Tag Archives: University

Tale Of Two Nigeria – A Short Story by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

August 29, 2015 lakunlescrews Leave a comment

Once upon a time, the diseased elephant lay dead beside the flourishing rat.

The rat had blown his flesh with the meat of the elephant. The rot lay beside the freshness. And a warm breeze descending the poles came to merge the disparity. The gentle wind delayed, had been brewed from a plant in a refined region away from our branded reality. It brought with it, its own ways. It had its own eyes, its stance, its culture, its people and its life.

In the wind, I saw it all…the field of cold and warmth, as of two cities resolving to live together. The intermingling of splendour and squalour; the breaking of hearts by hearts. I saw it all in the air, the culture of the land so far away from our touch that we only basked in the gigantic appellation of her name. The name of a chord of people of Continue reading Tale Of Two Nigeria – A Short Story by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi →

News

OAU in Focus: The Act of Trekking without complaints by ‘

July 9, 2015 lakunlescrews Leave a comment

The staffers of the Obafemi Awolowo University, like staffers of some other public universities in time past, were in the last few days subjected to the hardship of trekking a substantial distance to get to their respective stations and offices. They are entitled to several years arrears of certain earned allowances. So much back-and
Continue reading OAU in Focus: The Act of Trekking without complaints by ‘ →

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Guise of “No Election Break”: Youth Disenfranchisement by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

February 6, 2015 lakunlescrews Leave a comment

It is few days to Nigeria’s Presidential elections; and as expected, rumours and counter-rumours are really flying around like birds that have lost the compass to their nests. And facts, figures, forms of statistics, all get dug out even from the darkest recesses of our political community and thrown into the ashtrays on the tables before us. They are not food but information that we can quite well choose to make use of or ignore; and if we choose the latter, we rather ignore forever but the effects may never leave us, similarly, forever. Anywhere there’s light, there definitely has to be some shadows.

It is the presence of shadows in the form of threats and paranoia that seem Continue reading Guise of “No Election Break”: Youth Disenfranchisement by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi →

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#PAUSIBILITY: CONVERSATION WITH BENJAMIN, A LAGOS DANFO DRIVER by Adebayo Coker

June 6, 2014 lakunlescrews Leave a comment

Few weeks ago, I went with a friend to carry out some maintenance works on his car. We left Willoughby Street, Oyingbo, Lagos, late in the evening and in order not to aggravate the fatigue of the day with the road rage that is most likely to happen on a typical Lagos road, we decided to cool off at one of the bars in the National Stadium (pity that is what this national monument has become). After cooling off (I won’t mention my brand so that Okupe through his retinue of assassins will not poison me), we hit the road. Just at the exit of the stadium, we heard a funny sound in the engine compartment of the car, and when we checked, we confirmed that the fan belt that was bought few hours ago had given way (Standard Organization of Nigeria is obviously sleeping). Perplexed, the fatigue increased even though the traffic on the road had cleared.

My friend decided to sleep at his friend’s place in Surulere to ease his taking the car back to Oyingbo the next day while I HAD TO GO HOME to my wife and son that night. The cab man saw a kill but I have always been a Lagos boy. Even though it‘s been a very long time that I used public transport last, I still can find my way round Lagos without my car, even at the oddest Continue reading #PAUSIBILITY: CONVERSATION WITH BENJAMIN, A LAGOS DANFO DRIVER by Adebayo Coker →

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Re: Omojuwa & other arrested Nigerian protesters. Can we chat? by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi

April 3, 2014 lakunlescrews Leave a comment

It was an evening not anywhere surreal. As usual, everyone went about their daily tasks rather differently; some peacefully, others riotously, irritably, miserably, grumpily or some like billy-o. However, for some of us who were privileged, to say the best, or disadvantaged, to say the obvious, to be members of the academia, we were cocooned within an office space that was dimly lit, ventilated by a small slit called a window. As we sat, marking time, a song that waltzed itself straight to my spine was Fela Anikulapo’s “Suffering and Smiling”. I wondered why but wasn’t it rather apparent?

Here in Nigeria, at a time when young Nigerians should be brazenly outspoken at demanding the respect of their long-trodden rights, everyone seems to be sated by the crumbs that fall off “God knows where”. No one talks, no one agitates, no one cares about their trampled rights; everyone simply grumbles and submits “Why should I be the one to lead?” There’s a Yoruba wise-saying that Continue reading Re: Omojuwa & other arrested Nigerian protesters. Can we chat? by ‘Lakunle Jaiyesimi →

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Yansh and the culture of Competition

January 14, 2014 lakunlescrews 6 Comments

If you love a flower, don’t pick it up.

