Private school succession saga

It's no news that not a lot of us young geniuses like to teach. Take the NYSC service year for example I could bet you that not a lot of us youth corpers could stand the classroom, and the teaching, the lesson note deadlines, the test deadlines, the exam making and recording. Trustme, it wasn't all that princessy.

This brings me to the order of the day. I was reading the paper last few weeks when this topic caught my eye. It was quite intriguing that there was a dilemma for private school owners over the persons that would succed them after they were gone. Some wanted it to be their children who took the mantle of the private schools while the school administrators thought it should be them in as much as the children wanted nothing to do with education. Let's look at this way from the school administrators who believe they should be part owners of the school as some incentive for all the many years of hardwork so that the proprietor if gone would have left the school in the best hands. We all know that we are human beings and one of the most common things humans have been driven crazy bout from the beginning of time itself is greed. The truth is if some proprietor were to give part ownership of his or her school to an administrator there is a possibility of the administrator turning it into his or her business and making sure that the school never belongs to the proprietor's family again.

It could just be like the parable Jesus said about some landowner who employed laborers to tend his vines but the laborers  became greedy even to the point of killing his only son. It could also go in the direction of the way it happen in Tron: The Legacy when the company's board of directors decided it was more profitable to go against the wishes of the owner of th company.

I'm just saying that in my opinion some School administrator could want to school to his or her family and on some nonsense plea called years of service, he or she owns the school then the owners children be left destitute despite the sweat of the parents.

It could also go the other way around when the children who want nothing to do with eduction take over the school and run the organisation down with misplaced policies. The children may also have this insane idea of them being boss and lack respect for the people who tirelessly make sure the ham is on their tables day by day.

Like the prestigious newspaper concluded which I concur school owners should integrate their children in the school administration and day to day runnings if they intend the children to be successors of the school organisation. Have a Lovely week ahead.

Woaw

OMG its been a long time really. I have been so busy these last few years. Well, I am a graduate of the critically acclaimed Great Ife. I have also serve my country in the sunshine state, Ondo State. I am now back home and soaking it all in. 

The last few weeks have been crazy. Although you could say I am mostly home but I also go out once or twice in a week for functions and the rest. Just last month I visited two ghosts of girlsfriend's past. I went to a primary school/friend's wedding and I also visited my secondary school. 

For my frineds's wedding it was so wonderful. There is nothing like young love. Congratulations to you Mrs Atayese Olamide Risi (née Ogunbanwo). I really tried to attend this particular  wedding ceremony because something always came up. The last wedding I could remember being in attendance was in 2007 and it was my second cousin's wedding. The dude didnt know who I was I was. I also travelled to my secondary school and I couldn't believe it had been 6 years. I began to tell myself, "I'm getting old". I had so much fun that weekend and it was I couldn't remember the last time I laughed so hard bout so little things. 

Well for this month I don't know yet I think I jus might let the month play itself out but it's so good I can find myself say hi to to the many people ho have checked this place out from all over the world. Many thanks also to the ones who think that they could write everything verbatim to their own site . At least a "courtesy Odekanmi Benedicta" wouldn't hurt.
I have also rediscovered my love for animations. I really love the way the industry is moving. Have you The Adventures of TinTin, it was so real. High Defination is really the way to go. I also loved Wreck It Raulph, The Guardians, Turbo, Madagascar 3 : Europe's most wanted and so much more. I now have so much tv at my disposal. E! Has thses incredible new shows such as Playing with fire, The Wanted Life, and so on. The Style network isnt bad either. Anyways, talk to you soon. Great month ahead.

Diary of an OAU student

ENTRY 1

MY ORDEAL ON OCTOBER 1^ST: NIGERIA’S 50^th ANNIVERSARY

            I woke up with a start 6 am to be exact, only to find out there was no light. It was so annoying because I had to go to the bathroom and my torch was nowhere to be found. I decided to find my way through the darkness into the bathroom. I had my grooming then came back to my bed to say my morning prayers. In case you wondering who this is, let me introduce myself to you. My name is Odekanmi Benedicta and I’m a student of Obafemi Awolowo University,Ile-Ife. I am in 300 level so I stay off campus since accommodation is only provided for 100 level students and Final Year Brethrens (Not that I’m complaining, I think it’s a pretty good idea).

I think there’s someone out there that understands the impact this has done to my subconscious. Forever and ever I will always remember that on Nigeria’s 50^th birthday, there was no light (What a pity). Anyway I went back to my bed to say my prayers (I’m Roman Catholic) then slept back. I woke up yet again with the streams of sunlight to find out that one of my roommates was dressing and the other probably left before I awoke. I didn’t speak to her because I didn’t feel like talking. It’s not beef or anything. It happens to me sometimes that I just don’t feel like talking to anyone.

