Tiwa Savage And Spouse Welcome Son
Wednesday, 22 July 2015
The Chemist's Shop (Complete) -Pope Jay
A TRUE LIFE STORY
The time space between my admission into the great ife and my resumption into the institution is a part of my life I may never forget. In between these two monumental occasions was a holiday that was long and at the time unwanted. A long ASUU strike and an uneven calendar was the excuse that kept me at home for almost 13 months even though JAMB had told me that I had been admitted. However, when the holiday became quite boring and almost unbearable and acting upon the advice of family and friends, I got a job.
How I got my first job is another day’s story but one reason why my job was so spectacular was that it was in line with the course which I had just been admitted to study in the university; Pharmacy. I got a job in a community pharmacy as a sales attendant, what most Nigerians considering my masculine gender would refer to as a “Sales Boy”. My job description as a sales attendant was quite simple; I would simply sell Over the Counter (OTC) drugs, assist the pharmacist in dispensing prescriptions and behind the counter drugs. However, being a “student” of pharmacy at the Premier School of the noble profession, the superintendent pharmacist ( I hope he reads this) took me as his son and understudy; He told me things I would learn in school and most importantly, the things I wouldn’t learn in school (I am eternally grateful Sir!).
One of the extras that my professional father taught me was how to use the sphygmanometer, the device used to check blood pressure, and in a few months, I was efficient enough to check the blood pressure of customers whenever the Superintendent pharmacist wasn’t around or was busy. My newly acquired skill allowed me become friends with a lot of customers; most especially the older age group. Men and women in their forties and above would come to my “office” and I would check their blood pressure and relate it to their medication; stop a medication, reduce dosage or refer to the superintendent pharmacist. In the course of doing these things, I had to listen to their problems, struggles and issues that they felt had raised their B.P and try calming them. My little and newly acquired knowledge plus my OAU admission letter provided a basis of the confidence that my new friends had in me.
One of the friends I made during this time was Mr. Fagbemi. Mr. Fagbemi was an elderly man whom I predict to have been in his late fifties when I met him, He was one of the few Nigerians that believed that a high blood pressure was not a spiritual attack and so being more prone to this condition due to his age, he would come to the community pharmacy at a regular interval to check his Blood Pressure and eventually we became friends. Whenever he came around, we would wander off into a lot of topics; from the saddening state of the nation to the prestige of the Obafemi Awolowo University and he would show me glimpses into the times past and tell me stories of the late Obafemi Awolowo and other National Icons. I loved attending to Mr. Fagbemi because there was never a dull moment with him and every moment was enlightening but like quite a number of Nigerians, Mr. Fagbemi’s blood pressure was not so beautiful.
Mr. Fagbemi was whom you could describe as an average Nigerian; He lived in a rented apartment in a rural city in Ikorodu, He could afford three meals a day but couldn’t afford the luxury of being choosy with the meals, He perhaps had to send something back home being a ‘Lagosian’ in the family. Perhaps, it was his daily stress combined with his aging body that made his blood pressure go over the fair limit more often than usual and in the face of this, he had to be on steady medication.
Upon resumption to school, I left home, my job and my new friends to continue in my academic pursuit. However, anytime school was on break or ‘strike’, I would go back to my job and friends and one thing that made the stress of my job bearable was the company of these beautiful people. In May 2015, I was home on holiday and, as had become my custom, I went to sell drugs. On a fateful day as I sat in the pharmacy where I worked, waiting for the next customer, a neighbor brought me the saddening news that Mr Fagbemi had passed on.
I never got to know what caused Mr. Fagbemi’s death or his burial arrangements but I learnt that he had slumped at a friend’s place and upon getting to the hospital, the doctor pronounced him already dead and his family took him home for his burial. In my solitary mourning for my friend, I began to think of what might have taken Mr. Fagbemi’s life as no proper autopsy was performed; perhaps his blood pressure had gone too high or maybe that witch in his village had finally decided to become so villainous.
Even with his death Mr. Fagbemi still taught me a lesson, he showed me the role of the community pharmacy in the present Nigerian Health system. The Community pharmacy in Nigeria plays a vital role in the Nigerian Health system; it is the first link of an average Nigerian with the entire system. Whether a simple headache or terminal cancer; an average Nigerian would go to the Chemist’s Shop around the corner before he goes to a hospital for quite a number of reasons. Simply put, the community pharmacy is the first aid box of the society and in the Nigerian Society, all the majority ever gets for their illnesses is this first aid just because they cannot afford quality treatment. In Nigeria, the Community Pharmacy is not just an average Nigerian’s first link with the health system, for some like Mr. Fagbemi, it is the only solid link they ever get with the Nigerian Health system.
(Dedicated to the ones whose lives we lost because of the faults of the Health System. May their souls rest in peace)
Pope Jay
JAMB 2015: 7,817 Applied To Study Medicine In OAU
The Department of Accounting had the second highest applicants with 5,554 followed closely by the Faculty of Law that had 5,049. Department of Education and French recorded the least number of applicants with only a person seeking admission to the department.