Because if you pick it up, it dies

and it ceases to be what you love.

So, if you love a flower, let it be.

Love is not about possession.

Love is about appreciation. – Osho

Big yansh! Showy yansh!! Taking a passive walk around a community, where young gentlemen and ladies usually congregate or patrol in an active hour; to and fro classrooms, libraries, laboratories, dormitories and or houses, one (average guy, pastor or the other) is bound to behold beautiful, scintillating, romance-stimulating (you-know-what-I-mean? more of it!) figures (Big yansh! Showy yansh!!) that tend to be attractive anywhere your face turns (and it turns often enough). Believe me, irrespective of who you are or how religious you are, your eyes are beings of their own, they must see. One wonders why people don’t flee (no accusation of being literal here, please) at such sights, in spite of the warning in the scriptures of one of the modern religions. Continue reading Yansh and the culture of Competition →

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Pharmacy, why we do what we do? Just musing….

November 14, 2013 lakunlescrews 9 Comments

“I am black; I am in total fusion with the world, in sympathetic affinity with the earth, losing my id in the heart of the cosmos — and the white man, however intelligent he may be, is incapable of understanding Louis Armstrong or songs from the Congo. I am black, not because of a curse, but because my skin has been able to capture all the cosmic effluvia. I am truly a drop of sun under the earth.”
― Frantz Fanon, Black Skin, White Masks

A few days ago, I was privileged to have a chat with some colleagues, a great people with whom I pretend the possession of the global best knowledge of drugs (I believe the meaning hasn’t already been construed), especially as it pertains to therapeutics; hence, patient-oriented; well, in our own part of the world (hopefully changing), almost diminished merely to dispensing of drugs (not even the best of it, that is). For the moment, and in sync with our acquired (almost inborn) comfort zone, let’s content ourselves with the fact that “we’re Pharmacists and we’re proud to be Men of Honour”.

Our concern this time was the significance of the choices we have made and that we make a living of, just by making. Why do we do Continue reading Pharmacy, why we do what we do? Just musing…. →

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I’m in a mess. ASUU is on strike. Again. For the umpteenth time, that is

November 2, 2013 lakunlescrews Leave a comment

“I find that the great thing in this

world is not so much where we

stand as in what direction we are

moving: To reach the port of

heaven, we must sail sometimes

with the wind and sometimes

against it – but we must sail, and

not drift, nor lie at the anchor.” –

Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

(29 August 1809 – 8 October 1894)

The name, Musa Parad Isiaka, is that of a fictional character that I intend to be the protagonist in a novel. I’d been nursing the idea of this novel for some time now. For lack of ideas at the moment however, I have elected to gloss over a short period in the life of one Nigerian academic, who goes by the same name. Hence, whatever narrative you read below differs greatly from that of my novel protagonist, at least in their conception.

This period, I innocently wish (like a child is wont to) would ultimately become somehow inculcated into the novel, as events that constitute a major telling bulk of the novel. And when it does, it may just come up as a dream that can’t either harm or make (I’m not here referring to a prophetic dream, mind you). I plead, no one should spank me for all I’ve said and will say, especially for having a “head full of cobwebs”, like my mentor would say, if you know what he means.

If you must know, my usual reaction every time he said it was to gently rub Continue reading I’m in a mess. ASUU is on strike. Again. For the umpteenth time, that is →

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ASUU strike: Don’t force youth to react – Bishop warns FG (131013)

October 13, 2013 lakunlescrews Leave a comment

The Catholic Bishop of Nsukka Diocese, Rt. Rev. Godfrey Onah, at the weekend,

warned politicians to retrace their steps, as it would not be possible to quench the anger of Nigerian youth who may soon run out of patience over the poor treatment they are getting from government and their leaders at various levels.

The clergyman stated at the funeral mass organized for Lolo Josephine Oyima Abba, mother of the Enugu State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Engr. Vita Abba at Ede-Oballa, in Nsukka Council Area of Enugu State.

He warned that such neglect could force the youth to Continue reading ASUU strike: Don’t force youth to react – Bishop warns FG (131013) →

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Agagu’s Plane Crash: The gods must be angry

October 3, 2013 lakunlescrews 4 Comments

Quickly, I do not have much to say than to record my condolences and much more, my father’s condolences.

“Riro ni t’eniyan. S’ise ni ti Oluwa. Man proposes. God disposes. Sometimes, the loss of one life brings grief to an entire nation of people. Here is such a case, where the loss of more than one life has brought us grief and left us disheartened. Our sympathies, first and foremost, to the families of one of us, a member of our association and his son, Tunji and Olatunji Okusanya. He was until his untimely death the CEO of popular MIC Caskets. We also share our sympathies with the families of every other single person on that plane. Again, may you all experience peace. God be with you and with everyone of us.” – Pa A. A. Jaiyesimi, National PRO, Molusi College Old Students’ Association.

