THE ICONS ORGANIZATION

  STUDENT UNION: THE BEDROCK OF POLITICS Union is any set of political principles based on the idea that two or more political or national units should be joined. Linking this our topic of discourse, Student union is the representation of the entire body of students of the university.  In history, students’ unions began in 1925 with the establishment of West African Student Union (WASU), initiated by some Nigerian students in London. The first president was a Nigerian, Ladipo Solanke. With formation of the university College, Ibadan in 1948, there were efforts to commence student union and extend its tentacles to other institutions in Nigeria through the formation of National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS) in 1956 as the national body. The body inherited the same idealism which affirmed the view that a student union could consistently be a platform for change and for informed activism. In 1956, a student union began on the campus of university college, Ibadan. The Obafemi Awolowo Un

The Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University, has decided to handle the election debate after resolution between her and the Electoral Commission. The association aired her decision i n a press release signed by the President, ACJ OAU: ```THE ASSOCIATION OF CAMPUS JOURNALISTS OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE-IFE``` || _Pressroom:_ Block 2, Topmost Floor, Fajuyi Hall || _Mail:_ acjoau2015@gmail.com || _Date:_ August 22, 2021 _________________________  *PRESS RELEASE:* *ACJ TO HANDLE ELECTORAL DEBATE BY 4PM TODAY* _________________________ Greetings, Great Ife! ✊ Kindly reference the title above. The leadership of the Association happily inform you of it's decision to go ahead with the debate as scheduled today as the association has been guaranteed independence.  Sequel to the previous Press Release of the Association, we are glad to inform  the Great Ife students that we have reached a mutually beneficial agreement with the Electoral Commission

  Fajuyi Hall Holds Manifesto  Residents of Fajuyi Hall held their first manifesto night since the proscription of the Student Union. Earlier this evening, representatives from the Student Union Electoral Committee organised the Hall Executive Council manifesto at Adekunle Fajuyi Hall of Residence. It was an event that had the presence of the Fajuyians, members of the Electoral Committee and the aspirants for the various offices of the Hostel's executive council. The group of aspirants had a number of three contestants for the office of Director of Socials, and one each for the offices of Director of Sports, Financial Secretary, General Secretary and Chairman. All of which delivered their manifestos with the exception of an absenting Director of Socials aspirant.  A member of the Electoral committee emphasised on the committee's effort in ensuring a free, fair and credible election process, also charging Fajuyians to come all out in participation of tomorrow's election p

  The Obafemi Awolowo University community is set for the 2021 training retreat organized by the Junior Chamber International, OAU. The body is a non-profit organization of young citizens established within the walls of Obafemi Awolowo University to equip members and students in general with the necessary skills and knowledge needed to take up leadership roles within and outside the country. As part of the preparations for the upcoming 3-day training retreat scheduled to start on the 25th of August 2021, the organization's leadership spoke with members of the press on Sunday, 22nd of August, 2021. The President, Mr. Promise Isaac, announced that the organization seeks to continually give back to the school community through series of training and event such as this. According to him;  "The Edge training started three years back as a result of giving back to the 'society and students' community. The reason we started this training is because of one of our creed which s

It's no longer news that the country had to go on a total lockdown for a very long term in the year 2020, due to the pandemic. All institutions, ranging from public to private had to go on a long break to prevent the continuous spread of the deadly virus. Universities were part of this development, they went on a total break for about 8-months in the year.  After a lot of controversies, the federal government accepted that Universities resume school activities on the condition that they adhere strictly to Covid-19 protocols, which includes: Avoiding social gatherings, usage of nose masks and hand sanitizer always, staying 6-fts apart, most preferably online lectures. Several universities adhered to these rules, but as school activities began, many universities deviated from the instructions. noticed that students performance. In the second half of 2021, many schools switched to physical classes, which makes it hard to abide by the Covid-19 rules. Strict adherence to these rules beg

