How to Be a Town Gboro Driver in OAU By Gracious Egedegbe

There are many kinds of professions on Obafemi Awolowo University campus; however, none is as important as Town Gboro (Campus Shuttle) Driving. This profession deserves worthy recognition, hence this essay. Unfortunately, as a campus shuttle driver on OAU campus, no one appreciates you. So many ungrateful students do not understand that you are doing them a great favour. However, out of the benevolence of my heart, I have decided to carry out some research and in so doing discovered several secrets for all those in the Town Gboro Driving profession, both existing and aspiring.

No change!

This is so important that it comes first: you must never have change. What do I mean? I mean you must never have currencies in small denominations. That is a taboo! All students must have change. You are looking at your hand and wondering what to do with those small denomination naira notes, right? Well do nothing. Do not give it out even when you have to give commuters change. Still insist that you do not have change.

Do you not get it? The less change you have, the less bundle of notes you will have in your hand. Imagine instead of 10 naira and 20 naira notes, you have 100 naira and above, the notes in your hand will not be much. As such, people will consider you an unfortunate person, as if you have not made any money since you began. Moreover, as you know, no one wants to associate with an unfortunate person. The formula is simple: the more 10-naira and 20 naira you hoard, the more people consider you a successful person and board your bus.

This issue is very important so I am going to spend more time on it. I seriously wonder why anyone would expect you to give him or her change, no matter how little. After all, their president, yes, their president promised them change and gave them nothing. Instead, we hear that their president is sharing change in large denominations with people who are close to him. So if their own president who owns the central bank of Nigeria (at least he controls it, even if he does not own it) cannot give them change, why should they put the pressure on you, a common Town Gboro Driver. Baba, follow the presidential pattern: keep the change to yourself and those close to you.

You must drive very slowly and the roof must leak!

Now, the kind of buses you put on the road is very important due to the Nigerian situation. Every day we hear of many unpleasant events like road accidents. However, as the selfless town gboro driver that you are, there are certain things you can do to ensure you are not part of the problem.

The first is to make sure your bus is not fast. Look at it this way; they say speed kills. Invariably, going slow will ensure you live long. Now, before you are accused of being selfish, remember that the lives of your commuters are also safe, all this from simply going slow. I know some ungrateful students will clamour and bicker at your slow speed. They will tell you they are running late for classes and test and you should at least go at the normal speed. Do not mind them. ‘Na small pickin dey do them.’ As the older one, you know what is best for them. Kindly retain your driving speed of 20km/hr. Besides, what right do they have to make you go fast? OAU arguable has one of the worst academic calendars fraught with strikes, protests and illegal mid semester breaks. If they cannot make their school go faster, or at least to go at the normal pace for universities, they have no right to make you go any faster.

Wait, did they say they are running late for classes and tests? Well, no one told them to live off campus, they did so on their own violation. As such, they should suffer for it. Their mates are crammed into overcrowded hostels on campus with neither constant electricity nor potable water and stinking toilets. Rather than ‘enjoy’ with their mates, these ‘oversabis’ decided to get accommodation off campus. That is stark betrayal! It is better they all stay together, even if it amounts to 20 occupants per room. After all, they are here to study and not to enjoy simple amenities like electricity and water.

Remember I mentioned that these students are ingrates. Well, they will always look for an opportunity to complain. Imagine, you are helping some students get to campus for the meagre fare they pay and it starts raining. You know what I am going to say, right? Yeah! They will complain about the leaking roof/chassis and makeshift windows. Imagine! I wonder why they should blame you for the little bucket load of water dripping on them. If they have any problem, they should take it up with God. Yes, God! After all, the God they prayed to gave them PDP for over 8 years and now the partially deaf president with a wife that belongs to the other room. Their God should also take care of the rain. Or what do they expect you to do, do you have power over the rain? Abegi!

What is even worse is that they will tell you to fix your bus. Imagine, they are telling you what to do! Do they mean you are dumb or inconsiderate or only fixated on the money? Or even worse, all of the above. God forbid! You are a responsible driver. Even the school management is yet to carry out a full-scale rehabilitation of the hostels on campus after so many years. So it is not just you. In fact, you never knew that your bus was leaking until it began to rain. And by the time you wanted to fix it, the rain was gone. So you continued your business and the rain came back. As I said, the problem is with the rain and not the maintenance of your bus.