That is not to sound so much as to mean I have no condolences to offer. No. On the contrary, I do have. May the good old Lord grant you all eternal peace, if truly there is anything like that. And to my late Pa Agagu, Ondo State former governor, you need more prayers. This is supposed to be your second death; what, in maddening environment, the maddeners would refer to as akutunku e l’ona orun. I’m not sure I can translate that. But it must also mean the same as saying RIP (Rest in Peace). To all other survivors and non-survivors, may God be with you. Continue reading Agagu’s Plane Crash: The gods must be angry →

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Of Rogues and Saints. Re: ASUU is on strike again. Who cares? SMH

September 22, 2013 lakunlescrews 9 Comments

My attention was recently, precisely at a time when I should be frolicking with friends, drawn to a beautifully written piece by someone I hold in high regard, a father, fighter and lover, Pa Ikhide. I have always loved to read him. This time, his piece focuses on ASUU (a body he refers to as that of thugs. Of course, with an apology against generalisation). This piece is titled “ASUU is on strike again. Who cares? SMH” and can be read here http://xokigbo.wordpress.com/

This said piece, you will agree with me is an eye-opener. And I can create a lengthy piece of conjoined words to describe my admiration for the thoughtfulness and intended patriotism that make the crust of Pa Ikhide’s beautiful harangue. However, now and then, as I read through the piece, enjoying the tides, I stumble on some words and my head reflexly enters the shaking mode, as in ‘no, no, no’. I will not be pleased if ASUU sues my Pa Ikhide to court for his patriotism, wins and hence, making my Pa forever bankrupt. This piece can be used as evidence in the court of law.

To the point. Continue reading Of Rogues and Saints. Re: ASUU is on strike again. Who cares? SMH →

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ASUU Strike Update: We are back in the sane country with an insane government

August 28, 2013 lakunlescrews Leave a comment

This is more of a review, so be not dismayed to see footnotes, bracketed explanations and all-what-nots.

Following the several ‘negotiation’ (please, don’t tell me a properly elected government has been renegotiating what agreement she willingly arrived at and signed an MoU, for commitment sake. Just don’t tell this guy) meetings between the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU and the Federal Government of Nigeria with regard to the lingering strike rocking the country’s public universities, the Federal Government has, according to the news making the rounds, “decided to break off negotiation with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) over what it called the infiltration of the union by the opposition to discredit the government.”

What! That’s alarming. That a government (maybe the people currently occupying that position do not in anyway understand the gravity of their office, utterances and actions) would subscribe to cheap blackmail, libel and outright propaganda against the citizens she’s meant to serve. That’s alarming.

Continue reading ASUU Strike Update: We are back in the sane country with an insane government →

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“Strike: Again, FG, ASUU Refuse To Shift Ground” – Nigerian Press

August 20, 2013 lakunlescrews 1 Comment

The title, with inverted commas, of this piece is the favoured choice of the Nigerian press just hours after categorically stating “ASUU strike ends soon”. Well, enough for the Nigerian Press. I salute!

In light of past and present inclinations of the Federal Government of Nigeria in tackling the myriad of problems bedeviling the polity of the country, one should never allow the actions, almost inactions, of the government to frustrate one.

How else could one interprete the actions of the players “for” the FGN? They are constantly dressed flamboyantly (especially, the ladies, referred to by some as National witches) while the men host on their bodies expensive cotton, all thanks to the collective treasury from where, dipping their hands at will, they bring out the notes that keep them and family members going, of course at “speed-boat speed”. No thanks to the Continue reading “Strike: Again, FG, ASUU Refuse To Shift Ground” – Nigerian Press →

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“ASUU strike ends soon” – Nigerian Press

August 19, 2013 lakunlescrews Leave a comment

The ongoing strike action by the Nigeria’s Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has been on for weeks and another leg of the meetings between the ASUU’s and Federal Government’s negotiation team has been scheduled for Monday (today. It should be on now). It is our only hope that the resolutions at the meeting will be something worth taking home.

Meanwhile, several news portals have been excited about the fact that President Goodluck Jonathan has approved N400b for infrastructural development in 61 universities identified by the NEEDS assessment. lAkUnLeScReWs finds that worrisome to say the least.

The following piece was written by BIMBOLA OYESOLA on the Sun Newspaper online platform and plagiarized by such others without Continue reading “ASUU strike ends soon” – Nigerian Press →