THE TIME WEEVILS

There should be no skeptism when I say the social media is becoming popular as the day rolls. Social media have become prominent parts of life for many young Nigerians today. Studies have shown that average person now spends more time each day on their phone and computer than they do sleeping or engaging in purposeful activities

There many positive aspects, but there are equally as many dangers that come with the use of these social media such as Twitter, Whatsapp, Linkendln, Tumblr, Instagram, Google+, Pinterest, Snapchat, Skype, Youtube and Facebook (the mostly widely known). Have you wondered what the advantages of social media is or do you just follow the tide. Let me list a few;

• EDUCATION: when you are a student in my department, you would appreciate Google because you learn much better than in class. Social media allow you access loads of documents and meet friends from other countries who could explain things. Say you are learning about Algeria and you have an Algerian friend online. 
• AWARENESS: Information spreads faster online than any other medium. More than 50% persons learn about breaking news on the social media.. Believe me when you use Twitter, you would understand that whatever is head line on the news today has finished trending on Twitter the night before . 
• POLITICS: With no doubt, social media facilitate political changes. Online networks give social movements a quick ,cheap method of disseminating information and mobilizing people in recent times. A living witness of this is ‘DONALD TRUMP’, who believes till date that it was the social media that carried him into the White-house. 

I could go on and on about social media but I would bore you. Besides a lot of social media time was spent to make sure I got my facts right before writing this down. However, the can of worms that comes with the social media can’t but be mentioned. The negative aspects of engaging in social media are:

• DETRIMENT TO SCHOOL WORK: While grades did improve for light or nonusers of social media, the grades of heavy users tend to suffer. One study shows that student users have an average G.P.A of 3.06, while the non-users have an average G.P.A of 3.82. For every over-time used on social media daily, students’ grades dropped “.12 points”! Another study showed that students who went online while studying scored 20% lower in tests.
• SEXUALITY: The hallmark of sexual harassment in the society now is the use of these social media. Now youths diverse time for studying to watching porno films online, thus preparing them to/for sexual abuse. 

In addition, extensive engagement is correlated with personality and brain disorders like poor social skills, ADHD, narcissistic tendencies, a need for instant gratification, and addictive behaviors and other emotional distress like depression, loneliness and anxiety. The greatest centrifugal threat to our time in not the creation of the social media, but misuse and loss of focus. Thus, there calls for urgent need to drastically correct our methodology towards the use of social media. Pass the negative, GPA is gradually dying was what caught my attention. With the time spent on social media, we have little time to do profitable things for ourselves thus we have the eaters of our time. 

Saint…

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FASSA PRESS: Latest Unibadan News Update

NIGERIAN BUYS G-WAGON FOR SOUTH AFRICAN TO APOLOGISE FOR IMPREGNATING HIS WIFE

A Nigerian man simply identified as John bought a Mercedes-Benz G-class for a South African man to apologise after impregnating his wife. Daily Live, a South-African news website, quoted John as saying that the husband of his pregnant girlfriend immediately forgave him on receiving the car. “I know what I did is wrong but I feel better he has accepted my gift. He accepted that his wife, my girlfriend, is pregnant and will soon give birth to my son. He was angry at first but when I presented the car to him his anger vanished,” John explained.

ENGLAND BEAT SPAIN TO WIN U17 WORLD CUP FINAL

Manchester City starlet Phil Foden scored twice as England came from behind to crush Spain 5-2 in the Under 17 World Cup final on Sunday. Victory added to England’s growing list of youth honours – they have won the Under 20 World Cup and European Under 19 championship this year – and was revenge for losing the Under 17 European Championship final to Spain in May. On top of Foden’s second half brace, Liverpool’s Rhian Brewster scored his seventh goal of the tournament and Morgan Gibbs-White and Marc Guehi also pierced the normally solid Spanish defence at the Salt Lake stadium in Kolkata.

FG CONFIRMS SIX FRESH CASES OF MONKEYPOX AS DISEASE HITS ABUJA

The Federal Government has confirmed six fresh cases of monkey pox including one in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. The Minister of State for Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, made the announcement in his office in Abuja on Friday, according to a statement by the Director of Media, Mrs. Boade Akinola. Ehanire said apart from Abuja, there are two new cases of the disease in Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom states and one in Enugu. This brings the total number of confirmed monkey pox cases to nine.


TROOPS INTERCEPT BOKO HARAM SUICIDE BOMB SQUAD, NEUTRALIZE FIVE

Troops intercepted Boko Haram suicide bomb squad on Friday and neutralized five terrorists at different locations in Borno north, Nigerian Army said on Saturday. The army spokesman, Brig.-Gen. Sani Usman, in a statement noted that the intercepted bomb at Ngalle village where one terrorist was neutralized “could have been intended for troops or innocent and peace loving villagers.” Usman said a huge Improvised Explosive Device cylinder was recovered from the terrorists. “Other items recovered include an AK-47 rifle magazine, a motorcycle and some spare parts.”

