Thorns traverse our routes
Exhibition of skull and dried bone engulf our soul
Should we dance ?
Everybody has turned to scavenger
Thorns has traverse our land;
We continue struggling with our patent and latent
problem,
Which solution, we are yet to achieve.
Our noise is like mosquito noise in the ears of
our leaders
With kleptomania fingers.
To them we are flawless lion.
They keep betraying us,every seconds,
Put the bill on us and put our future at risk.
They did not care about the noise we make.
Should we dance?
With elephant jaw and mountain on our
shoulders?
Should we dance?
When our Israel freedom, is on strikebound by
our
Indigenous Egyptian.
They feel our pains, but the bill is on us! Why ?
I see the change ! , when the revolution start.
That great season! When everyone will start
striving
For what belongs to them.
The time when the youths truly believe,
They are the leaders, not leaders of tomorrow.
What is tomorrow?
When is tomorrow coming?

© OMOTOSHO WUNMI.
08134283132.
English Department.
Obafemi Awolowo university.
Ile-ife, Osun State, Nigeria.

Don't just graduate.. Be a graduate
A beautiful young lady came to apply for the post of a teacher in the primary school where I teach, enclosed in her cv was her certificate that shows she is a degree holder from a renowned state university I wouldn't want to mention. Initially my boss which happens to be my father(did I just mention that ) felt the vacancy in the school was too low for a degree holder,since the class available was in the lower basics. In the long run, he gave in to my opinion that the lady should be employed to fill that vacancy and if she performs well she would be promoted. Few days after she was employed, I stumbled upon few maths calculations on her blackboard, immediately I felt dissapointed, everything she solved was complete error as if that was not enough to make me sore, I tried to collect a pupil English note and that worsened it all, she couldn't spell simple words correctly(dont forget she was teaching the lower basics). Not quite long ago, a picture went viral online where a lady in her NYSC uniform was thanking God she is now a "corpse".
    What I am trying to point out in essence is that there are so many so called graduates out there who cannot even prove that at least they entered a tertiary institution gate not to talk of working for the certificate they claim to have. Unfortunately, most students who are not yet graduates are already treading that same part these so called graduates walked in.
  In Ben Murray Bruce's words "I am only trying to make common sense" don't just pass through a school, let the school pass through you;
Work hard 
Gain exposure and experience in your school days 
Get involved in activities in school 
Never settle for less 
Don't be a mediocre 
Live your life to make a difference. 

   To all prospective graduates out there(freshers,aspirants,stalites). It is worthy to note that the society looks up to you, if your predecessors fail in their responsibilities, we hope you will live up to expectations, you can't afford to fail us as a nation and the world as a whole, if you do , your generation and generations of your unborn children might  suffer for it. Don't just graduate, make a difference.
Share to enlighten a soul today..what do you think about this? You can let me know through the comment box.
©Oluwaseyi Olayinka
Click here to see seyi's posts

So you weren't fast enough to get a bedspace ..

You started thinking up ideas.. Where will you put your things, bags, luggages and baggages? And resumption is around the corner.. you can't afford the private hostels cos they are too costly..those selling bedspaces are just too greedy and  you shun the idea of living in town cos you think it is too far, and  wait! you are just a freshman..won't you have the feel of campus life?


Viola! You remembered your friend, she is such a caring lady, better still she got a bedspace, and she agreed you could squat with her..nice!.. So you have now packed your bags.. ready to move in with your friend and other 6 or more girls who might bring their friends. My dear lady don't!

Generally squatters are treated like second class roommates in all institutions but it is still tolerable and better for guys, that is not to say they don't get embarrassed too but it is minimal.. For ladies? No.. I wouldn't advise my foe to squat with females especially freshmen.. Don't look at me like that, I would give u my reasons.. Not reasons I formed on my head but generated from female squatters experiences. So what are we waiting for? Let's get to it.

Why you shouldn't squat with a female freshman

1. Squatting isn't allowed : First of all, before we go deeper, I want you to know that squatting isn't allowed by the school management , although this might just be a law that isn't really effected ..still it is a law and if caught may result into fine being paid by the squatter and the host .

2. The room is already crowded without your presence
Using oau as a valid example, the number of roommates ascribed to every room is always 6, but in freshers hall like Mozambique , the number could run to twelve, not minding the outsiders who would wanna squat, and out of these twelve girls, you were only invited by one to come and squat, you  still aren't getting it? Let's analyze.. The mindset of these twelve girls would be on how to reduce their number, girls generally likes space and being twelve+ in a room isn't their great spacious idea, not to mention the fights they would have had to secure corners, then your good friend walks in..tagging you along and she introduced you to the gaping roommates "girls meet my friend, she would be squatting here" my dear if you don't disappear at that moment, you would be defined,

3. Females are generally weaker vessels : Is it only me?or have you found out females can't live closely together for some period of time without disagreements? malice, envy and jealousy... Yea, it is present among guys too but not that bad cos a real man don't keep malice, before the day is over,it would have been forgotten..but no not females, especially when a guy is involved..they could keep the malice and hate in them till thy kingdom come.


