By: Ayinke
In the grand scheme of a university student’s life, there are a few sacred institutions, and the daily pilgrimage to the campus eatery is one of them. We’ve all been there, sitting at GSK, Archives, SBJ, or even our usually bountiful Tedder Cafe, gorging ourselves until we’re on the verge of a food coma. But let’s not kid ourselves – life as we know it has changed. The food we’ve grown accustomed to is now a distant memory, and my stomach, bless its rumbling heart, wept. You see, “Man has gat chop,” but the days of you don chop belleful are fading faster than last semester’s crush. Well I don find an alternative God bless Gifted Wolverine Cafe (Mellanby) for their Beans and bread everly coming through.

When news of the impending hike in meal prices circulated around campus a couple of weeks ago, it felt as if the very fabric of the universe might unravel. But alas, it was merely a tempest in a teapot. The cries to the Student Union and the enigmatic Sanjay were heard far and wide, but nothing really changed, much like the hike in cab fees – just more hullabaloo, less happening.

Before you jump to conclusions and pick sides, let’s take a closer look. Just as “man has gat chop,” food vendors and cab drivers also have to fend for their livelihoods. Did you ever stop to consider that these humble drivers and food vendors may have uni-bound kids? That’s right, even they are facing the same struggles we are. So when the economic situation deals them a tough hand, they do what any pragmatic warrior would do – they pass the burden onto us.

In the timeless quest for sustenance, humour might just be our secret sauce. So, let’s journey through this brave new world of student sustenance with a hint of jest and a dollop of wit, where “man has gat chop,” but the price has gone up, up, and away.

The Great Meal Migration
Picture this: It’s lunchtime, and you walk into GSK, hoping to find your favourite mouthwatering fried rice and jollof rice, you know how the smell can swallow the whole of Bello now. But hold your horses, my friend. That plate of deliciousness now costs more than usual. SBJ suddenly has undergone a transformation, not unlike a chameleon changing colours to blend into its surroundings. What used to be your trusty spot for affordable meals now looks like a pop-up Michelin-star restaurant, oh boy, you have gat to pay for the luxury treatment plus picture spot SBJ has now oo, Awoites can relate.

let’s call him bros GSK Captain Culinary, he must have attended a masterclass on pricing while we weren’t looking. Suddenly, a humble plate of rice and stew comes with a side of sticker shock. As we contemplate our new reality, we have to wonder if the university is secretly training future gourmet chefs. Or perhaps they’re grooming us for a future in finance, as we now need to perform complex calculations just to determine if we can afford a meal or go back to our kitchenettes and stoves. But university stress can be tiring to cook at times.

The Food Vendor’s Dilemma
Now, let’s turn the spotlight to the real heroes behind the scenes – the food vendors. They may not wear capes, but they serve up sustenance to starving students, which is pretty heroic in our books. These brave souls have had to navigate the labyrinthine intricacies of supply and demand, inflation, and a global food crisis. They’ve done their homework and realized that when the price of tomatoes skyrockets, so does the cost of your beloved jollof rice.

Our dear food vendors have become financial strategists, and the pricing of each meal now involves more calculations than your last calculus exam. Not to mention, they’ve become masters at predicting which exotic ingredient will suddenly become a luxury item. Have you ever seen a chef expertly juggle spices while explaining the intricacies of the stock market? Well, meet your campus food vendor.

Our Cabby Men and Keke Men
Now, let’s not forget about our friends in the transportation business – the cab drivers. They ferry us to and fro, rain or shine, often with a smile and some good-natured banter. They’ve got families too, and those kids need an education, which can be just as costly as the latest iPhone. So when the price of fuel takes a hike, so does your cab fare.

These drivers, who are also part-time philosophers and occasional comedians, bear the burden of breaking the news about the impending fare increase. You’ll be cruising along, engaged in a lively debate about last night’s football match when, out of the blue, your driver hits you with the news. The fare is going up, and he delivers the verdict with the solemnity of a judge at a murder trial.

