The truth

behind my B.Sc Memoirs of a fresh graduate from UNILAG

This is a small journal highlighting my journey through the University of Lagos

between 2010 and 2014. I put down my experiences, regrets, thoughts and

actions. Im not necessarily a great writer but I hope you can read through and find

some worth for your time. Its not too packaged just a few headings for each

episode highlighted and basically an easy read.

BY FORCE, BY FIRE

We were returning from church after a Sunday service, 11th of January 2009. The

car was quiet for a while and then he made a proclamation; So waa lo raa JAMB

foomu e yen lo la, UNILAG ni waa fi se first choice. It was the month of fasting for

2009 in my church so I humbly and spiritually took it in. I did as I was told

reluctantly while still holding on to my now fading dream of going to Covenant

University. It was my second time writing the UME organized by JAMB having

succeeded in the first one but held back by a Post-UME in FUTA. I followed my

Uncle on July 10 2009 to write my Post-UME. It was my second time in UNILAG,

the first having been earlier in the year when I carelessly paid my application fees

with my name rather than JAMB registration number all in the hope of not getting

to go to that school such that my mother had to come with me to Lag to see if it

could be rectified. My uncle took me to campus this rainy day and into the staff

school hall where I took my Computer Based exam, I didnt even pray or read. I

hoped I would fail and force my dad to send me to CU, but I was wrong! I passed

so well, I was number 18 of about 80 candidates. Sadly I was admitted into

Unilag and unlike my Colleague Bello Olanrewaju(Banty), I was very unhappy.

We resumed lectures and I got into it. Overwhelmed by zeal, I wanted by all

means to make a very excellent result in the very institution I had developed

hatred for from primary school. This was because I had heard news of riots, cultism,

vandalism and several things on T.V. maybe I listened to too much news for my

age. Anyways, I did all I knew, attended classes, read, asked questions, attended

fellowship, prayed and so on.

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In June 2010 our results were released with a shocker, simply put it was massive

failure! Text messages were sent to our parents from the department and a

meeting held in July where the department informed our parents that we were not

ready to advance and we were warned to avoid further occurrence. Sadly, they

didnt tell our parents how they abandoned us, and treated the diploma students

like they were kings. But we forgave them

The lecturer who headed this was our course adviser. Arc (Mrs) Olumide was

gorgeous and alluring just to put it simple. Lets talk about her:

I had met her in my first week of resumption having taken her number from the

department. I called repeatedly just to get our course forms signed. She didnt

really have our time I guess. She was apparently engrossed in her personal

business as an architect. A lot of guys loved her body and for me it was her accent

that tripped me. We did our studio work with little supervision and we were

repeatedly warned against doing poorly, so fear was our teacher. We had other

colleagues of hers who made us the UME 100Level students look stupid. They were

more favourably disposed towards the Direct Entry (DE) diploma students who Ill

tell you about next. Mrs Olumide was thorough, feared and well we loved her

much later. At least I developed a strong liking for the lady in 400Level, she

eventually influenced the birth of Vitrum, my first company.

THE DIPLOMA STUDENTS

I met a set of students who supposedly had richer parents and were brighter, more

intelligent or more skilful than us the Diploma students. We did a couple of

courses together. They were brash, mean and cocky! Only one or two were cool

and friendly. We had insufficient work stations (seating furniture) - we were over

70 in the studio which by design was a laboratory for 30 students! (But this is not

the part where I talk about the Government and education). I had to stand most

times until I met J-dog (Ajayi Babajide) who was kind enough to share his seat most

times and he was a diploma student! They were treated like eggs; I mean they

paid 350,000 where I paid only 10,000! Would you blame them? They were painted not as good as, but better than us. But we knew the good ones and the

average ones. This discrimination caused some of us to decide never to make

friends with them even in 200-400Level. We werent going to be nice to them, but

then lets just say we grew up!

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I was disenchanted after my F in Physics but angry at the department for my poor

results in ARC 101. Second semester I was determined to do better, to have an A

in Design(ARC102), Physics and others minimum of B. It was a better semester in

most courses except that history repeated itself and I had another F in Physics. That

was 6 units worth of Fs! I have to admit, I had all the letter grades in my

programme i.e. A-F with at least two of each.

MY PHYSICS EXPERIENCE

I had struggled with physics from secondary school but eventually had Cs in the

SSCEs I took. When I met FSC105 and PHS103 in the prospectus I thought Id just

struggle with it and have a C or B. anything but an F! We attended the rowdy,

uncomfortable classes in DLI, bought books, wrote tests, read together. But I didnt

do it right- I learnt much later that theres a difference between reading just for

the exams and reading for depth. I had the opportunity in year one second

semester to do it right, I prayed and moved in to the studio for a week to read etc.

