The Twin

The Twin Never talk Always mute Just words like 'Rara' and 'Beni' All in one day Caged in a world of freedom Statics despite no chains and shackles Always starring during any conversation Or laughing at a joke when they cracked none Isn't a shut mouth a shut destiny? Or perhaps a malodorous mouth. Some say it is licence to errors As instruction seldom need clarity. Keep quite, Can't you be quite, Look at your friend seated quietly Restless boy, hyperactive girl Your mouth smells Shut up! Insolent kids. Your noise is too much! Give me the list of noise makers - six strokes each Noisy children, spoilt brats. Now we have dumb twins with vibrant tongues. Oni, Afolabi Ajibola, 1:14am, 25/05/2019

I missed rapture again!

That was my statement to my wife after I was favoured to discover that it was a dream. Had it been real, it would have been the greatest agony words cannot describe. I had to recall the dream as it happened to my wife. Scene 1 I was in my apartment and had been allowing masquerades have a filled day. I resolved that I would not allow them again. The king sent his masquerade boys to come and use my apartment and I turned them down. The boys left in anger. Scene 2 The boys came back and used a charmed whip on me. I recognized the whip and knew it was meant to make me mad. I started speaking in tongues and asked them to ‘take it back’. One of the boys ran mad and the testimony went viral. (Matt 7: 21 - 23) Scene 3 I continued speaking in tongues should the demons want to come back and knowing that the king would give a fight. Neighbours started to call me ‘Baba o’ among several accolades. I was feeling like a renowned man of God. The feeling of self-importance came in. (Matt 7:19 – good fruit) Scene 4 I was talking like one with authority to others in the open about what God had done using me. Then rapture happened. THE KING IS HERE was written in the sky. The whole earth was terrified, even the devil. I laid horrified on the floor and started to ask for mercy. I went to my mother’s room and still found her in bed, ditto my immediate elder brother. I kept crying for mercy. Scene 5 I could see the sky glittering with faces clothed in white singing ‘King of kings, Lord of lords, Everlasting King, Saviour, Redeemer, Soon Coming King’. As I looked in the sky, I could see Don Moen. To my disgust, I saw Femi Kuti, he was allowed to contribute to the entire musical ‘performance’. He felt honoured and gave his best. (Matt 7: 3 - 5), Matt 8:11-12 May Mercy prevail over Judgement in Jesus name. 6/01/2017, 9:33pm Please share.

Ebo

Ebo Majestic brown calabash With palm oil almost at its beam Seven bean cakes, seven corn cakes Seven coweries, seven human fingers All to appease Esu Dropped at noon In public glare What if siren blares And makes a scapegoat of the devotee All to appease Esu Is Esu listening Will Esu listen Worshippers unsure Diviners just permutating All to please Esu

Being MISCONSTRUED

BEING MISCONSTRUED Can you guess what it means when someone you love and care about misunderstands you or what you stand for? Can you imagine the throbbing one will go through when you see the people you care about shed tears or take offence as regarding your stand? That was the case in a class of mine today. I gave a test as directed by the school management. As a teacher, I know that my students’ successes determine how far I will go in the profession. I told them that all the WAEC poems must be written off hand and they had over three weeks to do that. A day before, a neighbour’s daughter gave four of the poems off-hand despite going to a low-class school with dwindling standard. When I got to class I informed my students that anything short of four poems was zero. My very best student, both in academics and morals was able to write five. I wasn’t pleased, knowing full well that I have rated her as an ‘A’ student in WAEC and she had once memorized over six pages of a drama scripts to be acted and she delivered flawlessly within a timeline of barely two days. More so, her ability to memorize made her a top contender for the post of the actress of the year so I said this, ‘…Jemima is still writing…’ I said other things but that statement was the worst in the lot. Hell was let loosed as her countenance changed. I called her aside to know what was wrong with what I said. ‘How will you make comparison with other people’s children? How will you compare me with Jemima?’ she spoke with tears dropping from her eyes. My very best was deeply hurt and the sight of her in pain, still hunt me till now. She is not an extremist and is absolutely disciplined. In fact, I’m her fan and I have fantasized the time she will be coming for her WAEC result and then after a vigorous handshake take her to the current SS 3 literature students to say, ‘She got an A1 in Literature in English and an A+ in English Literature IGCSE. She was prompt with assignments when she was here, please emulate her.’ The pride of any teacher is in the students’ successes. Is comparison bad in itself? What do I do when my opinion truly hurts? This incident reminds me of the friendship of over twenty years that had to end. Although, I am still yet to know what went wrong, but I know that the problem had to be me. The reason I say this is because no one has a right to hurt another person. The mere reason that my friend and brother ended the friendship is because he was hurt by me and that is my fault. The fact that my sweet student shed tear in great hurt is absolutely to my credit. The comparison was made primarily to enhance her subsequent performance, but she sees it as a debasement of her person. An opinion expressed in good fate, but with great detrimental consequence. I am of the opinion that when I compare Gp with Beef, it is for Beef to view the strength of Gp and work on his own weakness to be a better person. Few days ago, my woman said, ‘Can’t you see how Segun is neatly shaved?’ I didn’t pick offence with Segun neither with her. I quietly went for a clean shave and didn’t pick offence when I was back. Comparative analysis even in tertiary institution is basically for strategic advancement, not debasement. I hate to hurt people. I regret and detest it. I need everyone. I’m always quick to go on my knees to say sorry, but I have noticed that people find it hard to forgive when they are of the opinion that you hurt them on purpose. Someone argued that my student is just being egocentric, that she should not have reacted that way (Just to remind you that I thought about the incidence for over 12 hours). A student of mine after the incident reacted, ‘…Mr Oni we are not dumb…’ Although, another felt the statement was too cruel to make, but it confirms that I was being misconstrued. DEDICATION This is special dedicated to all those that have misconstrued me and still take offence. I am sorry. Forgive me. I am just human. I am work in progress. Oni, Afolabi Ajibola 08036126690 oniafolabiajibola@yahoo.com …just a fiction 14/03/2014 22:18pm

gods

NO harm done with little comment No pride lost in share confidence Since triviality is a relative terminology No harm done with speaking up People cheer when you speak and solutions follow They jeer when the moderator cautions Even those with seal lips Have the loudest voice to lash No man is God All men are gods One speaks and all comes to pass The other speak and few does 20/01/2016

Idumota

The morning was inviting as the sun merely shines and was not in the mood to scorch. I sent my form order score to the class coordinator and packed my bags set to go on a journey that will make my life different. Struggling with four different bags, I wriggled my way to the school gate, submitted my bags for thorough searching and humbly informed the security men that I was on leave. I left the Angelic white gates of Atlantic Hall into the naked town of Poka. The snake like road guarded at both ends by weeds that stung like thorns. In no time, I was at the Epe-Ijebu Ode road as I needed to use First Bank Epe for a reason best known to me. The road was a death trap and I couldn’t but thank Danbaba Danfulani Suntai – the Governor of Taraba State because Jalingo is a paradise when compared with Epe that hasn’t seen electricity in the last one year. In Epe, power isn’t erratic; it is not just there. After I completed my transaction at the bank that is seen as haven for thieves, I observed a conversation between the branch manager and one of the security officials. The locals – Epe omo oniles were demanding for ‘owo wa’- our money. I knew the language quite well and was acquainted with the fact that they didn’t work for that money. A thug said their money will no longer be 300,000N from the following month but will increase to N350, 000. He said that they were the ones responsible for the security of the banks in the area. The branch manager pleaded that he had given their money to their boss – Iku Dudu, but the others whined and warned that this educated man in his mid-forties should not repeat such an action in the future. I thought of the branch manager’s timidity as I journeyed from Epe down to Ibeju through Ajah to Idumota. ‘Ohun lo go’ – the branch manager is the fool. I combed Idumota to get my groom men’s tie and that of myself. In forty eight hours, I will be someone else’s property and she will be free to touch me as she likes and when she likes. I was heading out of Idumota with all the things for my wedding when I got to a point with sea of heads at Idumota. A young man accosted me and told me that Lagos State Government was giving free gifts to ameliorate poverty. I walked off him. I knew that nothing can be free in Lagos. Another person picked the lottery form and was asked to tick seven times. I was asked to try – no pain, no gain. I was not interested and I ticked eight times, but I wasn’t disqualified. I was told that I won a generator set. ‘Whaoh! My first night after wedding will be with power, and we can enjoy the fullness of bodily pleasure – I forgot I didn’t have a fan since there had not been power in Epe for ages.’ The young man looked me in the face and asked me if I wanted to pick it up or sell it off. I said I wanted to pick it up. He asked me to pay 1000N for receipt and I did. Another winner sold his electric fan and paid three thousand for receipt and collected his cash of 8, 000N. He told me again if you sell it, you will bring 18,000N and we will give you 32, 000N. I suspected something finicky. This was the popular ‘I beta pass my neibor’ that shouldn’t be more than 10, 000N. I opted to leave the money with them when I saw two hefty men in the bus. The young man urged me to move closer to the vehicle, but I was unwilling as I thought he will drag me into the bus. I took a bold step and chose to walk away, but the young man in no time, informed others that I wanted to walk away. About four men encapsulated me and said they will start beating me and calling me a thief if I refuse to give them all that I had. I reasoned that it was just 48hours to my wedding day; I imagined having a wedding picture with a battered face. I respected myself and parted with 7,000N. I walked away horridly and hurriedly imagining that I was duped in broad day light, in the busy street of Idumota. Had I not cooperated and they raised a false alarm and the passerby bought it – that I was a thief; maybe I would have been dead. In my most confused state, I walked out of Idumota and headed toward the third mainland bridge, picked up a vehicle and headed for Ife. Thereafter to Okeho unscratched. Nothing but fiction …imparting lives 31/12/2014 ONI Afolabi Ajibola 08036126690

