FATSSSA PRESS -- University of Ibadan, Nigeria

  A Country Afflicted with Insecurity; Its Thirst for Survival  By: Oluwadarasimi Otunla  On April 28, 2023, it was reported that there is a need for Imo state to be rescued from “political gangsters". The non-governmental organization, The international society for civil liberties and the Rule of Law, spoke about the cases, such as; killing, abductions and so on, that have become a usual activity in the communities. The society alleged that the state was using its funds to suppress and oppress the citizens, to retain power. The group goes on to speak on how the government is allowing the insecurity to happen as they are also a contributing factor to what the state, as well as other states, are facing. They add that the politics in Nigeria has been rubbished and messed up by the country's leading political actors. Things like rigging and gerrymandering, to get into power and yet not do anything after assuming their seat. As the crises prevail, it is noted that more than half o

By Osarennoma Ogbeide “It is a one week warning strike we heard! It will be over before you know it!”, this is something I told myself. It began with locked offices, and then advanced to little or no vehicular movement, fewer classes than usual, cancellation of tests (hearts lifted by this news). Power supply became a rationed commodity; we had to observe well enough to understand their system, Water became a prized possession, no one was sharing their charger anymore. It was every man for himself. It is unfortunate how we have to suffer for the shortcomings of the government. This one week warning strike by NASU should have served its purpose, although many think one week is not enough for them to “loud” it enough to compel the government to meet their demands. I happened to go outside school during the week. The main gates were locked, the streets were flooded with people, cars littered the road and NASU officials pumped and ready to deal with any erring staff that violated

By Osarennoma Ogbeide Seven weeks down, five weeks to go. It seems like just yesterday that we started this session. Now, I already smell exams. Perhaps it is the activities saddled with the semester that aided the flight of time. The freshers now know road, stallites are getting used to the stress and finalists have become familiar with the routes to their supervisors office. We are now habituated to the absence of bikes except for the occasional outbursts due to the scarcity of kekes. The doors of course registration are gradually closing and handing the reigns of authority over to tests and exams. I smell exams; yes that is what is cooking. We are being bombarded with assignments, group projects and tests. Students are now beckoning on one of our associations to do what they do best. Little wonder why hearts were deeply broken when ASUU decided to strike on the 30th of July, only for the the VC to announce that it had been resolved barely 24 hours later. Many were unable to

My ink fades in despair and my mind swims in deep thought. Now, I think security in our society has been underrated for too long. It is until a grave situation slaps us to reality that we begin to take the necessary steps. 1 week, 4 crimes, same university. It is no news that this prestigious university has become the seat of crime these past days. People run from staying off-campus because of the insecurity only to run into campus, right to the arms of danger. It will be hurtful to run through all the incidents again, as it will only stir up concealed feelings. What is inevitable therefore, is the taunting and traumatic effect it has on the students. Early morning, afternoon, evening and night; you’re not even safe. Transportation is as scarce as the efficiency of Abefele. And to think that few car owners would solicit to help us ‘Legedez Benz’ people, they suddenly become blind when we are sighted. Nobody is even toasting us with their cars anymore. We are left to tread the

Attention freshers! Waiting in the lecture hall an hour before the class starts, taking note of every breath and/or cough of the lecturer and going the extra mile to please them will only last a while. This particular manifestation of ignorance I can forgive as it is your first year here. However, you shall not persist in it any longer. I understand your enthusiasm and eagerness to begin this new journey, but don’t let that steer you in the wrong paths and displace your focus. The most important thing is settling in well and acclimatizing with the new environment, standing strong at the end of it all. So don’t get it twisted; get to your classes on time, take attendance seriously and make necessary preparations for tests and exams but don’t kill yourself in the process. The journey is just beginning, so save your energy for when you’ll need it most. Attention stallites’! This is not new to you but perhaps you need some reminder; it is not easy sha. Meeting up to deadlines, group