 By Miracle Elvis  The chairman of the Student Union  electoral commission, FM Castro has made it clear that there will be no second Congress despite the inconclusiveness of last Congress. When questioned on the situation of the previously held Student Union Congress, the Chairman, inferred that no conclusion was made on any matter at the Congress.  "We were there, we saw the chaos and it was getting late.” he said “we were not able to reach a consensus on any issue." Subsequently, the commission may be refered to as the 'firsts' as this is the first time student government practices has commenced since proscription four years ago - first Congress, first press conference etc. However, it should be noted too that this is the first time all inferences will be left to the mercies of the electoral commission as there will be no second Congress to fill the lapses had in the first. FM Castro made this clear in his statement on Sunday,  "We will not be holding a second

  Students of EGL 206 started entering the hall four minutes early as their class, was due to hold by 12pm (of which they were to write a test that hour). He ordered them out claiming his time wasn't up and later became enraged by their slow response.  By 12:03, the lecturer (identified as Professor Ajisafe, Vice Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences) was yet to leave the class and was still sending the students out. He allegedly smacked two students on the head while still driving them out. Then, a student started taking pictures of the lecturer. This infuriated the Professor, who grabbed him by the belt and dragged him to the front of the class and seized his phone. What exactly the student said that annoyed the lecturer is not clear but subsequently, the lecturer slapped the student. This infuriated the students who came rushing down towards the scene. He had previously been rumoured to have allegedly been involved wth students confrontation in the past of which ended with him (Profe

  The question of male visitors being banned from entering the girls' hostel even during visiting hours has generated a lot of controversies. At the beginning of the Harmattan semester, it was a general issue across all the halls of residence. As time went on, things began to return to normal in the other girls' hostels: Mozambique, Moremi and Akintola halls. Alumni hostel, however, remained out of bounds to all male visitors for reasons unknown. On Sunday night, August 15, 2021, student union activists stormed the hostel to challenge the status quo. The noise of protests attracted the attention of everyone within the hostel and the girls came trooping out. Chants of 'bring back Alumni boys' rented the air as students demanded an explanation as to why boys were not allowed in the hostel. They demanded to know where exactly the rule was stated that male visitors should not be allowed even during visiting hours.  The heat intensified and the porters eventually bowed to th

  Congress Aftermath: Doubt on Credibility of the Electoral Commission as Allegations Mounts.        After the Congress that held on Wednesday, 11th of August, 2021 at Amphitheatre. There has been doubt on the credibility of the electoral commission of Obafemi Awolowo University to deliver a free, fair and credible election. On Wednesday, the electoral chairman (F.M Castro) and his commission refused to recognise observation and objection raised by congressmen on issues critical to achieving free, fair and credible election but only a few selected were recognised. This made many refer to the Congress as pre-planned and stage managed.      The main purpose of the Wednesday's congress was to lift the electoral ban - however during the congress, issues on restriction that was placed on contestants were raised. In recent elections , there had been a minimum requirement of 2.5 CGPA to contest for any position in the Student's Union.     According to the electoral chairman, this re

  THE IMPORTANCE OF COMPUTER-BASED TESTS (CBT) IN SCHOOLS The Computer Based Test has been adopted by most universities in the country as a result of its effectiveness and efficiency. Before this development, the Paper Pencil Test (PPT) was formally adopted by schools for examinations. Albeit, CBT is now used for examinations and Examination Boards like JAMB and others use it to deal with large scale examinations.  Interestingly, PPT was also a good idea at the time, computer-based tests have been flying high and making waves as a better idea currently for examinations. With the computer-based test, you can be at a distant location and still sit for your exams. Less stress and a more integrated process for students and examiners alike.   Moreover, its speed in marking and grading an individual’s result as well as its efficiency in collating results for easy documentation has proven to be superior to human grading and PPT with little margin for error. There is no delay; rather it comes

