As i sign out ,Everybody has a story to tell, a joke to share and a lesson to learn - by Sunonu Ibikunle Gabriel

    How The Journey Started

It has always been my childhood dream to attend the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, so, when I was offered admission to study Management and Accounting in this great citadel, my joy knew no bound. Although, not until ASUU completed a six-month strike were we called upon to resume as freshers.Upon resumption, we began to do the necessary registrations- faculty registration, departmental registration,health centre registration and so on.

Few days after the necessary registrations, lectures began. As a freshman, I couldn't wait to receive my first lecture- the  first lecture we had was on History of Accounting in Acc 101 which was taught by Dr. Mrs Salawu at Law 209. After the lecture that evening, I trudge to my hostel alongside a coursemate, relishing the joy of being an undergraduate.

           My Days In Awo Hall
Through out my undergraduate days, I stayed in Awo Hall. Awo Hall is the most popular hall on OAU campus. Its nickname is "castle of great men". Some students refer to it as the capital of OAU. The hall is always a lively place, especially in the evening.

The Awo Boyz All-Star never failed to entertain the students with their "Aro"; the political-conscious students did gather beside the notice board at the lower buttery to discuss political issues. Those were the days of Comrade Engels, Ibikunle, who was the students' union president in my part one days, Comrade Juwon, Levuz, Hon.Bright, Ojogbon, Olori, Comrade Azaro, Binzu,  Honourable TY,who later became the students'union president, Immanuel Kant, Hon.Ibk. Also, some students made funny sounds all around the hostel like barking, bleating, mewing, and crowing, to make people laugh.

Our room was often boisterous with guys arguing about sport, music, academics, politics, the opposite sex and many more. On many occasions, guys from other rooms came to our room to engage us in conversations about different topics. It's difficult to concentrate on reading in the room. If you wanted to read, you would have to pack your books and go to Awo Cafe, Upper Reading Room or better still Academics. In spite of the noise, I sometimes read in the room and my room mates would wonder I was able to concentrate, but it's a condition I've got myself used to.

In my part one days an amazing incident happened in our room, which still amuses me to this day. It was around 2 a.m. and we were all asleep except for Alfa Shina who was washing his cloth downstairs.

The whole drama began when Taiwo Suddenly sprang to his feet as if something had hit or a creature had bitten him. Quadri and Segun who slept beside him also woke up in that instant; the three of them headed for the door but before they got to the door, Modupe who had jumped down from his upper bunk was already there standing still.At that moment also, every other person including me was running  towards the door. I woke up when Daniel stamped on my feet while trying to make off. I was shouting: "Blood of Jesus!", "Blood of Jesus!!". If not for Modupe, a chubby guy who stood by the door motionless, Taiwo or Quadri would have succeeded in opening the door and some of us would have jumped down from our floor- the second floor- or probably rushed down through the staircase.

Soon after, we all came back to our senses and realised that there was no danger around; we didn't see any sign of fire, no strange movement or sound to make us think a snake had crept in, we asked Taiwo what he saw that made him spring to his feet in the first place, and he couldn't say anything. We laughed at ourselves for several days on this incident.
                                     The Challenges
Anybody would agree to the fact that life in OAU  can be stressful. As an undergraduate, there were several challenges that came my way. After long hours of classes and tutorials, I have to still read (who wants to fail?). I refer to myself as a business student. Because even as a student, I have my own tutorial centre, I compiled past questions and solutions  on two courses, and most times I take private tutorials. Time is always a constraint. Lecturers will bombard you with materials on their respective courses.  I sometimes read overnight and in the morning you still have 7 a.m. class. I move from hostel to academics on average of four times in a day. Some colleagues will ask: "Ibk when will you have time?I want you to explain something to me." During the time of political activities, close pals of mine going for the same post will walk up to me. "Ibk, I'm going for this, I'm going for that. " You have to decide on who to support. During break, they will ask at home: "Who is the picture perfect? "

      Comics In The Midst Of Academic Rigours

In spite of all the academic rigours students face on campus, we would always have one or two things that amuse us students. In Awo Hall, we were often entertained by the Aro performance. Some hilarious guys could just enter into Awo Cafe and started throwing jibes at the students "jacking" there. On OAU campus, you may be referred to by your friends and course mates as "Shana" or "Iwe Ogba" even when you are still struggling with a course. On several occasions , I'd been to Academics to read, but found it difficult to concentrate, yet when coming back, my course mates I met on the way would still call me Iwe Ogba.

