Atanda Ayobami

Against the backdrop of individualism among the students under the aegis of the National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies (NASELS), the University of Ibadan, the present executive council, Team Rejuvenation, has organized the Retro Day to bring back unity among the NASELSites. The social event slated to be held on Wednesday, at the Faculty of Arts Quadrangle, is set to be nostalgic, bringing the dressings in time past to the present freshness. 

Every executive council in the past tried to unite the NASELSites, but their efforts did not come to fruition. Instead, the students were more individualistic and level-oriented. This, in no small measure, contributed to low turnout to social events of the NASELS. Consequently, the level-oriented system devoid of body communalism keeps its circle accurate and passes the baton to the fresh students year in and year out.

It is safe to say that the disinterestedness in the communal existence of the NASELS has contributed to its insignificance in the Faculty of Arts and University of Ibadan, at large amongst eminent departments. Without a doubt, every department in UI has brilliant students. Nothing can be used as a yardstick to measure the best in intelligence since every department and discipline has its peculiarities. Ipso facto, the best of the best are known through their activities, the synergy of the students in a department, and their output in events, among others. 

In sports, the NASELS is a subject of derision among football banters. In all honesty, nothing can be used to boast about the department’s sports activities. The first department in the faculty in the University of Ibadan does not have a football jersey for the football team. It does not have a female football team. Further, the male team incessantly fails to participate in football tournaments in the school most times. To worsen the situation, there is little or no encouragement from the NASELSites in supporting the team. Every matchday, the players and a few members are available to cheer up the team. Does a tree make a forest? Without gainsaying, the football team is in a state of gargantuan quagmire. All students in the department should give robust support for the team.

The NASELS Press? Financing the NASELS Press to its fullest for the past executives was rocket science. The NASELS Press, over the years, suffered from kwashiorkor funds from the executives. The past executive councils saw the NASELS Press as a money-consuming entity. Hence, the local press organization under the department that has numerous writers could not go toe-to-toe with its contemporaries. Other press organizations function well. They make colored printing publications on the press board virtually every week, but the NASELS Press could go a semester without making any printing publication due to its deplorable financial state. The NASELS Press now needs the financial backup of the executives for adequate funding and the members of the organization to read the content of the press.

More so, the Department of English has the undoubtable best public speaker in the University of Ibadan, yet the department has no literary and debating society. This is a juxtaposition of what is supposed to be and what is. It is disheartening that the department that has a language studio and a lot of lecturers, who are oratory coaches and public speakers, does not have the L ‘n D society. What should the NASELS do? Team Rejuvenation, the present executive council, should create the society as soon as possible. The interested NASELSites should also join the group and hit the ground running, while others are expected to give them unflinching support.

The Okigbo Poetry Club is a poetic organization under the NASELS. The club is undergoing unprecedented growth under the new administration. However, the past leaders of the club tried painstakingly to revive the prestige and activities of it. Hence, their impact cannot be underestimated. It is, nonetheless, obvious that few students in the departments are members of the club. Most of its members are students from other departments, even outside faculty. With this, it is baffling that there might be a president from another department if care is not taken. There are many student poets and poetesses in the department who can contribute immensely and tremendously to the growth of the Okigbo Poetry Club. Membership of the club is not exclusive to the NASELS. Therefore, many NASELSites should join the poetry club if the body wants to maintain its legacy as the owner of it. Likewise, the executive council should continuously see to its affairs.

Much talk, less action and many complaints less participation is inconsequential to the growth of a society. Individualism is a big bane to the development of a communal entity. A tree does not make a forest. The NASELS with all the dexterous and highly talented individuals can churn out the best in all activities (socially, academically, and intelligently) in UI if all hands are on deck. Enough of apathy! Enough of book consciousness alone! Enough of self-centeredness alone. Togetherness builds a community. Teamwork makes a team work. Team Rejuvenation has been trying to bring life to the NASELS again. It now depends on the members to support the executives.