Zebra crossings are meant for zebras

On some locations on campus, you will see drawings in white and black on the road. They are called zebra crossing and for good reason. Have you heard of zebras? They are animals that behave just like horses. Do you know what that means? It means they run very fast. As such, whenever you see a zebra crossing, just know those that are going to cross the road must do so very fast. However, most times, you will see students walk into the road; some of them even ‘catwalk’. Trust me, I understand the frustration you feel in times in that. I mean, you are eager to help some students at the next bus stop get to their destination and you are being delayed. ‘Educated’ students who are ‘catwalking’ and ‘dogwalking’ when they are supposed to ‘zebra-running’ are delaying you. What nonsense!

How do you deal with this? I am sure, by now, you know of all the locations on campus where zebra crossings are designated. What you have to do is simple: as soon as you approach any of those spots, step on the pedal and zoom away. Do not stop an inch for those recalcitrant students. And if you chance upon a zebra crossing where students are already on the road, honk! Yeah, honk very loudly. Express your exasperation at all cost. In fact, gradually encroach into the zebra crossing so that others coming will know you don’t have time to waste.

Let me quickly add another thing. Like other landmarks on campus, zebra crossings are also pick up points. As such, when you approach a zebra crossing and your bus is yet to be filled, simply shout “Town, gate, town, gate…” some of the students crossing will quickly run and board your bus. Let me state clearly: this is the only circumstance in which you are to stop before a zebra crossing. Even then, it is because you are trying to help these hapless students, nothing personal or selfish about it.

I understand that you are eager to get back to work so I am going to stop here. Take care of yourself and do not give a damn about those students. ‘Just help their condition with a problem.’ cheers!

(Egedegbe Gracious is an art student of the Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-ife and a member of the OAU Peeps Team.)

Achievers Tutorial College Invites Predegree Aspirants For Marathon Revision Classes

This is to invite Predegree aspirants to a marathon revision class scheduled to hold between Monday 24th October and 7th November 2016. Convenient accommodation arrangements have been made for candidates from long distances at an affordable cost and the revision class would cover all necessary requirements to achieve success in the Predegree entrance examination.

Time: 9a.m-7p.m
Venue: Achievers Tutorial College, Beside Sanctuary of Hope Church, After OAU Campus Gate, Ile-ife

For more enquiries, contact 08109438110 OR 08030790180

Announcer: Achievers Tutorial College

Moremi Fire Outbreak: 'Response From Porter Was Slow' – Eye Witness

Things almost turned awry on Tuesday, 19th October, 2016 at the Moremi Hall of Residence at the Obafemi Awolowo University as a leaking gas cylinder caught fire.

Save for quick intervention of apt persons at Moremi Hall of residence at Obafemi Awolowo University, it would, probably have been a different situation at room 303 Block E, Moremi Hall.

In the affected room at about 2:20pm, there were four girls, one of whom was unknowingly cooking on a leaking gas cylinder before things got out of control, leading to a fire outbreak.

According to an eye witness account related to OAU Peeps News Agency correspondent, immediately the fire broke out, the owner of the gas cylinder ran to the portal for help but unexpectedly, the porter officials did not show up on time.

No casualty was however recorded and they were able to recover some of their property from the fire outbreak.

Here are some pictures of the affected room.

NASU, SSANU Protest Purported Petition Against Elujoba's Administration

The seemingly calm atmosphere of Obafemi Awolowo University is now fading away, as the community was disturbed again on Wednesday, 19th October 2016.

Members of the OAU chapters of the Non Academic Staff Union of Universities (NASU) and Senior Staff Association of Universities (SSANU) gathered in their large numbers at the front of the University's Senate Building.

The workers, who had left their duty posts, were seen chanting solidarity songs in their loud voices.

Inquiries made by OAU Peeps News Agency revealed that the gathering was as a result of an announcement made by the leadership of the two unions; that their members should jettison work with immediate effect for an important meeting.

It was learnt that the University Management was petitioned by some aggrieved parties (especially from the camp of the ousted Management) over the source of the recently paid stack of allowances received by the University workers.

Speaking to the Union members, the NASU Chairman, Mr Odewumi said the leadership of the Unions, on getting wind of this, decided to meet with the University's Management in order to solidarize with them.