But I eventually scored 22! Lower than the 37 which I had in first semester.

I had two papers the day I was to write my carry over physics (FSC105). I went to

Fred a Physics student who was our colleague and had given us tutorials the

previous year! I had Structures (ARC231) that day as well. In fact, I remember that

Physics was 12.00noon and Structures was 3.00pm.The two were intense

calculation courses, I had 24 hours to finish and silence my first carry over BTW I

had prayed intensely against any further carry overs in any calculation course. So

the night before, I went through the books from about 10.00pm till 6.00am. I went

through both; Physics and Structures (more through Physics because Structures

wasnt actually difficult and it had straight forward formulas). The following

morning after shower I went straight to Freds from around 7.00am-11:35am. I

slept there for about 30 minutes after he had given me nuggets.

The Principle- Best time to study volatile courses is 12hours to exams! It worked for

me I had an A in Structures and a C in Physics. The day of the exam was a

Tuesday, apart from a short nap at Freds BQ and another before 6.00pm the

previous day, I didnt have any sleep. Meaning I was awake almost 23hours. This

happened to be a part of my regular procedure as an Architecture student

anyways. We call it Overnight. Another thing I learnt from the physics

experience was whatever I didnt know a few minutes(30mins) before

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any exam, I didnt need to know; for as long as I had the Holy Ghost in me I did

not fear failure.

I also had a similar experience in PHS103 carry over. Only that I slept a bit more.

I read in Freds room as well, prayed and so on. This time it was a non-calculation

course I had so it was easier to divide time without fearing the possibility of un-

crammed formulas. I eventually had an E and I was free from impractical physics

and its troubles for life!!! And for that I was and am grateful both to God and to

Fred (I didnt really pick the surname). He is a patient teacher. I also thank those

whose calculators I used. My hard fought battle over physics taught me the lessons

I applied in passing another course which was more of a punishment than a

beneficial course SVY 201&201. My department eventually moved and Physics

is now taught as an ARC course in year one with so many As resulting.

SVY: SPIRITUALITY, MY ESCAPE!

Meet Mr Alademomi, sworn enemy of the department of Architecture. Fair,

Average Height, Yoruba accent, Jehovahs Witness, slow talker, err thats enough.

It seemed to us for whatever reason that he was averse to the success of any of his

students especially the Architecture students. He would point at certain students in

the middle of his snooze-drawing, slobber-intense classes and ask with his Yoruba

accent; you archi, you too archi ehn? All of you archi abi and with disdain and a

sneer express his pity for the class. He taught students of the Faculty of

Environmental Science but we were not his friends. His portion of the course carried

about 70% while the practical part which was handled by other lecturers was

easier, so he always wanted to show us he had power to control outcomes. And

like the Physics department he had made it a duty to fail my department (judging

by carry overs from preceding sets).

For me, every course was a potential A or anything but F. SVY201 was 3 units; I

wanted an A or B. I struggled to memorize tables and all; I paid for practical,

bought whatever and finally had a D! Alademomi could only fail about 6 students

in my department. He came on fierce in 2nd semester swearing to us that wed all

carry over. He told certain people in his cold voice You will fail this course, say

amen. I dont think I paid any attention in his SVY202 classes, like physics and

certain other classes I walked out sometimes since I couldnt hear clearly and I

couldnt understand anyways. I knew I couldnt fail anymore and my focus in school

was already shifting (to many other ventures).

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So we hoped for success and did the practical well. Exams came; German

Objectives and we were to write out our workings in another answer sheet. I had

very little clues on what to write. The exams were bloody, those who talk inside

exam hall couldnt because virtually all rooms available in Engineering were used

and spaced out. People came out of the exam hall cursing the man; I didnt though.

I had done something in the exam hall that was powerful enough to assure me of

no carry over. In the end I had an E, many of my colleagues had Es too, there was

one B, some Cs and Ds and about 20 Es (escapees) the rest were Fs about 19 of

them. Gist spread that he had failed over 40 but the department returned our

results twice for upgrade before accepting the final outcome of 16 carry overs

with shocking names involved.

Now I said I did something in the exams (backed up by pre-exam prayers) that

saved me from Failing. Let me share that in this portionI had spent hours, days

studying hand-outs, notes and all so that my final few hours to the exams would be

pure revision. We even had tutorials and the students from surveying did us well.