I was about rising from my bed when a neighbor came around requesting for the housemates to contribute an amount for the cutting of the grass around the house. It was quite vexing for that to happen early in the morning especially on Independence Day (Habba). I didn’t answer him (the neighbour) but managed to greet him Good Morning and hid my annoyance. My roommate complained to him that there was no money but the money will be paid back as soon as possible. This roommate of mine named Fortune was going for publicity for Believer’s Love World Fellowship to share their Rhapsody of Realities around campus.

            Fortune asked me if I would go on campus later and I answered yes. I had to go later for Mass to praise God and Thank Him. Because he said “… in all circumstances we should give thanks…” Frankly, I think the country is like a baby in Pampers at fifty. The country is still in the list of underdeveloped countries but guess what? We are still the “Giant of Africa“. So I think even in all the bad, there is still the good to talk about in the state of the nation. Fortune warned me that one of the housemates by the name Victoria was going to ask for my green pair of shoes to go to church. I was furious when I questioned and learned she tried it on the day before in my absence (What?). The first thing I did was to wear the shoe again and found out it was still my size. This Victoria has a shoe size of about 40 and I on the other 38. I thanked my roomies and hid the shoes for the fear that my shoes would ‘never remain the same again. Anyway, Fortune left and I drafted my timetable for the day. It wasn’t long after she left that Victoria came to ask for the pair of shoes. I told her that the shoe wasn’t her size and she left the house like a wounded animal (Like I care HA HA HA). May be if Victoria wasn’t the kind of person that is not in the habit of spoiling things I probably would have changed my mind on the shoes ( Habi na by force to wear green shoe).

            Since the day was a Friday, the public holiday had no effect on me. My Fridays are free as a student and I like to study during the day. I read my notes and my bible to complete the equation. I slept during the course of my reading but woke up only to continue. I shut my door from the outside world because I like my peace and quiet and you know what? The Power Holding Corporation of Nigeria didn’t supply electrical power until like past three in the afternoon (what a shame!). I planned to leave for mass by 5.00 so cleaned up my room, made my bed and picked the clothes I was planning on wearing. It was then ‘Minister Vicky’ came into my room to tell us (Fortune and I) about how she fainted in Church. I was not responding but Fortune still asked some concerning questions. I was in the bathroom about having my bath when ‘Minister Vicky’ came to ask for garri (Again?). I simply told her that garri has finished. She went to Fortune only to ask the same question and Fortune gave her the same reply. I came to my room to laugh with Fortune after my bath. Even if there was garri I wouldn’t have given Victoria because she and her sisters (her room mates) finished the last one. I guess ‘Minister Vicky’ has had enough of me when she said she needed back her belt. Fortune was concerned for me so she gave hers’. I vexed so I wore my green shoes to Church.

            After going to Church I came back home. I had to go fetch water from White House and Ade my friend in White House called me to his room to come hear the breaking news. The news was about the bomb blast in Eagles’ Square, Abuja. The newscaster reported 10 dead and 7 injured. I prayed for them I came to room to my roommates, Fortune and Jennifer to laugh about things that happened during the day. I slept about 12am and thanked God for it all.

For more of my write ups check www.triond.com

            Want to be my friend, add Odekanmi Benedicta as friend on www.facebook.com

ENTRY 2

OCTOBER 4^TH: LECTURE BOYCOTT ON CAMPUS

            I woke up this morning like I awake every other day. The time was 05.30. I don’t want to wake up but all I need do think about the things I have to do and bam! I’m awake(You should give it a try). I picked my rosary and prayed The Joyful Mysteries. By the time I was through, the day wasn’t bright enough. I then decided to go outside and do the rest of my things there . I read my bible then picked my pen and drafted my time table for the day. I was doing the first thing I had to do when I saw Anthonio and decided to wave (Anthonio is a friendly neighbor). He came to me and we talked for some time before he was back on his way. I continued with my stuffs. Fortune had to leave early so left with Victoria to school for lectures but I didn’t have lectures until 11.00 so I decided to study some class notes and get ready for the day.