JESUS IS ALL

I think it is time to share the great things that God has done in 2014 and return all the glory to him. Count your blessings. For me, 2014 was great, I got married to the best woman in the world, I got employed in the best secondary school in the world, I got another apartment, I raised my land to lintel, paid school fees and almost rounded off M. A. English Literature, travelled to and fro - no scratch, made two time the anticipated 2014 income as budgeted in Jan 2014, read loads of books, and still hand in hand with God. Share yours and invite more from the most high God. Merry Christmas. A4.

Boy

Fifteen of June was a special date in my life, not just because it was our founder’s day at school, when we would be opportune to eat more food at school, but it was equally my father’s birthday. That of 1996 was a special one. I was meant to have a test at school. It was my second test in SS 2, and I had prepared quite well for it. As a fourteen years old teenager I knew that a re-test was usually ill prepared for and with promotion at the back of my mind, I studied studiously the night before, studying from 8pm till 4am only to take a nap for one hour. I was dressed at six as usual, as my father regularly takes me to school. Breakfast was served and I opted to take a bite. After breakfast, I handed over the cheap birthday present that I bought for him. I bought that primarily to prevent tongues wagging and just to get a better birthday gift when I had mine in October. After the meal I cleared the dining table and picked up by school bag. My mother jetted out of the kitchen and asked my father, ‘So soon?’ I didn’t understand the question as it was no news that we leave the house early on regular bases. I was still standing when my father said I should wait in the car. I asked him if he wouldn’t be long as I had test that morning and my mother replied with a yell, ‘Are you deaf? Wait in the car, he will join you soon!’ I wanted to be sure because I could trek to school and get there in good time. Trekking to my school was just twenty minutes and it was 6:20am at that time. I got into the Hyunda Elantra as a patient child. I remembered the ‘So soon?’ of my mother and something told me that probably they wanted to work hard on getting another baby. I knew that the Toyota Corola 1.9GLI had flat tyres, and that the four other cars were at the mechanic’s workshop for the quarterly servicing. The only vehicle in out compound was the one that I was in. I closed up side glass, started off the engine and switch on the AC. Something told me that the fuel was way passed half gauge but I didn’t mind. I was in the cool vehicle doing my final revision. I dosed off only to open my eyes around 7:45am. My dad was yet to get into the vehicle. The fuel indicator was blinking but I didn’t mind. Something reminded me that my old man had board meeting at 10am, and as the Chairman, who just queried his directors for lateness in a public establishment, the meeting was crucial for him to justify the rationale for his action. 8:45am and there was no dad, my AC was now off because the fuel dried up, as planned. It was obvious that I would miss my test and I felt that he needed to be taught never to play on anyone’s intelligence. I deflated the front tyre by the right and the back tyre by the left. That will ensure no balance at all even when a generous neighbour would give us a litre of fuel to get to the petrol station. My wise father showed up hurrying at 9:30am. ‘Sorry about the slight delay, you know women,’ he spoke casually. I told him that the gas was exhausted and he started sweating. I told him that I switched-on the AC considering his ‘I will join you soon,’ and the gas went out after about two hours. My father was shivering with anger and his eyes were almost in tears. ‘You know that I have a crucial meeting for 10am, didn’t I tell you?’ He queried tearfully but I wasn’t moved. He was wrong and he needed to be told, or better if he was brought to the understanding of that fact. It was wrong to feel pity, it was better to be rational. He picked up his phone to call Mr Jude, a neighbour, who took 15mins to get us a gallon from his car. It was after Mr Jude fuelled my father’s vehicle and drove off to his office that my father observed that his newly fixed tyres were flat. He looked at me as though I had a hand in it, and I in return had the face of a criminal. At 9:50am, my father resolved that I wasn’t going to school, and we would both go to his office. We trekked for 20minutes before we saw a bike that zoomed off to my father’s office. 10:20am, we got to his office and the board meeting had commence with one of the director moderating the meeting instead of my dad. My father tried to enter but he wasn’t allowed. My dad came to sit beside me and my unrepentant face at the lobby. He looked at me and asked me never to talk to him all my life. I should never call or text him. He told me that I was still a boy and was too irresponsible. I was quiet, but within me, I vowed to obey him. That I was a boy was mere compliment and I had nothing against him. I only acted based on his words. He felt that he could play on me, not knowing that he was playing on himself. Someone said that I should forgive him after years, but I said I hold nothing against him, but would not call, text or talk to him based on his instruction. How wonderful is it to be straight forward. Just a fiction ONI AFOLABI AJIBOLA 08036126690 21:21pm 15/11/2013

BIRTHDAY EDITION

SERIOUS BUSINESS There are times you examine yourself and you are in doubt if you are good or bad, nice or terrible, a demon or an angel. One minute you are on your knees crying to be purged. The next minute you are stirring hard but not expecting result. Last Friday, I hurried away from work leaving my lesson notes on my principal’s table. As a teacher, I had to prepare my lesson notes for the following week. I wasn’t sure if I will be in school on Monday because I had SERIOUS business to attend to. On Saturday I got confirmation that the SERIOUS business will be on Monday and Thursday the following week. There are times when a man needs to enjoy stress. That stress you gladly engage in with a damsel mourning under you and turning into different exhilarating positions. And something deep inside you will be saying ‘…just keep going’. That same Saturday, I sent a text message to my principal to inform her that I was having serious headache as a result of insomnia. She asked me to check my blood pressure, but of course there was no need. On Sunday, I sent a message to my principal that I must visit the hospital on Monday, that the situation had got worst. She approved it. The SERIOUS business that gave ENJOYABLE STRESS started around 6pm on Sunday. Although with several breaks in transmission, it ended at about 6:30am on Monday, with a total duration of 9hours of energetic thrusting. I have to spare you the details. I got my tired body out of my drenched bed at about 11:30am on Monday morning. I signed-in at the school gate at 1:20pm and headed for my principal’s office. I was hale and hearty but needed to put up my best act to ensure that I got Thursday off. The vibrant young man transformed to a terribly sickly man that held his head at intervals and will stop in between conversation to groan. I told her the truth that I got out of bed at about 11am, but lied that I was induce to sleep by the doctor because of insomnia, whereas it as a result of SERIOUS business. Every teacher sent their condolences, and one gave me food, of course I needed it desperately to gain back lost strength. The following day, I maintained the act, following the script dogmatically. I had obviously entered into character and moved a step into reality, because I was beginning to feel the pains I claimed to have. My principal struggled to tell me that out WAEC letter was ready at Ikorodu and asked if I could make it down the following day which was Wednesday. I told her that Thursday would be better. Although, I had three periods on Wednesday and four on Thursday, I told her Thursday was preferred. I acted all the way till Wednesday and I was given transportation to the venue for my SERIOUS business and school duties. I concluded the SERIOUS business at about 12:05pm on Thursday, despite the heat; I had to endure the heat to enjoy the BUSINESS. I put in my very best and the rest was history. I headed down to Ikorodu and then to Obalende for official duty. I got to school on Friday, my colleagues weren’t informed that I went out on official duty, and one after another asked about my health and apologized that they didn’t call. I smiled and told them that it was official duty and of course SERIOUS business. They didn’t understand. Minutes later, I heard a colleague saying, ‘If sex is not the most exciting physical activity to you as a man or woman, you have a problem!’ I grinned with smile and continued marking my students’ notes. JUST FICTION Written by ONI AFOLABI AJIBOLA Aka A4 08036126690, oniafoabiajibola@tyahoo.com 27/10/2013 12:15pm For more contact www.afolabioni.blogspot.com

