That Awkward Moment – Akinfenwa Olaitan

Awkward moments are rare, but I definitely have one to share. It's an event that occurred this past weekend on campus involving one of my classmates. It was indeed an awkward moment. Enough of the introduction, let me fill you guys in. *wink*

This young man found himself  in one of those impromptu interviews where they just pick people randomly and ask them random questions.

An interview that was supposed to be normal turned out to be a really embarrassing one. This particular guy was asked to pronounce the word that is spelt, 'i-s-l-e', and he flopped badly. To everyone's utter amazement, he pronounced it as 'ishé' (a Yoruba word!).

Funny enough, this young man had practically hyped himself as being a Language student of the prestigious department of English, so all expectations were high for him to deliver perfectly.

In minutes, the video had gone viral and as expected, several reactions trailed the epic flop. Viewers' insults and taunts started pouring in.  Classmates and fellow course mates saw his flop as an insult, not only to himself, but to the class, department and even the entirety of Great Ife Students. He received the stick from almost every viewer of the video.  Infact, he was advised, or rather, warned not to show up in class for his own good. It was probably this guy's most embarrassing situation so far in his life.

When I saw the video, I bent over, laughing hard. It was not only embarrassing, it was also hilarious. The insults must have been unbearable. But surprisingly, this guy came to class the following day, and admist the catcalls, he just grinned at all his mockers.

Away from the jest and fun, I learnt a few things about awkward situations from this guy's scenario, some of which I'd like to share.

First, we have all been there. Okay, it might not have been this bad, but we have all been caught in one embarrassing situation or the other. So, there is nothing new about it. If we would all admit it, we have done some really awkward things that made us look silly, even to ourselves.  Personally, I have. I know I have. We should therefore not be so quick to criticise others when they make what appears to be a silly mistake.

Second, we should learn to laugh at our own mistakes, just as my classmate did. We shouldn't take offence when we are facing criticisms. Rather, we should learn from them and avoid such mistakes in the future. When we see humour in our follies, and also face a jeering crowd with smiles, it shows that we are matured emotionally.

Again, we must try to know a bit of everything. This is because at every stage in our lives, the society demands certain knowledge from us. There is no excuse for ignorance. So, we must learn from others, and from our experiences, good or bad.

All said, I still wouldn't want to have such an awkward moment myself. But it gave us a good laugh though. That guy is the most recent celebrity in my class now. It was a blessing in the disguise of an awkward moment.

Akinfenwa Olaitan is a student of the Faculty of Arts and a member of the OAU Peeps News Agency Team.

Very Important Notice To Prospective NYSC 2016 Batch ‘B’ Corps Members

The Division of Student Affairs (DSA), Obafemi Awolowo University has released some lists containing names of some prospective corps members of the 2016 Batch ‘B’ who are having problems with their details.

These persons are required to urgently supply the required info at Room 9, DSA. This is important to their mobilization process.

Find the lists below:

Kindly share this news with your OAU contacts to reach the affected persons in time.

The Annulled Faculty Congress Was Free And Fair – LSS President

The President of the Law Student Society, Ekpa Stanley Ekpa has explained why he cancelled the previous congress.

In an exclusive interview with OAU Peeps News Agency after yesterday’s congress, Ekpa stanley Ekpa said the previous congress was not annulled because it wasn’t free and fair, as against insinuations from many quarters.

According to Stanley, “the last election was free, fair and credible. However I had to cancel it since the results led to unrest and so that justice could be done in respect of aggrieved parties.”

“I was elected to uphold the integrity and values of the society, and I had acted in that regard during the whole process. Hence, I am of the opinion that today's congress ended well,” the president added.

In his own reaction, the Speaker of the Law Student Representative Council, Hon. Adeyemo Vincent feels “the conduct and manner in which today's [yesterday’s] congress was held would most likely raise questions in the very near future. I can't say that the constitution was contravened, but however, congress should not have been called in the first place.”

Most students of the faculty who spoke with OAU Peeps News Agency believe the latest congress, which eventually elected Positive as the faculty’s representative was in the right direction. Ifeteye, a student of the faculty said “I was not a party to Monday's elections because it was not credible and was inconclusive. But tonight's congress and election was conducted rightly and the correct candidate emerged.”

In an entirely dissenting view, Koye Ladele Mofehintoluwa, a student of the faculty said “the whole process was marked with irregularities, the school had acted beyond its powers by cancelling the first election conducted at the first congress.”

As it stands now, the Law Students Society has two representatives – an electoral commissioner and an electoral petitioner – at the level of the two Committees put together by the Division of Student Affairs (DSA). The committees are aimed at facilitating the restoration of the institution’s Students’Union.

Pharmacy Students Reelect Hon. Alo As National President

In what is being described as one of the most sensitive elections in recent times in the Faculty of Pharmacy, Alo 'Setofunmi, popularly known to many as Honourable Alo, has reemerged as the National President of the Pharmaceutical Association of Nigeria Students.

Alo, which was formerly declared winner in the elections carried out on Tuesday, 20 September, 2016, won the first elections with just two votes and following certain irrelevancies surrounding the elections, a rerun was ordered.

Commenting on his reemergence, Honourable Alo said; "The voice of the people, the voice of God" and when asked how he planned to manage some alleged controversy in his would be cabinet, the former Honourable of the Student' Union said, "Firstly, I do not believe that we cannot work together, and I understand that it's a team; a team of executives. By the grace of God and with cooperation, I believe the cranes will take us to Canaan land".