By Osarennoma Ogbeide There are two sides of a coin. Peer pressure is the direct influence on people by peers, or the effect on an individual who gets encouraged to follow their peers by changing their attitudes, values or behaviours to conform to those of the influencing group or individual. The effect could either be positive or negative and it is left to the custodian of the coin to pick which side he so desires. Before I dive into the sea of examples, it is important to note that peer pressure could be direct- where someone is literally telling you what to do; indirect- where your group of friends do things you ordinarily would not do outside of that circle and self-motivated- this is like self-pressure (putting pressure on yourself) to fit with others because of what they say or standards you want to keep up with; how unhealthy! Tomi is a  300 level computer science student. She is known to be rather quiet but friendly. Two of her friends asked her why she never goes for

"Can we just use the field or stadium next year?" These were the words of a clearly disgruntled spectator in the crowded Large Lecture Theatre of the faculty of the social sciences who was there just like everyone else - to witness the "jaw war" competition. The LLT was filled to its brim and even overflowed outside. Those that got seats though more fortunate than the army standing were crammed on these seats; we had no choice than to inhale oozing odors from different and variant sources. Anybody with a hand fan or its improvised equivalent were Lords of the moment as we all swarmed around them like ants attracted to sugar. The heat was almost unbearable and it still remains a mystery to me how nobody fainted under these circumstances. Before you conclude that I went there late, I did not.  I was there on both days (note I attended the first two days of the first round) an hour before the program commenced where classes held on those occasions and we ha

By Prof Gee No politician would resist making promises he won’t keep, if it gets him popular support. And as far as promises go, students in the faculty of the social sciences have heard one too many from different politicians who only raise students hopes so high that when they’re finally dashed, the effects are usually unforgettable and almost irreparable. And with the lifting of the ban on political campaign by the electoral commission and the resultant official opening of the political arena for gladiatorial battle of words and wits, the mill of promises has been opened once again for action, this time at the students’ union level. And with faces brimming endlessly with smiles and hands that are handshake ready, this set of politicians are out to conquer your hearts with bold statements and BIG promises (no matter how empty or unrealistic they may seem, who cares – as far as it does the job of convincing you to vote?) The end is what matters and that is victory at the polls

I hate to come off didactic especially because I don’t fancy being considered a preacher. Despite my dislike for the preacher tag however, I must put forth to my dear readers what the fathers have laid in the tables of my heart to share with them this week. This week, I won't be talking about my roommates or about the over-flogged issue of the Olayimika’s error ridden first months. I won’t even be talking about the Students Union election which seems to be the subject of every discussion now. I would rather let my ink flow in a different direction. The fathers would have me talk about me. About my first start up (which never happened) with the hope that you won’t make the same mistake I made. I must state categorically that before Jumia or Konga, there existed (in my head), ShopNow. Whether you believe it or yes, ShopNow was born out of the desire to see Nigerians shop for local goods online, pay in naira and have their goods delivered to them in no time. ShopNow couldn

Admission into federal universities in Nigeria never comes without a price tag. It is either the entrance exam is unreasonably tough or you’ll have to “settle” your way in. In other cases where you get admitted by merit, as in the University of Ibadan, you’ll have to pay in some other way – Stress! From the day you secure admission into Unibadan, you struggles begin! The good thing however, is that this stress won’t kill you but prepare you for the mainstream world. Besides, others have passed through this system and are still alive to tell the story.

This topic might seem strange, but as strange as it seems, the reality of you unconsciously harming yourself is not far-fetched. Most of us unconsciously do things that will leave us winding up unhappy in life. Our world view is loaded with faulty ideas in its lots and it doesn’t take ‘too’ long for us to realize we’ve spent the most part of our lives living on the wrong side of life – some don’t ever realize this

“Champions are not made in the ring, they are not born; they are made in the gym” It does not matter the number of motivational books you’ve read, you could as well have been told by your prophet that you are bound or even ‘cursed’ to be great, what matters is that you’re about to get the truth here today. I won’t have you deceived, not necessarily because I like you so much (I don’t even know you) but because I owe it to posterity to tell my readers the truth always. You might want to say that the truth itself is subjective but I dare say that you’ll be convinced this is the truth by the time you make it to the last word in this cluster of words some call article. So, what makes you great?  Is greatness inherited? Are people born great? Well, greatness is not inherited, material things are. People are not born great. You are not born great, but you can achieve greatness! Greatness is achieved, though some people are thrust closer to greatness by virtue of family background or