FATSSSA PRESS -- University of Ibadan, Nigeria

  ‎Elizabeth Fatokun  ‎They say, “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Perhaps this is the case of the University of Ibadan this semester. ‎We all know that, every second semester is always filled with activities such; Jaw War and other literary contests, music concerts, political activities, and every other social activity through which students unwind and relax. And at this point, students sometimes forget their original plan for the semester which is, Academic Comeback. ‎Of course, it is a good thing to attend and engage in social activities because nobody wants to just pass through school without letting school pass through them. However, in a moment when we begin to forget our original purpose, I think we need to take a step back. ‎Many students become more focused on these activities while their slides and notes keep piling up until they reach the danger zone. Then, tests and examinations come crashing in all at once, with little or no preparation, and the though...

Peace Nkenta  Over time, it has been observed that the correct use of the Association's acronym in speech, writing, and documentation has been neglected by some members of its populace. In several instances, variations such as FASSSA, FATSSA, FATSA, and others have been used in place of the official acronym: FATSSSA.  While these variations may appear to be simple mistakes, they raise a larger question about how much attention we pay to the details that define our Association. FATSSSA is not merely a combination of letters; it is an acronym that represents the Faculty of The Social Sciences Students’ Association and, by extension, its students. Students and student leaders who engage in this practice may fail to understand that by omitting one or more letters, the Association's identity is altered. The appropriate use of the acronym, FATSSSA, matters in the long run, as it demonstrates members' respect for the Association while also reflecting scholarship, professionalism, ...

Editorial: By Eniola Fase Amid our bustling academic pursuits, extracurricular engagements, and the exciting tapestry of campus life at the University of Ibadan, there exists a matter of profound significance that often remains shrouded in silence—our mental health.  As we navigate the complexities of university life, it is essential to acknowledge the importance of mental health awareness and support within our campus community.Behind the smiles and academic achievements, many students silently wrestle with the challenges of mental health.  The pressures of coursework, expectations, and the uncertainties of the future can exact a toll on our emotional well-being. It is crucial to recognize that mental health struggles are not a sign of weakness but a universal human experience. One of the most potent barriers to seeking help for mental health concerns is the stigma that surrounds these issues. In our campus community, we must actively work to break down these barr...

Editorial: By Eniola Fase In an era where information flows ceaselessly from our screens, it's crucial to navigate the vast landscape of news and opinion with discernment. At the heart of this media landscape lie two distinct forms of journalism, each wielding its unique purpose and impact: news articles and opinion articles. In this exploration, we delve into the nuances that set these two forms apart, providing you with a clearer understanding of their fundamental differences. They serve contrasting roles in shaping our perspectives and knowledge. Let us embark on a journey to dissect and demystify these essential components of modern journalism, shedding light on their distinct characteristics and purposes in our ever-evolving media landscape. News Articles 1. Factual Reporting: News articles are grounded in verifiable facts obtained from credible sources. Journalists prioritize accuracy and strive to report events without distortion or personal bias. These sources c...

Editorial: By Eniola Fase As we stand on the precipice of a new academic year, there is an undeniable sense of anticipation and excitement. The echoes of bustling students, the hum of engaged conversations, and the promise of intellectual growth reverberate through the halls of our esteemed Faculty of the Social Sciences.  With the first day of classes just around the corner, we find ourselves at the threshold of a new academic dawn. The arrival of this session signifies more than just the full start of lectures; it represents the resurgence of intellectual curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge. For new and returning students, it's a chance to embrace fresh challenges, delve into uncharted territories, and broaden our horizons. It's an opportunity to engage with professors who are not merely educators but mentors, guiding us through the intricate web of social sciences. What makes our faculty truly exceptional is the diverse tapestry of disciplines it encompasses. ...

By Vivian Nnagboro A new session has begun for students of the Faculty of The Social Sciences, and this session has ushered in a new set of executives that will lead the association of this great faculty. During the election that took place last session, we were able to find out from the now-elected officials what their plans for the session were and how they intend to implement those plans. It is still too early to say if they can carry out all the plans mentioned in their manifestos. All we can do now is wait and hope this new set of executives doesn’t come bearing empty promises.  As long as the executives have the plans they wish to implement, it is only fair for the students to have things they expect to get from the executives this coming session. For any great association to prosper, not only do the leaders have to have viable ideas, but they also need to have followers who have a vision of how they intend to be led.  FATSSSA press was able to meet up with s...

The FATSSSA PRESS ORGANISATION welcomes you to the 10th week of the semester; let it be known that examinations are just few weeks away. It is time to pick up your books. That being noted, this week, we are reviewing some of the news that made the rounds both on campus and off campus, the reactions that trailed the news, all about facts and trends. On campus, we welcomed the preceding week with the knowledge of the five day warning strike by the Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU). For some, it was a no-class week as most of their classes were cancelled while for others, it was not just about classes, it was all about tests and assignments. For the latter, it was an unpleasant affair as the no-light syndrome inhibited many academic activities that required power. With the benefit of hindsight, a week before the preceding week, we all converged at the Large Lecture Theatre (LLT) of the Faculty of the Social Sciences to hold a conversation on whether school is a scam ...

