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        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 ...

        Ezekiel Ogunniyi If you walked into Awo Café for the second day of the GreatIFE Students’ Representative Council (SRC) business meeting expecting the usual fireworks that often accompany the constitution of the electoral committee and petition body, you would have left disappointed. Perhaps that disappointment says more about us than it does about the House. On that day, the GreatIFE SRC sat, debated, voted, and swore in a new Electoral Commission and Petition Committee without a single disagreement, without a President storming out, and without security personnel stepping in to separate warring factions. Depending on who you ask, that is either proof that GreatIFE politics has finally matured or proof that its fire has simply burned out. Barely a year ago, the same chamber descended into what could only be described as pandemonium when the Speaker announced a thirteen-member electoral committee instead of the expected fifteen. The Union Presiden...

          Taiwo Deborah  The Bloom Africa OAU Chapter has crowned a new voice for the university as Oyedokun Miracle emerged winner of the 5th Inaugural Poet competition held at Obafemi Awolowo University. The event, themed “Who Shall Be the 5th Inaugural Poet,” showcased young poets competing for the prestigious title of OAU’s next Inaugural Poet. While 18 contestants were expected, 14 poets participated. From these, six finalists were selected before the ultimate winner was chosen. The competition began with powerful performances that drew smiles, applause, and moments of reflection from the audience. Contestants presented thought-provoking pieces addressing societal issues, personal experiences, and national realities. The contestants and the titles of their pieces included: Anjolaoluwa Bankole – “Some Cups Carry Water” Oyedokun Miracle – “Her New Name” Oduowo Olabisi – “A Taste of Then” Okuola Oluwadarasimi – “Before You Leave ...

            Blessed Elemikan On Friday, July 10, the GreatIFE Students' Representative Council (GreatIFE SRC), held its business meeting for the 2024/25 academic session. The meeting, scheduled to commence for 4 p.m. at Ajose Lecture Theatre began at 5:07 p.m. with the rendition of the national anthem led by the Deputy Speaker, Nasir Olajide. Proceedings opened with a roll call of faculties before the Speaker, Awe Ademola, apologised for the delayed commencement. He attributed the delay to several factors, including activities marking the July 10 commemoration of the OAU 5 and transportation challenges on campus, urging members to continue holding student leaders accountable responsibly. Giving an update on the Union's finances, the Speaker disclosed that the Union initially proposed a budget of ₦33 million, which was completed in the eighth week of the first semester and submitted in the eleventh week. However, the university management approve...