It is called anglomoz, and it is originally a car park but it serves many purposes depending on the time of the day or the academic calendar. It was named after the two freshmen halls located around it, just adjacent to each other. Anglomoz car park is just in between the halls and serves both of them. It was the beginning of a new session, and it was 8 in the evening. And like all evenings during the beginning of new sessions, Anglomoz was filled with activities. At on end of the park, temporary sheds were set up where different stuffs ranging from undies to mattresses were sold. At the other end a couple of companies were running instant promos for their goods and dishing out prizes. The welfare arm of the Students' Union was not left out also in what seemed to be a battle for the attention of the freshers. A dude with a small stature but big voice was shouting into a megaphone that looked heavier than what his skinny arm could carry.
"We welcome all you freshers into this great citadel of learning, the Oba Awon University, the Only Authentic University, and Africa's most beautiful campus. We congratulate you for making it to this school. Many were called but few have been chosen. You should be glad you are part of the lucky few. We are here to sensitize and inform you about Ife. The first and most important thing you should know and never forget is that Ife has zero tolerance for cultism, so if you are a cultist from wherever you've come from I advise you to reject your admission, pay another amount to JAMB and resit for UME. But this time pick Benin or Ibadan or Calabar, any school but Ife, because Ife won't give you the breathing space to perform your evil acts. Great Ife students were killed by cultist on the 10th of July 1999 because of the fight against cultism. Cultism was flushed out of the school after then. Compromising our stance against cultism now would be like walking on the graves of our martyrs. We won't........."
Pago drove into anglomoz with Kalu sitting in the front seat.
"This people always bragging about being the most beautiful campus in Africa" Pago muttered
"Well, there is some amount of truth in it, it once actually was Africa's most beautiful campus and but for the neglect it still would have been" replied Kalu.
They had both come to anglomoz for MOZ 101. MOZ 101 is the sessional rush for freshmen female students or Moz babes as they were commonly called by the males. The female freshers were thought to be young, gullible and in search of adventures, hence they fall easy preys to the rampaging male students. Anglomoz also serves as a venue for MOZ 101.
"You need to see this Teju babe Pago, she is sooooo complete, having the right things at the right places, she is what we call in my place "a real baby oku", her gap tooth alone is ojigbijigbijigbi." Kalu said, hitting his head with both hands mimicking Baba Ajasco "I am just scared you'll snatch her from me when you see her, you always have a way with them girls and Teju will definitely fall for your charms"
"Cut the melodrama jare. Na girl dey make your blood hot like this? I am not interested in your fish, was just kidding the other time. There is always more than enough for everyone"
"Just saying ni. Why is Siji not here?"
"He said he needs to prepare for the semester, he has an appointment with a senior colleague, to get some materials and advice. The guy can be a great spoilsport, at times I wonder why he is my friend"
"Because he is smart, and you see him as a challenge, a competition"
Pago looked at Kalu as if he had just made a preposterous statement
"Don't look at me like that, I know you too well. We grew up together, remember? Competitions make you sit up. Anyways, he is good for you, he is there to constantly remind you that you are in school to study. If not for Siji, you'd be having too much fun. It would have been me, but I'm in a different faculty"
"I admit, but it's a two way thing, if not for me, he would not have a social life at all. He is just too damn serious. Do you know I asked him to come stay with me at the quarters and he refused, he prefers staying in one of the shit holes they call hostels.
"And ironically you are about to enter one of the shit holes. Maybe he is serious because he isn't an Adebantu or even an Okafor, unlike us, he can't afford to fail"
"I know, but 5.0? Who does that?"
"Siji obviously"
"I guess you're right about every point you've made Kalu. Every point but one. He may be a challenge but I don't see him as a competition"
"Like hell you don't, tell that to someone else, not me"
Pago laughed at that and Kalu joined him.
Pago could barely find a place to park the BMW, but after searching for about 5 minutes, he was able to squeeze between a Toyota corolla and a mini bus. He killed the engine and they both got out and walked into Moz.