The Art of Student Survival
In this brave new world of student sustenance, we must adapt, improvise, and overcome. Gone are the days when you could order that extra serving of suya without a second thought. Instead, we’ve become connoisseurs of the cafeteria, seeking out the best deals like a seasoned detective tracking down a slippery suspect.

We’ve mastered the art of strategic eating. Breakfast is now brunch, and we skip lunch to justify indulging in a sumptuous dinner. And if all else fails, instant noodles have become our trusty sidekicks and our life saving groceries and floating berries,saving us from the brink of gastronomic despair.
Remember, “Man has gat chop,” but sometimes that chop might just be a pocket-friendly plate of fried rice from a street vendor.

In conclusion, as we navigate these turbulent culinary waters, let’s not forget that the food vendors and cab drivers are simply trying to make ends meet, much like the rest of us. So, while the price hikes may make our wallets weep, perhaps a little understanding and a touch of humour can help us endure the trials and tribulations of student life with a smile on our faces. After all, “Man has gat chop,” and he’s determined to savour every bite, even if it costs a bit more.

By Seilatolaide

Surrounding the different compartments bringing about a collective action to foster the achievement of drilling a firm foundation to fashion a beautiful colour of the Freshers, several orientations and Fresher’s welcome have been opted to amiably with the sense of germinating an excellent seed in a fertile soil.

Questions could be asked around the continuity of Freshers welcome and orientation right from the beginning of the semester extending towards the ending edge. This is a curiosity filled with wonderful answer which is to retain the honour of the university and ensure the maximum achievements of the laid primary goals of the newly admitted students.

Several units ranging from the faculty, departments to religious association and bodies have made adequate arrangement and organization of Freshers welcome and orientation. In the University of Ibadan, the faculty of Education has successfully conducted her Fresher’s welcome and orientation which serve as a ground of reminder to students of their motives and various steps to take towards climbing the ladder of success.

The DCC of Arts and Social Sciences department, on the 17th of October 2023, approved the Fresher’s welcome budget prior to the organization of Freshers welcome and orientation. This Freshers welcome and orientation have been held highly with a great importance which can be perceived tight down to the religious organization groups. The Teacher Education Christian Fellowship (TECF) organized its Freshers welcome situated at Mellanby SCR to bring a reminder of the spiritual importance of students on their road to achieving their goals which can be achieved with necessary strategies including the maintenance of good health.

This implies that the importance of Freshers’ welcome and orientation should never be underestimated as it is profound with a huge extended root that inspires and motivates the students towards walking in the right way to success and picking the right choice to align in the right way.

The Freshers welcome and orientation brings students together and promote some form of connectivity and networking amidst new students. Students meet through this mode and work together as a team to meet up with ladies down goals of being a college students, it also serves as an opportunity towards meeting with mentors who are well instilled and experienced students ready to put the young one through the way they traced to acquiring their status of success at their recent level.

Freshers are new members of the school who probably have little or are totally naive about the culture of the school they have found themselves in. They need guidance who would help them in their journey to success. Notably, every Fresher can easily meet up with someone to help, probably due to differences in personality.

But the avenue of Freshers welcome and orientation serve as their easiest way to promote connectivity and be easily guided. Sense of belonging is one of the characteristic of Freshers welcome and orientation every students from various section and sub section find themselves together and interact to achieve the same goal of being a students and it’s a mode to transmit knowledge on the way of life of the school to the students so they can adapt to the new environment they are to find themselves in the next 4 to 6 years of schooling.

The extension level of Freshers welcome and orientation is to promote reminders at various weeks of the resumption to prevent a mislead and diversion from the ultimate goal of being a student. This, thus, awakens the students and results into excellent performance at the end of the semester/session.

By: Ayinke

In the ever-evolving journey of life, the intersection of education and faith is a crossroad where many students find themselves. It is a complex and often challenging path to navigate. The decision to either prioritize one’s studies over religious devotion or maintain a balance between the two can significantly impact the course of a student’s life. This article delves into the complexities of managing academic pursuits alongside religious beliefs and argues that finding a harmonious balance is key to a fulfilling and successful student life.

