THE ICONS ORGANIZATION — a frontline platform for accurate, timely, and unbiased news coverage.

            Oluwafemi Adetunji  In what can only be described as a masterclass in unpredictability or perhaps improvisation, the ongoing Great Ife Students’ Union election, particularly for the presidential aspirants, has delivered a storyline rich enough to rival prime-time political drama. At the beginning, it was a simple race between three aspirants; Ikuuboy, Emmanuel, and Iseoluwa, who stepped forward, armed with ambition, slogans, and varying degrees of confidence. Campaign posters adorned walls, WhatsApp statuses became campaign billboards, and manifesto promises flowed like free Wi-Fi that never quite connects. Among them, Iseoluwa appeared particularly determined, he was the first to set the tone by launching his campaign with an imposing banner strategically placed at strategic points on  campus. Yet, his campaign style was methodical: quiet mobilization through class representatives, calculated outreach, and a steady build-u...

              Adedoyin Onajobi  Ahead of the Great Ife Students’ Union election, aspirants for the position of Director of Sports unveiled their manifestos and fielded questions from the press on critical issues shaping sports development at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU). The press confrontation, held on July 22 at the 1000 Seaters Lecture Theatre, spotlighted key themes including gender inclusivity, publicity, digitalisation, talent discovery, and the structural future of campus sports. Responding to a question on gender inclusivity, Abudu Ayobami Fatai (Bambam) anchored his vision on “continuity and inclusivity,” emphasizing the need to not only encourage participation but also build confidence among athletes, particularly female students. He stressed that his administration would ensure equal visibility for all sports while sustaining initiatives such as the Sports Fiesta and reviving Inter-Hall competitions. In contrast...

          Onajobi Adedoyin The ICONS Organization, a news agency under the Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University (ACJOAU), conducted its 2026/2027 executive elections on Sunday, July 19 at the First Bank Lecture Theatre (FBLT). The election, originally scheduled for 4:00 p.m., commenced at 4:15 p.m., accommodating delays attributed to the inoperability of CNG buses, which affected members’ arrival. The brief delay also allowed members to interact and introduce themselves before voting began. In attendance was the immediate past Editor-in-Chief of the organization, who is currently the Chairman of the Guild of Editors, ACJOAU, Adedoyin Oguntade, who charged members to prioritize the progress, continuity, and institutional development of ICONS. He emphasized that every accomplished media professional begins from modest foundations, urging members to maximize opportunities within the organization to build their careers. A total o...

        Michael Olawuyi At ‎ every second semester on OAU campus, one question quietly emerges: Why do some students passionately participate in student politics while others remain indifferent? While many people blame apathy or poor leadership, the answer often begins much earlier, at home. Even long before students ever step foot on a university campus, they form opinions about power and governance. As a child raised in a home that encourages open debate and civic responsibility is far more likely to view political participation as a duty. In alignment with this Karl Marx, a political socialization scholar, once said 'the family is the first institution where people get to develop their political attitudes, values, and beliefs.'  Conversely, many Nigerian parents raise their children with a deep-seated politicophobia i.e. a fear of campus politics born out of a historical reality of violence, cultism, and academic victimization. Acting out of love,...

          Taiwo Deborah Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, has honoured outstanding contributions to research, public service, mentorship, and educational development at the 2026 Academic Research Excellence Awards held on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The event recognized eminent Nigerians and corporate partners, including Professor Oladapo Afolabi, CFR, former Head of Service of the Federation, for his distinguished contributions to academia, governance, and national development. The ceremony, which attracted alumni, faculty members, students, and industry leaders, also featured the announcement of key initiatives, including the proposed establishment of the Oladapo Afolabi Center for Good Governance and Professional Etiquette, as well as the expansion of the OPay OP Scholars Programme to 40 universities across Nigeria. Professor Afolabi was honoured for his exceptional capacity to execute responsibilities effectively and his commit...

            John Alabi  “Education is the best legacy,” so they say. But what happens when access to the rewards of one’s academic labour becomes increasingly difficult for a university undergraduate? Who should be held accountable? Delayed result uploads are not a new challenge within the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) community. Each semester, students begin with renewed determination to excel and improve their CGPAs. Some remain on campus during breaks, while others spend countless hours studying lecture materials, revising PDFs, and preparing for another academic session. Yet, after all the sacrifices, many are met with disappointment. The experience becomes a recurring cycle of uncertainty, with one unanswered question leading to another. Students enter examination halls without a clear understanding of their performance in previous courses, forced to predict their academic standing without knowing their strengths, weaknesses, areas ...