***
"Are you planning to see the Queen this night Teju?" Ese asked Teju "you've spent like forever in front of that mirror"
"Queen ke? Na MOZ 101 preparatory class you dey see so"
"Shut that your mouth up Funke, before I do it for you, mafi lo mi'n dasi" Teju retorted, feigning annoyance
"Sha be careful, MOZ 101is just a first semester course I heard, that's even for those that are lucky. For many it lasts just a night or at best a week." Funke said as she walked away
"Iwo lomo, thanks, but I can take care of myself"
"Is she right? Are you going on a date this night?" Ese whispered
"My dear friend, MOZ 101 is not actually a date, not in the real sense of the word and all she said about it is right, in most cases" Teju replied "I am not into this MOZ 101 rubbish, what I'm going for is more like a date" she continued with a smirk
"What do you mean by 'more like a date'?" Ese looked at her friend, confused
"Let's just say it's kinda a little bit complicated"
"Uncomplicate it then"
"You don't give up easily, do you?"
"Just curious, is all"
"Okay, I will explain the best way I can. Kalu and I are not actually an item yet, but I have a feeling we would get there. He dare not treat me like a MOZ 101 babe"
"You seem so sure"
"I am"
"When did you meet him?"
"Last week"
"You met him just last week and you are so sure about him?" Ese asked incredulously
"I met you just yesterday, and I trust you enough to tell you about this, about him" that shut Ese up, she didn't know what to say to that. Teju continued
"I didn't even tell Funke, or the other girls I met before you. Why do you think I told you and didn't tell them? She asked and answered herself without waiting for a reply "It's because I'm good with people, I am good at reading and judging them, I have a knack for it. My instinct tells me I can trust Kalu just as it tells me I can trust you" Teju gave her friend her charming gap-toothed smile and Ese could not help but smile back.
"I know you care Ese, just as I would if the tables were turned. But don't worry your pretty head too much, I'm not losing my virginity yet, not tonight anyway. In fact I'll write a formal letter seeking your permission on the day I am going to lose it" they both burst out laughing at her joke.
"Boys on the corridor!!! Boys on the corridor!!!" They heard a girl shout outside and there was a little commotion in the room as girls who were naked and half naked rushed to cover themselves.
Ese watched the little drama with interest. She couldn't just understand why someone would be walking around the room completely naked, especially in a school where boys were allowed to enter female hostels. She hardly walked around her own room at home naked how much more a room shared by 12 girls, she couldn't even imagine herself dressed half naked in this room, except when she was just coming from the bathroom. Good thing her friend Teju shared the same sentiment, they had talked about it the previous night when Ese had asked her why some of the girls were naked and Teju had replied that some said it was because of the hot weather, even though there were fans in the room, and others had claimed they just liked being free.
Now, Teju was giving her a knowing smile. Ese was fully dressed in a pair of jean trousers and an armless top and she was lying on her bed on the lower bunk. Teju had managed to sweet talk the girl above Ese into agreeing to a swap, so both friends were both bunk mates now.
There was a knock on their door, then a male voice saying "Can boys come in"
Teju whispered to Ese "it's him, it's Kalu" then she looked around to make sure all the girls were fully covered before she answered "You can come in please"
"We welcome all you freshers into this great citadel of learning, the Oba Awon University, the Only Authentic University, and Africa's most beautiful campus. We congratulate you for making it to this school. Many were called but few have been chosen. You should be glad you are part of the lucky few. We are here to sensitize and inform you about Ife. The first and most important thing you should know and never forget is that Ife has zero tolerance for cultism, so if you are a cultist from wherever you've come from I advise you to reject your admission, pay another amount to JAMB and resit for UME. But this time pick Benin or Ibadan or Calabar, any school but Ife, because Ife won't give you the breathing space to perform your evil acts. Great Ife students were killed by cultist on the 10th of July 1999 because of the fight against cultism. Cultism was flushed out of the school after then. Compromising our stance against cultism now would be like walking on the graves of our martyrs. We won't........."
