Oluwaseyi Bodunde

The National Association of English and Literary Studies, University of Ibadan Chapter(NASELS UI) held her freshers orientation program on June 27, 2024, tagged “START THE RIGHT WAY!”,  organised by Team Innovation and Evolution“24, to help freshmen navigate their way in the university.

The occasion kicked off at 12:30 pm in Room 32 and was graced by the Head of the Department of English, Professor Nelson Olabanji Fashina; the former Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor Aderemi Raji Oyelade, who also had been a head of the department in the past, and the department’s staff adviser, Dr. Charles Akinsete.

The Head of the department and chief host, Professor Fashina, while addressing the new students, noted prominent alumni of the department who have contributed greatly to the development of the society at large, such as “Wole Soyinka, Chinua Achebe, John Pepper Clark and so on”. He therefore encouraged the new students to make absolute use of the opportunity they have been given to study in the premier department of the premier university. 

Dr. Akinsete in his speech equally counselled the new students to embrace the opportunities that the department holds for them. He clarified that they were not in the wrong department, although some may not want to be in the Department of English. Nevertheless, they should take the provided opportunities seriously. 

In continuation, the former Dean of Arts, Professor Aderemi Raji Oyelade, also advised the new students to strive to grow freely, and let their dreams flow. He emphasised the essence of studying and admonished the students to make use of their phones, and the library and also ask questions, “The difference is not in your brain, but in how you use your brain”, he stated.

Further into the orientation program, a poem written by Professor Aderemi Raji Oyelade titled, “Forgotten” was rendered by one of the members of the Okigbo Poetry Club, Faridah Adeife of which the professor is the grand patron. 

The editor-in-chief of the NASELS Press, Praise Olorunfemi, was also called upon to address the new students on press activities within the department. While speaking, he encouraged freshmen to get the recruitment form when the second batch recruitment commences. The president of the association, Babatunde Adamson, also introduced the rest of the executive council and also admonished the new students who might have an interest in poetry to join the Okigbo Poetry Club. 

Coming to a close, Afolabi Gloria, the social director of the team, emphasised the importance of students who have a keen interest in social activities to reach out to her as the meeting ended with a group photograph and refreshments.