22 Winners Emerge During 2015 OYA Awards
Full List of Winners
Most outstanding organisation of the year – AIESEC
Most outstanding compere/MC of the year – MC Headies
Most outstanding blog of the year – OAUChristians
Most outstanding fast food of the year – Indulge
Most outstanding social media personality – Olalekan Azeez (Gossip Nation)
Most outstanding student union executive – Isaac Ibikunle
Most outstanding music producer of the year – Tyemmy
Most outstanding model of the year (female) – Simi Olatunji
Most outstanding model of the year (male) – Valentine Agbakwuru
Most outstanding press board of the year – Neonatar
Most outstanding religious leader of the year – Pst. Peter Alabi
Most outstanding VJ of the year – VJ Lexie
Most outstanding brand of the year – Black n Bold
Most outstanding OAP of the year – Deji Onadeko
Most outstanding photographer of the year – Bisi Daniels
Most outstanding DJ of the year – DJ T-Swaggs
Most outstanding graphics designer of the year – Enesi Owuda
Most outstanding artiste of the year (male) – Chinko Ekun
Most outstanding artiste of the year – Banke
Most outstanding entrepreneur of the year – Seun (Indomie, Risky
Most outstanding fashion designer of the year – Tunde TNT
Most outstanding event of the year – OAU StandUp
SU Leadership Reverses Stance, Urge Students To Resume
The leadership of the Obafemi Awolowo University Students' Union has reversed its initial position that students should observe the outcome of yesterday and today's face-off between the Management and the NASU before resuming.
The new stance was contained in a Release published late yesterday evening. Read below:
OFFICE OF THE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
LATEST AS REGARDS RESUMPTION
The leadership of the Students’ Union having witnessed the development on the University campus today and having critically observed a relatively peaceful and serene environment with vehicular movement, light, Water and health Centre back in full operation.
The Union hereby suggests that since:
Barricades are no longer in place and there is vehicular movement.
Light and water and other welfare apparatus such as the Health Centre in fully operation.
With the HOPE that the above mentioned instrumentalities will be intact and unhampered with. We therefore Suggests that students should resume without fear or doubt in them.
In a meeting with leadership of NASU early today, they posited that their strike actions continues until their earned allowance is been paid.
We also hereby demand for the immediate payment of the 64-months earned allowance of the NASU workers so that our students will not continue to be victims of any social and politico phantasmagoria and be inimically subjected to undue academic and economic quagmire.
The students’ union also takes cognizance of the lectures that held today. We have been relating with the Academic Staff Union of University on the issue and assure quick resolution.
ALUTA CONTINUA, VICTORIA ASCERTA
#REINSTATEOGUNRUKUNOW
Emmanuel Ojedokun (Immanuel Kant)
P.R.O
Omotayo Akande (TY)
President
Tuesday, 21 July 2015
NASU Ends Congress, Adopts Motion Ground As New 'Office' For 'Revival'
Over 300 members of the NASU stormed the Motion Ground right at the front of the Senate building today to discuss the next line of action on their agitation for the payment of their 64 months earned allowance. Some of these members have arrived the Congress venue as early as 7:30am. The University management had directed them to return to work on or before today which they obviously defied.
The resolutions reached by the NASU after their congress include:
1.) To continue with their demonstrations until their demands are met. At least, the payment of 30 months out of 64 months earned allowance will make them return to their work places.
2.) Demand the University Management to implement their allowances using the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) as contained in the document where the Federal Government advised University Managements.
3.) NASU will reply the Ooni of Ife and other notable individuals mediating the matter of their members' position following today's congress.
On a lighter mode, some members agitate that the NASU should put forth a query letter to the Vice Chancellor and Registrar for not coming to work today despite the free flow of vehicular movement.
The Chairman of the NASU, Comrade Oluwole Odewumi however announced that for the time being, the Motion Ground has been adopted as their new main office and they will all resume their daily for their 'revival' after which they will engage themselves in various duties as the 'Spirit' leads them.
The University remains scanty as most of the students are yet to resume back to campus despite the Management's announcement of resumption of academic activities. This, according to those on campus is not unconnected to the militarization of the University main gate which many feared could lead to something unpalatable today. Some classes however held today even with very low turn up by available students.
When our correspondent contacted the Students' Union Public Relations Officer, Ojedokun Emmanuel a.k.a Immanuel Kant to know what the Union will do regarding classes and reported tests that held today and those that will hold tomorrow whereby majority of the students are absent as a result of the Union's advice for them to delay resumption, Immanuel Kant said the Union believes that even if the Management has announced resumption, they did not mean tests and lectures will start immediately. He however said the Students' Union will make clarity on this and state the Union's position in a subsequent Release by the Union Leadership.
