affirming their stance to withdraw from the competition. Notwithstanding, the speakers representing Zik Hall, in the persons of Chizzy, the President and Ugbomiekan Emmanuel, delivered their speeches for the second leg, which would secure their unopposed qualification to the quarter final stage.
However, Zik Hall’s Literary and Debating Society proved its mettle not only against their absent opponents but to the University as a whole with the record for the best winners in the second leg with a score of 75.5% beating those of every other Hall that debated yesterday. The assumption that Bello Hall might have won the debate if they were present remains an assumption existing in the realm of ifs and woulds.
At the climax, Chiziterem, Zik Hall’s first speaker and President of the L&D was declared the best speaker for the second leg of the first round in the hall category, with a score of 80.17%. Reacting to the Hall’s superb performance, he stated, “Our performance at the last leg of the first round of Jaw War meant a lot to me, the L&D, and our hall. For me and my partner, it was a validation of our hardwork. And trust me, it was a lot. We are very glad it paid off. For the L&D, it was an affirmation of our unwavering belief. We all believed we were capable of pulling this off. And we are glad that the fruit of that belief is glaring for all to see. For the hall, it was a validation of our pride. Of course, to a lot of people, it is so easy to shit on Zik. After the first leg, a lot of people on different groups came out with rubbish takes, saying Zik hall is only capable of mediocrity. After last night’s performance, it was eerily quiet on these groups. Unsurprisingly so. So yeah, it was a lot, and I am immensely grateful to everyone involved, from my partner to my excos to the L&D and the Hall itself. Very grateful.”
It is a running fact that Chizzy has never lost a debate at JAWWAR having spoken for Zik hall in the 2018 and 2019 editions, a record hoped to be sustained.
In emphatic terms, Zik Hall has once again demonstrated its unrelenting strive for excellence in the face of doubts and misconceptions. However, the war is not yet won. Progressing into the next round, Zik Hall faces Alexander Brown Hall in the quarterfinal. It is pertinent that Zikites as a whole give their full support for the L&D with their presence at the JAWWAR venue in the next debate scheduled for the 15th of October.
“We are the best in sports, there is no doubt about that but in academics too I want us to have that lead so that when they are rating first class students in UI, the first 100 would be Zikites. By that we would be living up to our name. How can a Zikite be in a class and one Tedder rat or Katangite will be the first class students? It is unheard of… our Alumni have been wonderful… Staying in D-block is a privilege and it would be too inconsiderate for just 57 D-block residents to have the borehole to themselves alone when they can share it with the over 900 others… I have said it and I am saying it again, if any squatter is caught, I am ejecting…”
Find more details in the following insightful, reflective and admonitory interview with Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall Warden.
Zik Hall Warden, Dr. Olufemi Adebukola Adebiyi, is an Associate Professor at the University of Ibadan’s Department of Animal Science.
Sir, you have notably demonstrated strong support for the Hall’s activities and endeavours. What motivates your strive for Zik Hall’s greatness?
Thank you for having me again. Well, that question has always been on and on. The spirit of Zikism is my motivating factor that is, “brotherliness”
Zik Hall recently won the Inter-Hall Football Competition, the Hall of the year award and the award for Hall Chairperson of the Year went to the Hall’s Chairman, how does it feel to be Hall Warden of such an illustrious Hall?
Another thing that motivates me is wherever I am, I always want to leave an impact. When I leave, what will people say about me? Has he been there to do good, or has he been there to do bad? That has always been my push for everything I do. Whatever we are doing is not about now, it’s about what people will say when you are no longer in power. That has been my motivating factor.
Well, I’m not surprised, we are just living up to our name. Zik Hall, terror of the field, we claimed all the medals. I am not surprised at all, in fact, if we had performed below, that would have given me serious concern, that means Zik Hall is not living up to its name, Even our anthem is testament to our greatness. We lead in everything and it is not now, it is not new, it is just that we cannot allow that glory to come down, we must keep flying. Don’t forget if Zik Hall sneezes, UI catches cold. So, I am not surprised by our outstanding performances.
Sir, as a former resident of the Hall, how would you compare Zik Hall in your days with the presenttime?
