Thinking, Making Merry as a Progressionist!

Have we sublimely or deliberately undervalued youthfulness as an indication of sheer immaturity and incapability, bestowed this unfair opinion-cum-act fully with the power to undo the youth, mar their personal and collective, great leadership dreams, plans, chances in one way or the other?

Are we guilty of observing, passing on the belief that they are too young to be steady to hurting, harmful degrees? Have we become loyal followers of the myth that they have to wait until a tomorrow comes before they can be considered worthy of leadership positions? These are questions we ought to ask ourselves. They deserve sincere answers.

I hope we are innocent. Refuting responses should be supported by proofs. Besides, I dare say that today must provide crucial discovery, testing and training grounds for the development, advancement of the youth's leadership potentials, skills so that they would be fully equipped with the necessary experience to be resourceful, dependable, productive leaders before tomorrow arrives.

Dear reader, you must be wondering what has inspired me to write about something of this nature today.
I was at the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected members of National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies(NASELS)Executive Council: President-elect, Ogunbiyi Akinleye Matthias; Vice President-elect, Ugbor Princess Miriam (Ighodalo); General Secretary-elect, Hon. Adeniji Mahmoud Taiwo; Assistant General Secretary-elect, Akinlawon Elijah Damilola; Treasurer-elect, Adekola Oluwaseun Itunuoluwa; Public Relations Officer-elect, Akingboye Sunday Segun; Financial Secretary-elect, James Opeyemi Abidemi (Indomie); Social Director-elect, Akerekan Samuel Babatunde; Sports Director-elect, Siyanbola Olawale (Hollick); Librarian-elect, Toheeb Oseni Olamilekan (De literatus); and Assistant Librarian-elect, Adeboboye Iyanuoluwa Rachael which held on 16th February, 2018, at the Agric Foyer of the Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University.

The new President, Ogunbiyi Akinleye Matthais was sworn in by the Head of Department of English, Prof. Oyeniyi Okunoye.

Prof. Oyeniyi Okunoye made a short speech during which he said that no youth was too young to make impact and none should be discouraged by any contrary opinion or insinuation to pursue their leadership dreams positively.

While offering the new executive members fatherly pieces of advice on how they could deliver awesomely with the roles that defined their newly assumed positions, he was frank, declared without reserve that whatever they did with their lives, obligations, offices would make the  foundation for future obligations.

Hammering the fact that humans were alive because they had a purpose to make a difference, he urged them to make effective use of the collective opportunity to lead to set an enviable precedent and leave a beautiful legacy.

Apart from creating a lasting impression not only on mates but also on every other student at distinct levels in the Department of English and beyond, the giant educationist urged them to write a flawless, peaceful story with their positions for NASELS to archive as a memorable, treasured history.

He advocated a leadership by cooperation relationship between the new officers, tasked them to discharge their duties with passion for the progress of all, stressed that they must welcome valuable advice, suggestions from all, irrespective of academic level in the Department of English, and prayed for the grace of God to be for them abundantly to enable them accomplish their mission mainly more, more and more.

Thereafter, the newly sworn-in President, in accordance with the Professor's directive and as constitutionally stipulated, swore other freshly elected executive members into office.

The ceremony ended with a short speech made by outgone NASELS President, Fatoba Shola Peter in gratitude to Prof. Oyeniyi Okunoye for honouring the ceremony with his highly valued presence and host, and charged the new officeholders to heed his parently recommendations. I must confess I have been thinking deeply, celebrating as a progressionist ever since. I am confident the reasoning is mutual in the minds of fellow witnesses, and my keen, well-informed readers have been basically infected with the logic syndrome.

A dinner night proper spiced with award presentations, music performances, dance and games, attended by the big wigs in the Department of English began immediately after the swearing-in ceremony.

It started with a speech of gratitude to guests and every participant in activities that made the dinner night by outgone Director of Socials, Ashiru Adekunle.

A red carpet spree moderated by two dears, Ajisafe oluwaseunfunmi and Ajala oluwaferanmi followed, after which beautiful Sandra Dunkwu and Always Humorous AB Blac took over and managed the rest of the program.

The Awards were presented by NASELS' titans, including NASELS President Emeritus, Afeez Gbadamosi (My Boss); NASELS' Vice President Emeritus, Adeyemo Damilola Deborah(Olori) (My Vice-Boss); Outgone NASELS President, Fatoba Shola Peter; Speaker, NASELS Students Representative Council (NSRC), Rt. Hon. Adelowo Adegboyega; NASELS General Secretary Emeritus and NSRC Member, Hon. Ibraheem Sulaimon Olayiwola(Affability); Fatoba Olusegun Michael; Olowookere Kayode(Olukay); and NASELS Communication Bureau (NBC) Editor-in-Chief, Adekunle David(Hon. Too Gentle).