But unfortunately we live in a nation with the twisted notion that the more difficult it

is to succeed, the better for you. That mentality only breeds selfish people, rat race

specialists, people who cant mentor another generation. The education sector is

like that in this nation; I need a bit of Surveying knowledge quite alright but the

course shouldve been tailored to suit the portion of surveying that I would require

not the whole thing! I think the NUC would be wise if they asked universities to tailor

such borrowed courses to the needs of the students taking them, rather than teaching

it like youre also going to become a professional in that field. As for the exam hall

secret, I used some spiritual codes I had learnt earlier in life. I was speaking in

tongues all through the exam and before I came out, having quoted certain

scriptures back to God I made a vow to God. I acknowledged my apparent

failure and my laziness in lecture time. I asked God to get me through and Id pay

a certain amount as soon as my result was out. I also vowed to share the testimony

with some students whenever I had the chance this was my only salvation otherwise

my CGPA wouldve dipped. Also, I gave a thanksgiving seed in faith that

Wednesday evening at church and ensured I prayed for Alademomi and his

children. This works in such hard situations, dear reader.

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This is one of the practices that help many Christians in school get their good

grades. Intense prayers, vows, mixed with hard work or even low input;

notwithstanding this their understanding of spiritual principles always gets them the

results. No wonder LVCU among others produce large numbers of First class

students and pastors yearly. I too shouldve been a beneficiary of this benevolence

of the Most High, except that I had seen a negativity that this has posed to our

nation over the years. I didnt want to be another Christian who would just breeze

through life on those principles without connecting to other universal principles and

having maximum societal impact. This is what led to my exodus from the Winners

Campus Fellowship (WCF) in July 2010

SOCIALLY RESPONSIBLE CHRISTIAN: HOW I GOT TO POJU OYEMADES C3

Before I got into UNILAG, I had sworn to be a kingdom giant and all that. I

wanted to be like the rest of them, I mean the great people who Christian Campus

fellowships had produced. But then I got into school and saw the trend of massive

irresponsibility displayed by believers in supposed display of spiritual capacity. I

observed wrong investment of energy, poor use of our intellect, lack of solution

drive and disconnection from political landscape among other things that

characterised a lot of Christians around me. I saw myself becoming one of the

Excos of my fellowship and I was a bit uncomfortable with that prospect, so I made

a decision to ask God if He would provide a way out. I had already taken the

workers form in my fellowship and had been extremely devoted, but I still bore

this burden. In June after a supernatural healing experience, I began to hear in my

spirit echoes of Pastor Poju Oyemades name, things I had previously read about

and heard about were literally ringing in my head. So I decided to pray and be

sure it was the correct response to my request in the previous weeks and I finally

moved. I moved out of predictability to unpredictability. God was taking me into a

school of pragmatic Christianity led by a deep thinker. I even saw him teaching me

out of a certain book on the University road in a dream. I knew such peace and

supernatural increase. I learnt a lot in C3 and kept in mind that I wouldnt be there

for all my days in school. I learnt certain things about prayer, relationships,

pragmatic faith and the pursuit of social change church motivated. The use of my

intellect improved, I also learnt to balance between intellectuality and spirituality. I

never wanted to be in C3 before I got in but I must say it is the right church. It

turned out to be a wonderful experience.

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I still attend the church a times, especially when I need to be back in time for other

tasks on Sunday, but aside that Ive fully returned to Living Faith Church in Lagos

knowing the reality that C3 will not open branches in any part of the country or in

Abeokuta for that matter. But that was not until I got the nudge that I had finished

the learning I needed. Besides the teachings and spiritual atmosphere I also loved

that the church was well branded without and organized similar to my Church,

Winners Chapel. This was partly why I could stay there with ease. I also loved the

fact that I could attend services as early as 6:30 am and be back in school by

8.20am to work and do whatever other things were on my agenda.

I believe Christianity in Nigeria should transit and begin to focus on the values that

build the society. Churches should be socially responsible! No loudspeakers outside

your buildings for heavens sake not everyone on the streets wants to hear you!

C3 (Covenant Christian Centre) has no doubt been very socially responsible as well

as useful to Lagos and Nigeria.

ON FURTHER THIRST FOR VALUE-ADDED LIVING

Professor Olumide Olusanya Youngest Professor ever in UNILAG, Father of 2,

Genius, Young old man, wise critic, solution driven guy! This man caught my

attention when I learnt he was the brain behind the Oshodi miracle attributed to

the Fashola administration (not the entire planned thing has been executed since).

Professor Olusanya is doubtlessly my greatest influence in the University of Lagos. I

met him first in the Introduction to Architecture (ARC106) class of 100Level. He is a

great teacher, profound in thinking; no other lecturer in the department is as deep

as he is. No other professor is worth the title except Professor Igwe. In short Prof

Olusanya is a god indeed! And why all this acclamation for this man you might ask,

my response is that you read his inaugural lecture 2004.

I think of him as someone who should be replicated in all faculties in UNILAG, like

3 of him in UNILAGs 12 faculties. So what did he do for me?

