Kon Eme & Maruf
The University of Ibadan convocation heralds on Tuesday the 14th and it is a source of joy to various people, albeit for various reasons. On the one hand, the students of the university are filled with emotions like pride and elation, watching their predecessors, siblings, friends and loved ones say goodbye to an era, the kind of elation that comes after fighting your way through a federal university and more or less coming out on top. On the other hand, the rest of the student body are filled with an entirely different emotion; hunger.
For some, the image convocation brings is that of reconciliation, of celebrating with family and friends, joyously casting away the image of ‘university student’ and for the rest of us, the image convocation brings is that of tents, canopies, catered dishes, generous family members and most importantly, food.
Uites far and wide have been preparing for the convocation ceremony for weeks, many taking to joining online forums and Whatsapp groups specifically dedicated to finding venues where food is likely to be distributed during convocation. The students in these groups are determined, not necessarily knowing anyone participating in the convocation ceremony but not letting something so trivial stop them from getting their daily breads.
Recently, some students have created WhatsApp groups; one of which is with the funny tag – “Convocation updates : Man must eat” to share updates of where to have a chance of getting fed. The rate at which people flooded the group was alarming as it reached its maximum limit the second day.
According to Hikmat, a 200level of Classics department, she noted that she was motivated to join the group to recreate the memories and the fun she had during the convocation time when she was in 100level.
“I was motivated to join the group just to catch fun and good memories. when I was in 100 level, I could remember that we went to that Chapel side and we rejoiced with the graduands and the family.” she said
Also, Tobiloba, a 100 level student of the department of Philosophy was brimming with joy on the expectations of getting food from several canopies as he planned to go from one canopy to another.
Regardless of the reasons for anticipating the convocation ceremony, we congratulate the graduating members of the student body and wish fruitful returns to our eager tent hunters.
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