In those years, we had more mature men. They were adults unlike now that we have children, babies (chuckles). Yes, then we had men of 30, 40 as students, unlike now that we have 17s, 18s, so we behaved more maturely. However, the aroism was alive, but we did it with dignity. But now, the spirit of Zikism, the spirit that moves Zik Hall has really gone down. I expect people to be more vibrant. Then, there was no Saturday, Sunday, even on Monday mornings while students are going to class aro would still be going on. But those Zikites were still the ones topping their classes. We had a lot of first class then; first class was just like child’s play in Zik Hall and the question was, “how were they being doing it?” Honestly, it is my hope and drive that we return to those glory days that in as much as socializing is at its peak Zikites would still maintain top performances in their respective departments. First-class students then were number one in aroisim, they were the kegites, they participated in virtually everything social. This is why I gave the academic unit all the support they need, financially and otherwise, because I want that academic spirit to be back. How can a Zikite be in a class and one Tedder rat or one Kantangite will be the first class students? It is unheard of. So, for now we should play down on socials and revive our academic spirit of excellence. That is the difference between then and now.
Speaking of past Zikites, have there been contributions by the Hall’s Alumni to the Hall’s development?
I must say, they have been very wonderful. I am still very much in contact with them. They provided the borehole in front of D block and also renovated major parts of the block. Even part of C block was renovated by them, especially the bathrooms. Were it not for the water problems Zik Hall has been facing, all of C block should get easy water access in the bathrooms. They also supplied tiles which are in stock and materials for renovation. All these were done by the Hall’s Alumni. So, we are very much in contact with them. And, let me say we are still expecting more because we have already put some things forward to them which we hope will be very beneficial to the Hall. So, our Alumni are doing very good.
Were these projects carried out by a union of the Hall’s Alumni or was it individual-based?
The developments were made by the Alumni body. Actually, I facilitated the construction of the borehole because I was asked how they could help develop the Hall. I gave them a list of things but also suggested the construction of the borehole as very important. That is why they gave us the borehole in D block. It was during that discussion that an individual contacted me privately concerning the renovation of D-block.
It came to our attention that the borehole constructed in front of D-block is for residents of the block alone. How true is this sir?
Like I said, I facilitated the construction of the borehole in D-block, and it was made specifically for D-block. However, because the capacity of that borehole would be too excessive for D-block alone. I channeled it to the tanks in C-block. Moreover, a Zikite is a Zikite, either from A-block, B-block, C-block or D-block. Staying in D-block is a privilege and it would be too inconsiderate for just 57 D-block residents to have the borehole to themselves alone when they can share it with the over 900 others. That is why you see once they pump the water, it goes up into the reserve and so they have enough water. Why then can they not share? I always tell them that, yes, it is meant for D-block but do they know how it came to be? There is no ambiguity, it was for D-block but D-block alone cannot use it. We are in a democratic world, if we are to vote, 900 students will take the bore-hole and 57 will not have anything since the majority carries the vote. But we shouldn’t forget the reason for the borehole. It is very easy for people in C-block, A-block, B-block to get water in their blocks because they already have boreholes, but D-block had nothing. That is why I said it must be in D-block.
How would you rate the compliance of Zikites to covid-19 protocols?
I put the question back to you. Have you been using the facilities provided? You see, ours is to provide, yours is to use, that is why we locked the Zik-river gate so that anybody entering through the main gate will access the facilities. But now we have to open it because of traffic. Still the question is, are they using it? Yes, we try to put pressure on them to use it but many at times we know that they are not used. These things are there, go and use them. Wear your mask, wash your hands at the sink, use the sanitizers provided. We can only provide; we can only put the little pressure we can put but it is now left to you. The issue of the pandemic is like security. The University cannot do it alone. We all have to comply. Look at the issue of squatting, do you know the number of times I have put notices out? No squatting! but you still harbour your friends. Several times we raid at night to enforce the rule against squatting. I have to sleep in my house too. And who are those squatting? they are Zikites like you. You encourage your friends to come over when the University mandates only two occupants in a room so that this pandemic will not spread but then you bring your friends over and you are 4 or 5 in a room what do you expect us to do? You know we can’t do it all alone, we need you. With the rating, I will leave you to rate yourself.
What is your advice to Zikites and stakeholders involved in the security of the Hall against rife occurrences of theft?