            By 9.00, Jennifer came in and said she’d love to eat noodles. I replied ditto but then recalled my purse was empty (No money). I also remembered I had to return some Coca-Cola bottles on the street did that and went to a friend’s room for my shoes I forgot there yesterday(Yesterday was when I received The Sacrament of Confirmation Yippee!) . On getting to the room, I found that my friend was gone and so were her roommates. I left and got back home. I picked up buckets to go fetch water in White House. I fetched my bath water, came into my room to clean it up and Jennifer came with noodles for me with plantain (Ou la la). I told her she was a darling and ate. I turned the room upside down for my ear clip but couldn’t find it. Guess I didn’t search well. It was when I was dressing up about 10.10 when Fortune came back in and reported the Lecture Boycott. I was alarmed and happy at the same time. Alarmed because today was my first Work Day (Monday) and happy because I hadn’t wasted my hard earned 20 naira to get to school.

Fortune was angry about the fact that she struggled to get a bus. It wasn’t long after when Victoria came in too complaining about the same thing. They said that the boycott was due to absence of water and electricity on Campus. The absence of electricity is no fault of the Senate in my opinion. This being the fact that there was no electricity supply off  Campus too. For Obafemi Awolowo University not of have light, that means there’s no light in the whole of Ife. It was more of a general thing and on Sunday I had to attend Mass in rumpled clothing despite it wasn’t befitting for my status.

Jubreel came in with her. He said he was about going on Campus for lectures when he met Victoria. It was Victoria that told him about the boycott. Well, Jubreel is another friend neighbor of mine. He has a bad scar on his nose right now because he fainted in Church and fell forward (Who does that?).  He was carried to the hospital and the doctor stitched it for him (Yuck). Anyway he came around and we talked like writers do. This was fun for Jennifer, Jubreel and I. Like they say have fun in the rarest of places. We discussed about public speaking, politics and purgatory. It was then I found out that he’s mother was Roman Catholic too. After much talk I fell asleep and I guess it happened too soon. It wasn’t long that the PHCN restored the power supply. It was kind of frustrating because I knew I had to sleep but I also had unfinished business on my system too. I chose sleep over work and ended up sleeping for three hours.

I woke up around 17.00 only to still find the electricity on and decided to charge my phone as oppose to charging my system. It wasn’t long the rain started and of course, the power supply was interrupted by PHCN (Nooooo!). I decided to go outside the house and shout out my frustration by singing and listening to rap music. The rain didn’t stop but guess what? I had one fun filled day thanks to that lecture boycott (Ou la la).

For more of my work, visit www.triond.com

Want to be my friend, add Odekanmi Benedicta as friend on www.facebook.com

ENTRY 3

OCTOBER 9^TH: A GUY DIED ON CAMPUS

            I woke up this morning with a start and I was thinking “Oh my God”, Jennifer is leaving today (for a tolerance competition holding one week). I knew she was going to leave but not this soon (don’t tell her I said so). She had to go for training and when she got back, she talked about the new sit-up style she learnt. She also said she watched the concluding part of the half marathon. She also mentioned she saw a guy fall. I was so into my books then thought of all the good things of life and knew I had to thank God. My timetable today was the internet, the meeting and of course sleeps. But first I had to go fetch water. On my way to White House, I saw the guys cutting the bush around their house (Ope o!)

            They complained about thieves and how they came to rob some people around their abode. They also said something about the thief breaking Odun’s (a guy residing in White House) door. I said my goodbyes then went home to cook food for Fortune, Jennifer and I (we did it together). Fortune had to leave early for a class so it was just me and Jennifer talking about stuffs. We slept for hours then decided to get our lives back on track. I had to on the internet for some assignments and submit more write ups on net. By the time I was leaving, I had to let Jennifer pack by reminding her of a few things like paste and shoes. I told her I’ll be back in one hour then took my leave. The internet is a fun place you can buy or sell anything so I do information (yeah yeah whatever). Came back to Jennifer and left for mass servers meeting. Jennifer said she’ll be leaving between 16.00 and 17.00.

            Getting to mass severs meeting was pain and pleasure. It was pleasure because I had the opportunity of meeting the faithful people of God and it was pain because I realized a guy died that morning during the marathon race Jennifer talked about in the morning. The guy has I learnt had the name Dami. Dami was a 200 level student in the Faculty of Pharmacy and he died in the morning of 9th October 2010. He had a mark on the left side of his face and stayed in Awolowo Hall Block 7 of Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife. It was reported that he didn’t finish the race and was administered first aid by the Red Cross Society then rushed to Health Center. It was at Health Center he died (May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace Amen).

            I learnt because of Dami, football matches and some tests were cancelled but it was not fair to find out that students residing in Awolowo  Hall  still had ‘Awo Day’ and ate beans afterwards.  The bone of contention for me is how the poor boy’s mother is going to take the news of her son’s death. I came home happy because I get to serve MC 1 tomorrow in Church and the MC1 is the highest ranking server on the Sanctuary. I prayed for the boy’s soul with my fellow Mass Servers and in all, it was a great day.