Professor Olusanya took us studio in Year 2 and 3. I never had an A but I know his

teachings are profound enough to give a man As in life if well practised. Here are

a few things I learnt from Prof:

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- Real Simple: To start with, Prof taught us in ARC 106 the difference between

Simple, Simplistic, Complex and Complicated. He helped us realize the

fundamentals of design which I think can be applied in solving problems at all

levels in life. I chose after that class and upon consequent thought to come up

only with really simple schemes such as would be easy to understand and

interpret. He taught us how petroleum refineries which seemed to be huge

complexes were simply running on simple principles but put together formed a

complex interrelationship. I must be honest, Ive not quite applied all that in my

architecture adequately, but in terms of my personal projects Ive done well in

applying them. He has been a blessing to my thought process.

- Relevant Case Studies: As touching creativity which is the backbone of

Architecture, Prof taught that we needed case studies for each design. And

that they needed to be in the relevant context. It doesnt make sense to take

a building from the UK as a case study for one in the tropics (Paraphrased).

Prof believes problems are solved when similar cases in similar locations are

considered. This was not accepted by many of my colleagues because much of

the tropics is third world and hence only few documented works exist online or

in libraries. This case study principle also applies when were looking at solving

social problems here in our country. We cannot solve our corruption issue for

example without taking cue from a multi-ethnic nation with similar cultures as

us. This applies in governance, business, social issues and all. If you want to

study examples that have worked they have to bear similarities significantly

close to the context youre working on otherwise it will just not work. In

architecture for instance India, Pakistan, Malaysia, Ghana, Brazil are tropical

and would guide your design decisions more accurately than Iceland, United

States, Israel etc. point made. But this is not to say that problems and principles

arent universal. It just happens that solutions vary with each locale.

- Realistic designs: Prof didnt accept designs that wouldnt fit into the

environment. You couldnt just tell him that air-conditioning would replace

natural air where needed. Hed remind you of the electric power realities in

the nation. He taught me to be very pragmatic in finding solutions to the

design problems I faced.

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- The Grid: Prof always made us start designing with a grid. He insisted on

having us working around a grid and birthing our design schemes out of them.

I once humorously said to my colleagues who were lamenting his non

acceptance of their design concepts think outside the box but within the grid.

I have however been influenced by this both in design and in real life issues. A

grid is a fixed 2 dimensional box. Essentially meaning a fixed set of variables

within which youre to work when seeking solutions to matters before you. This

is an approach to creativity which I am teaching at some of my seminars. The

grid is never a problem or a limitation, its just a framework which ensures

structural stability and long life for whatever it is you are coming up with.

Professor Olusanya studied architecture in the University of Oregon and

became a Professor of Architecture in 1995. He is a father in the Department.

PROFESSOR IGWES INFLUENCE ON ME

I did mention that Professor Joseph Igwe is a contemporary of Prof Olusanya, the

only other professor worth the title in the department. He is a professor of history

trained here in UNILAG. He has risen through the ranks to become a significant

academic across Africa. He is the second most senior academic staff in Archi. He

taught me a few things and I observed certain others from his life:

- Simple life: Unlike typical Nigerian situations, he didnt think things should be

difficult for people. He made As fun and automatic. Prof would tell us theres

no need for us to be wicked to ourselves... and say that with a smile. This man

gave us open book exams once, told us what questions would be set, and still

didnt stay in the exam halls to invigilate. He eliminated tensions anywhere he

was. Let me take you back to my days in senior secondary school so youll get;

I had hated Chemistry for one of many reasons. The teachers made their

complicated, messy subject look so difficult. Mrs (I cant even remember her

name) told us occasionally how they were given open book test in her

university days and they still couldnt figure out the answers, which got me

mad! And it still gets me angry when I hear how people praise our schools for

the difficulty levels. The twisted mentality that it must be harder for it to be

better I dont get. We take delight in making it difficult for others to live life,

for students to pass, for appointments to be given, or for promotions to be

granted. We make life hard for our brothers and we laugh about it...

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I pity us if we continue like this, this is one reason why we dont live long,

because we create a long line of frustrated people who see very little

possibility of survival. We have to change this mentality as a nation! Profs

own wasnt like that. In his open book exam we all had great grades(I had a

B- 68%) and we still know much of what he taught. This is the sign of a lecturer

confident about his teaching. He is so nice, God bless his Offspring in Jesus

name!