He said, the source of the funds used for the payment of the allowances was not illegitimate as it was directly from the government. He labelled the petition as “malicious, unfounded and a plot to stain the clean garments of the current University management under the leadership of Professor Anthony Elujoba.”

He therefore enjoined the Union members to be calm and return to their duty posts, pending the time the Union leadership will return from a meeting with the National body which they've been invited for. He said the petition issue and related issues will be dissected well at this meeting and reports would be made available to the workers as soon as they are back.

Do You Blog? Or Interested In Starting A Blog? Here Are Blogging Tips For Newbies

Back in 1950s, Andy Warhol said that in the future everyone would become famous in 15 minutes. Well, the future has come and proved that he wasn’t mistaken. Modern web technologies and the diversity of devices open the wide array of opportunities, where everyone can become, for instance, a blogger.

All you need in order to become an opinion leader is a place to express your opinion. A personal blog will be a perfect fit. Don’t worry, it is really easy to start. Here are some blogging tips for you.

• Write about things you know or are interested in. It doesn’t only make sense, but makes you sound an expert. 
• Always check the information. If you are going to express your opinion on something, make sure you know what you are writing about and understood the issue correctly.
• Find your own sounding. Blogging is an art, and every artist needs to find their voice and manner of storytelling. It may not happen immediately, but mastering your own skills is an inseparable part of every occupation.
• Interact with the audience. Unlike poets, writers or even journalists, bloggers are easy reachable. They come from ordinary people. They share experiences. You must be ready to hear comments – any comments! – concerning your work. You must be ready to reply in an appropriate mode and communicate with your audience.
• Use social networks. It is helpful both for communication and promotion. 
• Try different forms of blogging. Write posts, make photo compilations and stories, share videos. Describe your experience, share tips, express thoughts. Don’t stop on one thing, combine different forms of expression.
• Stay in trend. There must be things that make you special, and there are things everyone is aware of. Trend doesn’t always indicate on low quality. 
• Know your audience. It is impossible to be someone everyone likes. Nevertheless, there are a lot of people, who share your interests and will look forward to new blogs.
  

These are the basics, which will help you to start a blog. The rest depends on your persistence, creativity and a desire to self-improve. The rest is easy to learn. You can find more blogging tips on http://blog.jiji.ng/.

Faculty of Education Commissions New Office Complex, Names It After Professor Dibu Ojerinde

History was made earlier this week as the Faculty of Education of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife commissioned a new 30 rooms office complex. This building, according the Dean Faculty of Education, is the first development on campus that is executed with direct labour and without fund from the university management and any government agency.

The ceremony which was anchored by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Mr Abiodun Olarenwaju had in attendance former registrar JAMB, Prof Dibu Ojerinde, the university Registrar, Mr Dotun Awoyemi, the Chairman Committee of Deans and Dean Faculty of Agriculture, Prof Adeagbo Amusan, Dr Peju Oyebisi, Prof Ehindero, Prof Charles Akanbi, Prof Fransica, and the former dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof P. O Jegede, who initiated the project.

The building complex was funded by Cyberspace Company and SIDMAK Investment LTD. The building construction started in february 2016, with the two companies donating a sum of about N60million to the faculty.

In his opening speech, the Dean of the Faculty of Education commended the effort of the two companies who sponsored the project as part of their social responsibility, and Prof Dibu Ojerinde who provided the links to this company. He further appreciated the efforts of the past dean of the Faculty for initiating the project.

The building was then commissioned and named after the Educationist and the Emeritus Professor of Education as the "DIBU OJERINDE EDUCATION COMPLEX". The new building is located behind the Faculty of Environmental Design and Management building along the road to the school farm.

AIG Warns Policemen Against Checking Of Vehicle Particulars

The Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police in charge of Zone 11 comprising Oyo, Osun and Ondo states, Dan Bature, has said that any policeman checking vehicle particulars on the highway is on illegal duty. He noted that their duty is to ensure safer roads.

Dan Bature made this known on Wednesday, October 19, in Ibadan, the Oyo state capital during a two-day familiarization visit to the state.
“The Inspector General of Police is determined to improve on your welfare and pursue the increment of your salary and therefore policemen should stop activities that can tarnish the image of the country." He said.

Bature also warned policemen against blocking high ways, saying police patrol vehicles were not supposed to be toll gates and that officers who are unable to key into the laudable initiatives of the IGP to resign from the force.

 Source