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Welcome to The Season of Seasonings, O Uites!

Traditionally, the second semester of a session at the University of Ibadan is always jam-packed with series of extracurricular activities and events. It is a season that is replete with seasonings; and frivolities.


This second semester tends to be different a bit as the lifespan of academic calendar in the University has been cut short. UI calendar is now on a marathon race. It has reportedly always been like that when UI has her Vice-Chancellor from the Department of Chemistry.


Considering the above facts, it is imperative to nudge slumbering students of UI awake of their impending functions in this soon-to-end semester that just began. Academic excellence is the seminal goal of every student in school. So, UI students shouldn’t allow the frivolities of this second semester to let them forget that truth.


To be sure, most of these extracurricular activities are beneficial in a way to the life and learning of students. Talking of the biggest Public Speaking event in Nigeria, Jaw War, Indigenous Associations celebrations such as, FOSSU and NAOS Days, Departmental and Faculty Career Seminars, Press Hangouts, all these and many other holistic events add to mental acumen of students.

But at that, caution shouldn’t be thrown to the wind in attempting to attend some of these events – especially now that the semester is now very short – in order not to jeopardize the primary assignment in school; academic excellence.


That said, as Muslims, we should remember that not all these events we must attend. Events where music is barred to the ears, alcohols displayed every nook and cranny and nudities are given free publicity are not for us.


In conclusion, we do not forget that it is the new year (Gregorian though) in this new semester. An Arabic Poet, Ibn Dhurad, once said that when two new things are combined together on one, if care is not taken the two can make one old. We all, as students, have our old results we want to improve on or maintain. Amidst our New Year resolutions, this semester is another opportunity to work on that. Do not let the seasonings of this season distract you. Don’t lose guard, as netizens would say.