Why the Phobia for Lecturers?

By Ifeanyi ‘Fecko’ Ibegbunam 

Is it just me or are most students in Nigerian higher institutions somewhat scared of their lecturers? In the U.K for example (where I would have been studying if not for certain circumstances), it is difficult to differentiate a student from an academic staff due to the way they relate with one another. What do you expect when these folks pay over 3,000 pounds per session? Over there, it seem as though the lecturers work for the students. Same can be said of some private universities in Nigeria. 

Our case study is Yabatech, Epe campus. In my school it is a taboo for some lecturers to get to the class before the students. More so, only a couple of them entertain questions during lectures. The other day I could not help but laugh out loud when I saw a female student with a baby bump trying to outrun a lecturer. Thank God the pregnant lady did not miss the class after all. 

I decided to conduct a public poll as touching the topic and I asked my fellow students who their favourite lecturers were. Only two students answered me boldly while the rest chickened out. Hey, I would have done the same if I were in their shoes. Well, check out some of the responses bellow.

"I like the way Olayemi lectures. He has a nice smile too. I feel if you know what to do, you can get in his good books and stay there. Because of him, i held my first rabbit. Adebayo likes to think optimistically, he has a nice dress sense and he encourages everyone. He is like a father to me and i like the fact that he finishes his lectures on time. Both of them are almost alike." - Uchechukwu Okwara.

"I like Mr Balogun, because he's straight forward and transparent. Rosulu and Doctor Akinfemi also make my list" - Balikis Akodu.

"I'll tell you after my final exam, I don't want to come back for farm practice. YCT Epe campus is an advanced secondary school and the teachers and not lecturers this time use invisible cane on us." - Anonymous

"I don't have any favourite lecturer...I don't know why" - Tolani Banire

Seriously I miss my former Citizenship Education lecturer. He is the only academic staff I know in Yabatech that chops knuckle. Confam guy! Lol. As far as I am concerned, fear is a prison and the moment we stop perceiving our lecturers as deities or Greek gods, the closer we will get to them, and the more we would learn from these knowledgeable people. Just a thought!

Agric Week Review

Agric Week was a blast, no bombs! This year’s theme is ‘"Agriculture...the frontiers of possibilities"’. It started off with series of lectures and seminars. 

Our first guest speaker, Mrs Ofidile, is a remarkable woman with over 27 publications to her credit. She schooled in East Africa and she is also a mushroom expert. The Head of Department, Agricultural Technology, Engr. Amosu graced the occasion.

Then the topic ‘'Readers are Leaders'’ was later discussed by another guest speaker named Abdul'Fatai Okanlawon, whose speech really enlightened the students. An inter gender quiz was conducted later that same day. After which, there was a film show. Students were glued to the projector screen as soon as the award-winning African movie ‘Mirror Boy’ was being played. 

The following day agric tech students went insane and invaded the streets of Lagos. It was Rag Day...…madness at its peak. The theme suggested by the vice president was Greener Pastures.

The good people and staff of Airtel were present later that evening to celebrate with the students. On Thursday, there was an excursion. Every student visited Animal Care in Ogun State.

Then Friday marked the grand finale...…the dinner night party! Before the party, there was a football match in the morning. ND1 won ND2 in the female soccer match. And as for the guys, penalty kicks were the course of the day which ended in favour of ND2 5-2. It was fun from start to finish.

To God be the glory!

'We Had To Fight For Food Without Salt' - Farmer's Quest Last Lady Standing Speaks!

Tolani (Last Lady Standing) and Ifeanyi (V.P)

 A.A.T.S Vice President did not only interview the winner of Farmer's Quest, he also had a chit-chat with the last lady standing. Enjoy the interview bellow.

Hello Tolani

Hello

Okay, so the Farmer’s Quest is over. The stress is over. Life in the jungle is over. You are back to civilization. I bet you are enjoying now. So what was the experience like when you were in the jungle?

The experience was terrible. (laughs). Like big time terrible. We had to fight for food, as in, food without salt. We did not have our bath. It was crazy. Rain fell. We were under the rain, trying to fetch fire. It was really crazy.

So what made you participate in the contest?

Actually I didn’t want to participate

Why?

I was like I can’t go for it. I knew it was going to be stressful for me. Someone purchased the form for me actually. The person encouraged me to go, and told me that I was strong.

So in other words, someone motivated you to go for it?

Yeah

And who is this person if I may ask?

Actually it is Toheeb that paid for me.

So how do you feel being the last lady standing?

It wasn’t easy. I had many competitors such as Balikis and Tosin. Actually Balikis really discouraged me. It got to a point she was behaving so weird. Even when she got evicted, she told me I couldn’t win.

Did you feel like punching her in the face?

It got to a point when I felt like that sha

And you think you would have beaten her?

She would have beaten me, but atleast I would have tried my best.

So how do feel being the last lady standing?

It is okay, in terms of popularity. People walk up to me and are like ‘you are the last lady standing’.

