Like a tug of war, jampacked on an unorganized long queue. Students push themselves back and forth as they compete for small chops and softdrinks. Greatest Uites dropped their “big boys” and “big girls” and keenly contested to get their share of the “Item 7”. This was a scenario after the UI @75 inaugural lecture delivered by the executive governor of Borno state, His excellency Babaganna Zulum.
As interesting and belly-satisfying this may appear, it may not be the case for this year's convocation. This year's convocation is taking a different turn and promises to dash the hope of many students' plan to feast. This is evident in the graduands attempt to limit their convocation attendees through formal invites.
This fresh strategy of formally inviting UItes largely via WhatsApp might just be a reflection of the current harsh economic climate in Nigeria and alarming costs of food prices; hence graduands need to fasten their belt.
An anonymous celebrant revealed that enough food was not prepared for everyone.
UItes merrying spirit to grace convocation tents for food is a double-edged sword that showcases the bond of kinship among the students and also reveals the tactics to sustain what is left of their economised allawee by capitalising on the food served during the ceremony.
Abdulqudus, a 300level student of the department of Arts and science education has relied solely on the convocation ceremony to cater for his feeding throughout the days for convocation. He said “ this week my hotplate will rest.”
“Although I’m a fresher, but I’ve been told on how to hunt for convocation rice by the staylites and some of my roommates. I’m very happy that this is coming at a time that I have few money left with me.”
Graduands streamlining their convocation celebrations by formally inviting attendances has been hinged on the basis of inflated cost of goods and services I'm Nigeria. With this in view, let's hope the merrying spirit of UItes for this year's convocation is not dampened.
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