Being Exact

There are times when being exact gets you in big trouble, I mean, unforgettable trouble. Let me explain this way; you are going from Costain to Oyingbo and the bus fare to and fro is N60. In order to ensure that you are financially discipline, you take exactly N60, or let’s say N100. Sure, you can get into big trouble. That was my lot in the month of July 2013. I saved seventy percent of my salary with friends that invested it in their businesses, ten percent to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and the remaining twenty percent for my upkeep. Hummmmm? You say. Yes. My second year as a master’s student of the University of Lagos was fast approaching and I needed to assemble 0.16million Naria, having paid 0.2 million Naira the first year. I also had to assemble money for accommodation since the Nigerian Army seemed to be ‘waiting for godot’. For me, God’s will be done. I got a call from my brother who spoke about a woman with BIS and the fact that they needed Literature in English teacher who had or was on his master’s degree. My elder brother sent me her number and indeed, I was disinterested. I checked my pocket, had about 1,200N left. I took a deep breath. It is worth the stress. I recharge 300N since the woman was using Etisalat. It will be bad to apologise to a business acquaintance that your credit got exhausted. It isn’t professional. I dialled her number to book an appointment- 12noon on Saturday (the following day) was agreed. Humm. I called my Aduni to reassure her of my undying love for her, despite neither sending credit to her phone nor bank account. What sort of fiance am I? Anyway, I did all the sweet talking from my heart because indeed she is the most beautiful woman in the world. I left my school at about 4pm with a colleague. Well, let me say a brother, ‘cause he is more than a colleague and I’m proud of him any day. I spent another 200N on transportation, having a whooping 700Naira left. I was to get to Badore to see a friend for something quite urgent- no, not romance, but finance. Please don’t think that. Romance is not the only urgent thing. But lord have mercy when I’m on fire. My Aduni can tell. Badoreing cost me another 250Naira and I was left 450N. Got back to the room filled with hunger and a dangerous joy- the joy that kills. I ate the left-over in the pot and was in bed. I woke up the following day with doubt but glory to God. I concluded that the appointment with the BIS woman will be for my friend who was teaching in faraway Taraba. I called him to convince him to come for the interview on Tuesday, but like Thomas, he wasn’t ready to leave certainty for uncertainty. He said, he would think about it. I checked the internet for the school, their structure and curricula. It is affiliated to several UK and Canadian Universities. Let me write the interview for my friend. I can’t jump out of my school for now. My curriculum vitae will be too terrible to look at. Working for 8months with the first school; another for four months; having taught in twelve different schools in just nine years of my teaching profession. Terrible you say, yeah, pretty terrible. No sack letter, just one query in nine years. Whaoo! It was 12:37pm already and I apologised to the woman and fixed another for 7pm. I studied a little and was dressed by 4pm. I got to Lekki phrase one at exactly 6:02pm. I strolled around the Estate and was determined to bet that it was incomparably better than VGC, not until I saw the other side. I gave the woman a call and she affirmed that she would be around at 7:00pm only to be present at 7:05pm. It was a long and unending discussion but the most important aspect was the remuneration. She said I should expect about 170, 000N to 200, 000N. That was after I lied that I collect 120, 000N from where I currently serve. She promised that the school will send me abroad for further training. I equally lied that my longest duration with a school during my years of teaching was a year and half, when it is actually just one year, that is, if up to that. I imagined what had made me lie conveniently and convincingly. I was very sure something was wrong. Yes, I hadn’t ejaculated for over four months except for wet dream and had being faithfully avoiding more serious and better interestingly rewarding iniquities. After the discourse, I moved away from her second new Jeep and walked towards Mainstreet bank and then to the gate. So fortunate was I, there was no on-coming vehicle and I crossed the express road in a hurry. All of a sudden, I heard, ‘you are under arrest, don’t move, and don’t talk.’ What? That was when I realized that a pedestrian bridge was just right ahead of me. I got confused. I didn’t ask for my crime, of course I knew. I was placed in the vehicle like a criminal. ‘Please! E! I! Humm! Sorry! I’m a graduate, this is my first time here. Please, Jesus, I’m from Osun State. I didn’t know. I swear to God. Anything. Ha! Ye! I have just 210N on me. I live at Langbasa. Ha! Please don’t drive the vehicle, mo gbe,’ I kept talking. I remembered my day at Jalingo prison, not as an inmate, but a motivational speaker. I remembered how the people cried loud when I asked them if they knew the word vengeance. I begged them to let go, that was then, because vengeance is of God. I remembered how a prison warden, hit a sick old man with robust baton. How the inmates fought with the last drop of their blood over who gets water first. The water wasn’t sufficient and if you don’t fight dirty, you don’t get water to drink. Everyone must fight dirty, including the prison pastor and Imam. The punches, the hammering of metal bucket on someone’s face, the dragging of the defeated on the graved round the prison premises, breaking of bone that calls for no better medical attention but Paracetamol, among other. I resumed my necessary but senseless speech. I won’t survive prison. ‘Broz please, I’m from Osun State, from Ori-Ade Local Government Area. I’m from Ijebu-jesa town. Please! Ha! Ok take my phone, but I will remove my sim and memory cards. E jo! Ha! This is my degree certificate that I snapped on my phone. I’m an English teacher.’ The man was like 007, unmovable. I imagined myself, a good Nigerian giving bribe. Will I rather be imprisoned for being greedy-‘not wanting to shake body’ than give my phone. The crime any security man arrests you for is not the basic, the cell is jam-packed already. I will only be a burden, but if I don’t give something, they will put me there and I will be on awaiting trial for years if not decades. And if anyone is ready to agree to bail me, bail is free but they have to pay for utilities- and that is about 20, 000N per month. The DPO must get his share. He asked me if I had any cash on me, even 500N. I answered the negative. Then I knew that money was more important to these myopic set of uncivilized fools in uniform. Of course I didn’t say that out. Immediate, my phone became his with no receipt, nor document. Officer! Hummm. If only I had just N500 or N200 on me, those cheap demons dressed in black wouldn’t have taken my phone. Being exact can be a minus ooo. Please take more cash. Just a story ONI AFOLABI AJIBOLA www.afolabioni.blogspot.com 08036126690, oniafolabiajibola@yahoo.com 28/July/2013, 7:25pm