STAY AWAY FROM CRIME, EX-PRESIDENT JONATHAN COUNSELS STUDENTS

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has counseled Nigerian students to stay away from kidnapping, robbery and other social vices that portray the academic community in bad light. The former resident gave the advice while presenting his remarks as the Special Guest of Honour at the 4th convocation of Baze University in Abuja. He said, “It is important to note that the negative activities of some of our youths are portraying the academic environment in bad light.

JAW WAR 2017

War they said it is, but believe me it is more than a war. War with no physical weapon but looks physical with words crazy enough to create new red blood cells in the Human bone marrow. The much anticipated inter Hall and interfaculty literary and debate Jaw war competition would commence from early November 2017. Inter hall category would comprise of two rounds each while interfaculty would only be a single round. The Jaw war rally was held on the 29th October 2017 and It promises to be a promising event.

HSE WORKSHOP

The Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society Student Chapter in conjunction with the Faculty of Science on Friday 27th of October held a workshop on Health Safety and Environment. The programme had resource persons from Deeprimex Global Resources. The event which was scheduled to hold at 2 pm at the Faculty lecture theatre began at 3:30 pm at the Seminar Room of the Department of Geology due to hitches in power. The workshop covered lecture as well as practical sessions for students that attended. Alumni were present to give credence to the programme. However, turnout of Fassaites was very low and the major populace were students of Geology department.

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EXCELLENT FINISH

That was an awesome victory for Manchester United. It is indeed going to be a wonderful season for the red devils… was what the commentator kept saying at the end of the match. As one of my regular hobbies after the match I stayed back at the viewing centre and I watched the other guys as they rejoiced and discussed about the highlights of the match. The match started with doubts as to whether or not my team will win but as fans will always do, we gave them the benefit of the doubt and it paid off in the end. The starting point in the life of a man is very vital and so is coming to school. It is that time of the semester when everybody is waiting patiently for their results, infact some have seen theirs already but we are waiting for the big one…B.O.L

Some days ago, I was opportuned to have a little chat with some guys and they complained about their results and majority of them were sober. But I read all night, I just can’t believe it, I don’t think that is my result were the responses I was getting when I asked what happened. I want you to understand that people make mistakes infact that is the joy of being called humans, we are bound to make mistakes however, the really aweful thing to do is to sit down and dwell on those mistakes. I’m pretty sure that you have heard a thousand times that the downfall of a man is not his end. Thomas Edison was written off by his teacher. The teacher told his mother point blank that her son was just too dull and wasn’t fit for school, but we all know who he later turned out to be. The end of a man is more important than the beginning but this does not mean that you purposely make your beginning awful, there are things you need to put in mind.

Firstly, there is something called self motivation. This is when you see the best in you even when nobody sees it. Even when you fall you have the belief that you will rise. In times like this, you tell yourself that it is only a phase and that it will pass. I don’t know about you but I made a resolution to make my difificulties know that am difficult. So no matter how many times you fall, be sure to get up and fight.

Secondly, you need to criticize yourself. Tell yourself the truth at all times. Even before anyone calls you to tell you, make sure you always call yourself to order. Don’t be in the habit of making excuses "the lecturer failed me”, ’it is not my score’...even when you know you did not read well. You failed and it’s your fault accept it. Believe me if it is not health related or anything that affected the state of your wellbeing then pardon me but you MESSED UP! What you need to do after this is to ask yourself those things you did that affected you and be sure not to do them again. The first step to getting better after a fall is to realize that you did something wrong and accept the fact that you were wrong.

Thirdly, you need to restrategize; it is not a function of reading from morning till night. School is not just about WORKING HARD, it is about WORKING SMART. What is the essence of reading all day if you won't pass…it will just be wasted efforts. You need to learn how to read right. You need to understand the reading pattern that works for you and then stick to it. Some people can read and understand in just 1 hour while for others it may be four hours. The most important thing is that they understand the pattern that works for them. There was a time a friend invited me to Zik cafeteria to read. I ended up sleeping really sound even better than I ordinarily would on my bed. At the end of the day when the results were out, I didn’t fail but you know that kind of; let my people go kind of pass; I never left the comfort of my hall ever again.

In addition, drop your pride; yea that’s right drop the damn pride. What’s the use of being proud if it cannot elevate you? You must have heard that pride goes before a fall so abeg if you don’t know it stay humble and let someone help you. You won’t be helping yourself if you feel you don’t need anyone. No man is an island. So next time you have an issue with your sources scream for help.

