By Similoluwa Ifedayo
On Thursday, December 15, 2022, the Asiwaju Grassroots Talk (AGT) Directorate Of Student Affairs had its combined Evangelical Seminar (LASU and LASUED), themed "Reawakening the political consciousness of students of tertiary institutions, and their indispensable participation in politics and governance" at Buba Marwa Main Auditorium, Lasu Ojo.
However, I could say that the event did more of awakening the deep hunger and anger of LASUites than the political consciousness. A few days before the seminar, LASU students were asked to join different groups and add their names to the list of attendees for the AGT. With excitement, LASUites did because of the enticing benefits attached as organizers had promised "Item 7" (Food) and souvenirs. Quite frankly, food is the closest to sanity after LASU's stress, so, I understand the reason behind the large attendance as the auditorium was teeming with life, both upstairs and downstairs.
Now, by my calculations, the event wasn't supposed to take up to 4 hours as it was to commence officially by 11 am but, no the event began 12 minutes to 12pm. Since, my early arrival around 10 am, I should have sensed that things wouldn't turn out well but I felt it was just the Nigerian time habit at work, as usual. Shying away from the truth before my eyes, the voice of my conscience, I convinced myself that there was light at the end of the tunnel.
By my observation, without mincing words, the Master Of Ceremony (MC) did a good job of cracking jokes and keeping us entertained. But, the idea to watch a 30 minutes video of what I had read on the AGT's flyer, which came along with the registration and access cards was unnecessary. But, of course, I had no better choice than to watch them since they most likely spent some money on the event. After the videos, several dignitaries took turns to talk about the APC party and why they felt APC is the best party.
Sincerely, I can't give the exact number of times I heard the expression, "Food is on the way." I lost track. Patiently, we waited, nothing came. To prepare us for the "food on the way", students of LASU and LASUED held a dancing competition session between themselves as a form of entertainment to keep us seated. At this time, I had mixed feelings, but I still waited. Male and female students participated in the dancing competition but, for me, the DJ didn't do well in playing the appropriate songs for the twerking competition between the female students of LASU and LASUED. I expected him to play Mr Eazi's song in some segments of the competition, especially the part with the lyrics, "What big yansh can do, small yansh go fit do am" etc. But, no worries as the excitement on the faces of the guys during this particular session is something you should imagine yourself. You can only imagine but at least the sights of boys were well fed, right?
Moving on, waiting expectantly, like a mother waiting on the Lord for a child, little did I know know that the dancing competition and music were preparing me for the "Shege hour", I went through a lot. I was sitting upstairs, so, I had to move downstairs as we were instructed to get our package there. As it a normal custom for students rushed over there to avoid stories that touch. As a neat student, I didn't rush because I didn't want to stain my clothes. Early enough, I got downstairs to get a package but by this time, it dawned on me that there was no light at the end of the tunnel.
We were told to wait and so we did for more than an hour, eventually, the food was insufficient. Few people received while a good number of LASUites struggled for food. There was a long queue but they had to leave when they received nothing. Though I was disappointed but I couldn't help but laugh. The struggle is real. "SAPA dey this world". I wasted my time and was pained but I pitied the guy behind me as I was walking back to a cybercafe. He was lamenting and very sad. I just imagined the funny reactions of LASUites when they are invited to a seminar next week. We have seen "shege" on this day but we won't give up.
On a lighter note, this assessment would be incomplete if I don't congratulate the people that got food and drink, they are the real MVPs. They did a great job of securing their treasure. I left the venue around 5:00 pm with a stressed body.
In conclusion, as much as I am sure, to a large extent that the AGT organizer planned and wished things would be better as I saw Faculty leaders trying to get food for their faculty members, all to no avail; I hope they learn from their mistakes and work towards a better event in the future.
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