The Unavoidable Dilemma

As students, one is often faced with the dilemma of what to pay attention to. I have heard this saying several times on campus that your purpose or primary assignment on campus is your grades but likewise what are the grades when God is left out? Most academic pursuit is driven by dreams of a promising future, financial stability, and personal growth but still the question remains who crowns all these efforts? In the face of demanding academic schedules, exams, assignments, and deadlines, students often find themselves immersed in a whirlwind of coursework. However, this intense academic commitment can sometimes lead to a dilemma concerning their religious beliefs and practices.

It’s not uncommon for students to grapple with the question of whether they should prioritize their studies over their faith. This dilemma can be especially pronounced when academic commitments clash with religious obligations, such as prayer times, fasting during religious holidays, or the need to attend religious events.


The Fear of Neglect

In the just concluded Freshers’ Welcome TECF, the speaker made the essentiality of religious belief known. In his words, religion is not a thing to neglect in pursuit of academic excellence as God is to be put at the forefront of every of our endeavors.

He further probes the minds of students that for everyone in school, there is a purpose for why God put you there. So, while you run around searching for grades, pursuing vain things you should remember that one day we did give an account of our journey. Funnily enough, we won’t be asked for a CGPA.

So, you may stop to think about it ” Should I focus on my academics alone and neglect my religious obligations?”
And am I trying to say neglect academics and face my religious belief? God forbid that I say such. What I am implying is just below.

Finding Balance

Balancing academic commitments and religious beliefs is undoubtedly a challenging task, but it is not an impossible one. The key to navigating this complex terrain lies in finding a harmonious balance that allows a student to excel academically while nurturing their spiritual well-being.

1. Time Management: The foundation of balancing education and religion is effective time management. Creating a schedule that accounts for both academic and religious commitments is crucial. Allocate specific times for studying, attending classes, and also for religious practices and activities.

2. Seeking Support: Students should reach out to their academic institutions and professors, if necessary, to discuss any potential conflicts between academic requirements and religious obligations. Most institutions are understanding and willing to accommodate students’ needs to ensure they can uphold their faith.

3. Prioritization: Prioritize tasks based on their importance and deadlines. This approach ensures that essential academic requirements are met while allowing time for religious practices without neglecting either aspect of life.

4. Community and Support Systems: Being part of a religious community or student group that shares similar beliefs can provide emotional support and opportunities to engage in religious activities together. These communities can also help students cope with the pressures of academia.

5. Self-Care: Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is vital. Regular self-care practices, such as exercise, meditation, or simply spending time with loved ones, can help alleviate stress and improve overall well-being.

The Consequences of Neglect

It is essential to acknowledge the consequences of neglecting either one’s studies or religious beliefs. Neglecting one’s academic responsibilities can result in poor academic performance, missed opportunities, and even financial instability. On the other hand, neglecting religious beliefs may lead to feelings of spiritual emptiness, guilt, and a sense of disconnection from one’s faith community.

The reality is that both aspects of life are significant, and the neglect of either can have long-lasting consequences. Therefore, it is essential to strive for equilibrium, as it is not merely a matter of choosing one over the other, but of finding a way to integrate both successfully.

Success Stories of Balance

There are numerous real-life examples of individuals who have successfully balanced their academic pursuits and religious beliefs. These individuals demonstrate that it is possible to excel in both areas of life.

Malala Yousafzai, the Nobel laureate and education advocate, is a prime example of someone who combined her devotion to her faith and a relentless pursuit of education. Despite facing adversity and threats to her life, she remained committed to her studies and her faith, becoming a symbol of empowerment and determination.

Similarly, right on this ground of UI, I have seen presidents of fellowships, students in various arms of religious activities ace their academics although I would not say there are not others who didn’t do well but remember religious activities isn’t the problem, balancing it is the problem.
With determination, time management, and a commitment to one’s faith, it is possible to excel in both academia and religious pursuits.