4. Bye bye to your foodstuffs : Lets say you are lucky enough to be allowed in to squat by the other girls but the girl that brought you in or invited you is the callous, wicked or parasitic type, my dear you and your foodstuffs, are in for it..she would feel justified to use your things , eat your food without returning them, after all aren't you living in free with her? It would just be like trade by barter..my bedspace, your food.

5.Are you ready to be the maid? : some females are the slottish and snobbish type and we are talking about freshers here, some of these girls don't even do any strenuous domestic work at home , and since they can't control the legal occupants of the room, and you are just a squatter , these type of girls would obtain you and most of the time you will be indirectly forced to to the domestic works like sweeping, washing of plates etc.. It would be the price you are paying for squatting with them.

6. Or maybe the thief or scapegoat : Generally , even sometimes among guys, when there is a theft, the outsider is always the one to be frowned at, to be suspected..am sure you don't want some sort of gossipy girls to be checking out your every move, ransacking your private files..


7.You will be forced to go on a diet : Do you really want to be getting fat and fresh when the legal occupants don't have enough to eat? Sister, it is either you keep your food, share your food or use the exit door .

8. Just don't look  too good : Females like looking good and beautiful more than their peers, especially when they are in the same room, they will turn it into some sort of competition.. Who will be the first to wear the latest clothes, latest shoes, get wooed by that guy.. And in some sort of lewd way they feel they have every right to look better , dress well than you..an ordinary squatter..so when you start looking better , know that it isn't long..before there is a conspiracy theory against you..but wait how can you be a squatter and be using a gold necklace? Pearl wristwatches, wearing designers...the girls will be like " is she stealing our cash?"

9. You won't have a say in the room : you won't be able to chip in ideas concerning the welfare of the room, it is like a company, where you have the least shares, you won't even be able to chat well,gist, gossip and do those other things girls do.. Cos you wouldn't want to say something wrong and anger your hosts..also, when a girl committed a wrong act in the room, you won't be able to chastise or condemn the girl's behaviour  especially if she is the one that brought you in.



10.You have limited freedom: All my points up there are pointing to and underlying this solid fact.. You have limited freedom, you can't do as you wish, go gaga as you desire, live like you want and even eat as you like.. It can be likened to living in a modernised open prison..go figure



Already discouraged? No don't be, hands aren't equal as we all know, if you feel you can cope with it, you can squat, and wait..you might be one oa the lucky ones who never experienced those points listed above. 

These are  beautiful sketches by sir Adebayo David an Obafemi Awolowo fine art student..
Exclusive to Oausolutions

Human sketches

Animal Sketches

© Adebayo David
09037357413
Fine art

  Most of us have resorted to the stereotyped methods of study, especially in "pressure oriented" systems like the ones we have in most of our universities, which Oau is not an exception. These study hacks will really be of help if you can utilize them, when I Stumbled upon this study hacks, I was amazed at how easy they were and how effective they could be. Lend me some of your already planned time as we look into these hacks.



1. EAT GOOD MEALS: Where you expecting something more serious?  Oh! Don't be disappointed yet, let me share a scenario you can relate with. Most times you have early morning lectures you either skip breakfast or resort to junks, Lunch; goodness!!! Still in the lecture room and hungry, any slight opportunity you go for snacks or a fast food (junks junks junks ),Dinner; damn it!  You are tired, you still have heaps of assignment to cover up,you fix up a quick dinner (most likely junks). Every balanced meal contains nutrients that helps your brain functioning and memory. Instead of resorting to "life screwing hacks" ,try to eat good meals regularly.  Give it a trial!

2. GET QUALITY SLEEP WHENEVER YOU CAN : Research has shown that quality sleep helps the brain to retain informations,investing in quality sleep is advisable. No, not what you are thinking! I don't intend telling you not to burn night candles, but know that sleep is as important as studies itself. Instead of taking attendance at every night party organized in school, why not just close your eyes to sleep, you are doing that brain a whole lot of help. Don't ever try to stay awake the night preceding any examination. That's the best time to sleep.

3. READ OUT TO YOURSELF : Don't try this in the library or at a public place, so they won't think you are running mad. Get a cool place to study, read out the contents to your hearing, you are 50% likely to remember those things you read out. Does that sound weird or tasking?   Thank me later!

(Submit your article here)

 4.DON'T UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF TAKING NOTES : Before you decide to only listen and read textbooks, taking notes in classes are so important. You don't have to write the lecturer's long and boring speech in your notes but you must never forget to put down these things ; first, what's new to you about the topic, then relevant dates of events, names, theories, the pros & cons if any, other reference media mentioned. It could be books, television shows, movies, interviews, sites and the likes,take note of questions or anything confusing about the topic. Permit me even if this sound weird and difficult, if after joting during lectures, you could take your time to rewrite and rearrange your notes. You are most likely to remember those things you wrote with your hands.
   Getting tired ?? The last and most important!