            For more of my work, visit www.triond.com

Want to be my friend, add Odekanmi Benedicta as friend on www.facebook.com

ENTRY 4

OCTOBER 11TH: ASUU WARNING STRIKE STARTS TODAY

            I woke up this morning thanking God for the fact that today is the first Monday on this Campus I don’t have to worry about classes this semester. I woke up early (as usual) then slept back again. Tried to read but the books won’t stick so I decided to write my essay titled”ICT, Youth and Electoral Process”. I wrote the essay and went to show Anthonio first because Fortune wasn’t around to see it first. Anthonio thought it was good even though he had a few things to correct here and there. I had to keep it all quiet for Deshi’s (Anthonio’s roommate) sake.

            He had to go to school and I had to wash my clothes but couldn’t because people residing in White House decide they didn’t want anyone fetching water. Fortune came back quite early from school today and reported a rally by the lecturers (ASUU). By the way ASUU means Academic Staff Union of Universities. It is the body that most lecturers in Federal and State Universities belong to. The body is majorly concerned about the lecturer’s welfare in my point of view.  She even said they were bent on embarking on an indefinite strike if government does nothing about it. It was until the afternoon that Fortune and I decided to go the market so we could get things we would cook. The circumstances surrounding the cooking were unfavorable but we did it anyway (Yes! Go Team!).

            It was later in the night I was able to get some proper things done. But if you ask me, I’ll choose the Warning Strike again over my classes so far it’s just Warning Strike. See you next time on My Journal.

For more of my work, visit www.triond.com

Want to be my friend, add Odekanmi Benedicta as friend on www.facebook.com

ENTRY 5

OCTOBER 14^TH: JUST A BAD DAY I GUESS

“I told you to leave but you don’t wanna leave”. That’s like the best line I like in my favourite line with the Jabowokees. The Jabowokees are a group of dancers that where masks on their face on the dance floor. Today started like any other Thursday. I had to rise and shine from my bed. Say my prayers and have on heck of fun doing it. Yeah almost forgot, ASUU Strike ended yesterday so classes started again today. I had a two-hour class then an hour break then after that practical. It wasn’t like I planned it happened. I had my two-hour class but my practical didn’t hold because of the 4^th Annual Faculty Lecture in Odudua Hall. After the class, I had to go with the Vice President of my association to the bank. This same association is the same in which I am the Financial Secretary too.  We got to the bank but were not disappointed but gave thanks to GOD.

At Odudua Hall, we did not bother to enter because we had a Departmental day to plan. We planned the day but I was assigned the duty to take care of the quiz. This lasted about an hour and half before I could go home finally. Getting home around 13.00 is not a good idea because every other person is out going about their business. I listened to music before deciding to eat. Came back from the eatery and found out Fortune was back. We had to back to the same eatery. I watched Gossip Girl Season 3, listened to some music then went to see a friend (this is when the bad day starts, Yeepa!). I got my friend’s place (A.A.A.) and got to talk. It was then a phone call came from another friend named Agbo. I was rather harsh to Agbo even though he said he had to see me and was on his way to my house.  I had to tell him I wasn’t going to come see him and said my goodbyes. I had a huge argument with A.A.A. then left. I guess that was for the best. I did what I do best walk away.

Got back home to ‘Minister Vicky’ and Fortune but was rather surprised to see Agbo. I didn’t speak to him but rather tiptoed about the idea that he was there. He later came in (Agbo) and was asking me questions. I was so not in the mood for talking I told him,” Leave me alone, Agbo”. I’m sorry I was harsh but I think that’s the only way he’ll understand the friendship was over before it started. Are you asking what he did? Sorry that’s strictly for me. I even had threats of a bathroom block to make matters worse. I’m a tough one so I move on. Fetched water from White House, had my bath (God, I’ve not done that in a long time). I talked to Fortune about A.A.A. telling her about the fact that I most probably saw it coming.  I was laughing so hard and making a heck lot of noise. Fortune said I’ll still be sober later when I think about it but assured her I wasn’t going to be a weakling. But anyways, shit happened right. 

I consoled myself about the fact that Big Girls Don’t Cry with the original version by Fergie. I played the song so much that my battery was almost dead and yet no power supply from PHCN to recharge the battery. A.A.A. tried calling but I didn’t pick up.  I couldn’t just sit in the Silence and Fortune gave me hers. It was then I realised I was hungry. We decided to go buy some food outside since there was no electricity supply to cook. We came back to meet the great radiance of electricity supply. We ate and slept in peace and harmony. I guess tomorrow is going to be a better one. Remember, Shit happens... Get over it.