  Gbolahan Latinwo  Not less than three students fainted and were rushed to the University Health Centre on Saturday 14th of August, 2021 following the stampede that occurred at Amphitheater as a result of the large number of students that showed up for the SER 001 (Use of English) mid semester test. Earlier during the week, the department of English had scheduled the time and sitting arrangements for the general SER 001 test. Due to the population of students taking the course, the time intervals already slated for going and coming in for different batches were ineffective. Alas, the accumulation of several batches turned into a mammoth crowd and students had to struggle to enter and leave the auditorium. During this process of struggle, many students sustained injuries as they fell from the stairs, some lost their belongings and not less than three students fainted. However, the students were rushed to the University Health Center and were medically attended to. The test ended in the

  One attribute of humans that is very essential to their livelihood and survival is movement. Nobody likes to be confined or restricted. However, most people are confined to their houses and many people have found it difficult to move from one place to another especially, the ones that cant afford a ride of their own. The hike in transport fare these days have posed a serious threat to the mobility of many.             Waking up in the morning refreshed, you prepare for school. Once you are done, its time to hop on a bus and you check your wallet to realize you have just #150 left. Omo! my last 150 can't even take me successfully into campus! That before could go three times! E choke”   The excerpt above is a situation we have all experienced as students on OAU campus who enter school through public transport. Now, the issue of transport fare hike affects every student whose transportation medium is the public bus. For students who were home throughout the pandemic and resuming ba

  The Dark Road called Love They once walked that road where you never want to be lonely and never seen as only, without a lover to hold The fun and merriment at first, the discovery of each other next then the memories shared  "We are bound for life", they said Soon, the road got harder  and the love they share grew weaker distance between them was wider and they can't wait to be lonely again Why do lovers who were once each other's addict  despise each other after many years? They fell out of love's grip And couldn't wait to break hearts Love is certainly a good road that takes more than feelings to hold

  ICON OF THE WEEK Interviewer: Can we meet you? ICON: My name is Oreoluwa Victoria Alabi, a final year student of the Department of English. I am the last child of a family of 6. I am from Ibadan, Oyo state.  Interviewer: Your course of study? ICON: I am an English Language major student. Interviewer: Did you choose the course or you were given? ICON: Actually, coming to OAU, I chose the course myself. I wouldn't say I loved the course. I chose it because I didn't want difficulty with admission. English is easy to get into. Interviewer: What has been your biggest challenge studying the course? ICON: I've had challenges; sometimes I feel like I'm not up to the task. So far, the biggest challenge was trying to fit into the course proper. I've managed to overcome this and I'm now finding it easy. Interviewer: Why Journalism? ICON: To be honest, I've always liked to inform people as misinformation could lead to diverse mistakes. I want to help with the spread o

Alabi Oreoluwa Forbes magazine has named the popular music star, Robyn Fenty, popularly known as Rihanna, the world’s richest female musician. Rihanna, the magazine said, has reached a billionaire status with an estimated net worth of $1.7 billion. Her latest milestone makes her the wealthiest female musician in the world and the second wealthiest female entertainer, behind Oprah Winfrey. Most of her fortune, estimated on Wednesday by Forbes, does not come from chart-topping singles, but from the success of her cosmetics empire. Rihanna, 33, launched Fenty Beauty in 2017 with a dream to create a cosmetics company that made “women everywhere [feel] included. In it’s first year, the company of which she owns 50 per cent stocks achieved sales of $550m, far more than other celebrity-endorsed makeup ranges. Forbes magazine estimates that the company is now worth “a conservative $2.8bn. “Rihanna’s stake in the company, combined with a 30% stake in the lingerie line Savage X Fenty and mone

  Recently, a theft case in Obafemi Awolowo University community made news waves when a part 5 student of Faculty of Technology was accused of stealing properties belonging to some residents of Awolowo Hall. Following the event surrounding the theft case, the accused, Mr Bello Ibrahim popularly known as Great Bello, in his response to the measures meted out on him released a public statement stating that the actions of the security council and the Electoral Committee Chairman Mr Ajayi Oluwafemi popularly known as Castro was as a result of political difference and his stance against the candidacy of the said electoral commission chairman. However, the leadership of the Electoral Commission led by Castro called for an emergency Press conference on the 4th of August with the Association of Campus Journalists to clear the air on the whole issue. In attendance was the Chairman, Public Relations Officer, Commissioners from across the faculties and the witnesses as well as the theft victims.

