Ogunleye Esther.

The National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies (NASELS) held its dinner and award night at the Abdulsalam Abubakar Postgraduate Hall, University of Ibadan, on Friday 26th of March, 2024 to foster love among members of the association.

The event, themed “Phoenix Banquet”, entails an incredibly joyful atmosphere as students of every level were represented, and dressed in royalty creating a lively and very engaging atmosphere. Opening the event with the National Anthem, the president’s opening remarks and HOD’s good will message, the event was held at full swing.

Furthermore, it also captured a lot of fun time, playing a variety of games that included the “Know Your Literature”, and Rubik’s cube with a lot of cash prizes to be won.

Quite a number of lecturers in the department graced the occasion, including Prof. Aderemi Raji, Dr. Kehinde Oyetimi, Dr Charles Akinsete and Prof. Nelson Fashina, the Head of Department. The lecturers expressed their joy to the students, and most especially the executives for making the Dinner and Award Night a reality.

The HOD urged everyone present to use the award night as an avenue to make bonds with coursemates, as he also addressed the need to ensure that there was a positive ambience between all levels in the department. He said the dinner is not just about the fun, but a means of building a legacy in the department, and he has always looked forward to seeing it because plaques would be awarded to appreciate the executives, lecturers, nominees, brilliant students, and many more in the department.

In an interview with a 100 level student (anonymous) of the department present at the event, she stated, “The event was nothing short of spectacular. The atmosphere was buzzing with excitement, and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. It was a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our peers and connect with fellow students in a formal yet relaxed setting.

However, this was one last dance with the outgoing 400 level students of the department. I think it was the sense of camaraderie that filled the room. Seeing the hard work and dedication of our classmates being recognized and applauded was incredibly inspiring. Plus, the food was delicious, and the entertainment was top-notch. Overall, it was a night to remember.”