In the mean time, the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), OAU branch will hold a congress by tomorrow. It is not clear if it is directly connected to the campus situation but speculations have it that it is. A member of NASU who spoke with us confirmed that the ASUU has pledged her solidarity to their struggle right from its beginning. He further said the ASUU OAU branch will not mind joining them once their national body gives them the green light to do so.
For those that want to read our updates on the NASU congress, click LIVE UPDATES: Management-NASU Face-off
LIVE UPDATES: Management-NASU Face-off
We appreciate all our followers who have been following all day. Thanks to our wonderful correspondents too at every strategic location. Thank you!
03:48pm: Congress ends... Resolutions shortly!
03:35pm: NASU congress finally resumes...
03:48pm: Congress ends... Resolutions shortly!
03:35pm: NASU congress finally resumes...
03:25pm: "We understand the welfare of our students and that is why there is power and water supplies in their hostels. They are our children." -NASU Chairman
03:19pm: "Management leaves allowance encompassing everybody and paying one Responsibility allowance meant for only principal officers" -NASU Chairman
03:12pm: The congress yet to resume proper but a radio programme featuring NASU chairman explaing situation is been aired now at Motion Ground.
02:19pm: NASU Congress yet to reconvene but members are coming back to Motion Ground.
The submissions offered so far by members before going for break points to the indication that they are not ready to settle for less. Members admonished themselves to be strong and not weary. The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) was there to cover the Congress at the level of Motion Ground. Our correspondent from the main gate reported that the University PRO, Mr Biodun Olanrewaju was there and he told us that the actions of the NASU were not warranted. Congress to resume by 1:00pm. Stay tuned!
11:17am: Congress embarks on a break. To reconvene by 1pm for the chairman's position following several submissions from members.
10:41am: A lot of differently coloured police officers are still at the school gate. Many will think they actually withdraw them all from the Boko Haram war field just for this face-off. All hands on deck while some folded on chest as we await NASU’s action(s) after their ongoing congress.
10:23am: NASU congress still ongoing. Members sing revolutionary songs. Vehicular movement is not disrupted.
09:58am: Chairman of the NASU, Comrade Odewumi confirms that the Presidency is now aware of the crisis. He admonished members to be united. He said they are still making their some findings at the moment.
09:39am: NASU Congress finally starts with opening prayers.
09:20am: The men of the Police Force gear up for eventuality as they barricade the exit to the express road (the one leading to Ibadan express road from gate after the Oshogbo road) and also sing their revolutionary songs. Over 200 NASU members are at Motion Ground. Congress should start any moment from now.
08:50am: For now the gate is still wide open. Some buses are still moving in. NASU members still gathering at Motion Ground and Sports Centre.
08:29am: NASU members gathering at the motion ground to begin their congress anytime from now. Police officers takes over the university main gate.
08:18am: Some students who purportedly have a test this morning said it was cancelled.
7:50am: The NASU members are expected to hold a congress by 8:00am to determine the fate of their struggle.
7:30am: Movement of vehicles are not hindered as they move in and out freely.
7:00am: The military men are at the school gate ready to cordon off possible blockade. There are 3 Armoured Personnel Carriers and numerous Vans.
Bookmark this page and refresh every second to get updated.
Good day Great Ife community, OAU Peeps News Agency brings to you the current situation as it stands now in Obafemin Awolowo University on the face-off between the University management and the NASU.
11:17am: Congress embarks on a break. To reconvene by 1pm for the chairman's position following several submissions from members.
10:41am: A lot of differently coloured police officers are still at the school gate. Many will think they actually withdraw them all from the Boko Haram war field just for this face-off. All hands on deck while some folded on chest as we await NASU’s action(s) after their ongoing congress.
10:23am: NASU congress still ongoing. Members sing revolutionary songs. Vehicular movement is not disrupted.
09:58am: Chairman of the NASU, Comrade Odewumi confirms that the Presidency is now aware of the crisis. He admonished members to be united. He said they are still making their some findings at the moment.
09:39am: NASU Congress finally starts with opening prayers.
09:20am: The men of the Police Force gear up for eventuality as they barricade the exit to the express road (the one leading to Ibadan express road from gate after the Oshogbo road) and also sing their revolutionary songs. Over 200 NASU members are at Motion Ground. Congress should start any moment from now.
08:50am: For now the gate is still wide open. Some buses are still moving in. NASU members still gathering at Motion Ground and Sports Centre.
08:29am: NASU members gathering at the motion ground to begin their congress anytime from now. Police officers takes over the university main gate.
08:18am: Some students who purportedly have a test this morning said it was cancelled.
7:50am: The NASU members are expected to hold a congress by 8:00am to determine the fate of their struggle.
7:30am: Movement of vehicles are not hindered as they move in and out freely.
7:00am: The military men are at the school gate ready to cordon off possible blockade. There are 3 Armoured Personnel Carriers and numerous Vans.
Bookmark this page and refresh every second to get updated.
Good day Great Ife community, OAU Peeps News Agency brings to you the current situation as it stands now in Obafemin Awolowo University on the face-off between the University management and the NASU.