  Before My Light Burns Out Before I exude this world of wars and worries Hold me close in your gentle loving arms Before I exit this loveless life of lies and lust Hold me tight in your tender arms with love Before my soul dances slowly out of my body Hold me once more, never let go of my body Before my light burns out like a little candle Hold me once again with your light and love Before I leave this earth with heaven at heart Hold me close, enclose me in your embrace Before I kiss your lips and my days goodbye Hold me well, wrap me in your warm embrace Before I close my eyes in death and stays still Hold me till my spirit sojourns on to the skies Before my light burns out like a burning lamp Hold me with old tales of love, sweet like wine © DECHOSEN1

  GOD IS IN THE RAIN I can feel the rushing of the rain on my skin I can feel life seeping into my deadness God is in the rain, He is deep in my veins God is in the rain, He rinses away my pains With outstretched arms I welcome the rain With outstretched arms, I welcome the pour The rain has set me free and I'm free indeed I can hear the swish_swish of the rain outside I can hear the wisp_wisp against my windows God is in the rain, He cracks open the heaven God is in the rain, He brings healing and hope With outstretched arms, I sniffs in the scent With outstretched arms, I soak in the savour The rain has set me free and I'm free indeed © DECHOSEN1

  THE REPORT OF THE MATCH BETWEEN OAU and AAUA (4th of August, 2021) Sponsored by many great firms like "The Stanbic IBTC Bank" (A banking firm), "Minimie" (A food firm), and "BOLD" (a carbonated Drink Producer); the match between OAU and AAUA was an interesting and tension-filled match as the both teams performed excellently to the expectations of their supporters. The match was a relief to the soul for the "BP" (blood pressure) that has so long risen as a result of low "GP" (grade point).   The Obafemi Awolowo University Team (OAU Giants) played against The Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba, 4th of August, 2021 at the main stadium of Obafemi Awolowo University. The semi-final match of the round of sixteen which was hosted by the OAU Giants and scheduled to commence by 4pm was a happy sporty moment for the both teams and their supporters.  After so many hard attempts which yielded no scores for each of the teams, the first-half

  FUTA STUDENT DECEASED BECAUSE OF SLOW HEALTH SERVICE RESPONSE Five students of the Federal University of Technology Akure (FUTA), Ondo State, were on Monday 2nd of August, involved in a motor accident of which only four survived. The surviving students received medical attention at the hospital while the doctors battled to save the fourth student who did not respond to efforts to resuscitate him till he was pronounced clinically dead in the early hours of Tuesday, August 3rd. The Student Union Government (SUG) of the University declared a lecture free day on Tuesday to mourn the departed 200 level student of the Software Engineering Department, Daniel Adeyinka popularly known as 9jaBazz. The students also took to the streets to protest the death of Adeyinka. For hours they blocked the Akure-Ilesha-Ibadan highway, locked all access gates into the institution and set bonfires at the entrance, claiming that the slow response of the University health services and unnecessary protocols o

   BILL AND MELINDA GATES ARE OFFICIALLY DIVORCED  Bill and Melinda French Gates' split was made official after a judge approved the divorce on Monday, August 2, 2019.    Melinda filed the petition for divorce in King County, Washington. A statement was released by the then couple which read, 'we no longer believe we can grow together as a couple in this next phase of our lives'     As of Monday, the Gates' net worth was estimated around $151 billion dollars. This entails that Bill and Melinda could each be worth around $76 billion following the divorce. No other financial details are included in publicly available documents. The couple's divorce agreement was pursuant to a separation contract, which is not public. Neither person will pay spousal support, according to court documents filed Monday. French Gates will also retain her last name.     For now, it is unclear how the Gates fortune will be shared but the pair have pledged to continue their joint charity acti