Also speaking on the outcome of the elections, Olabanji Kayode, who lost by 27 votes said, "... A lot of things have happened but it is time for us to work together and receive the National Secretariat with all peace"

Students' Union Tribunal: Positive Displaces AY Toes As The Elected Faculty Of Law Representative

A fresh Congress of the Law Students Society (LSS), Obafemi Awolowo University held yesterday, and it produced a new person that will represent the Faculty at the level of the proposed Election Tribunal of the Students’ Union.

The congress, which was presided over by the LSS president, Ekpa Stanley Ekpa produced Akande Paul, a.k.a Positive as the new Election Commissioner at the said Congress.

It would be recalled that on Monday, a similar congress held and elected Ayo Toluwalase Shadrach a.k.a AyToes as the faculty’s representative, but it was eventually annulled. Stating the reason for the annulment, Ekpa Stanley said the election was characterised by “irregularities”.

The latest Congress witnessed a massive turn out. In the course of proceedings, motion to annul the previous representative election was moved and it was welcomed by the congressmen. The motion was thereafter subjected to a vote and was overwhelmingly supported by the attendees.

Following hours of intense debate by the factions of the two contenders – Positive and AY Toes, in the congress, the duo were re-nominated to represent the faculty.

Surprisingly, AyToes, who won the previously annulled election, declined his nomination. The second nominee, Positive, accepted his nomination and he was thereafter declared as the electoral commissioner that will represent the Faculty of Law in the Students’ Union election.

Speaking with OAU Peeps News Agency after the Congress, AY Toes said he declined his nomination because “principalities and powers” brought about the cancellation of the election that preferred him to represent his faculty. He said he stepped down because the process was shady and participating in it was against his personal ideology.

AY Toes asserted that he was clearly the people's choice, judging from the results of the first Congress. He however described the cancellation of the last election a “constitutional aberration”.

Reacting to the development, Positive told our correspondent that the last election should have gone his way, but there were discrepancies in the process. “The society belongs to all students of the society and so, the society should not be held ransom by some cabal. I think AY Toes stepped down when it became apparent he was not the people's choice.” Positive said.

Registration For 2016/2017 Delta State Begins Bursary & Scholarship Has Started

The Delta States Bursary and Scholarship Board has announced the commencement of the online bursary registration of students for 2016/2017 student special assistance scheme.

Eligibility for the Bursary Award
- Be of Delta State Origin
- All applicant MUST have registered with National Identification Management Commission (NIMC)
- Be a Registered full time student only of any Public Tertiary Institutions.
- Diploma, Masters and PhD Students are not eligible).
- Either be in Second year or above (200 to 500 level) in the Universities or
- Be in HND I and II in the Polytechnics / Monotechnics.
- Be in 200 level and above for Colleges of Education Students.
- Have a CGPA of 2.20 and above in the previous academic year's examination.

Eligibility for the Scholarship Award
- Be of Delta State Origin.
- All applicant MUST have registered with National Identification Management Commission (NIMC).
- Be a Registered full time Student only of any Public and Private Tertiary Institutions.

If eligible, please click here to apply

In case you are not from Delta state, kindly share this article to help those that are from the state.

Apply For 2017 Mandela Washington Fellowship For Young African Leaders

Overview
The Mandela Washington Fellowship, which began in 2014, will bring up to 1000 young leaders to the United States in the summer of 2017 for academic coursework and leadership training and will create unique opportunities in Africa for Fellows to put practical new skills to use in leading their organizations, communities, and countries.

The Mandela Washington Fellowship includes: A six-week Academic and Leadership Institute: Fellows are placed at U.S. colleges and universities. Institutes will focus on skills development in one of three areas: Business and Entrepreneurship, Civic Leadership, or Public Management. It is anticipated that one Public Management Institute will focus on Energy Policy (in collaboration with Power Africa).

Applicants for this Institute need not be currently working in government or in another public management role to apply to this Institute. The Public Management Energy Policy Institute is designed for those wishing to better understand how energy policy can encourage energy access, infrastructure development, and financing in sub-Saharan Africa. Institutes will take place from mid-June to late July 2017.

Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, socio-economic status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The Mandela Washington Fellowship is open to young African leaders who meet the following criteria:

• Are between the ages of 25 and 35 at the time of application submission, although exceptional applicants younger than 25 will be considered.
• Are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S.
• Are eligible to receive a United States J-1 visa.
• Are proficient in reading, writing, and speaking English.
• Are citizens and residents of one of the following countries (Nigeria inclusive).

What are the criteria for selection?
Selection panels will use the following criteria to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):

• A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in public service, business and entrepreneurship, or civic engagement.
• A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship.
• The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and respect the opinions of others.
• Strong social and communication skills.
• An energetic, positive attitude.
• Demonstrated knowledge, interest and professional experience in the sector/track selected.
• A commitment to return to Africa and apply leadership skills and training to benefit the applicant’s country and/or community after they return home.

Financial Provisions of the Fellowship
There is no fee to apply to the Mandela Washington Fellowship. If you are selected for the Fellowship, the U.S. government will cover all participant costs. Financial provisions provided by the U.S. Government will include:

• J-1 visa support;
• Round-trip travel from Fellow’s home city to the U.S. and domestic U.S. travel as required by the program;
• A six-week academic and leadership institute;
• Concluding Summit in Washington, DC;
• Accident and sickness benefit plan;
• Housing and meals during the program; and
• An optional six-week Professional Development Experience (for up to 100 Fellows).
• Please note: the Fellowship will not cover salary while Fellows are away from work or funds for personal purchases such as gifts.

Deadline for application: October 26, 2016.

Click here to apply

In case you have any question, kindly drop them by commenting below.