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          Israel Bakare & Michael Olawuyi  Long before the morning sun cuts through the mist over the Obafemi Awolowo University campus, a lone female figure is usually already down on the dirt. For Lucas Victoria, a Part 3 Political Science student, 6:30 a.m. is not just an early hour, it’s the threshold where sweat, ambition, and discipline meet. Known across campus simply as “Impressive,” Victoria is a quarter-miler, a 400-meter runner, and one of the standout athletes of the OAU Spartans. However, on a campus where female student-athletes routinely face steep uphill battles, her story isn't just about times on a stopwatch. It’s about breaking administrative glass ceilings, dodging potholes on makeshift practice grounds, and proving that speed and leadership can share the same lane.   The Spark and the Track Victoria’s journey as a runner began long before she gained admission to Great Ife. In secondary school, she competed without b...

          Taiwo Deborah On August 8, 2026, the Great Ife Students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, officially launched its website, https://www.greatifesu.com, marking a major step toward strengthening communication, transparency, and engagement within and beyond the campus. The initiative has been aptly described as a “Home of Expression.” The announcement was made in a press release signed by the Union’s outgoing Secretary General, Habeeb Oke, ISA (Opeyemi), on behalf of the leadership. According to the statement, the website is designed as a central hub for Union announcements, news, events, and key resources. It also provides students, alumni, and stakeholders worldwide with a seamless way to stay connected to developments within the Great Ife community. The Union described the platform as one of the defining achievements of the outgoing administration, noting that it represents a significant milestone in projecting the voice, activ...

            Israel Bakare  “For learning and culture… sports and struggle.” Beyond its place in the GreatIFE anthem, this phrase continues to reflect the lived reality of many students who are juggling academic demands with active participation in sports. As examination pressure intensifies across campus, lecture halls, libraries, and reading rooms are filled with students preparing for their examination. Yet, in a striking contrast, football pitches, basketball courts, and other sporting arenas remain active, occupied by student-athletes determined to keep both their academic and sporting ambitions alive. Speaking with the ICONS correspondent, Emmanuel Ahononvi, who featured in a church football match between FYB and Household Brethren on Sunday, August 2, explained that his commitment to football remains unwavering despite the demands of exams. According to him, his approach to academics is strategic rather than time-consuming. “Once I h...

By Adedoyin Oguntade Adetunji Oluwafemi (Àyànféelédùmarè), a prominent member serving as the Production Manager of the Icons Organization, received the "Lekan Otufodunrin Campus Journalism Best Fellowship 2024 Award" on Wednesday, November 13, 2024. Additionally, he was honored with the Overall Best Fellow award across all categories by the African Foundation for Young Media Professionals (AFYMP) during the 3rd edition of the Africa Media Come Alive Forum 2024, which took place today at the Center for Management and Development in Magodo, Lagos. The African Foundation for Young Media Professionals (AFYMP) is a Nigerian media outlet and the founder of a news website called "Nigeria Grassroot News." It was established to strengthen and promote a vibrant, independent African media landscape that supports professionals who advocate for an open, inclusive, and sustainable society. READ ALSO: Great Ife Students' Union Announces Regulated POS Charges The AF...

          Israel Bakare Long live the spirit of the Union! Victoria Ascerta! These are the songs we all know, it is the chants we all have mastered, and rituals we all perform with conviction. Yet perhaps, just perhaps, another slogan deserves a louder ovation: “Long live the Invisible.”  Applause! Applause!! Applause!!! Congratulations are certainly in order for such a well-decorated honour. It is no small feat to remain politically relevant long after elections have packed their bags and moved on. While ordinary students graduate and pursue uncertain futures, the "King Maker" achieve something far greater: permanent residency in the corridors of student politics. Honour, in Ogbafemi politics, belongs to whom it is carefully arranged for. What a beautiful ceremony it is, as some receive votes, others attain office, but the truly accomplished receive awards. How reassuring it is to know that student politics still recognizes excellence, not nec...

        Israel Bakare Block 2 completed a stunning turnaround to emerge champions of the Adekunle Fajuyi Hall Inter-Block Competition, defeating Block 1 in a dramatic, high-scoring final that was ultimately decided on penalties. The final, played on Monday, August 3, kickoff around 4:30 p.m., delivered all the intensity and unpredictability expected of a title decider. Coming into the tournament as underdogs after a shaky start, Block 2 defied expectations early in the game, racing to a commanding three-goal lead in the first half. Their clinical finishing and attacking momentum left Block 1 struggling to find rhythm in the opening stages. However, Block 1 mounted a fierce comeback in the second half, turning the match into a goal fest. In a thrilling display of resilience and attacking football, they fought back to level the score at 5–5 by stoppage time, forcing the contest into a penalty shootout. From the spot, Block 2 held their nerve, converting mor...