 Writer, Onyeka Nwelue, predicted Hushpuppi's Waterloo Following the recent array of events regarding the conviction of Ramon 'Hushpuppi' Abbas, popular Nigerian writer who serves as visiting professor in several universities around the world, Dr Onyeka Nwelue has lent his voice in making reminiscence of Hushpuppi's days of flamboyance and luxury. Taking to his Instagram page, the author of the novel Island of happiness, on Friday, redirected his followers' minds to an article he wrote and was published on the 19th of June, 2017, almost 4 years before Hushpupi's guilty plea.  In the article, Dr Onyeka describes the social media Gucci king as one with "a tenacity to pepper the haters and humble them". His reasons being that Mr Abbas has "defeated poverty, but you spend a lot of energy dragging poverty along with you. You feel bad leaving poverty. You feel vengeful. You feel you need to retaliate. That is why you have chosen to oppress us, most

  WHY YOU SHOULD SAY ‘THANK YOU’ Saying ‘thank you’ is just a simple and quick way to show appreciation and gratitude for a kindness shown. Thank you goes a long way in establishing a good first-time impression and long-lasting relationship with people. Although, some people might be too humble to say this, but there is a sense of satisfaction and contentment people get when they hear the words ‘thank you’ after showing an act of kindness. Many people underestimate the potency of the statement ‘Thank you’ and through this they have deprive themselves of forthcoming kindness. In this world, appreciation and gratitude is a reason to do more ungrudgingly. However, As the popular Yoruba adage says, “anyone who appreciates will definitely receive the forthcoming ones” The funny thing about this is that it respects no boundaries. Whatever relationship you may have with someone, they expect to be appreciated when they do something nice. Parents want their children saying thank you when they b

  WHISTLEBLOWING; MORE GOOD OR BAD? The act of 'whistleblowing' means just what it is, whistle and blowing. Why do we blow whistle? We blow a whistle simply to call attention. On this note, we would describe the act of 'whistleblowing' as the drawing the attention of a public figure, an authority, disciplinary committee, or the general public towards an ill-behaviour, corruption, harassment, illegal and illicit behaviors of an individual, a colleague, an organization, a public establishment and so on. The act of whistle blowing has gone a long way in keeping many officials in the right path. The realisation that there is an eagle eye somewhere, monitoring their activities unseen has stopped many from engaging in corruption. This shows how much impact whistleblowing has in the society today. Not just this, many people have become more cautious and more deliver in executing their works. Whistleblowers, who are the agents of this great change go through a lot for telling w

  Chairmen of ASUU branches nationwide have expressed readiness to commence a fresh strike over the non-implementation of their agreement with FG on IPPIS. Delegations from the Federal Government and Academic Staff Union of Universities are expected to meet on Monday in a bid to prevent a fresh strike. The Chairman, ASUU, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Bauchi, Dr Ibrahim Inuwa, said the protracted strike, was suspended in December after the two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the various issues and providing timelines for the implementation of each of the eight items in the agreement. However, seven months after the MoU was signed only two out of the eight issues have been addressed. Hence, the impending threat of a new strike.  Dr Inuwa also listed some of the outstanding issues to include: payment of the earned academic allowance, funding for revitalisation of public universities, salary shortfall, proliferation of state universities and setting up of visitation p

  Nollywood Veteran Rachel Oniga is Dead! Nollywood veteran actress Rachel Oniga is dead. She is aged 64. According to sources, the movie star died on Friday, 30th July, 2021, from a heart disease. She hailed from Eku in Delta state. She was born on 23rd May, 1957, in Ebutte Metta, Lagos state.  She made her debut in 1996 in the movie 'Onome'. Rachel went on to star in several big productions including 'Sango' and Wale Adenuga's television series 'Super Story'. Her most recent works include: 'Chief Daddy', 'Royal Hibiscus Hotel' and 'My Village People'. She is survived by three children and several grandchildren. May her soul rest in peace.  Avila