The UNIBEN Devil by Nazareth Ifeanyi Aguiyi ironsi I have had different relationships with people and places, but none is as remarkable as the one that bonds me with The University of Benin (UNIBEN) It has been a love-hate fling. Sometimes, I love the fact that ran into her bosom; at other times, she gives off a repulsive stench. It reminds me of a woman in labour, groaning and screaming curses at her husband and the gods that made the seed fertile. Then she gives birth,heals and is pregnant again. Love, anxiety, anger,and fear all rolled in one ball; at a point in time I felt for myself, but,unlike the pregnant woman who delivers a child; I never knew what UNIBEN will bring forth! An institutin of great paradox—excellence and folly dwell side and side; illitracy and education holding hands. One with a smile; the other, a grin. My stay in Ekosodin(spatercus)(the land of so much sand and blood of so many youth. that was sent to UNIBEN to acquire the so much needed education)made me irritated and excited at the same time. It so scary on hearing the sound of an illegal gun shot (never shot by the police) as I would later observe the flinging of lifeless body into the van by the police.Walking with a girl is a big sin in ekosodin. money in your pocket is at big risk..the word (dey with me) is a fearful command you would never want to hear. The hostels of different colours and sizes—the unwanted patches of our lives. In every conner of the street someone is been slapped for not complying to the *dey with me boys*demands and nobody *sends* We may be used to it; suffering can become pleasurable, blinding us to the possibility of change. The car park is another interesting zone. different dramas .The boys who would put on skinny purple jeans wide blue fez cap. tiny green shirt all in the name of *wizkid*..we gat classy guys too and the car ownners that would drive into he carpark at 50 km per minute. coming out from the car with the face of *una no see me*where the hell is my standing ovation.i came in a car peeps*oyo for you* wont forget them lovely chics. they are so sweet different colours and sizes. if you wanna see *colour fight colour* then my lovely carpark girls would give you a wrestling show. though some gat good dress combi. but always for a reason.98% says am available mind you. to those who wanna waste thier yahoo hard earn money., the good ones with no such bad intentionat the car park are always ugly...to an extent the car park was more interesting than the lecture halls Then to the inter campus shuttle service the nagging voice of a driver or conductor at a student who wont agree to the intial bus fare at the bus park after getting mid way his or her destination or the one who would bring a thousand naira note for a 20 naira bus fare(make we for know say you get money.why you nor take drop ?) what arouses me from my world of observation one day was seeing an elderly man obviously in his early forties who could pass for a sixty-year-old- grey hair overwhelmed head; wrinkles that form an arch around his eyes; hollow cheeks; veins along his nose bridge. Ready for a fight as he pulls his sleeves, tightens his fist as he returns the student’s insults. adding (becos una be student una think say we drivers nor go school.thunder fire you!) **common. papa if you were well schooled and gat a degree you wouldnt be here now .even with the nigerian factor. Passengers try to broker peace but to no avail, then a fellow driver calms him in a language that only both understand- their own language of peace- loud yet muffled in a way. The noise finally reduced to silent cursing, hissings and threats. Once again this shack of twenty four has relative peace. Finally the pictorial views of the enormous buildings that stared down coldly at me with stony and emotionless eyes. I am filled with awe, yet my deep desire was to conquer everything standing in my way, including these buildings. Later in my finals, I knew so many things and most importantly that I couldnot really change so many things. I have almost become like everyone else- nonchalant, undisturbed by the things happening around and simply minding my own business. The UNIBEN Devil has touched me. This devil lurks everywhere: car parks, offices, roads,lecture theater.libery.Ekosodin.BDPA.Osasogie and in us; we carry it everywhere. The UNIBEN Devil is like a step father that I hate to love but I cannot help loving for all he gives me- Education, Laughter and Enjoyment and Stress. This UNIBEN Devil gives you a gift as degree in the process he uses his three-pronged fork (bribery or blocking. them runs girls. stress) to sap you of all- your being, your energy, finances, self esteem even your sanity. But this UNIBEN Devil is quite nice, makes you someone else- a tough person, one that can endure all circumstances. And most of all an Educated personality I will never forget my three good brothers (Achoja.Bayo.Tallest) we rocked with the UNIBEN Devil and we have a good result to show for it much might have changed in UNIBEN but the UNIBENdevil is still alive and well) Nazareth Ifeanyi Agusi Bsc Banking and Finance university of benin 2008-2012
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 15:23:37 +0000