A Fulfilling and Successful Student Life

Ultimately, the pursuit of knowledge and one’s faith should complement each other rather than compete. A fulfilling and successful student life should not entail choosing between these two vital aspects of a person’s identity. Instead, it should involve harmoniously integrating them to create a life that is rich in both academic and spiritual experiences.

Students who manage to find this balance often report a sense of peace, contentment, and a strong sense of purpose. Their academic achievements become a reflection of their dedication and hard work, while their faith deepens, providing them with guidance and solace during challenging times.

In conclusion, the dilemma of balancing education and religion is a common and challenging one for many students. However, it is crucial to recognize that both are essential aspects of a fulfilling and successful life. With effective time management, support systems, and a commitment to self-care, students can navigate this complex terrain and find a harmonious balance that allows them to thrive both academically and spiritually. Balancing the books and beliefs is not an easy task, but it is a worthwhile endeavor that can lead to a rewarding and purposeful student life.

By: Fagbemi Joshua

In this citadel of learning where the spirit of Aluta, like they say, is not on the level or same degree when compared to that of some institution, the context of slugging matters out with the school management becomes impossible. Those who have been bathed and washed by the waters and soap of this terrain prior to their entry to the university sometimes find it so annoying to see the turns and play of events when it comes to battling with school management for student rights.

Would you blame any? In a situation where the predecessors made no move as per the discussions and likewise seeing the kind of scapegoat those who tried such have been subjected to is enough to kill every spirit that propels the energy to raise your head and speak forth against the school authority. Still, those who have been placed to a position where they are expected to shift some tables and make some moves for students’ sake, if such fails to materialize any of this, it is then safe to compel and tag such as incapable.

The university’s Students’ Unionism is in its cold state – no doubt about that – in the sense that they are typically a figure of representation and in some style mainly serve as a link between the university management and students. This can be widely seen in the way and manner responses to questions raised are being answered. It was in a form that simply says, “Don’t worry, we’ll table your request to our Bosses at the administration level for proper deliberation and decision”. The deliberation is only possible if there will even be any sort of consideration.

Thankfully, a student raised a question by asking the Students’ Union leaders of the congress in a bid to get students’ opinions on issues affecting them and negotiate with the school management or demand from the school management? This question as well raised the suspicion of what tends to happen to every resolution reached at the congress, tabling them to the point if they’ll be subjected to negotiations with the school management or make demands from the school management.

Let’s make some explanations and distinctions. When you negotiate with someone, it is like you are prepared to settle for some percentage of what the other person wants but also want to bring in your own interest to the table. Negotiation is just simply making both parties better off from a particular issue. This interprets that if the UI’SU’s plan is to negotiate matters with the school management, that means some of the areas that are not favorable to students will be finally settled for in some way.

On the other hand, when you make demands, you are stating what you want from a discussion and at the same time compelling the other party to go by your demands and accept your recommendations. In this sense, both parties still gain but not at the same proportion. The party who makes the demands gains more than the other party who is being compelled to accept. As a student body who have been vested with the will and power to be a spokesperson and representation for all students of the university, these are expected.

At the congress held on Saturday, October 14, 2023, which was the first in about 5 years, lots of expectations were placed on it. It at first looked like a failed program when the 500 people who are meant to make a quorum that officially stamps the beginning of the congress lost their Aluta voice. A Congress stipulated to begin by 7am was dragged to 10 before it finally kick started. The congress even started without getting the number of people – 500 – meant to kick start the congress which then put a question of the congress’ validity.

Is the Congress a gathering of numbers or a congregation called to make impacts? Series of topical issues were raised during the congress ranging from epileptic water and electricity supply across halls of residences, the payment of lap and studio fee, the extra charge on students for bank fee within the campus, the utility fee saga, increase in price of food in cafeterias to the transportation fee issue. These are issues that have been affecting students and call for an urgent intervention before things turn array.