TIME TO COMPROMISE IS NEAR

TIME TO COMPROMISE IS CLOSE In life, what we often plan, does not often see the light of day. You plan to be a doctor, but end up a conductor, or better an instructor. Why is life heartless? Probably because it is not just about me and my ability to keep my words? Maybe it also about others being faithful to the creed that binds every two? At the Federal Medical Centre, Ebute-meta, I was mad at the way people jumped queue and people who just came will go to their partners in crime who is a staff to grant them a favour of forwarding their files at the expense of the anxious masses diligently waiting to see the doctor. What if I was employed here, would I join others in this favouritism? Can I be a crusader for justice and fairness? Even if I want to be, once I see my people (parents, wife etc) being cheated and waiting endlessly on the queue, I will compromise. Later that evening, I was in the sitting room bored with the power outage and looking the picture of my beauty queen. I had just changed her name from sweet aduni to Aduni on my contact. I searched my phone to check for another image in order to change the image I will be seeing when she calls. I was okay with the captivating sight of hers in her sky-blue lace and blue gele. Satisfied with the selection, I decided to go through the images again. I had to do that to ensure that she was all I had in my memory. I deleted every contact of any lady that could tempt me except Dolapo-that is in my head and will be hypocritical to delete. I went through the pictures again; I saw the sky-blue shirt on tight skirt. Hummmm, I could feel the sexuality in the picture. ‘All these for me?’ I thought of asking her to delete it, so that I will be for my eyes only. The pictures were basically to show me that her butt had become bigger and her breast was still intact. ‘The female teacher that snapped these must be bad. A photo section of clear pornography in clothes, strictly for me, she must delete it. I will be the one that will have it alone.’ Calling her was impossible, my battery was flat. PHCN was grateful to restore the light. I charged my phone and with the thought in my head. ‘For my eyes only’. Switching on my phone Aduni called, I was mad with joy. After the greetings, few information and all the paparazzi. I asked her who snapped the sexy pictures. It was as if a curb harmer hit my head when she said it was a man. A teacher, and she posed flaunting joyfully. She never told me before now. A guy snapped her full back view, saved it on his phone and sent her a copy. What is she? Who is she? Can I ….? Isn’t my life a waste? Anyway, she said sorry. She didn’t mean it. How ridiculous. When on earth have I ever allowed a woman to snap me reflecting my shape or in singlet? Well, I can’t doubt her. But this is the 9th time I’m getting to know something about her not directly from her. I must be a fool to think a man can leave his entire life with one woman and vice versa. My parents started with joint account. Mummy felt, dad was cheating and spending money on girls outside and decided to quit the joint account. How foolishly stupid! Every man will not pay evil for evil, but evil for greater evil. Now my Aduni is following suite. Men pour over her, I absolutely isolated. Maybe that was the reason I can’t touch her, she has back up? Of course not. Sure, you don’t trust a woman that betrays your trust. I wouldn’t have believed if I was told. I hate revealing dresses, she wore one that the life of her breast was revealing on Saturday. This babe no send me. Anyway, I am human, I can presuppose that a woman with revealing dresses wants sex. And a woman that will allow a man to snap her breast and butt, save it to his phone, collect to her phone and send to her mugu’s phone must be …. My sincerity within the marriage wed-lock is anchored on my partner’s sincerity. In the court of law, ignorance is not an excuse. If she wears revealing clothes, I will start wearing ring, drinking, smoking and having stylish hair cut. If she says it is time to play games, who am I not to? I might have planned my life one way. But what if, my partner is ‘smart’ what the hack will I do? You plan, you wish, you pray. Others determine if you will compromise or not. The time to compromise is close. Just a story. 08036126690 Afolabi Ajibola ONI 15 June 2013, 10:08pm

MY BOSS

My Boss Tade, a very good friend of mine walked into me, uneasy. He was sweating harder than expected and I was a bit worry. I doubted if Tade had impregnated a colleague of his, like most of my peers- working class people with blood boiling quite hot. I inquired about what the matter was but he wasn’t in a hurry to tell anyone. I looked deep into his eye with the well drafted silent query, ‘-not even me?’ He looked into my eyes and sigh. I knew the problem could be a little mind blowing and I pestered with an expectant silence. ‘It is all these management people- my boss, the director, all of them. I told them that I had started my Masters degree at the University, but it is on weekends. They asked for my admission letter, I gave them. Asked for every other detail and I volunteered it sincerely to the best of my knowledge. I was interested in full time before that cost 150, 000n and lasts for a year, but because of work, I change to part time that is for a period of two years and costs over 320, 000n. Now my school needs my weekends again as they organised a seminar recently for teachers. I wrote a letter reminding them of my engagement on Saturdays. Only to come back and my principal started ranting that I won’t go scot-free.’ He concluded with yet another deep breath. I was silent for a while. I knew that he wanted my take on the matter as I pondered real hard on the matter. I looked at the entire situation from both ends. First, the school management, who have spent a lot to get the seminar ready, they even provided two complete meals and did their best to make the ambience cosy. Only for the indigent son of a bitch to waste their hard earn resources. He should be asked to tender his withdrawer. From the other end, I see this young man who doesn’t want to be stagnant and wants uncompromising adjustment for the better. I told him at last; if you think your education comes first, go for it. It is always difficult. It is like sleeping ravenous today for a better tomorrow. Don’t procrastinate, don’t let go of your master’s degree, do that which people rarely do. Anyway, when one door doesn’t close, another wouldn’t open, because when two doors open, there lies perplexity or the need to seek the face of God. That was my advice for Tade. What is yours? Add your comment please.

TEACHING METHODOLOGIES; THE ESSENCE OF VARIETIES

‘Variety is the spice of life’ so the sages say and the essence of using various or different methodologies to teach does not only makes learning more interesting but also better enhanced. According to Longman Active Studies Dictionary 5th Edition ‘education is the process of teaching and learning.’ According to Wikipedia education is a form of learning in which knowledge skills and habit of a group of people are transferred from one generation to the next through teaching, training, and research or simply through auto didacticism. It occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way we think, feel or act. We have various methods of teaching can be divided according to the age of man. These notwithstanding affect the learning process and are all important. Learning according to experts has not taken place except it affects the three domains which are the Affective, Cognitive and Psyco-motor domain. The early age of man, the learning methodology was SELF-REFLECTING approach. This approach allows the early man to think on his own. The later age, SOCRATIC METHOD OF ELENCHUS, was employed. It can also be inquiry, debate, questioning method. This allows the learner learn through questions posed by the teacher. In the early 18th Century man employed CLASS PARTICIPATION or group discussion, also called COLLABORATING, Group or project work. This builds the team leadership skill, presentation abilities in student. It can be called fishbowl discussion or well Learning by teaching. This can take various shapes (Where the students have their take on the topic and the leader is the guide). DEMONSTRATION also called connective learning. This has equally taken diverse shapes and can be through practical or experiment, storytelling or acting. Other method used for ages are RECITATION, MEMORIZATION or ROTE MEMORIZATION, EXPLAINING OR LECTURE METHODS which is factual presentation to the students. This helps the teacher to cover a wide range of curriculum in short time. INQUIRY LEARNING METHOD featured in United State National Science Education Standard in 1996, investigation, collection of data, application in other subject areas where people are developing critical thinking and investigation skill. Robert Bain proposed through inquiry people will develop skills and factual knowledge that answers to a question. They will form a hypothesis, collect and consider information and revisit their hypothesis as they evaluate. This is also called OPEN LEARNING. If one takes a critical look at the diverse methodologies, one can be said to be absolutely independent of the other as they are complementary. Learning may not be complete if on dogmatically uses just one of this teaching methodologies. While some are more important at some age grade and subjects others cannot but be emphasises in other fields. While Mathematics needs more of demonstration or solving the sum independently, Agricultural Science’s farm work needs more of group discussion as English is more prone to Lecture method. Yet these subjects are best when the methods are combined and used interdependently. This will make learning better, easier more interesting to both the teacher and the student. Any teacher that is stereotyped with one method creates room for boredom in the class. Variety is indeed the spice of life, and the classroom is not an exception. MR. ONI AFOLABI AJIBOLA ENGLISH LANGUAGE TEACHER EDIDOT SCHOOL AWOYAYA, LAGOS 08036126690 oniafolabiajibola@yahoo.com

Eulogy to Dr. Mrs. Edith Okubanjo

A eulogy to Dr. Mrs. Edith Okubanjo Isn’t she a diamond? That glows beyond comprehension Isn’t she a mountain? Never shaken despite ocean surge Death murdered her husband Yet she remains a mother Even more caring than ever And look more elegant than the latest bride down town We welcome back our hero Who started from zero Who took no short cut in life’s race And rose to grace We all at the college in Edidot, That I represent right on the spot We say welcome back to Edidot Indeed we missed you Welcome ma, Doctor Mrs. Edith Okubanjo We love you ma, Sincerely, we do. Composed by ONI Afolabi Ajibola 16:20pm, 02/10/12, Edidot School

SEVENTY VIRGINS

‘Salam lakun,, ya yane, nna samani kana seri yee?’ Sakih Abdurrahman A. Abdurrahman was conversingwith one of his loyal students and Islamic faithful. He continued hisconversation in Hausa, ‘Sure you are ready, don’t be discouraged, Allah is alreadywith your reward, it is a holy war.’ with this Sakih ended the telephoneconversation. Abdulwarith’s faith wasundaunted and unshaken. He took another look at the locally improvisedexplosive as it laid on the floor. He cast his mind back to the reward healready got and spent from Sakih, N20, 000, meant for carrying out the suicidebombing that will end his life. ‘Is it worth it?’ he thought.His life had been the most miserable ever since he was born in Maiduguri thestate capital of Bornu State North-east of Nigeria. His parents left him in the streetwith no education, more so, food was from any caring being or remnant from localfood vendors. He joined the dreaded Boko Haram after being insulted by one ofhis age mate as useless. Sakih was convincing in arguing the fact that God isagainst education and westernization. Sakih gave him a life and value for his life.With Sakih, he was useful for the first time in his life. Haven being with Sakihfor ten years and his ideology of holy war, he was sent down to Jalingo toexplode the Government house and ensure that Gov. Danbaba Suntai was one of thedeceased after the Government house was razed courtesy of the explosion. With this, Abdul saidhis prayers and was no more on 30th April 2012, and had no burial.