Finally, CONSTANTLY and CONSISTENTLY believe in yourself. You may not be at the topbut I will say that you need to believe that you can be at the top of your game.if you don’t like where you are then do something about it. Don’t wallow in self pity. A lot of people who are at the top and feel they shoul rest might eventually fall. In the same vane, a number of guys who started badly will eventually bounce back and come out in flying colours. The choice is yours. Bear it in the mind that in the end nobody is going to care about what happened at the beginning.let your eyes be on the finishing line so you can have an EXCELLENT FINISH.

 ADEBIMBIM

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WHAT COURSE IS THAT SEF?

I met her on my way home and she seemed to have a cool personality. I was actually walking down a path when she beckoned on me. She asked if I was going a particular direction and when I gave a positive reply, she asked if she could walk with me. Of course yes! I thought after all I am a fan of walking alone.

So we got talking (it was a long walk and talking was a way of making it less tedious), we did the normal introduction: Name, level, hall, department…and the rest. And that was when she said the words.

‘Which department are you?’, I asked her. ‘Err…what’s that course again self… Agronomy’, came the reply.

What! I couldn’t believe my ears. Wait, let’s rewind a little. ‘Err…what’s that course again self… Agronomy’.

In my head I was like, did she really say that?

She is a plump, dark girl with lovely big eyes, long hair and all. Pretty? Yeah, very pretty. But her choice of words, at least at that time, was not pretty at all.

I know of people who don’t really like their courses and as a result are not proud of it. But at least they say it with confidence or maybe pretense confidence; whichever way, they at least talk about their course with dignity.

When I gained control of the situation, I hid my shock and just laughed over it. But deep down, I was hurting, hurting for the department, for the lecturers there and for the students there also. It wasn’t so much of a nice thing to say but I just let the moment pass, knowing I would not forget it in a hurry. We talked about so many other things, she learnt about me and vice versa. That was when I got to know that her father’s choice of course for her was undefined, her mother’s was Pharmacy and her’s was- well, medicine. No wonder I received the kind of response I got. Medicine and agronomy are quite different form each other.

Anyways, I am of the opinion that one is supposed to be proud of one’s course no matter what. Just like acknowledging that one is sick, as they say, is the first step to recovery. The first step to becoming successful in school is to love your course because if one doesn’t love it, one cannot understand it and if one does not understand it, one cannot read it and if one cannot read it, one will ultimately fail. I am aware of the fact that a lot of people who are assigned to another department other than what they applied for are not proud of their courses. Some haven’t ever accepted the fact that they are in that particular department.

Funny, isn’t it? But these things are true. The earlier they accept the obvious, the better for them. Be proud of your discipline, no matter what it is or what it entails. That is the first step to success.

Victoria Paul
Editor-in-chief

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Diary Of A Nigerian Undergraduate

Dear diary,

Apparently absence does make the heart grow fonder. ASUU strike was nice and all but I think nostalgia made school seem nicer, now I think my thoughts require corrections. Anyways, I'm now in school, there is really no escaping that for a while. I believe I grew a lot this strike, mentally, emotionally and physically too I guess.

t has been too long;

 I just might share some of my words of wisdom in times to come. There is this saying that recently got me thinking, it is quite common but I think it is in dire need of either an addition or a modification. The saying is ( drum rolls please, wait for it) "FIRST IMPRESSIONS LAST LONGER". Not that exciting right, I know, but it has formed an essential part of our society with many Nigerians; me included, mentally transforming it to "FIRST IMPRESSIONS ARE ALL THAT MATTER".

 I learnt my lesson via experience. On this hot Friday afternoon, I needed to submit a form at the Admission office, upon my getting to the required office, I was answered by this woman who made me so scared, I was not even sure my 2 form would get the required attention. Fast forward to about a week later and I was not even sure if she was the same person I met. She was so nice and even made me laugh with her theatrics. I felt so welcome I even promised to get her a earring.

Anyways, story asides, my point is that as important as first impressions are, that should not define the person totally. People that are not us, are also entitled to their stormy days and bad moods, always remember that. I think if everyone was judged by the first impressions, then most of us might be lonely. Don't get me wrong some people's first impressions are as right as rain, but everyone deserves a second chance.

Anyway, fancy shmancy, my second semester that was supposed to be the bomb, is making me implode instead. I think my department is just depressed. Second semester though, gosh what can I say? It's quite exciting but to the freshers and fresh stalites, it is really important not to lose ourselves or CGPAs in the midst of all the excitement. Let me run back to my ever present books. I am a Nigerian Undergraduate and this is my story.

The_Aduke.