- Africans and Religion: Professor Igwe was outspoken against the response of

Africans to religion. He analysed to us how other civilizations began and

lamented our peoples fear for withed, demons, deceptions by pastors and so

on. He said one time if witches are powerful, let them convert sand to

electricity. His point was that all our spiritual jargon in Africa didnt translate

to industrialization; there was not productivity out of these things. Prof Igwe

took us through literal documentary sessions with in-depth analysis and a smile

on his face. He showed us that mental laziness not demons alone was Africas

problem. He described truths in the international community and didnt put

blames on any leader of Nigeria rather he blamed all Nigerians while pin-

pointing the issues and outlining practical, inexpensive solutions.

I was not lucky to have met one Professor Adedokun, an angry Associate

Professor(stuck to that position) who killed my interest in History of Architecture in

year 3. I had a D whereas even in other exams conducted by Igwe that werent

open book I had As . The point that led me to mention the man is this, if youre an

administrator reading this please note: Bitter people shouldnt be allowed into

classrooms either as teachers, lecturers, administrators or policy makers, send them

to LAWMA(Lagos State Waste Management Authority) instead.

THE GIRLS I KNOW

I want to quickly take you back to year 1 and go right up again. This time Ill be

talking about my many female friends in UNILAG as well as the general

perception of UNILAG girls.

I am generally a very serious minded soul, and I love to avoid irreparable errors.

So I generally didnt hangout a lot. But I did have my eyes full because girls laid

everything bare on campus. I saw everything and basically anything you can

imagine. Our girls arent really sure of their real value and as a result sell off for

cheap.

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I think Unilag girls can do better in terms of food and money... The love of free

things doesnt really have great benefits.

But I am not one of those to speak on such a matter. Let me just mention that in my

typical drive to meet more people and in this case women; I met some of the nicest

girls, some of whom it was assumed at some point that I was dating but I wasnt.

Moji: I really dont remember when exactly I met that one but it was surely in year

1 and I think she was the first to talk to me. I liked her accent and her intelligence;

she was always with one tall girl called Anu, both of whom I eventually got close to

after deleting my prejudices. I love them...

In year one I met some in my faculty too, but the distance between department

and faculty and differences in our courses broke those friendships quickly. There is

Dieko, a Quantity Surveying student who I recently discovered is from Isiwo my

Dads village(she told me she was from Ikorodu), theres Lanre from the same

department. Sadly I cant remember any other. But these ladies were all useful at

some point.

Miss Dunni: I met this one during our registration in year 1. She was always

everywhere during registration and I decided to talk to her and find out whoo she

was. I discovered then that she was from a school in Abeokuta. I then met her

again under the engineering shed one evening while heading back to the hostel.

She was working on a T.D. assignment and doing nonsense. I took her up to my

studio and together we came up with the right drawings. Dunni is slim, fair, and

fine. But I wasnt interested in anything more than helping her with work. She

eventually got familiar with the class (killing the possibility of interest) and made

friends with virtually every one. Weve remained good friends ever since, though

Ive recently not been in touch because I lost her number again.

Then in year 2 I met Ruth, a CBG 200L student as well. She is also fair, tall, slim

and a Christian. I was at the lagoon front one Sunday afternoon and decided to

just talk to a random soul. I met her reading for her French exams, took down her

number and weve been good friends too since.

Glory is my daughter. I met her in a LAGBUS while returning home one evening

before we had hostels. She was in her first year and so I offered some form of

mentoring and supported her to an extent while I was in 300L. I have remained a

friend, but I liked the fact that shes Igbo so I tried to get out of the friend zone last

year.

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But I think Id been there too long so there are no strings attached still. Shes

extremely principled and disciplined. I believe in her a lot.

Then I met so many others in my department, Fiyi, Bukunmi, Sade, Margaret and

many others. They are people I believe would significantly contribute to Nigerias

future as professionals and home makers. But I think the love of free things by most

other UNILAG girls would not help for those who would want serious relationships.

And Im still trying to figure out why ladies/girls/women in short- female humans

are a very confused set of people! They dont always know... they always need

help. I really think they should get themselves reordered. And if thats part of their

nature I can only shake my head for them.

HOSTEL LIVING AND THE LESSONS

Biobaku Hall, a Sunday afternoon (think it was 31st January 2010). My first day in

the hostel, I dropped my load in the room with one person and ran down quickly to

thank my uncle for bringing me there. On returning, I didnt find my second bucket,

someone had taken it. I soon got accustomed to that as they took anything ranging

from spoon to slippers, towels, food, anything! The stress of getting in to hostels is

one thing; the inconsistency of water, occasional power outages is another

annoying thing. I was in Biobaku in year one and year 3 and Elkanemi in year 2.

In year one I cooked and did all that but later realized it was a waste of time and

money because most times I had to share my meal, pots, hotplates. It was messy so

I took some lessons from my days in hostel:

1. Never go to the hostel with everything you need. Some people will bring that

thing that you think you dont have. Just share with sense so that you dont

end up losing yours.