OUT OF THIS WORLD REDEEMER’S DAY

The Redeemers’ day celebration or better called founder’s day for the year 2011 was such that was superb. The event that was greeted with much enthusiasm by the enter teachers and students of RIS.
On Wednesday 9th of March, athletes and some members of staffs left for the Redemption camp in order to prepare for the heats of the sport event. One needs no interview to know the excitement of the athletes as Chioma Mutol couldn’t wait to conclude her work and Aboaba was cut running sideways and hitting his foot against one another.
Thursday 10th of March was the day for the exodus of the larger group. Some came as early as 7am just as the staff devotion was about to commence as Mrs. Asimi got out of the staff devotion on more than two occasions to tell the pupils were they are expected to keep their well labeled bags.
For the pupils going to redemption camp, the day was long and unending. They flooded the Arts Room and won’t stop asking, when are we going? Alas! A long bus drove into the school premises and the pupils bags were moved into it, but the children were downcast when they were told it was not yet time.
The tension rose again in the early hours of noon, when Mrs. Asimi called all the kids going to camp together as they were led to the waiting room to have their lunch which didn’t exclude they staffs going for camp. While swept their plate clean, others had few grains left in other to be a perfect gentleman.
At about thirty minutes after meal, the pupils were asked to enter into the air-conditioned buses and the journey commenced at last.
In the long bus, Mrs. Oluwatade commenced the prayer that was rounded off by Mr. Wey who pleaded to God for Journey mercy. Shortly after we hit the road, anxious Samuel Agbasi asked if the Journey will be long and Mrs. Oluwatade responded that ‘what is the need for the question if the journey wouldn’t be long, that means you already presuppose that the journey will be long.’
The journey was quite long, no little thanks to the traffic congestion and the poor state of our road. Several pocket discussions continued as every pupil wanted to tell their neighbor that he know one thing or the other. This was curtailed by Mrs. Oluwatade and other teachers.
We got to camp and drove straight down into our white suits chalet that cannot but remind one of the American White house, home of President Barack Obama. Pleasantries were exchanged from the newly arrived pupils and the athletes that had being in camp a day before. Camp commandant, Major General Nwabulue (Mrs.) with the help of the able hands of Mrs. Azeez and other teachers distributed the kids into pocket groups, with an average of four pupils to a teacher for thorough supervision.
After the collection of keys, then ‘…to your tents oh Israel’ or sorry, I meant to your mansions ooh RIS. The coordinators of each room read out their dos and don’ts. Pupils were admonished to take their showers and sleep, but the butterflies in their bellies won’t allow them sleep. The cookies and packs of bottled water came and we had to move to the field for primary school variety night. Each pupil had a cookies and a bottle of water to be eaten on the field but some forgot their but it was later communicated to them on the field, no little thanks to Mr. Gideon.
At the field, the population was massive, the praise and worship was greeted with dance by the pupils as Mr. Olusesi and others motivated the children to dance to God by initiating funny dance steps. The excitement continued with debate, recitation of memory verses among other electrifying presentations.
Mummy G.O. Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye wife of the General overseer of the Redeemed Christian church of God gave everyone a warm welcome. She prayed for everyone and we moved back into our Air conditioned tight, internet enabled mansion. Before we could say Jack Robinson, dinner of Jollof Rice and a giant chunk of fish each was served. After the meal, it was few minutes of rest and then shower and off to bed. Some teachers were forced to sing bed side songs as their boys wouldn’t sleep and it worked like the crystal balls.
Friday morning started with morning prayers at exactly 5am and all kids were hurried to do their morning rituals of using the toilet after a glass of water-water therapy (in some rooms), washing their mouth and taking a warm shower. All then wore their already ironed school uniforms and later removed it as they took their breakfast of yam and fish stew with warm tea. Some lost appetite had to be found by the kids themselves as some teachers change their smiling faces to straight faces to enable the kids find their appetite. Statements like ‘if you don’t eat, I will feed you and you must finish your food’ were issued and many complied.
About forty five minutes after meal, we were on the field. The pupils participating in the march past were given their gloves, hats for the girls among others. RIS’s Joy Udembe commenced the event by lighting the touch that was started by Mummy G.O. This was greeted with cheers from the RIS stands.
The march past commenced and RIS was the fifth school to march. The voice of Lieutenant Ojo Ayokunle was loud, firm and assertive, ‘hands in a fist! Swing your arms! Shoulder level!’ Lieutenant Ojo doled out instructions.
The events commenced in earnest and RIS qualified for three events, the four by 100metres relay that RIS fielded her 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th at the fastest runner race; obviously their getting to the finals was applaudable, 100metres flat race by upper primary females, and 100metre flat race male for upper primary. In the four by 100metres boys, RIS was third in her heat and was disqualified due to her time.
Before the race, the athletes moved to a special tent for athletes and Tobi Aboaba confessed, ‘I a little scared,’ others affirmed to it too. Tobi complained that she was full and the teachers asked them to do light exercises, then she was asked if she will give it a try and she said yes. The athletes were informed that they should look around as others are pointing at them and are scared of them, so there is no need to be scared of the people that are scared of you.
RIS’s event started with Joy Udembe’s 100metres flat race. Every sleeping Jonah under RIS tenth was wide awake. ‘On your mark! Set!’ and next was the gun shut. Someone beat the gun and the race had to start again. The person was yellow carded. ‘Thank God it wasn’t Joy,’ a teacher mentioned. They had to start again and RIS staffs and pupils started praying for Joy Udemba, and we were praying with our eyes opened. The gun shut was loud and the race begin, Joy was leading in the first 10 metres and we all stood still, 70 metres and she was still first, our hearts wont stop beating, the prayers continued, eyes opened, even Mr. Obiora that wasn’t feeling fine was now hale and hearty, his once weak eyes were as wild as a hungry Lion. Suddenly, upon approaching 85 metres Joy chipped, lost balance and almost, fell. ‘Haaaa!’ someone shouted, the once bright faces of staffs turned sour but they had to brazen up for their pupils. As if the teachers were absence, the pupils started confirming, ‘Joy almost fall flat, she would have being 1st.’ ‘Yes’ a teacher replied.
The next race was Tobi Aboaba’s flat race 100metre, the gun went and before he approached 20metres, Aboaba (Our King of the track 2011) chipped and almost fell. He was about the last three. He picked up and continued the race, he was not disappointing, and just too determine. Aboaba upon approaching 100metres mark, Aboaba was 2nd. The applauds from the RIS stand was louder than the roaring of a thunder. Our King Aboaba didn’t disappoint.
Temisan Aberen saw the relay teams coming our and cried, ‘Why didn’t we qualify, I feel miserable.’ The RIS female relay team were set and with fresh determination. Joy Udemba wasn’t wearing a broad smile as her face was on the finish line. The gun went and prayers started. Tobi Omotosho was the first leg and her pace was unbeatable, second leg runner Fisola Ifabiyi was a Cheetah, the most dramatic was the third leg with Chizy Aranonu as she was running opposite RIS stand. The girl competing with her in the 3rd leg was a giant, she was almost three times bigger than Chizy, the giant girl was initially ahead of Chizy but Chizy ran the fastest race of her life and outran the giant girl. RIS stand led by Mrs. Azeez started shouting ‘Chizy! Chizy! Chizy!’ until she gave the baton to Joy Udemba, whose strength double and will not stop until she was declared second after the finish line.
After the race, Tobi Aboaba said, ‘I will have preferred Gold but Silver is okay, it is something.’ For Joy Udemba, she said, ‘Before the race my eyes was on Gold, when the race started and I was ahead of others, that was the 100 metres flat race, I was thinking of finishing 1st, but when I chipped and practically fell, I was downcast. I am happy that we won the relay, that compensated for the loss.’
Chizy Aranonu said, ‘Before the race, the giant girl boosted and said, I was too small to run faster than her. That challenged me and I’m happy that I won her and more importantly that we won a silver medal. This is my 1st time ever to competite in Redeemers’ Day and I won a Silver medal, I’m happy!’ She spoke with a soft broad smile. Fisola Fabiyi acknowledged that the race was no work over but was interesting.
After the even we were in our White house, and lunch was served. It was African delicacies with Eba, Amala or semovita, with varieties of soup based on pupil’s choice. Oliver Twist were encouraged and given not only a loud ovation but the food they demanded for extra. The Likes of Temisan, Chiemelie and others were given on request. With our tanks filled pupils were not ready to sleep as our counterparts from another school where playing outside the compound. Pupils resulted to exchange visits with other in other rooms and play with their friends.
Evening meal was served and it was fried rice and chicken and we made way for the field for secondary schools variety night. The variety night ended and teachers went for seminar. Children sat a circle for a special moonlight presentation. Head girl Tobi Omotosho gave a fantastic Christian musical performance that got the wild applauds of others pupil. Joy Bankong also gave another soul lifting performance that no one wanted her performance to end. Games like don’t say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ was performed and the excitement wouldn’t stop. The night ended with a story that was brought to an abrupt end due to our teacher’s presence. We flew home and it was bedtime.
‘Pack you things! Forget nothing! Who used the toilet and didn’t flush! Bring your bags out! Who owns these socks?’ All this were statements from one room or the other on Saturday morning. Meal of bread, fried egg and tea was served and all ate. We were all in our ceremonial dress as the boys were in their bow-tie looking exactly like the perfect gentle man that they are, the girls were equally looking radiant and beautiful.
We were on the field for the closing ceremony and we all marched and offered our gifts to Daddy G.O. The bus got moving and we were back in RIS compound after taking our launch.