     My Involvement In Political Activities

On gain admission, I went to the secondary school I attended to break the news of my admission to my teachers, being a well recognised student in the school. One of them told me:
"Ibikunle, when you get to campus, don't join politics. Campus politics is bloody o, and don't join them in doing any aluta o. You know you are tall, they can easily spot you."
Sincerely, I was glad OAU politics is not bloody compared to what I've heard about some other schools. I've joined the aluta train right from my day one on campus. I doff my cap for the comrades who fought frantically with their sweat and blood for the peace which OAU students now enjoy. Kudos to the comrades who from time to time defend the rights and interests of students. I have a lot of respect for these guys.
I wanted to contest for the post of an honourable at the students' union level in my part 2 days, but as fate would have it, the students'union was suspended by the powers that be. In  my penultimate year, I contested for the post of the president in my department, but the best candidate won. My involvement in politics made me meet so many greatness-bound comrades who will forever be in my memory. I also learnt so many lessons politics has in stock to teach its students. I'm glad to have contributed my quota to the redefinition of the campus political terrain.

      The wonderful people I met

In our sojourn in life, we'll come across many people God has chosen to be our companions as we journey on. I must not fail to mention the wonderful personalities I met in my short spell on this campus.let me start from my wonderful lecturers like Mr. Quadri Lawal, a.k.a. Resolution whom I refer to as 'simple Resolution'(He has the most stupendous personality traits anyone can emulate or desire), Mr. Siyanbade a.k.a. I Can, Dr Monday, Dr. Olasanmi and other lecturers who've had significant impact in my life and career.
I'll always relish the day I met Falade Adenike,a.k.a Shining Star, an awesome companion anyone will dream of befriending. Olowu Oladipupo, you're a true friend. Tofunmi, you're a wonderful lady, Abiola, you're awesome Wahab Akeem a.k.a. Highcomm, you're a rare gem. Omaka Kingsley, you're not just a friend, but also a mentor. I also appreciate The Cognoscentis, Olajide Oreoluwa a.k.a Pretty Priya, Oshun Adebola, Idowu Deborah, Taiwo, Kemi Helen, Esther, Bewaji Omolewa, Akerele Isaac, Emmanuel a.k.a. Pato(Law), Onuche (Law), Bernard P. Daniel,Paulo, Emmanuel Faith, Rachael, Toluano(Phl), Papinx(LGS), Fiwajomi, Tosin, Adebisi, Essien, Funmilola, Pelumi, Rhoda (DSS), Ibidunmoye Decent Ayobami, Fynestboi (PHL), Bridget, Al-Ameen(Foreign Language), Deepeah (Pub Admin), Adefiranye Adenike, Oye, oyida Ibukun (Interrel), Mimi, Gbemisola (History), Ife (Chm), E-Dan, Emperor, and every other person who made my campus sojourn memorable.
                                                            And Finally

I always believe that the school made me. I'm confident to say I'm a product of sound formal and self education. I learnt a whole lot on this campus.To my junior colleagues, I will say: never lose the power of focus; never be a staight-jacketed kind of learners, don't limit yourselves to your field alone. Medical students write good poems. Explore your world. To my graduating course mates and colleagues, see you at the top.
As I sign out today, I can gladly say:
Veni vedi vici

Sumonu Ibikunle Gabriel a.k.a IBK is a graduating student of Management and Accounting Department.