2. Cooking is waste: You wont be fair to cook and not share because of the

occasional possibility of you needing to share with others at some point so

just dont cook. It wastes time, finishes provisions faster.

3. Not all Hostel Users are humans: Flush the toilets when you use it keep your

portion clean but sweep if you make it dirty. There are janja smokers in

Biobaku and Elkanemi Hall and the hall management really cant stop it. So

just tread with caution, dear reader.

4. Buying space: I bought bed space two times Year 2 & 3 and both times felt

guilty because I had to settle someone. The insufficiency of hostel facilities

in our University is very sad indeed.

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But you should learn to give them money with wisdom. The longer you persist,

the lower you give them. So dont be in a haste to drop some thousands where

you can settle them with 2,000. Just be careful when you come in and when

you go out. And to avoid it being a categorical bribe, give them as a gift in a

context that protects you e.g. buy them something... Its amazing that DSA

would make it a crime to buy space with insufficient hostel accommodation

available.

UNILAG REMAINS UNILAG!!!

I was on IT in 300Level when May 29 2012, 7.00am about to enjoy the holiday

when I heard that my school had been renamed. The school I was only managing

had been officially downgraded by a ******** (I really shouldnt use the words

that I actually wrote down) It got me angry especially as we learnt that the move

was against the schools constitution. I, like other UNILAG students protested, though

I didnt go out on the road. My own protests were online through my Twitter and

Facebook accounts. This then brought out my fears about Jonathan Goodlucks

administration which had led me to campaign against him in 2011:

1. He is an accidental Success: I dont believe in luck or any elements that push

the undeserving into glory. I happened to be listening to radio in 2005

December when he was made Governor after Alamieseghas escapade. I

watched in 2007 how Peter Odili lost out and by some zoning rule he

became the candidate that ran alongside Yaradua. I have monitored

Nigerian politics through every form of media available and have seen that

the least outspoken are quite more dangerous i.e. the ones who look saintly

always leave the worst heritage behind (I challenge you to make your

findings and disprove me if you can) I studied Jonathans accidental rise and

while some thought it was Gods good hands upon him, I saw that there was

more to it. There was the engineering of some people behind it all and those

power thirsty ones simply hid behind a GEJ to attain their ambitions. He is a

power hungry man, who subtly gets what he wants using those who are

willing. This is why till date he still owes those people who got him into power

and he cant probe their recklessness like Obasanjo wouldve done. I knew he

lacked the will to do any good for Nigeria, I knew his administration would

fail those who gullibly voted him in 2011 and I thank God he hasnt

disappointed my expectations. Lets see 2015...

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2. He married wrong: The rumours all over the place arent actually the reason

why I think so, neither is it the UMBRERA ish that informed my sentiment.

Rather the following thoughts about his wifes mental state made me realise

that that Ph.D. holder can be such a dumb ass at times! In 2010 I was further

assured of his imminent failure when I was watching the Bisi Olatilo Show and

I saw his wife at a particular politicians daughters wedding reading her

address from paper! Please, who reads a speech at a wedding???!!! I knew

then that she was in a fatal state of mental handicap. You dont read a long

speech at a wedding, isnt she supposed to be married?? She couldve just

come up with something off heart but then... she wouldve literally destroyed

the place with her shelling or tabons however you put it.

Lets try to reason with me on this please. I am a Christian, a bible student

and follower of many teachers including Bishop David Abioye and the Apostle

Paul. Bishop once said who you look at determines what you look like. The

Apostle Paul makes this fact a truth as seen in 2nd Corinthians 3:18. As a man,

youre supposed to be the cardinal example, model and mentor in the home.

Youre the one she looks up to just as the bride (the Church) looks unto Jesus

and we get transformed to that image we behold as in a glass... I put it this

way what you behold is what you become. The idea therefore is this; GEJ

isnt a good mentor to his wife. Hence he who fails to rule his own house well,

how shall he rule a nation well? Hope you get...

3. He is not a University Lecturer: The erroneous information people have about

this guy is that he taught at UNIPORT for a while. Well he didnt! He was a

mere college of education teacher, something that requires just a B.Sc. to do.

And I sincerely do think his Ph.D. is phoney. This is because he was awarded

the Ph.D. in 1995 but the most recent records of his academic papers online

show dates 2004 upwards.(see nnn.com.ng/?page_id=324) I really doubted

his intelligence after checking through these. You can also judge by his

seeming lack of articulateness and obvious lack of depth. And judging by his

lack of respect for rule of law unlike his late predecessor, I think we should just

open our eyes in 2015.