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First: RESTART

When your computer or device messes up, the first thing you usually do is panic. That is soooo wrong. The first thing you should do is Restart.

A lot of people don’t realize the power there is in restarting a computer or a device.

I personally can’t even tell you I understand why it works so well,  but it does work, a lot of times, like  magic.  On a serious note, the ability to restart your device at will is a very powerful tool in the hand of device users.

Somebody once said that when you restart a computer, you are giving the internal demons of the computer a chance to figure out what went wrong with them and correct it internally, since they are most probably more intelligent than we are (LOL).  Anyway,  the thing is , just restart first.

If your computer hangs, Restart.

If your modem hangs, Restart (that means remove and re insert again)

If your phone misbehaves, Restart first.

I once had a situation whereby my phone went into factory mode and started running crazy codes I didn’t really understand, after freaking out for about 10 minutes, I mistakenly pulled out the battery. On re inserting it, I started up the phone and voila, all was well, and is still well actually.

What else?

There is only one issue with restarting though. If you are working on stuff and you have not saved, there is a high probability that most of the unsaved parts of your work might be lost. Or you might just be lucky. That’s to tell you to save often. Okay, maybe we’ll talk more about that next time. Thanks for reading. & Welcome to a new Session.

Okemakinde Samson

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WELCOME ADDRESS

WELCOME ADDRESS TO A NEW STUDENT

I was at Bello Hall a week ago when I met this young man complaining about everything. He told me I wouldn’t understand if he explained but I told him I wanted to hear. He said he applied to study Law, scored 71 and the cut-off mark was put at 73. He was angry that he would have to study Educational Management instead of Law. I sat him down and explained to him why sometimes we should be contented with what we get. I reminded him of those who would not mind any course they are given but are still out there, with the hope to get lucky someday. Then I also challenged him that if truly what he wanted was Law, he should convince them at the Faculty of Education with an exceptional performance at the end of the session. That is enough stories, I think!

You are welcome to the University of Ibadan, which you saw only little of its structure from outside. Perhaps you were more mesmerised by the respect paid to the graduates of the institution and for long dreamt of becoming one of her student. You should know that you are a lucky one, if you don’t already know this. The fact that you will be matriculated in this university soon should be a source of happiness. Some people no matter how much they try will never get close to getting into the university. So I advise you to get over being ungrateful and embrace the lots of work you have before you.

I must tell you that there are a lot of races to run so you can be prepared for them. It is better to get things right than to come looking for solutions after making mistakes. It is easy to say that you now have freedom; ability to decide whatever you like. But don’t forget that you are responsible for the choices you make in the end. You may think you can choose who to make friends with but if you make the wrong choice, no one will carry the blame for you when that decision makes you slip. You will need a lot of guidance because you are new; you know only little or nothing about how the system here is operated. Making friends with the right people will be just a nice idea.

Lecture notes are not things you leave to pile up. As you take new steps in class, you read them up after the day’s lectures. Anything that confuses you about your course, don’t allow pride steal humility from you. It is alright to ask people for help, especially in your studies. You must have heard different stories about CHE157 by now. I will tell you my part today: CHE157 is a silly course people make you fear unnecessarily.  If you work hard and believe, you will have seven points in it without too much stress.

I can only tell you this but I can’t make you believe: university is not only about books. The lesson you can learn here are just very many; both the right and the wrong ones. You have freedom now, to choose between only books and building a better you. There are good organisations you can join. They will eat your time but you can decide how much they eat of it. The Press, the L&D and other groups are very good if you join. But they must never get more priority than your studies. If you know how to play your game, you will always win.

Perhaps you have seen posters hanging all around or you have been approached by any of them. The season of exaggerated piety and humbleness is here. The time for electing new officers to the Students’ Union will soon come. You should know that it is not their Union but ours. So everybody has a stance. Do not let beauty override your objectivity. Beauty doesn’t rule in office, intelligence does. Do not vote for friendship, vote for sincerity and integrity. When they approach you campaigning, ask them what change they will bring; question their plans and policies; dust their manifestoes and bring out the lies. Whatever we do now will become history tomorrow. Whatever decisions we make will state how we are treated by our own. If truly our fathers are underrating our abilities in the mainstream political realm, we don’t fight to show them; we rule the best way to prove that we worth a lot.

Several things to share but I’m sure we will do more as we get along.

Please enjoy your stay in Unibadan.

Off-course

I use this medium to congratulate the president-elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, General Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) on his success in the just concluded election. I pray he surprises Nigerians in good ways. I also appreciate the effort of the INEC chairman, Professor Attahiru Jega for the display of fairness and intelligence. Without doubt, his tenure has brought us to the light of reality; we only need to advance on this right path he has shown us.

SECRET PEN

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