For more of my work, visit www.triond.com

Want to be my friend, add Odekanmi Benedicta as friend on www.facebook.com

ENTRY 6

OCTOBER 15^TH: CHAMPIONS OF THE SOCIETY (www.societychampions.org)

            I woke up this morning thinking about all the stuffs that happened yesterday. I won’t let that get me down so first, I said my prayers. Like every other Friday, I don’t have lectures and yes, I have to pray the Sorrowful Mysteries (I guess it goes with the mood for today). I knew what I had to do include me reading, writing typing and of course go see Jennifer (my roommate) at Mokuro, Ile- Ife.

            I read my books minus two lecture notes (I know I have to get back to that later). I watched T.V and wrote in fact, three write-ups. And guess who the writings were about, A.A.A. This is the coldest I’ve been on a good morning. Fortune had classes so she had to leave. It was the same position she left me she met me (I guess I didn’t want to move). It was at 15.00 I realised Fortune and I had to go to Sanctuary of Hope, Mokuro to see Jennifer. Do you know who the Champions of the Society are? I guess not. So, let me educate you?

            Champions of the Society are an organisation that sees the world to be marked by strong bonds to ethnic, language, tribe, socio-cultural and/or other identities. Jennifer like the other 40 contestants registered on the website www.societychampions.org . I even learnt that students in America registered but couldn’t come due to the fact that they were not on break. They organised the first ever National Tolerance Academy with which Champion Jonah Ayodele Obajeun was the Programme Coordinator. They called each other Champions. They greet, Champions... That’s what we are. 40 people from all over the country to Ile-Ife Nigeria from North, South, East and West. They were together for a week, tolerating each other, tasks, ridiculous bed times, practise and so on.  Today was a day that anyone could come to visit.

            Fortune and I got there at the nick of time. We took pictures with Jennifer and her date, Femi (President of Economics Student Association). They had a debate tilted, “2011 elections, The Role of the Youth”. The debaters made interesting points. One of the such points were, the youth should participate, educate the electorate, say no violence, ensure free fair and just elections, ensure they realise that they are future of the country and the likes. This was a very interesting topic for me being that I wrote something close to it titled, “ICT, Youth and Electoral Process”(read it @ www.campusnigeria.com, www.odekanmibenedicta.blogspot.com ). The points the debaters made got me thinking about the fact that I have done little or nothing to justify my points in the topic. I then thought again that though the topics were similar, they were different in their own ways.

            The Champions also liked to make sure that they were not bored so they engaged in a lot of activities both social and otherwise. The coordinators include Champion Victor Agbagu, Champion Samson Ishola, Champion ‘Bolanle Onasanya, Champion ‘Seyi Olaobaju, Champion Abiodun Awosusi, Champion Muyiwa Adigun, Champion Tosin Otitoju and others. Champions of the Society are a non-profit firm that are “raising young champions, developing the new world order’. You can join them at www.societychampions.org, info@societychampions.org and on facebook, champions of the society. It was a fun experience for me because I was able to know Ile- Ife more than I knew her before. Enough of Champions of the Society, let’s get back to my real life.

            A.A.A. called me and I was compelled to pick the call up. He was like he needed to see me and I told him I wasn’t home at that time. He said he’ll see me later and I told him he could beep me when I got home. By the time I was home, it was raining but I beeped him anyway just for him to have a reason not to come. I was so cold at him. We had a long talk for about two and half hours. I was bent on not having him back but it was vice versa for him. We reached a compromise about the relationship thing. We got back together after 24 hours. That sounds good I guess. So guys, I’m not single anymore and least for now.

I went back to my bed to sleep thanking God my Father for how happy my day was.

 For more of my work, visit www.odekanmibenedicta.blogspot.com

Want to be my friend, add Odekanmi Benedicta as friend on www.facebook.com

 ENTRY 7

OCTOBER 23^TH: PEDAGOGUES INTERNATIONAL

          I woke up this morning extremely happy for the fact that I’m probably going to be a proud owner of a laptop, a dstv phone or an home theatre. I wrote the essay ICT, Youth and Electoral process like I stated earlier. Any which way, I cancelled Mass Server’s meeting from my schedule for this and guess what? I got nothing. Not even my name was called. They said they didn’t get my work and they’ll get back to me. Isn’t that sad?  Yeah, whatever. Everything happens for a reason.