It is not uncommon to see student associations and communities. Just as there is the National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies, there is the Nigerian Medical Students’ Association, Nigerian Universities Engineering Students’ Association (NUESA), and others. These bodies are set up to improve the lives of their members and to further integrate the students under them. 

Westcosels is a major conference that Nasels Southwest holds, as part of its contribution to the welfare of students. It is a yearly conference that provides an avenue for Naselsites to learn, network with one another, go on excursions, and essentially have fun. 

This conference is said to be the largest gathering of all students of English and literary studies across about twenty registered chapters in the Southwest region. Preparations are currently ongoing for the 11th edition of Westcosels, a Southwest Conference of Students of English and Literary Studies.

The last edition of Westcosels featured a personality lecture given by Professor Aderemi Raji-Oyelade, a professor in the department here at the University of Ibadan. The lecture was titled, “Language, Literature, Security Crisis & National Development”.

Following a BC intended to raise awareness about this year’s Westcosels, which was shared on the Nasels UI Family page, people began to raise eyebrows and question the existence of these conferences being organised. 

The administration says that one of the things that Nasels Southwest is committed to is intellectualism and excellent service to English students in the region. However, what actual benefits do Naselsites stand to gain? Are these conferences going to be any benefit to Naselsites or are they just another of the usual ones around?

As part of the preparations for this year’s Westcosels, Naselsites who are interested in participating in the conference are to pay a delegate fee of seven thousand naira (#7,000).

We can all agree that Naselsites need other things apart from fun and networking. We need to get access to training and sensitisation about what being a student of English is, especially how it can benefit us in the long run. Having access to resources to assist us Naselsites navigate their career journeys would definitely be a plus.

Fun and networking are great, but indeed, we are tired of networking. We want more. It would be nice to see Nasels Southwest work with the individual chapter presidents to develop and foster more healthy conversations surrounding Naselsites. 

It would be great to have various Naselsites talk about their journeys, especially about how studying English has contributed to their career success (or failure?)

We hope to have really beneficial conversations not just in Westcosels but in individual chapters as well. 

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CALL FOR MEMBERS
Do you have a passion for writing/journalism and would like to develop your skills? Application to join Nasels Press organisation is currently on. For more information, contact:

Oluchi – 07037531039
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