YCT FASHION ZONE: 'If You Want To Dress, Think of Comfort First' - Tomisin Speaks!

Tomisin Oke

In Nigerian universities, fashion has taken a different form. So how would describe today’s fashion in Nigerian higher institutions? What is in vogue and what’s not?

In some school, they kill the dressing 

Like which schools?

Schools like Unilag, Yabatech, Uniben. You know some top schools like that, they are always on point in terms of dress sense. The only thing is that everybody can’t be the same. There are some people that would want to go extra miles, dressing indecently and all that. You mustn’t expose everything for you to be smashing. When people want to dress, don’t do it because you see someone else doing it. Do it because you feel comfortable in your clothe. Most time when I dress I make sure I am comfortable. That is the first thing on my mind. I don’t want to go somewhere looking for what to use in covering my leg, I don’t want to hop a motor-bike with the thoughts of my pants showing. I dress so cool without having to expose anything. So if you want to dress, think of comfort first. Do something different, you don’t have to follow the trend. 

In Epe campus, how would you rate fashion? And besides do you think we should dress very well considering the location of the school. It’s almost like we are in the forest. Imagine Tarzan wearing blazers/suit in the jungle, does it make sense?

Laughs. Well, basically I think it is just because of the activities in the school. In Epe we are used to going to farm, doing dirty things such as farm practice and having to touch the earth most of the time, having to touch goats and rabbits. You don’t think it makes sense wearing a blazer jacket and sneakers before washing the pens at the piggery. Also, another factor is the little time you have. You are like ‘who am I dressing for?’. I always want to look cool. Every opportunity I have, I make sure I look good.

So as somebody that dresses elegantly, it is obvious that heads turn

[Laughs and blushes]

The heads turning is mostly that of the guys. People would admire.

Definitely. 

So how many guys approach you in a day? Give us an estimate.

[Laughs]. In Yabatech I wouldn’t even know how many heads are turning. First I dress to feel good. When I am walking I notice some people looking, some whispering

Like how many?

I don’t know. Quite a number. [Laughs]. You don’t expect me to count how many guys approach me in a day. 

Just give us a rough estimate.

Are you saying for the whole week or the whole semester? I don’t keep records. [Laughs].

You were among the nominees for Miss Agric. And Azeezat said assuming she didn’t win you would have emerged as the winner. Do you have any grudge against her winning? Do you think she deserves it? 

She is a very good friend of mine. We are very close. I do not have any grudge with her. I did not even expect I was going to be nominated because I did not even know it was going to occur. Abiola Majaro was my escort for the dinner; he said he was going to mention my name. And I told him I was not interested and that I don't want to be in the spotlight.

So you don’t like the spotlight?

Not like I don’t like the spotlight, but it wasn’t on mind basically. My intention was to come to the dinner and have fun. When she was nominated as Miss Agric I did not have any grudge. Firstly, she is a pretty lady in her own way and she deserves to have it. Some people thought I would be miss agric because I was looking hot during the dinner party. Nevertheless, it was fun.

' There Is More To Football Than Playing To Show Off' - Soccer Gist With A YCT Player!

Gideon Akinyele

Hello Gideon

Hello Fecko

So I was at the main campus during the match which took place at the sports centre and you participated in the football match. So how would you describe the outing?

First of all I never expected us to be at the main campus for that kind of tournament. Kudos to the sports director in the person of Onyekachi . He did a very good job. Thanks to God almighty that made it possible for us to play there. During the tournament we wanted our voices to be heard that there is somewhere in Epe people don’t know of. There are excellent people that are yet to be seen. We were driven by that passion and we had a lot of fans.

Sorry to cut you short. You said you have a lot of fans. When you say that, are you referring specifically to the female fans?

Yeah, I was referring to the female fans. [Smiles].

So during the match were you playing to entertain the female fans or were you playing to score goals?

You know we are human beings and we have Morales. Females are good cheer leaders. And when most guys see the females they would do the unbelievable.

I couldn’t agree more with that last sentence.

You can testify to that. [Laughs]. By the way, we had some setbacks.

What kind?

Like my favourite number 2 in the person of Adedotun Adedamola aka Dotman aka Agbaowo sustained an injury a night before the match. It was so painful because he could not participate despite the fact he bought a new boot and jersey.

I can imagine how sad that is.

[Laughs]. It was so painful. He even called his parents to come watch him play, and unfortunately everything turned out to be bad. But we never know what would have happened assuming he played.

You know it doesn’t answer the question. Did you play to entertain the female audience or you played to win?

Well, we played as a team. I was not even fit because I sustained an injury in the course of the match. Before I played for the crowd, but as you grow up you realize that there is more to football than playing to show off. In football, the spirit falls together and everybody rides together. We would have won the match if not for our keeper. It was very painful.

