Back on Track or Not

Update on everything that has happened since I last wrote to you

Nov 29, 2021

Hi, How’re you doing? (feel free to respond to this, I will be waiting for your response😉)

If you have been following my newsletter before now you will recollect that the last time I wrote to you, I was ranting about school and how Nigeria can mess up your plans but if this is your first time here, you can check out the rant here. Since the last time I sent out a newsletter, things have changed a lot and I believe it is only right that I update you on the latest development since I ranted to you.

Since the time of my last writing, I have written my final papers, signed out, attended my FYB trad dinner, gone on a trip and passed on the baton to my successor.

On writing my final paper:

On the 12th of November, I wrote my final paper as an undergraduate of Obafemi Awolowo University (the greatest gbagba). After 6+ years and 91+ exams, I dropped the pen and didn’t know how to feel about that because it was one of most daunting thing I have had to do in my life so far. You know that feeling a marathoner feels when he finally crosses the finish line after pushing through the race with all that is left in him despite wanting to stop at some point, yes, something close to that. The said final paper is not the end of my journey on campus but it is a major milestone that marked the beginning of the end of my stay on this campus as an undergraduate and I am savouring every moment and second I have left as an undergrad of this great institution and will continue to cherish the memories I have made.

On signing out:

If you are not familiar with what this is, it is a ritual in Nigeria Higher Institutions where after one has written his/her final paper, colleagues and friends come together to sign on one’s shirt to commemorate the end of ones journey as an undergraduate which are usually fun. I could not sign out on the day of my final paper but it was slated for the Monday after my final paper for some reasons and on the fateful day I wore my sign out shirt and went on campus to commemorate with my friends and colleagues, a day I will always remember. Here are some photos for you to savour

After the sign-out, we had a small party where we danced and had fun..

On Dinner:

As part of the FYB (Final Year Brethren) plan by the FYB Committee we had, a traditional dinner was organized and was slated to hold on the Wednesday (17th of November) following the Sign-Out day. It was an all night party and gosh 🤭I had so much fun partying, dancing and vibing that I didn’t even have the time to take pictures😩.

A very big shout out to the planning committee, I want you guys to know that you did a great job planning the party.

The party will forever linger in my memory as it had a live band to perform (and if you know me, you will know I don’t joke with a live band performance) and also had a DJ present, Yes, we had both. Also, there was plenty of food to go around. For you to know how much fun I had, I danced all through the night from 10pm till about past 3am when I needed to eat. At some point people thought I was drunk or was on drugs because I didn’t stop dancing😂. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to stop but I just couldn’t stop because the Live band was so good and had me on lock with their performance.

In summary, the party was lit.

I almost forgot to mention that I designed and produced the year book (which is another story on it own), so yeah, I still do design work.

On the trip:

The final part of the FYB plan was to go on a 3 days trip. The trip was initially slated to start on the Friday after the dinner but was moved to Saturday but then, nothing spoil. The trip was to Ilaji Resort in Ibadan but then we stopped at Agodi gardens on Saturday to have some fun. On getting there, I personally played table tennis with some of my friends while some played other games before we all finally proceeded to the pool where we spent over 2 hours in the water playing games and having fun. By the time we left, we lodged at an hotel for the night to rest. We ate peppersoup, danced and had so much fun reminiscing past events. The following morning we continued our journey to our final destination. On getting to Ilaji, we had some hiccups but then we got passed that and settled in. In the evening, we played football before proceeding to a pool party later in the night. By the following morning which happened to be a Monday, we checked out, packed our loads because it was time to go back home. By 5pm, we were back in Ife and that was the end of the FYB week and plan.

While I didn’t go into so much details, you should know that I enjoyed every bit of the experience from writing the exams, signing out, attending the trad dinner and the trip.

Remember, I only wrote my last examination, I am yet to finish or defend my project/thesis which I have mentioned severally in previous newsletter. The day after I got back from the trip, I was supposed to see my supervisor but then I wasn’t able to. The next day which was Wednesday, I made plans to see him, only to wake up to a serious body pain and fever but then I had to see him or else I am die😞, so I ensured to see him and after leaving his office, went to the pharmacy to get drugs and by night fall, felt better. Not to worry, I feel better now.

On passing the baton:

In previous newsletters, I made mention of my active involvement in the political scene in my faculty and departmental student association. While I was an honourable member at the level of Joint Student Board at the faculty level, I was also the Speaker of the Student Represent Board of my departmental association, a post I held for over 2 years (due to COVID-19 and all). It is said that every thing that has a beginning must have an end, and after 2 years of serving and steering the affairs of the parliamentary body it was time for me to pass on the baton to the new captain who will now steer the ship of the student representatives board forward, and I am rest assured that he will do a great job. The 25th of November marked the end of an era for me. An era I was opportune to lead and serve one of the best sets of people I have had the opportunity to. I am rest assured that all the works that was done by us will be remembered and referenced for good. A big shout to y’all and also a big shout to THE SUSTAINABLE TEAM led by Olajide Olumide. I hope we all meet in higher and better places.

Now that all these are over I can move on from them. In the coming days and weeks, I will be working actively on my project/thesis and see that I do my project defense before the end of the year and after then I can say I am done with this thing called OAU but till then the hustle continues.

Thank you for reading!!! Till I come your way again, Have fun and enjoy!!!🤗