Awardees and NASELS Award categories for the 2016/2017 academic session include Ogunyemi Timilehin (Proud Sponsor of the Year); Bernard Nasamu (Sportsman of the Year), Afolabi Esther (Sportswoman of the Year); Malomo Emmanuel (Marloo) (Most Enterprising Male of the Year), Akinpelu Fiyin (Pelz Absolute) (Most Enterprising Female of the Year); Samuel Adewole (Most Sociable Male of the Year), Enang Claribel (Most Sociable Female of the Year); Fatoba Sola Peter (Most Influential Male of the Year), Akindoyin Mary (Most Influential Female of the Year); Claribel, Ife, Dami & Faith (Best Clique of the Year); NASELS Communication Bureau (NCB) (Best News Agency of the Year); Olanipekun Oluwafemi (Freshest Lala) (Most Expensive Personality of the Year); Peculiar Gift (Most Active Female of the Year); Falope Gbenga Emmanuel (Most Active Male of the Year); Sandra Dunkwu (Most Popular Female of the Year); Olaobaju Ayomitunde (Most Popular Male of the Year); Morakinyo Oluwatobiloba (TobianoAce) (Most Talented Personality of the Year); Ashiru Adekunle (Ash) (Award of Outstanding Social Contribution and Relevance for the Year); Damilola Bakare (Most Handsome NASELSITE of the Year), Afoloyan Tolulope (Most Beautiful NASELSITE of the Year); Oyaisi Abraham (Most Entertaining Personality of the Year); Olaobaju Juwon Ayomitunde (Kid Boss) (Student Celebrity of the Year); and Adeyemo Ayomide (Money Bag of the Year).

All eminent NSRC Honourables who have consummated their final academic year also bagged awards, too, with special recognition to its 2016/2017 four key pillars, including the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adelowo Adegboyega(Part four Constituency); Deputy Speaker, Hon. Falope Gbenga(Fallop G)(Part three Constituency); Clerk, Sanni Faruq Adeyanju(Part two Constituency); and Sergeant at Arms, Adeleye Ridwan Dolapo(Part one Constituency).

While Adekunle Ashiru (Ash), Akerekan Samuel Babatunde (SMK); Ifeoluwa Ogunseye Olaosebikan (Luv codes), Rapper Famous Joe, Fachii Oluwatosin (Thorgan kriss), Morakinyo Oluwatobiloba (TobionaAce) and Rapper Genesis all performed artistically to the delight of guests, Akingboye Sunday Segun (SBB) thrilled all with a poem recitation and "Cynthia and Susan" performed a great dance.

DJ Keyz and Sound Engineer, T-Zico contributed their best to the success of the night, too.
The attendance of past and present NASELS executive members, NASELS Students Representative Council (NSRC) Honourables, NASELS Electoral officers, FASA leaders, as well as other eminent students of the department were loved, appreciated.

Starting from the dinner table, I remember my lively companions, Buah DanSabe Kuni, Akande Oluwadamilola Omotoyosi, Gabriel Hunge and a new friend, Fatokun Matthew Babafemi, alongside Hon. Qudus Yusuf (Que de) and his company.

Also, I recall with utmost pleasure the revered presence of Isaiah Ayodeji Perpetual OriBenson(FASA President-elect) and his adorable sister, Bunmi; Hon. Oke Ademola Moses(FASA Treasurer-elect); sweet, humble brothers, Hon. Oyedele Teslim, Hon. Gbolagade Taiwo Ayodeji (Legacy); the commendable activities of outgone executives, Hassan Adeyinka (General Chan), Owolabi Damilare, Ademujimi Tumilara (Acapett); Adewole Samuel; Umeh Chikwere; the great photographer, Opaaje Alexander; a remarkable helping hand, Precious; and Honourables Fajemisin Tofunmi and Olayiwola Barakat whose references were worth their presence.

What else can I say? All thanks to God the event started and ended well. I still dream about, smell the beautiful aroma the heaps of the professionally prepared plates of rice and big meats served. The significance of the tabled water and wine bottles and big juice boxes filled with thirstquenching, refreshing, toothsome, anglicised content, as well as hospitality provided were second to none. Every face was beautiful and games were exciting. I am optimistic we will have more healthy, memorable events together.

At this point, I think I have said enough today. Tomorrow is another day and it will come to our benefit as the Lord lives. From Bukola to you is bye for now and God bless.

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Writer: Bukola Olafenwa.
College: Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-ife, Nigeria.
Email: bukolaolafenwa@gmail.com