I have known you to be the reserved type, but you startled me on the day of the last task. When you guys were asked to climb the rope, where did the strength come from? Have you been undergoing some form of military training prior to the competition?

Actually I am this type of athletic person. Before I came to Yabatech, my church took us to a sea school. That is where they do their training for Ultimate Search too. We went through all these kind of training there. Being flexible again helped me. I am the kind of person that doesn’t eat much. So it was easy for me to climb the rope. And I like climbing things, naturally.

So what is next for Tolani being the last lady standing? What are your expectations basically?

Well I expect big from the association. Anything they bring, fine!  I will take it like that. 

Exclusive Interview With Farmer's Quest Winner - Gafaar!

What made you participate in the Farmer’s Quest contest?

I just think that I have the capacity to win this Farmer’s Quest. I tried my best and I am lucky. It made it easy for me.

What do you think about the Quest?

The Quest is really interesting and the association really tried. Also the cadets really tried. It is good.

Ok, this is the interesting part – when five of you entered into the bush to search for the quintessential hoe what was going through your mind? Did you think you would come last or be the first person to find it?

I did not think so. Ah, it is not easy. The time we were searching for the quintessential hoe, I went in with a cutlass while others used their legs to clear the pathway. I prayed to God and I was like ‘Allah please help me to see this thing’. Allah made it easy for me sha.

So the moment you found the Quintessential Hoe how did you feel?

I was really happy. (laughs). I was really happy. It is good. It is not easy to find that thing. So I was really happy when I found it.

So what are you expecting from the association now that the farmer’s quest is over? As in what are your expectations?

My expectations include; awards and other gifts. If the association can award me with something that is customized, with my name written on it, and telling everyone that I am the first person to win Farmer’s Quest Season One, I will really be happy. Some people even called me asking if I won 50,000 or 100,000. (Laughs).

The association will definitely reward you. Alright, thanks for your time Gafaar.

Thank you very much. 

Diary of a College Kid: Working Behind The Scene

(Wriiten by Ifeanyi Ibegbunam)

I am an adventure seeker like Indiana Jones. So it was a fun filled experience for me when I had to assist the production crew that filmed the Farmer's Quest reality competition in my school. As part of the organizers and planning committee, I was not just a mere spectator wandering about in the forest who took delight in watching my fellow students search for a missing farm tool. I also participated in a demonstration exercise so as to ensure that the obstacles and physical tasks being set by the army cadets were somewhat civilian friendly. So I inevitably ended up jumping tires, crossing over bamboo sticks and climbing trees with the aid of a rope. At some point I felt like Vin Diesel pulling dangerous stunts on the set of XXX. "These guys that participate in Ultimate Search dey try o" I said to myself.

 

 

When it was time to shoot, I and my colleagues had to hide in the bush like Vietnamese soldiers laying ambush, so that we won't be captured on camera. I recall during a late night shoot, the social director who is also a member of my association, stepped on a nail accidentally and it resulted to severe bleeding. Thank God we had a first-aid box. Unfortunately, the key to open the lock was kept somewhere else. So I was accompanied by an army cadet, and immediately we dashed off in search for it. Some minutes later, we arrived and made sure the victim was properly treated.

  

The burning torch at the place of the talking drum kept us warm. It was a cold night. The contestants were drenched in the rain before arriving at the location. I really admired their endurance. The anchor whom we referred to as Uncle Steve would give Chidi Mokeme a good run for his money. Honestly, he wore a very stern look on his face that succeeded in instilling fear in the mind of all the contestants. His diction could have been better though. Nobody is perfect.

  

We are in the post production phase of the project and I am most likely going to handle the narration. Our vision is to premiere the final cut in various higher institutions across the country, Farmer's Quest Season I’ may not be a high budget production as most critiques would expect. We started small. A lot of improvisation was done. However, we did not compromise standards. It can only get bigger and better.

Introducing...Farmer's Quest

Who said farmers can’t think outside the box? Innovation and creativity is power. First it was an idea conceived by an A.A.T.S executive, and now this dream is gradually unfolding into a reality.

Farmer’s Quest is a unique project spearheaded, organized and planned by the Association of Agricultural Technology Students of Yabatech (2012/2013 tenure) in association with the lecturers and army cadet of the institution. Over 30 students of the department showed interest, and only 15 students made it through to the competition.

The contestants spent 3 days in the jungle, making nature their companion, as they all embarked on a quest to find the quintessential hoe. The army cadets of the institution assisted in setting various obstacles for the contestants. A.A.T.S was behind the scene supervising the competition which was filmed. It was not a smooth journey at all.

Check out pictures bellow. 

  

 

 

 

Agric Tech Football Squad

 

Blow your vuvuzelas!! Agric Tech Football team played their debut match at this year’s Deans Cup which was held at Yabatech’s sports complex. And they also participated in the Rector’s Cup. Agric Tech vs Food Tech was a tough match. The boys brought their A-game, but penalty kicks didn’t favor us. All in all, it was a great outing.