OUT OF THIS WORLD REDEEMER’S DAY

The Redeemers’ day celebration or better called founder’s day for the year 2011 was such that was superb. The event that was greeted with much enthusiasm by the enter teachers and students of RIS.
On Wednesday 9th of March, athletes and some members of staffs left for the Redemption camp in order to prepare for the heats of the sport event. One needs no interview to know the excitement of the athletes as Chioma Mutol couldn’t wait to conclude her work and Aboaba was cut running sideways and hitting his foot against one another.
Thursday 10th of March was the day for the exodus of the larger group. Some came as early as 7am just as the staff devotion was about to commence as Mrs. Asimi got out of the staff devotion on more than two occasions to tell the pupils were they are expected to keep their well labeled bags.
For the pupils going to redemption camp, the day was long and unending. They flooded the Arts Room and won’t stop asking, when are we going? Alas! A long bus drove into the school premises and the pupils bags were moved into it, but the children were downcast when they were told it was not yet time.
The tension rose again in the early hours of noon, when Mrs. Asimi called all the kids going to camp together as they were led to the waiting room to have their lunch which didn’t exclude they staffs going for camp. While swept their plate clean, others had few grains left in other to be a perfect gentleman.
At about thirty minutes after meal, the pupils were asked to enter into the air-conditioned buses and the journey commenced at last.
In the long bus, Mrs. Oluwatade commenced the prayer that was rounded off by Mr. Wey who pleaded to God for Journey mercy. Shortly after we hit the road, anxious Samuel Agbasi asked if the Journey will be long and Mrs. Oluwatade responded that ‘what is the need for the question if the journey wouldn’t be long, that means you already presuppose that the journey will be long.’
The journey was quite long, no little thanks to the traffic congestion and the poor state of our road. Several pocket discussions continued as every pupil wanted to tell their neighbor that he know one thing or the other. This was curtailed by Mrs. Oluwatade and other teachers.
We got to camp and drove straight down into our white suits chalet that cannot but remind one of the American White house, home of President Barack Obama. Pleasantries were exchanged from the newly arrived pupils and the athletes that had being in camp a day before. Camp commandant, Major General Nwabulue (Mrs.) with the help of the able hands of Mrs. Azeez and other teachers distributed the kids into pocket groups, with an average of four pupils to a teacher for thorough supervision.
After the collection of keys, then ‘…to your tents oh Israel’ or sorry, I meant to your mansions ooh RIS. The coordinators of each room read out their dos and don’ts. Pupils were admonished to take their showers and sleep, but the butterflies in their bellies won’t allow them sleep. The cookies and packs of bottled water came and we had to move to the field for primary school variety night. Each pupil had a cookies and a bottle of water to be eaten on the field but some forgot their but it was later communicated to them on the field, no little thanks to Mr. Gideon.
At the field, the population was massive, the praise and worship was greeted with dance by the pupils as Mr. Olusesi and others motivated the children to dance to God by initiating funny dance steps. The excitement continued with debate, recitation of memory verses among other electrifying presentations.
Mummy G.O. Pastor Mrs. Folu Adeboye wife of the General overseer of the Redeemed Christian church of God gave everyone a warm welcome. She prayed for everyone and we moved back into our Air conditioned tight, internet enabled mansion. Before we could say Jack Robinson, dinner of Jollof Rice and a giant chunk of fish each was served. After the meal, it was few minutes of rest and then shower and off to bed. Some teachers were forced to sing bed side songs as their boys wouldn’t sleep and it worked like the crystal balls.
Friday morning started with morning prayers at exactly 5am and all kids were hurried to do their morning rituals of using the toilet after a glass of water-water therapy (in some rooms), washing their mouth and taking a warm shower. All then wore their already ironed school uniforms and later removed it as they took their breakfast of yam and fish stew with warm tea. Some lost appetite had to be found by the kids themselves as some teachers change their smiling faces to straight faces to enable the kids find their appetite. Statements like ‘if you don’t eat, I will feed you and you must finish your food’ were issued and many complied.
About forty five minutes after meal, we were on the field. The pupils participating in the march past were given their gloves, hats for the girls among others. RIS’s Joy Udembe commenced the event by lighting the touch that was started by Mummy G.O. This was greeted with cheers from the RIS stands.
The march past commenced and RIS was the fifth school to march. The voice of Lieutenant Ojo Ayokunle was loud, firm and assertive, ‘hands in a fist! Swing your arms! Shoulder level!’ Lieutenant Ojo doled out instructions.
The events commenced in earnest and RIS qualified for three events, the four by 100metres relay that RIS fielded her 1st, 5th, 6th and 7th at the fastest runner race; obviously their getting to the finals was applaudable, 100metres flat race by upper primary females, and 100metre flat race male for upper primary. In the four by 100metres boys, RIS was third in her heat and was disqualified due to her time.
Before the race, the athletes moved to a special tent for athletes and Tobi Aboaba confessed, ‘I a little scared,’ others affirmed to it too. Tobi complained that she was full and the teachers asked them to do light exercises, then she was asked if she will give it a try and she said yes. The athletes were informed that they should look around as others are pointing at them and are scared of them, so there is no need to be scared of the people that are scared of you.
RIS’s event started with Joy Udembe’s 100metres flat race. Every sleeping Jonah under RIS tenth was wide awake. ‘On your mark! Set!’ and next was the gun shut. Someone beat the gun and the race had to start again. The person was yellow carded. ‘Thank God it wasn’t Joy,’ a teacher mentioned. They had to start again and RIS staffs and pupils started praying for Joy Udemba, and we were praying with our eyes opened. The gun shut was loud and the race begin, Joy was leading in the first 10 metres and we all stood still, 70 metres and she was still first, our hearts wont stop beating, the prayers continued, eyes opened, even Mr. Obiora that wasn’t feeling fine was now hale and hearty, his once weak eyes were as wild as a hungry Lion. Suddenly, upon approaching 85 metres Joy chipped, lost balance and almost, fell. ‘Haaaa!’ someone shouted, the once bright faces of staffs turned sour but they had to brazen up for their pupils. As if the teachers were absence, the pupils started confirming, ‘Joy almost fall flat, she would have being 1st.’ ‘Yes’ a teacher replied.
The next race was Tobi Aboaba’s flat race 100metre, the gun went and before he approached 20metres, Aboaba (Our King of the track 2011) chipped and almost fell. He was about the last three. He picked up and continued the race, he was not disappointing, and just too determine. Aboaba upon approaching 100metres mark, Aboaba was 2nd. The applauds from the RIS stand was louder than the roaring of a thunder. Our King Aboaba didn’t disappoint.
Temisan Aberen saw the relay teams coming our and cried, ‘Why didn’t we qualify, I feel miserable.’ The RIS female relay team were set and with fresh determination. Joy Udemba wasn’t wearing a broad smile as her face was on the finish line. The gun went and prayers started. Tobi Omotosho was the first leg and her pace was unbeatable, second leg runner Fisola Ifabiyi was a Cheetah, the most dramatic was the third leg with Chizy Aranonu as she was running opposite RIS stand. The girl competing with her in the 3rd leg was a giant, she was almost three times bigger than Chizy, the giant girl was initially ahead of Chizy but Chizy ran the fastest race of her life and outran the giant girl. RIS stand led by Mrs. Azeez started shouting ‘Chizy! Chizy! Chizy!’ until she gave the baton to Joy Udemba, whose strength double and will not stop until she was declared second after the finish line.
After the race, Tobi Aboaba said, ‘I will have preferred Gold but Silver is okay, it is something.’ For Joy Udemba, she said, ‘Before the race my eyes was on Gold, when the race started and I was ahead of others, that was the 100 metres flat race, I was thinking of finishing 1st, but when I chipped and practically fell, I was downcast. I am happy that we won the relay, that compensated for the loss.’
Chizy Aranonu said, ‘Before the race, the giant girl boosted and said, I was too small to run faster than her. That challenged me and I’m happy that I won her and more importantly that we won a silver medal. This is my 1st time ever to competite in Redeemers’ Day and I won a Silver medal, I’m happy!’ She spoke with a soft broad smile. Fisola Fabiyi acknowledged that the race was no work over but was interesting.
After the even we were in our White house, and lunch was served. It was African delicacies with Eba, Amala or semovita, with varieties of soup based on pupil’s choice. Oliver Twist were encouraged and given not only a loud ovation but the food they demanded for extra. The Likes of Temisan, Chiemelie and others were given on request. With our tanks filled pupils were not ready to sleep as our counterparts from another school where playing outside the compound. Pupils resulted to exchange visits with other in other rooms and play with their friends.
Evening meal was served and it was fried rice and chicken and we made way for the field for secondary schools variety night. The variety night ended and teachers went for seminar. Children sat a circle for a special moonlight presentation. Head girl Tobi Omotosho gave a fantastic Christian musical performance that got the wild applauds of others pupil. Joy Bankong also gave another soul lifting performance that no one wanted her performance to end. Games like don’t say ‘yes’ or ‘no’ was performed and the excitement wouldn’t stop. The night ended with a story that was brought to an abrupt end due to our teacher’s presence. We flew home and it was bedtime.
‘Pack you things! Forget nothing! Who used the toilet and didn’t flush! Bring your bags out! Who owns these socks?’ All this were statements from one room or the other on Saturday morning. Meal of bread, fried egg and tea was served and all ate. We were all in our ceremonial dress as the boys were in their bow-tie looking exactly like the perfect gentle man that they are, the girls were equally looking radiant and beautiful.
We were on the field for the closing ceremony and we all marched and offered our gifts to Daddy G.O. The bus got moving and we were back in RIS compound after taking our launch.