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GOVERNMENT AND THE EDUCATION SECTOR

Politics, university rankings, current affairs, issues of faith, and the economy were

the issues that I argued about whenever I did argue. I avoided talks with people

about girls because most guys were honestly babies they didnt have the mental

stuff I had about women. I really did love arguments that put down Nigerian

universities because that was the fact, our universities are sick! I was always angry

when my HOD came to class to praise my departments architecture program as

though it is the best on earth. Were quite good but are still second to A.B.U

Zarias as we both have the C.A.A (Commonwealth Association of Architects)

accreditation. I also hate when private universities especially the good ones are

belittled by my lecturers or student colleagues, then I was mad when people

talked about WEBOMETRICS ranking as basis for arguing that MAKERERE or

JOMO KENYATA or LEGON Universities werent better than UNILAG or OAU! It

made me sick that people werent being honest... These schools do true research,

and they actually solve societal challenges, which is part of the core functions of a

university. So why did I support CU or KNU, Ghana and so on over my nations

institutions?

Our universities are underfunded, very clearly. They lack true autonomy and so on.

My stand is very simple; TUITION FREE EDUCATION MUST CEASE or at least the

subsidy should be reduced by half or more! Let us pay for our education. Let me

explain please. I am an offspring of a line of educationists including a professor at

UI and a grandfather who wrote some of the maths textbooks you probably used.

My parents are Graduates and Educational Administrators in both federal and

state civil service today. So I understand some things about education ehn...

This is my Solution - State funds should focus on primary education i.e. the state

government should give every kid Very qualitative, Very Free and Very

compulsory (arrest parents who refuse) Primary education. It must be Mercyland

standard (thats the school I had most of my Primary education). The local

Governments with support of states should provide Secondary education, also

FREE!!! In both cases I know the funds available to the states are sufficient to

provide for those needs. The states should partner Federal government and private

sector on TVET (Technical and Vocational Education). They should be of extremely

high standards and people should of course be made to pay, but only a trifle. It is

this kind of education that actually runs the economy.

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These people are the welders that maintain our bridges, electricians, factory

workers, salesmen and so on. They are the ones who will actually not do white

collar jobs but will give white collar jobs value. No nation has become

industrialised without this in place. As for University education it should be limited

to any sponsor who can afford certain basic standards. I checked and saw that it

cost not less than 4billion to build a high class University like Landmark University also founded by Dr David Oyedepo. This sponsor can be any of State, Local

Government or Private sector. Federal Government should only provide policy and

occasional subventions when necessary. But by all means Universities should cease

from being Tuition Free! My fees to Unilag in 4 years were 82,000 in total. This is indeed sad for someone who desires world-class education! Truth is that

University education isnt for everyone... If we want to have our universities

conducting actual research, then the funds should be pooled from all over. Students

should pay for value, schools require endowment funds from the private sector and

only occasionally should the Federal Government provide subvention. Universities

are heavy investment houses, people should pay to go to school, let me get a

student loan or scholarships and then work hard to pay back upon graduation.

Then our degrees would make sense, our schools will have foreign applicants, etc. I

mean it, if you want to study medicine at Harvard do you know how many millions

of Naira youll pay? As of today, no one can boast of a first class education in any

Nigerian University. Even the best private universities pull in lecturers from our

dead state and federal schools making it difficult for them to really create

excellence. My vote in 2015 will go to the candidate who will remove the subsidy

on Tertiary education. And please, lets not be misled by WEB rankings because

they dont give you true measurement of a universitys worth. Try reading or

listening to interviews granted by Professor Okebukola or Julius Okogie one-time

and serving DGs of NUC and youll see what a true university is defined by.

Enough said about university education and the government. I want to talk about

some lessons learnt in my third year.

NO FRIENDS, GREATER SUCCESS

I have been quite a nice person, almost selfless, available to help anyone anytime.

Its what a Christian should be, right? But that changed when I observed that I

needed to cut-off some people whom I was with. I realised that somehow, our

spiritual genetics didnt match.

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I realised that the more selfish I became the better it was for me. In fact after

observing their spiritual disadvantage to me I prayed such prayers as Lord, if itll

take such and such person to have an F for me to have an A in this course then do

it. It was sad that the very people I helped with sincere (but unintelligent) love had

better grades. I knew there was something wrong and took wisdom and spiritual

warfare to counter it. Honestly, some of the names I mentioned in warfare prayers

actually had slips in their CGPAs so I was right. I know it sounds superstitious but

the devil is real. I stopped reading with certain people, stopped giving answers to

revision questions or support with studio design. The lesson is that people arent what

they seem. They are not nice, and they dont love you. So live with the expectation of

disappointment and be ever spiritually sensitive. Prayer and fasting and constantly

speaking in tongues will keep you from the error that wrong relationships pose. Be

the spiritual force that manages your class, your department. Be an intercessor for