Who is your favorite footballer and football club?

I am a Manchester United fan

Same here.

Man U for life. And my favorite player is Merci. The guy was borne with football. I’d like to ask you a question.

Oh, ok.

What was your anticipation when you watched us play?

YCT Football Squad

To start with, I will be very blunt with you. I am not really a football person. My favorite game is Basketball.

Wow.

However I love watching soccer. So when we were at the main campus, I was expectant. I wished we won the match. Meanwhile, I was happy that we played our first match ever at the main campus. So regardless of the outcome, I would have still gone home happy. I wasn’t really interested in the score line, I was interested in the game and you guys did a great job. So final question, how do feel when you get positive remarks from people?

I feel motivated. Everyone has the talent to play football, so it now depends on how you put your talent to use.

Meet The Self-acclaimed 'Strongest Man' In YCT Epe

Good day Joseph Okonji aka Banky

Hey my Vice President, Feckman

So why are you called Banky? Prior to now, the only Banky I know is EME’s Bankole Wellington

Banky started as far back as last year when I gained admission. There was this Kangol hat I used to wear, coupled with my teddy style. When people saw me they were like this boy looks like Banky, and coupled with my music. Then they started calling me Banky and the name just stuck like that.

Oh, interesting. So rumours filtered in that a certain student claimed he is the strongest man in school. And I think you know who the person is?

Laughs. Yeah.

Yeah, the person happens to be you. So what prompted you to say that?

Actually I wouldn’t say I said that because it all went back to when we did our freshers week party, when we were contesting in a arm wrestle. So we competed and I actually came out the strongest in that contest. So ever since they gave been like ‘this guy e be like na him strong pass’. Even among the students, when it comes to physique, I think I am the most muscular. So the P.R.O was like ‘na him strong pass’. And when it comes to physical combat coupled with the respect people give me.

Physical combat? So did you go to any Taekwando or Taichi school?

[Laughs]. No, when it comes to my physique people get scared. When it comes to fighting with me, they tend to see me as one strong gentle guy. 

Definitely if you have that kind of physique the ladies will always be there, So how have you been treating your female fans? I believe you have female fans.

[Exhales] Ahhhhh. My female fans. [Laughs]. That is a strong one. Actually, you know one man’s food is another man’s poison.

Okay

Just as some ladies are liking it, some others are also scared of me. When I meet some of them, they are like ‘I can’t even believe I will be able to talk to you because of the way you look and walk’. Most of the ladies say Banky is a nice guy. Actually I tend not to hurt anybody. I think I have been treating all of them in a way that I will leave a landmark. They will remember me for being that Big and Nice Guy.

So out of the numerous ladies, has anyone tickled your fancy? Is there that special one?

[Laughs uncontrollably]. The special one?

Yeah.

[Laughs again]. You wan kill me. Actually all of them are special.

So in other words all of them are your girlfriends?

[Laughs]. No, no, no! Well, actually everybody knows that I have actually been dating a particular one.

You mean everybody but me. I don’t know. So who is the particular one?

[Laughs timidly]. It is Uche Okwara.

Wow. So thank you very much for your time.

You are welcome.

'Some Ladies Have Approached Me Personally' - Mr. Agric 2013 Opens Up!

Henry Momoh

What’s good Henry Momoh?

I’m good. All good!

You are Mr. Agric of the department of Agricultural Technology. So ever since you were bestowed with that title, how do you feel?

First of all, I feel happy and surprised. It wasn’t easy despite all ups and downs. 

Okay, when you say ups and downs, what were they?

Well when I was nominated I never knew I would be picked. I was surprised.

Why?

Because they could have picked anybody. I don’t know why I was picked. 

So in other words, are you saying you don’t think you were up to par to become Mr. Agric?

No, not that, I knew I would be one of the contestants, but I never knew I would emerge as a winner.

So you said you have been very happy?

Yeah.

Hmm, I think you have been happy because the ladies have been coming around. It’s not easy to be Mr. Agric. So how do handle your female fans?

Well, to me my female fans….

So you even have female fans? 

Laughs. I have them, because they are like my friends. I like them the same way I like my male friends. Although some ladies have approached me personally. 

Hmm, PERSONALLY? That reminds me of P-Square’s song. So when you say so, it is in what sense?

They tell me that they want to date me. 

Wow, like seriously?

Yeah, forreal! 

So do you want to give us names?

No it is personal. 

I see. So apart from you who do you think would have won the Mr. Agric title? 

Well, I thought of three people

Okay, who are they?

It’s probably Shina, Tolu or Biola. 

So apart from schooling, what else do you engage yourself in?