My advice to Zikites is that they should eject all squatters. It will be very difficult for any third person to come over if you both agree on not taking anybody. But if one person compromises definitely you are giving room for thieves. I am not saying those people that are coming from outside are thieves but they are potential ones. Two of you are staying in your room, the two of you have a key to your room, your things are safe because you know it is exclusively for the two of you but by the time you bring your friends, he brings his friends, you don’t know his friend and he doesn’t know yours, before you know it there will be a crowd and there will be security lapses. If you bring one million policemen into this Hall, and Zikites are still encouraging squatters and floaters, theft will still continue. There is little pressure we can put on the defense and vigilante groups if we are not ready to change. The change has to start with everyone. They are also students, they are also human beings and can only work for particular hours. They have their studies to face too. I have said it and I am going to say it again, if any squatter is caught, I am ejecting. I am no longer accepting fines. Fine as penalty is easily taken for granted. Also, once I find a squatter in any room, that will lead to automatic ejection of the culprit and his roommate because the roommate didn’t make any complaint. I’m no longer collecting fine as penalty. It is ejection now. It is not about money; it is about doing the right thing. And once you are ejected, you will never be accommodated in Zik Hall again, whether they are in final year or whatever.
In conclusion, what is your fatherly advice to Zikites?
I want to thank everybody for giving the support that we have been enjoying so far. Sincerely, if not that I gained the support from the students too, what can I do? If I am putting it up and they are putting it down, what can I do? I also thank the staff, my supervisors, my porters and everybody that have been working with me in the last 7 years. I was Assistant-Hall Warden for two terms, that is 4 years. I have completed a three year term as Hall Warden, making 7 years. This is my second term and eighth year in this Hall. It is a privilege to be a Zikite, it is a privilege to be on this side of the bench. My advice now to Zikites is; in as much as we believe in brotherliness and aroism, we should do it with dignity, of course, you know I also join them to do aro but we should do it with dignity. We cannot be harassing females in the name of aroism, that is not acceptable, that is not our way. Whosoever is complained of as harassing females, I will help such person to face SDC, because that is not our way. We wouldn’t want anybody to give us that name, we do our aroism but we don’t harass. I am also pleading with Zikites that they should see their academics as priority in everything. Yes, we are the best in sports, there is no doubt about that but in academics too I want us to have that lead so that when they are rating first class students in UI, the first 100 would be Zikites. By that we would be living up to our name. Take your academics very important and keep up the social life too. You know all work without play makes Jack a stupid boy. They should balance everything, academics and social life.
Zik Hall Endorses Four Students' Union Candidates, says they are more
than Capable
The Nnamdi Azikwe Hall had in its Stakeholders’ meeting which held on Saturday, 2nd October, 2021, endorsed four candidates for positions in the upcoming Students’ Union elections.
The meeting which was anchored by a four man panel led by the Hall Chairman, held on Friday and dragged through the wee hours of the next day, as stakeholders defy sleep to select four out of the five presented candidates as their choice for the Hall’s endorsement.
With two of the aspiring candidates; Mr. Arinola Addo vying for the post of Assistant Secretary General and Hon. Jesugbemi vying for the post of House Secretary, both going unopposed in their various positions, the stakeholders deemed it fit to grant them unconditional support without needing to put it to a vote.
The other three aspirants who were up against an opponent were put to a vote, with Bamidele Taiwo “Bam T” and Olawale Joshua “OJB” both endorsed for post of the General Secretary and the Sport Secretary respectively, while Musliudeen Toheeb “Dean” going for the post of Treasurer was declined.
The total amount of vote cast by the stakeholders present was 41 in total with Bam T amassing 37 yes votes, 3 No votes and 1 void vote. OJB had 38 yes votes, 1 against and 2 voids, while Dean had 14 yes votes, 25 Nos and 2 voids.
The stakeholders also agreed not to endorse any candidates in the presidential election as it prefers to remain neutral and keep its card to its chest even though both candidates graced the Hall with their presence and formally laid down their manifestos in the previous Stakeholders’ meeting held on Wednesday.
It must be noted that elections are expected to hold on Saturday, 9th October, 2021 as voter’s accreditation has already ended for the electoral process.