  “Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it” –George Santayana States emerge as result of several factors including through conquest, the Nigerian state can be said to have emerged as a result of colonial conquest, one which was a business pally between the Royal Niger Company and the British Government. The pally engendered an aggregation of over 250 ethnic groups to make up a state; members of which would later relate on mutual distrust, ethnic bigotry and cultural intolerance. Hence, the challenge the Nigerian state has continued to grapple with borders on national unity and the question of nationhood. In recent weeks, the country has witnessed spate of killings across various zones, particularly, there has been a heightened level of security challenges in the southern states, most of which have been attributed to the activities of suspected killer herdsmen; one which garnered wide media reportage was the killing of Funke Olakunrin, the daughte...

Michael Oluwaponmile (fondly called Oyomesi, Mipon, My brother...) is a 500 level student of Wood Product Engineering in the University of Ibadan. He is popularly known on campus for his hunting prowess having killed over 200 bush animals on campus; in this exclusive interview with Kayode Oyeniran of FATSSSA Press Organisation, he shares his hunting experience and how he has been able to commercialise his passion. “…you can ask them in Kuti, I kill these snakes with slippers.” –Michael “I have killed two other snakes with slippers to the extent that people think I am using charms to kill those animals. But, it is not about charm, it is about bravery.” - Michael “So, it depends on how much time I have on a weekly basis. Like this week now, I made like #5,000.” - Michael Can I meet you sir? My name is Abraham Michael Oluwaponmile, aka Oyomesi, Mipon; popularly known as my brother in Kuti Hall of Great Men, University of Ibadan. What course are you studying? I am s...

It is no longer news that last week, students, staff and other commuters alike were greeted with the ordeal experience of the ban placed on commercial motorcycles popularly referred to as okada on campus. A number of the commuters have in the last one week resorted to trekking as the alternative made available—the tricycles popularly referred to as maruwa cannot cater for the huge number of commuters at the park and it has been argued by many how time wasting and cost ineffective it is to the end that many commuters have had to wait for other commuters going towards their destination safe they can afford to pay a #100 to #120 to save their time. Many (particularly students) took to their various social media handles to register their displeasure and to speak against what many of them consider as an undemocratic policy by the management of the University. In their argument on the ban on commercial motorcycles, management noted that commercial motorcycles accounted for the fre...

EDITORIAL Long ago, before this breed of demigods of impunity arrived our erstwhile ordered social enclave of high values and superior morality, we had a Fatsssa, or what used to be called FSSSA. Perhaps the change of name should be blamed for birthing this strange phase in Fatsssa. Unlike the glorious past where we had leaders, who though not necessarily perfect, had a highly efficient moral compass, what we have today in Fatsssa is a total sham. What we have now are men who can’t give their word and stand by it. Men who just make promises to assuage the masses for a short period of time. Men whose wisdom have become deceit. Unfortunately, these are the words that describe Fatsssa right now. We are tired of keeping mute, we are tired of bearing with the nonchalance that pervades us. It calls for great concern that fact that it seems this executive council is running away from accountability. For over Four weeks now, the President, Mr Jones Ogelekeme has promised to furnish us wi...

“A good leader should be quick to say “I’m sorry” but a leader who says “I’m sorry” too often is as incapable as the handicapped” – Anonymous “It is better not to offer an excuse than a bad one” – George Washington Until now, the Adeyemo led administration has not been able to provide a tangible reason as to why people who sat the table for six were not catered for. In his usual fashion, he has resorted to word dribble giving no clear answers. From the last conversation the Press had with Mr President, some things were clear – some of which we already knew. Not only does he lack cohesion in his team, he’s considerably lackadaisical. How can the President of FATSSSA be totally clueless on the type security provided for the Dinner? The baseless excuse given was that it was the Social director’s responsibility to get security. Mr President please look up the word, “ oversee ” and check your constitution again. Both the President and the Social director gave conflicting re...

In what seems to be a rapid turn of events and a quick repetition of sunrise and sunset, days have piled up against each other to become weeks and weeks upon themselves to become months. It seems we started the session barely a few weeks ago yet with the tests knocking on our doors, we are forced to come to terms with the bitter truth that we’re in actual terms, deep into this session. And yes, this is the ninth week. If you didn’t know this before now, well, now you know. With all the hustle and bustle that comes with registrations in the first weeks, we won’t be surprised if suddenly you’ve lost track of time but hey, you have us here to slap you back to reality. Of a certain not just a handful of Fatsssaites are yet to secure a place to retire to after each day of stress in their respective halls of residence. In Indy hall for example, students whose accommodation requests had been approved are yet to get rooms owing to lack of bed spaces. And while some have improvised ...

In as much we can’t deny the fact that we are currently in the freshness of the new session, there's no gainsaying the fact that the session is gradually folding up. These two rather contradictory juxtapositions is in the light of the fact that this session has ended even before it began. This first weeks are what we call the beginning of the end. Although mostly spent in the hustle and tussle for accommodation cum frivolity and aimlessness by some, these first weeks are a major pointer to the possible outlook of the session as a whole. What happens in the first few weeks changes the whole outlook of the session.