DO BA LE: Cultural or Counter-Cultural

The subject of ‘Do ba la’ is currently controversies among OAU students. Some see it as culture and others see it as degeneration. Afolabi Oni, just concluded his final examinations in OAU writes.

For students in part six Medicine, they do not know when it all started. It gained ground day by day, just like the Bamboo tree and now is a pronounced and prominent act in Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. This is an act of demanding for respect from any artiste or invited guest in OAU as they are told to prostrate before they perform at all, if a male and go on bended knees on the ground if a female. This is usually echoed by boys residing in Awolowo hall who do not only come to the event ground to be entertained, but also to entertain their fellow students with their aroism in other to ensure that there are no dull moments. They encourage well performing artiste and dust their hands off for the artiste that isn’t getting the audience attention as sign that his absence on stage is needed.

On the 27th of November, 2010, EniObanke music festival was stage in OAU and organized by beautiful Nubia (Segun Akinlolu). Beautiful Nubia started singing from amidst the students and when he moved to the raised platform, he said, ‘Greeting’. Awoites and other students demanded that he should prostrate but he continues with his performance. Upon being asked to prostrate and when the tension had increased, he said, ‘In the yoruba culture, only a bastard will prostrate for someone younger than him, I know my age, I am over 42.’

The President of the Student Union Fredrick Joel came up stage stating categorically to beautiful Nubia with all humility, that it is a tradition in ife for any artiste to prostrate as a sign of paying homage to the students. He however said if that connoted sense of disrespect to Beautiful Nubia, Joel and other Central Executive Council officials prostrated to Beautiful Nubia right on stage and advised him to do the same to the students. Beautiful Nubia called that he coming back on stage to perform but that Pa Olandowo Julius should perform. All these happened after Jimi Solanke had performed.

Students sensed that it was just an antic and that Beautiful Nubia wanted Pa Olandowo Julius to play before they packed there things and left. In the cause of the tension as he wasn’t given audience by students who wanted him to prostrate, Beautiful Nubia said, ‘Okay, you want me to do ba le, let the Chairman of Awolowo hall come, I will do ba le for you. Sebi u want do ba le.’

Another member of his crew who beautiful Nubia felt has a right to express himself said, ‘This is not the culture in Ife, and it is degeneration. It wasn’t like this when we were here.’ The programme came to a halt when beautiful Nubia left the stage after inviting the next guest artiste and some of his crews were packing some musical instrument. Arguments continued as the Director of Socials and Culture, Babawale Olayinka countered what the President said and did say that it was not cultural and he was on the side of Beautiful Nubia. Some students asked him if he did prostrated or not before presenting his manifestos to the students as all the aspirant didn’t only prostrate but also affirmed that it was a tradition.
Adeolu Adesakin, 300level student of Sociology and Antropology criticized Babawale for supporting an artiste against the students, based on the fact that he has a personal relationship with the artiste. However, Ola Osebikan disagrees that to say do ba le is a tradition is subjective and restrictive. He recommends that it should be done away with as it is anachronistic.

After minutes, the President of the Students’ Union, Fredrick Joel appealed to students’ as well as Awolowo hall Chairman and they both prostrated again to fraying nerves asked Beautiful Nubia to apologize to the students and continue with performance. Beautiful Nubia apologized for his perceived harsh tone, arrogance and use of ‘provocative’ words and said they where all perceived as he didn’t do it on purpose but was just misconception. This calmed down the students and he didn’t do ba le but still performed ‘arewa’. Olando Julius thereafter preformed to the thunderous applause of the students and Beautiful Nubia was carried should high by Awoites after the show.

The students are not just interested in your do ba le but humility on stage. The cry for do ba le is just to send signal to the artiste that he is not in control of the stage but the students. The last time an artiste was in charge of the stage, was in the early 1991, when Shina Peter was in Amphi theatre to perform and he requested that a lady to suck his male genital on stage. The female student was however rusticated after the show and nothing was done to Shina Peters. Students after the incidence resolved to demand respect from artistes and guest irrespective of where they come from.

Many have raised eye-brows saying that it will discourage popular artists from coming to OAU, as TU-Face Idibia said in an interview with Babawale, ‘Why would you think I would like to prostrate at any show? Nigerians need to respect us; we are on the same level with Artistes they see on Channel O and MTV base. We deserve some respect. Should it be Akon who will ask him prostrate?’
Adeabgo Matthew replied Tuface that it is just pride that will not make you yield to the demands of your audience. The audience opinion needs to be respected. Should Akon come to OAU, he will prostrate. When Tuface further asked, ‘What will I tell the world when they see the pictures on facebook and twitter?’, Adeagbo replied that Tuface that he should tell them that he is respecting the people in their own way, it is not debasement, but humility.
Although, the controversy continues among students whether it should be struck out or not, but for now, pending the congress, that is even if subjected to debate at the level of the congress because it is beyond the parliament, artiste and guest coming to OAU should not forget to prostrate upon the students request.



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MOURINHO DYMISTIFIED

The el-classico as it is fondly called is the match between FC-Bacelona and Real Madrid was played on the 29th of November, this year at a time students of OAU students were writing their exams, yet they shunned their books to watch and discuss the el-classico. Afolabi Oni writes.

