THE FATSSSA WEEK EVENTS THROUGH THE EYES OF A NERDY FATSSSAITE

 

By Omolola Odukoya

  

The Faculty of The Social Sciences had always been known for events which make headlines around campus. However, there had been loud hiccups with the crispy picnic, so many might have been hesitant to show up at the FATSSSA Week events.

In preparation for the opening day of the events, the Large Lecture Theatre had been decorated. A large purple banner bearing the name of the faculty, with beautiful splashes of white and orange, was glued to the wall.

The week started with an incredible intellectual programme - ‘Dean For  A Day’ and ‘FATSSSAites who inspire us’. I was determined to attend the programme as it was a new trend and I was curious to see how it would turn out. My mouth went agape as I saw FATSSSAites rush to the event. There were six amazing personalities whose citations made my head burst open.

 One of the personalities, Mr Shallom made the girls swoon as his melodious baritone tingled through the room. His cheeks turned red a few times as they kept interrupting his speech with groans of appreciation. The students of FATSSSA definitely were inspired and many swore to become valuable assets to the faculty. I would have waited till the end of the event except that a rumour test that spread and 200 level students of the faculty ran out of the hall like ants on fire. I still feel my heart squeeze in anger as I remember how I was deprived of snacks because of unverified news.

The next day was the Health Day where three guest speakers were invited. Phenomenal lecturers in the faculty gave speeches about different crucial issues that affect youths - Gender, Drugs and Mental Health. My heart felt lighter as I listened with rapt attention. There were also free HIV tests, free mental evaluation and counseling.

The third day was left blank for whatever reasons, and to be honest, I felt cranky…a day wasted. I crossed my fingers, hoping that there would be a compensation. The two previous events had ticked several positive checks in my list from the ushering time to the organization.

The fourth day was the Sports Day. The FATSSSA-LYMPICS had been holding with Psychology emerging victorious. The nerd in me, stayed home to de-stress from the other days, however, I heard that it was interesting and a success.

The grand finale was the Clash Of The Socials and The Cultural Night. I would have to give a huge applause to the Publicity team. They gave an incredible performance, combining visual and audio vitals.

The Literary and Debating Society gave us the show of our lives. The “Emcees” also performed to the best of their ability. I felt stimulated intellectually as I watched talents of the faculty.

I found it exhausting to attend both events as I had to get dressed to the nines for the cultural night. Already tired, I dragged myself home where I rocked a blue ankara pleated gown. Being the almost antisocial FATSSSAite I was known to be, I would have just stayed home, however I was determined to enjoy the night and unwind from an already stressful week.

By six, when I arrived at  the event, the live band was ready. I took in the energy of the car park as I saw different colours of cultural and pseudo-cultural attires swirling around me. There was a lot of potential, however the generator flopped. Disappointment tugged in my belly.

Not long after, a solution was announced. The live band started to perform, the talking drum possessed the spirits of the audience and luring them with its beats. Their souls aligning with the music, they swayed. I was about getting into the groove when my sandals acted up.

Disappointed, I left the event barefooted, combing the streets of UI, in the search for a cobbler. My kind roommate got me another pair of shoes. I returned to the event by eight, determined that my night could not be a flop. I begged the god of the nerds to let me have fun without any casualties as I  walked into the event like a possessed exhausted nymph.

The event was bubbling and my mates danced like unmoored masquerades. I was torn between queueing for food and losing myself to fun. After a moment of deliberations, I went to the queue. It was a haven of foods - an antidote to my sad evening. There was amala, fufu, eba and a variety of soups with large pieces of meat.

After five minutes on the long queue, I walked off to meet my mates. The talking drum called onto me and I danced to my heart’s content, the music behaved like a soothing balm to my sore knees.

While I was left with a sore body from the week, I acknowledge that it left a greater impact on my soul. 

FATSSSA Week was a success and I hope it is the first of many to come....