Yeah. I am a music lead vocalist. I do music full time. I am a member of a musical group in Lagos called Anointed Voices. We do acapellas and also individual group singing. I also belong to the choir of Foundation of Church Assembly, which happens to be my church. We perform at various concerts, occasions and events. 

'I’m Miss Agric Because People Love Me, Not That Am Beautiful' – Miss Agric 2013

                                              

"I feel happy...I feel like a celeb now." - That was an honest remark from Azeezat Olushola Saka, the current Miss Agric in Yabatech Epe Campus. The beautiful and elegant young lady did not hesitate to express her joy when she was asked about how she felt holding such a noble title. "I think I was crowned Ms. Agric because of the love people have for me, not that am that pretty," she further stated. The decision was made on several criteria such as; dress sense, character and looks. Apparently it was not biased since she was chosen by majority of students that attended the dinner/award night during the Agric week via casting of votes. Azeezat thinks Tomisin Oke would have emerged as Ms Agric assuming her votes were dwarfed by other nominees.

                                            

For the recs, Zeezee, as she is fondly called, hails from Ogun state. She speaks English, Yoruba and Palestinian Arabic. She is jovial, although quite reserved. Surprisingly she is a party rocker who loves dancing to any up-tempo song like Khona and Skelewu. "The best changes in life often start with simple thoughts. Continue to think BIG and research on how you can make your dreams real," that happens to be her favourite quote.

                                                

                                                

F.Y.I, Mister Agric is the easy going Henry Momoh; born to both Ghanaian and Nigerian parents. He is a great vocalist, model, fashion freak and an army cadet in Yabatech.

Discipline, an Essential for Successful Endings

By Chima ‘Cinkeay’ Nkiru

Discipline is a fundamental element in obtaining goals, dreams and desires. “Being disciplined means being very structured,” (Adriana Girdler).

Why talk about discipline?

A lot of us have found ourselves at a particular place in life due to choices we made, the ones made for us or by mistake. A saying goes that whatever you find to do, do it well, and wherever you find yourself leave an impact. For one to get far in life, one has to have dreams, priorities, a set pace to follow and discipline. Not just discipline which can be from parents, guardians, friends, in the way of advice, scolding and sometimes punishment. Self discipline is personal, it’s you (self), it’s the voice of you speaking to you, cautioning you and no one would be best to change you except you.

Discipline in a chosen profession or course of study is the only thing after God that would make one excel in that field. The dictionary defines discipline as, “The training of people to obey rules or code of behavior, it could also be called controlled behavior”. As students, our top priority is studying, but far beyond or before that, there is obedience to the institution where one is schooling, compliance to rules and regulation, attendance to lectures, obedience to everything pertaining to the course of study etc.

 Let us get to the crux of the matter; as an Agricultural Technology student, first thing would be to fall in love and stay in love with the course, or else as a course mate would say, “u don barsh!”. No one, I mean no sane person jokes about with something he/she is in love with. The issue will be taken as serious as a heart attack. You learn to take crap from so many people because you love something they do not understand. 

It is said that whoever watches the sky will not plant, because he will definitely find something that would put a damper on his plans. For example, we (Yabatech, Agric tech students) are all carrying out various entrepreneurial projects. The group planting water melon is our case study. Let us get to the purposed end of their project, which will be DOH i.e Day of Harvesting. If other students get to be privy to this DOH, they would go, “Ohh, ah, these water melons are fine, they are fresh”, (another course mate swag talk), “Can I have some? How did you do it?” No one would know that the land had to be cleared, which I might add is strenuous, back braking, hand bending, brow sweating labour (I coined that word, mind you). Then there is making of seed beds, I wonder if there is a bigger word for weakening and tiresome other than strenuous?

Well you get my drift, now the beds are in total, twenty two, those bed also have to be manured, and wet regularly in preparation for planting. The seeds are planted, now there is continuous watering, lest I forget, weeding too, stubborn carpet grass if I may say so myself. I am even tired of listing all the stages and processes involved. But it goes without saying; a lot of work was put into making the DOH possible. All this would not happen without discipline. 

Discipline is the foundation of every successful venture. To borrow from Adrianna Girdler, four elements needed to ensure discipline in the business environment, I guess for now school is our business; are:

1.       Purpose: Be clear with where you want to go and the outcome you want.

2.       Plan: Write down the plan of how to get there.

3.       Mini rewards: Give yourself for good work and be a good self motivator.

4.       Trust: You must trust your purpose and plan.

Discipline sets apart those who just dream and those who dream and do. The bible which is my number one source of motivation says in Ecclesiastes, “The end of a thing is better than its beginning.” No one would know what troubles or travails you have, you are going through. But every one will have an opinion  about the end product, so be prayerful, persistent, disciplined and never give up, the sky is just the starting point and stepping stone to greatness.   

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!