It was the talk of the town, the bone of contention and the bull’s eye of discussion in especially the male halls of residence in Obafemi Awolowo University. Many agreements ensued as sweated justifying reasons why either of the club will win.
Most English premiere League fans were not unsupportive for Real Madrid (The Galacticals). For FC Chelsea fans, many of them were supporting their former team coach, Jose Mourinho, who is the current team coach of Real Madrid and by extension supported Mardrid. For the Manchester United fans, they have soft spot for their former play-maker and striker, Christiano Ronaldo who now plies his trade with Madrid. For the Gunners fans (Arsenal FC), it was time to revenge their 4-0 defeat to Barcelona at the Quarter final Stage of last session UEFA champions’ league, and they want Madrid to help them out.
Others that aren’t English clubs fans reminded Barcelona Fans that, Portugal defeated Spain 3-0 and most Barcelona fans are part of Spain’s starting eleven and Christiano Ronaldo is of Portugal and the playmaker of Real Madrid. This same fate may repeat itself with Barcelona losing.
In the rooms, many predicted a loss for FC Barcelona or at most a draw in camp nou, the home of Barcelona. Many Barcelona fans refused to wear their jersey due to the many persons that gave it to Real Mardrid. All T.V. rooms in all halls of residence was already crowded as at 8pm for a match that to commence by 9pm.
Even Mozambique Hall girls were watching the match rather than their usual African Magic or MTV. When Campuslife asked Ibukun Olaiya, a 100 level student of Nursing, residing in Moz, she said, ‘I don’t like watching football, but there has being to much talk on this match. I have examination in tomorrow, but I will read overnight. Even if I go to the library now, I wouldn’t concentrate and I will only be deceiving myself.’
Adefemi Olayinka, the Assistant Secretary General of the Students’ Union said, ‘My father just called me now, he said that I shouldn’t read but that I should go and watch the el-classico. I don’t support either of the clubs but any football lover will not miss this match.’
Calls were exchange with distance friends in places like Lagos as many praised and prayed for their team, but none of them could play. The match analyses on supersport Charles Anazodo and former super Eagles forward gave it to Real Madrid because of their team coach, the special one, Jose Mourinho and the fact that, the last time Mourinho met Barcelona, he triumph over Pep Guardiola, the Coach of FC Barcelona (The catalans), also coupled with the fact that Mourinho was an assistant coach in Barcelona when Guardiola was a player.
At the start of the match silence filled the TV room and everyone was doing a study of the match. The first real chance came in the 3 minute for the Catalans as Lionel Messi, world best player as he beat cassila only to hit the woodwork, may Barcelona fans screamed at the close effort and were better optimistic that Barcelona will win.
At exactly 7 minutes into the match, there was power outage and students ran to new buka as if they where changing successive lecture to a small class that can contain only 150 students but a class size of 1500 students, which is a common sight in OAU, especially for courses like EGL 101 1nd CHM 101 among others. Some wanted to watch the match in Fork and Finger at the students’ union building that had their generator on, but they cared less about corporate social responsibility and they switch off their TV set and removed it inside and brought a spoiled plasma TV out all because they don’t want their restaurant to be overcrowded. The Union president, Fredrick Joel was called and he went inside to tell them to bring the TV out. Although he was lobbied to watch the match inside like other CEC official like the Welfare Director, Ige Ayodele and Adefemi Olayinka, the Assistant Secretary General at the expense of his fellow students, but he rejected. Joel begged the students to allow the persons eating to sit while they stand and the students obliged. Just five minutes after the TV was switch on, electricity was restored and all the students went to the TV room as Joel, switched on the TV’s in the Students Union building.
The students that had seen online that Barcelona had scored unreplied goal concluded the first half. They goals came off the feet of Xavi and Pedro. The goals continued in the second half as David Villa put two into the back of the net and substitute, Jefferson rounded off the match as he sent home the cross from Bojan, another substitute. Lionel Messi, made three assist although didn’t score. The special one, Mourinho was quite although the match.
Wole Monebi, a two hundred level student of pharmacy asked, ‘Who said Mourinho is not a special one, isn’t losing unreplied goals to FC Barcelona special? The match was one sided, but that doesn’t mean that Barcelona has won the league.’

Students’ reactions to the emergence of Aregbesola

It was jubilation and expectation galore for some students of Obafemi Awolowo University, especially indigenes of Osun state at the declaration of Rauf Aregesola at the Appeal Court Ibadan as the winner of the 2007 Governorship election, Afolabi Oni, media practitioner and 400level student of Education English writes.
The political atmosphere in Osun state weeks before the 26th November judgment had being tensed as many cannot await the verdict that will determine if election will hold for the office of the executive Governor of Osun state come April 2011. Just two days before the declaration, some students had photocopied and pasted copies of releases of Aregbesola Rauf and Osun defender in halls of residence.
For OAU students, it was time for justice as students who registered for the 2007 general election but where not campus are yet to be awoken from the fact that over 30, 000 votes were gotten from Ife. More so, the fact that her former students’ union president, Akinola Saburi’s arrest cannot be disconnected from the political imbroglio made OAU students more interested. More so, the fact that her former union President, Akinola Saburi had to spend three and the half months behind the walls of Ilesa prison was another motivating factor for Students. He was arrested on his was to testifying in the law court assert the fact that OAU students were not on campus during election and over 30, 000 votes from OAU was out of place. On the 26th, many students were gathered at the Students’ Union building waiting for the verdict. Despite the fact that it wasn’t broadcast live, students’ exchange calls with friends and relatives and upon declaration it was jubilation galore as expectations are high.
Speaking with the formal students’ Union president, OAU, Alaje Paul an indigene of Irewole Local Government, a four hundred level student of Economics said, ‘The greatest crime that any man can ever committee is to steal the people’s mandate. If you don’t steal the people’s mandate, you can’t have the opportunity to steal the people’s money at the expense of basic infrastructure that the people need to make life more comfortable. While we celebrate the return of the stolen mandate, we shouldn’t forget to chastise the thief in other to serve as deterrent to other politician.’
While many are happy, others aren’t, Awoyeye Opeola, a two hundred level student English and Social Studies, Osun State college of Education, Ilesa is pessimistic about the new government, he says, ‘Politicians are all the same, we celebrate their emergence and they do nothing. If he can take after Babatunde Fasola, then I can start celebrating. Let him, solve the problem of LAUTECH upon assumption into office, let him reduce the school fees of Osun state University between thirty and fifty thousand, let him bring Law and order to Osun state and halt the problem of environmental pollution. Let him organize competitions at all levels of education; oratory, debate, essay among others for indigenes in Osun State. Let the people’s basic needs be met, then, we can have cause to celebrate,’ he challenged.
The President of Federation of Origbo Students’ Association of Nigeria, Afolabi Kolawole, a student of OAU, said, ‘The verdict by the appeal court is a pointer to the rebirth of justice in Osun state, and at the same time, this shows oppression to our common existence. Imagine few cabals, ganging up and being in custody of our mandate. At a point we lost faith which is now renewed by the judiciary. This judgment is an indication to the total collapse of the PDP.
Oluyomi Olaoye, a 100 student of Sociology and Social Statistics said, ‘Politics to me is a film and the script writers are the cabals. While Omisore’s Senatorial Election was annulled, due to electoral irregularities, better called electoral mal-practices, he did contest in the rerun and won yet again. These cabals know what they are doing. They just want to give Oyinlola enough time to campaign in his senatorial zone, Osun East. We have started seeing the postal and Omisore, who has started campaign for the governor of the State, will be compensated with a ministerial appointment, probably the minister of finance, because he is currently the Chairman, house committee on finance. They decided to lose Osun state Governorship for a more juicy meat.’
Opeola further added, ‘Oyinlola has nothing to lose, he has collected loan that is more than enough for his campaign and I am sure that the Aregbesola will be declaring the debt incurred by Oyinlola. The truth is that the Owaobokun of Ijesaland will now have more political relevance in the state because he supported Aregbesola more than the Oni of Ife who was always on the side of Oyinlola. The silence that was forced on him based on the several insults of Oyinlola will be broken.’
‘That students spend four years on campus only to receive bursary once in OAU is disgusting. A bursary that cannot cater for the needs of students for a month (N5, 000) is expected to last for four sessions. If this vices is corrected the celebration will be worth a while. But for now, let us thank God that the stolen good is back, and we hope it wouldn’t be stole again. If Aregesola doesn’t perform, it would mean that Oyinlola Olagunsoye stole illegally while Aregbesola is stealing legally. Legally or illegally, stealing is stealing,’ those were the words of Demola Adeyeye, a 400 level student of Crop production and Processing, OAU.