The most dramatic of all has be be the studio and lab fee where students have been compelled to pay a sum of #10,000 and #20,000 for non-Fresher and Freshers respectively. Some faculties have even gone to the extent of stopping students who are yet to make the payment from engaging in practicals. It is the belief that when you make payment for the funding of a particular concept, what is literally expected from such a stance is improvement – a show of an upgrade from what has been in effect.

Due to the lack of trust – which originated from previous scenes – students typically see studio/lab fee as a way of extortion. Funny enough, some departments even claimed that they did not have anything called studio talkless of having access to any. Considering the situation of the country’s economy, paying a huge amount for a cause who’s impact or manifestations will not be seen is like deliberately throwing your money into a lake of water.

The introduction of a utility fee for all students has been questioned when it comes to showing forth the materializations of the fee. Again, paying #20,000, it is expected that there will be an improvement in both the supply of electricity and availability of water. Frankly speaking, reverse has been the colour of the case. Some even claimed that the situation tends to turn out worse than before. It is undoubtedly believed that when an increment is being introduced, the quality of the context is certainly compelled to increase.

To all these varying issues, the bottom line tends to question what will happen to the yearnings of students after the congress. No one even knows if the numbers of those present for the congress matched up to 500, this is very important as a number below 500 means that the congress is not valid and all discussions might end up locked within the air and wall frame.

Another concern as raised earlier is what happens to all opinions and deliberations reached during the congress. Will they finally get to the appropriate authority for consideration? Will there even be any room for consideration of the resolutions and demands? Will it be substantial enough to say we’ve been left in a confused state where we have no choice than to pay some bills simply because we have to pay?

Come the next few months, it shall be recorded in the history books that a congress was held which failed to yield results – that’s if it doesn’t. Students are eagerly awaiting feedback from the Students’ Union and it is high time the Union proved the congress is a congregation of impacts and not just a gathering of presence and number.

By Seilatolaide
As educators, we are embedded and well trained in the zone of being good future leaders, who direct and inculcate passion and motivation in followers. The most prominent expectation from an educator is to serve as a model to the students, this goes beyond the classroom and tallies around being kept in a position that requires the exhibition of a good leadership skill to attain the laid down objective. This emphasizes the utmost importance of leadership skill followed by good public speaking.
A teacher passes knowledge, morals, values and attitudes to students through communication and portraiture of such a passed attitude. This enhances a proper emulation of such character by the students. A good public speaking skill is wrapped around as teachers take students through lectures. Extending beyond the classroom level is at the seminar or symposium level where presentation could be required.
A teacher with a good public speaking skill will exhibit various characteristics which includes a prepared state of mind of the audience to be addressed. This eventually clears the space for little or no mistakes in the presentation. Furthermore, a good public speaker will portray the spirit of confidence to face a large number of people with various judgments and personality. The impact of this skill has helped educators build a successful career and achieve their goals around education.
Leadership skills and public speaking skills are not mutually exclusive because a hand tool to a leadership skill is communication. A leader will instill motivation, passion and enthusiasm into the follower through the tool of communication. Therefore, a good speaking skill adds a spark to achieving the aim of the leader. A leader whose words can’t be grasped will be left to a lane of futility.
The area that serves as a training ground for expertise in leadership and public speaking skills is the school. The school is an institution where various organized public speaking skills competitions are constituted, this helps in developing the potential great future speaker and bring about a discovery of talent. This inclusion goes far to the university level where students therefore, represent their schools to radiate the honour of their various higher institutions.
In the prestigious University of Ibadan, one of those leadership and public speaking training was organized. The innate potential summit was staged in a bid to build future educators with the process that leads to the ability of being a good public speaker that starts by leading oneself.
Educators are highly looked upon, as the immediate societal growth lies in their hands. They are privileged with the power to change the society with the knowledge they pass and example they show to the younger ones. The huge basket of demands and expectations on them certainly requires educators to imbibe and train the leadership and public speaking skill.