5. CHANGE YOUR STUDY LOCATIONS REGULARLY : Oau has a serene environment, this is to your advantage.Dont glue yourself to a place to study, it should not always be the library, or your room, or your class always !!!! ,switch locations regularly, that fuels the excitement in studies. Not just that, it also task your brain to retain memories.

© Olayinka Oluwaseyi, Oluwaseyiolayinka573@gmail.com

 
  "Only a classless society will survive in a democratic race"----Karl Marx.
No doubt, Nigeria is operating a "democratic" system of government theoretically not practically!
How would a democratic nation survive in the absence of "classless society"?
An attempt to discuss this "devilish act" would be made on this chapter.

     In the early hour of October 1, 1960. Nigerians hoped that; the day was meant to be the last day of their calamities.
But in the real sense, reverse was the case!
Classes struggle/race in Nigeria right from 1960 hitherto is "emotionally challenging" and "heartbreaking"!
This act has made the Universal Declaration Of Human Right (UDHR) of the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on 10 December, 1948 fruitless in Nigeria.
 
 As if that was not enough, this factor (especially political struggle) has been a "do or die" affairs among the power seekers.
How do you expect someone that has spent almost all his properties to funding a political campaign to perform well if he eventually gain the power?
Take it or leave it, everything in Nigeria this days has turned to "businesses"!
To worsen the case, Churches, Mosques, and Shrines that are meant to be the spiritual backbone of all countrymen has neglected their duties and pursuing wealth instead.

   Had it been Nigeria is a classless nation, she wouldn't have recorded such enormous/series of injustice occurrences over the years! Injustice is been done in government places, religion organisations, commercial associations, educational unions, economic environment and to worsen the case; among the masses. All these are happening just because of classes struggles between and among people.
   
The issue of classes struggle has drawn Nigeria backward politically, economically, culturally and socially over the years.
The fact is; Nigeria will not achieve anything significant (especially politically and economically) until the day she shun this devilish act and embrace the truth.
     
                 SOLUTION
Plato said to Aristotle; "you are my friend, but truth is my greater friend"
     Instead of blaming (political) office holders , we should proffer solutions to Nigeria's challenging issues. Every citizens of Nigeria should encourage a classless society as the major remedy to this inhuman act.
     Not only that the government officials are perpetrating evils in Nigeria as a lot of people think----but shameful enough, the masses encourages it.
I agree with Martin Luther King jnr when he said; "there may be times we might be powerless to prevent injustice, but there mustn't be a time we should be unable to protest it".
If really the government is the prime mover of injustice as people claims; why do they (people) fold their arms then?
I wholeheartedly enjoy all Nigeria citizens to stand up against this criminal act in one accord!
     I think Napoleon Hill made sense when he said; "there is always a remedy whenever there is a readiness"
Unless we are ready to face the reality, this land will always be in delusion.
Nigeria can possibly switch to a "developed" nation if she is willing to pay the prise her counterparts in Europe(e.g Germany, France etc) paid economically, politically and socially.
And locally, retain her position as the giant of African continent.
In this regard, Nigeria stand a better chance to succeed politically and economically ( even socially).
     Furthermore, I urge everyone in Churches, Mosques, schools, offices, associations, unions etc to agree with George Bush when he said; "no any government can succeed in her struggle to curbing corruption without the support of her citizens".
     To put the matter briefly, every patriotic citizens that want the progress of our dear nation(Nigeria); especially politically and economically should desist the act of shifting all blames on government and take up the responsibility (face the truth/reality).
We (citizens) should discourage this sha meful, criminal, devilish, destructive and inhuman act before it get out of hand instead of encouraging it.
      God bless Nigeria.
Written by:  Olabode Jeremiah Oyeyemi.
A K A: Pioneer.
Click here to see his posts

Men have lost their minds.
Those who still have it, have neglected its use.
Eyes that could decipher rights from wrongs have grown dim. 
Wombs no longer birth normal offsprings,
Bunch of perverts littered everywhere. 
Everything is not what it used to be. 
Seems even the rotating earth has missed its path. 
Our places of refuge have become desolate. 
Towers of worship have been weakened by greed,
And brought to ruins by dishonesty and deciet.
Abnormality is now celebrated globally.
Rags have taken the place of clothings and adornments.
Vices are celebrated in place of virtues
Great men are now consoled by their unacknowledged feats.
Blind men now lead sound sighted men.
Morality and immorality now co-habitate.

For men whose sense have not been tampered 
With by the very age we now dwell 
Let truth and integrity be valued 
Let selflessness and hardwork be rewarded. 
Let virtues be honored 
Let reasonable men be heard. 
Let sanity be restored. 

©Oluwaseyi Olayinka
Click here to see Seyi's posts

Opening note by the CEO