UNILAG Students Celebrate NAOSS Day

BY: Odunayo Thomas, Michael Alabi, and Faith Enang

On Saturday, the 6th of July, the National Association of Ogun State Students (NAOSS) at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) hosted her annual Ogun Day celebration. The festival which was organised to honour their culture and traditions, was held at the Jelili Omotola Hall, UNILAG.

In attendance were notable dignitaries hailing from Ogun State in persons of Ọlọta of Ota; Ọba Adeyemi Abdul-Kabir Obalanlege, High Chief Bashorun Seriki of Ota, Honourable Femi Ogunbanwo and the Staff Adviser to the association.

According to the NAOSS President, Comrade Obafemi Ewatomi, the event themed “AṢA ÀTI ÌṢE”, was put together to remind all Ogun indigenous students of their roots, norms, beliefs, values, culture and traditions.

The association under Obafemi’s tenure had earlier in January, gone on a three-day tour to the state where they met with the Deputy Governor, Her Excellency, Noimot Salako-Oyedele. They also visited the Commissioner of Education and through that, NAOSS UNILAG members got a bursary. 

Speaking on the essence of the theme, she said, “It is to bring our culture back. As we are now, we are not speaking Yoruba, we are speaking English. But speaking Yoruba is our culture. Let our culture run in us and show that we are Ogun State students. Omo ibile ni wa.”

The President who also spoke on the need to be a part of NAOSS, encouraged Ogun indigenes to join the association because it provides an avenue to build connections and “your connection is your net worth”. 

To wrap up the day, the new executives for the association were unveiled and Comrade Obafemi was elected as the president for a second tenure.