the souls of your colleagues and this spiritual stewardship would guarantee you

protection from the evils that surround you. The expectations of men can be fought

by love and wisdom. The Holy Ghost kept me from potentially damaging situations

as I stood several midnights, and at daytime to intercede for my school and

department. Be observant, wise as serpents gentle as doves

TO FAST OR NOT TO FAST

Between year 1 and 3, I had a series of personal development and spiritual

growth campaigns. I read books, prayed and fasted severally. Several days of

intercessions, supplications and so on just to get it right. My bible was hardly out of

sight and my spiritual life was booming despite not being in any campus fellowship

my only problem was that I didnt apply wisdom in fasting. So I built spiritual

might but damaged my body and I didnt discover until in September 2012 during

my IT when I discovered that my hands were shaking and upon examination it was

discovered that my blood sugar was low. My weight before year 1 was 63Kg but

at that time it was 52Kg. I had almost killed myself. Then I started eating and

personally banned fasting for another one year minus once or twice in a month as

against my previous 6-10 times a month. I learnt then to handle spiritual things with

intelligence. This also affected my decisions on giving. I totally grew in terms of

balancing intelligence and spirituality. I think people should learn this too. We

should apply wisdom so as to keep our bodies for long term service in Gods

kingdom. Dont fast yourself to death, dont give an offering without a budget.

Learn wisdom... 17

COMMERCIAL VENTURES AND OTHER DREAM PROJECTS

I have been a perpetual dreamer from childhood and have been encouraged by

my bible. (Joel 2:26-30) I decided to be useful to myself at several levels

financially. Ill just mention some of the things I did.

In year 2, I was with a certain senior colleague(Tiwa) who provided internet

services with his Starcomms modem. I made him some money for him and got paid

too. Then upon motivation by a certain Pastor Israel, I began to sell body sprays

and perfumes. It was quite a successful venture too. That was in my third year as

well. I also did a few other things to reduce the need for daddys money and

eventually especially during the 6 month strike of 2013 I made so much more

money as I worked at several ventures architecture and non-architectural.

I came up with a parody news network in 200Level comprising TNN and El-Jerirah.

They were PowerPoint presentations that satirically described school events, and

showed photos with connotative texts. Basically made people laugh at themselves. I

began to lose interest when my laptops graphics card went bad, that was coupled

with the fact that I couldnt find any potential for profitability from it. Gifts and

talents must be fun for you but then must also be profitable at some point unless

you want your talent to become home-brewed and home-used. I lost many records

of this when on July 10 2013 I lost my backup hard drive and laptop computer to

a thief. But Ive gotten over it.

The final ventures Ive come up with are L.U. and Vitrum. Ive officially founded

and registered these two companies to basically add value to the society visibly.

The latter is basically for the Department of Architecture and Lagos based while

the former is based in Abeokuta where I host series of seminars monthly. Just watch

out for these companies in 4-6 years from today.

I think Ive basically shared it all. Last Friday (March 29 2014) I saw my name on

the admission list for MED. The Masters degree programme offered by my

department. Just describe me as an Architect, Social Entrepreneur, Public Speaker,

Intelligent Christian Celebrity and someone youll always want to be like. And well

meet someday soon

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12 UNIMPORTANT FACTS ABOUT MY B.SC THAT YOULL NEVER WANT TO

KNOW:

1. I never visited the University library. Its as obsolete as it looks. I

preferred my departments library.

2. I walked every major road on campus, theres almost no place I didnt

reach except V.Cs lodge.

3. I logged into CITS internet with lecturers pass codes (minor hacking) I

think I might have stopped them from logging in at times.

4. I was class representative in year 1 for 3 weeks, then assistant till year

3.I then took over again in year 4. I learnt some things about people management.

5. I never did full overnight before Jury after yr. 1 first semester. I always

finished work before that day, except for finishing touches and lie-lie or bobo

sheets.

6. I added only 4 inches to my height.

7. My longest Recovery sleep after any jury was in year 3 when I had

Landscape jury immediately after Studio Jury. I slept from 5:15pm Wednesday to

7:45am Thursday except for waking at around 1 to urinate. Thats about 13

hours!!!

8. I ate bread at least 3 times a week. Especially Unilag bread.

9. My uncles home in Ketu served as my home (though very

uncomfortable) till he moved to his house in Ogun State last year. So Im presently

homeless in Lagos.

10. My frequency of travelling home rose from once a semester to twice a

month on IT and almost every weekend in 400L.

11. My dad never visited my school. And there are no plans to attend my

convocation.

12. I missed only three Sunday services in Lagos all because I was with

people. One was in my Uncles house and the other two were in my colleagues

house. Making it a total of 6 Sunday services Ive missed in life(as far as I can

remember)

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