Victor Siyanbola 

A cake, lit up by candles of many colours, is a dessert every birthday celebrant would definitely want on their special day. In fact, having the inscription “happy birthday, I love you!’’ from their loved ones is more than enough to keep going on another journey of 365 days. For a Students Union leader, a cake would probably be the least present to receive, especially being among those he has fallen short of expectations from. Quite unexpectedly, our “epic hero”, Aweda Bolaji, our beloved SU President, did not enjoy his only birthday as the UI’SU President, except if there are rooms for one more or two. The birthday boy was seen displaying the hallmark of a “true leader”: a hybrid of congress-evading student leader, and resolve from the back.

On his birthday eve, a broadcast indicating the rationalisation of electricity on campus was released, though it was eventually refuted by the school management. WhatsApp became a battlefield as the broadcast cluttered the status of most UI students, expressing their grievances. The circular, indicating a 10-hour daily power supply, ignited the protest flames of students who believe that their intended academic comeback might never be a throwback but a dream. For the freshers who have promised their sponsors a first class, they projected into the future without a time machine but through the lens of imagination. It seems as though their aim might wade through the mud. Fortunately for them, we are in the rainy season – there is mud.

Every student became a timekeeper in the late hours of July 16, 2024 when the broadcast was released. Some minutes to the slated time, the ever-conscious students took to their status, posting: “twenty minutes more”, “UI, fess and bess”, “ten minutes more and we mount to jack.” At exactly 10:00 pm, the time everyone awaited, the promised power supply could not comprehend the existent darkness. Students took their status again, they posted: “I am the light of the world”, “I’m going to my Papa House to get generator”, “academic comeback, till we meet again.” Several minutes later, the promise became a debt.

This culminated into a hullabaloo from the front runners of all halls of residence, the greatest Katangites and Zikites (do not argue, you do not have evidence…). With the symphony of their baritones, the only place wanting harmony, they rhythmically chanted songs of displeasure: “we no gree oo…we no go gree”. Many of them flouted the adage, “ẹni a bí i re, kì í rède òru.” At that moment, all that counted was that their voices should echo their oppression and their sweats should scent their disapprobation.

The birthday boy, our very own “Superman”, signed a protest released on his special day, (as if he had an option in the first place). He called on all students under his administration to boycott all classes, not as an attempt to call for a birthday party nor present him groceries perhaps with floating berries, but to protest against the infringement of the rights of students (a protest that had already  started). The ever-active nocturnal bats amidst us posted this on their status as soon as it was released. The peaceful protest geared towards expressing the dissatisfaction of the students body with the recent hike in fees (which our superman seemed to have been shot by a kryptonite bullet) and electricity rationalisation (so they slapped our right cheeks, we should dutifully turn the left I guess).

For Funke, who did not bother to prepare for the test she was supposed to sit for, it was a blessed day. The aroma of her heart cries assailed the nostrils of the Metaphysical beings and her request was promptly granted. Hence, like spells aids curses, causes aided her course. She did not even bother to take her bath – it was not a day to flaunt her beauty, these fees must fall. She joined the other students as early as 5:30am. They went from one hall of residence to the other to gather the rest of the student populace. Initially, the Queenites were encamped because they did not want their royalty to be tampered with, but they deemed it fit to maintain their steeze: no fees, no school, no Queenite! If you still do not get it…

As the protest continued, masked men and women went to lecture rooms where classes were held. Their intention to butcher, beat, mishandle, vandalise, was impeded by the still voice of the birthday boy’s “peaceful protest” which rang in their head. Being the first and the best, the protest has filled social media platforms, reputable TV Stations, please permit me not to mention TVC News and Channels for anonymity sake, newspapers and news agencies; Punch, Sahara, The Nation, Vanguard etc, I will still not mention any news for anonymity sake, maintaining her position as first among equals. Potential poets, writers and rappers also saw it as a day to shine as rock stars. Indeed, it was a day! Aluta, let’s hope there is a Continua for Ronke’s sake and Queenite! I come by piece.