Pago drove into anglomoz with Kalu sitting in the front seat.
"This people always bragging about being the most beautiful campus in Africa" Pago muttered
"Well, there is some amount of truth in it, it once actually was Africa's most beautiful campus and but for the neglect it still would have been" replied Kalu.
They had both come to anglomoz for MOZ 101. MOZ 101 is the sessional rush for freshmen female students or Moz babes as they were commonly called by the males. The female freshers were thought to be young, gullible and in search of adventures, hence they fall easy preys to the rampaging male students. Anglomoz also serves as a venue for MOZ 101.
"You need to see this Teju babe Pago, she is sooooo complete, having the right things at the right places, she is what we call in my place "a real baby oku", her gap tooth alone is ojigbijigbijigbi." Kalu said, hitting his head with both hands mimicking Baba Ajasco "I am just scared you'll snatch her from me when you see her, you always have a way with them girls and Teju will definitely fall for your charms"
"Cut the melodrama jare. Na girl dey make your blood hot like this? I am not interested in your fish, was just kidding the other time. There is always more than enough for everyone"
"Just saying ni. Why is Siji not here?"
"He said he needs to prepare for the semester, he has an appointment with a senior colleague, to get some materials and advice. The guy can be a great spoilsport, at times I wonder why he is my friend"
"Because he is smart, and you see him as a challenge, a competition"
Pago looked at Kalu as if he had just made a preposterous statement
"Don't look at me like that, I know you too well. We grew up together, remember? Competitions make you sit up. Anyways, he is good for you, he is there to constantly remind you that you are in school to study. If not for Siji, you'd be having too much fun. It would have been me, but I'm in a different faculty"
"I admit, but it's a two way thing, if not for me, he would not have a social life at all. He is just too damn serious. Do you know I asked him to come stay with me at the quarters and he refused, he prefers staying in one of the shit holes they call hostels.
"And ironically you are about to enter one of the shit holes. Maybe he is serious because he isn't an Adebantu or even an Okafor, unlike us, he can't afford to fail"
"I know, but 5.0? Who does that?"
"Siji obviously"
"I guess you're right about every point you've made Kalu. Every point but one. He may be a challenge but I don't see him as a competition"
"Like hell you don't, tell that to someone else, not me"
Pago laughed at that and Kalu joined him.
Pago could barely find a place to park the BMW, but after searching for about 5 minutes, he was able to squeeze between a Toyota corolla and a mini bus. He killed the engine and they both got out and walked into Moz.
***
"Are you planning to see the Queen this night Teju?" Ese asked Teju "you've spent like forever in front of that mirror"
"Queen ke? Na MOZ 101 preparatory class you dey see so"
"Shut that your mouth up Funke, before I do it for you, mafi lo mi'n dasi" Teju retorted, feigning annoyance
"Sha be careful, MOZ 101is just a first semester course I heard, that's even for those that are lucky. For many it lasts just a night or at best a week." Funke said as she walked away
"Iwo lomo, thanks, but I can take care of myself"
"Is she right? Are you going on a date this night?" Ese whispered
"My dear friend, MOZ 101 is not actually a date, not in the real sense of the word and all she said about it is right, in most cases" Teju replied "I am not into this MOZ 101 rubbish, what I'm going for is more like a date" she continued with a smirk
"What do you mean by 'more like a date'?" Ese looked at her friend, confused
"Let's just say it's kinda a little bit complicated"
"Uncomplicate it then"
"You don't give up easily, do you?"
"Just curious, is all"
"Okay, I will explain the best way I can. Kalu and I are not actually an item yet, but I have a feeling we would get there. He dare not treat me like a MOZ 101 babe"
"You seem so sure"
"I am"
"When did you meet him?"
"Last week"
"You met him just last week and you are so sure about him?" Ese asked incredulously
"I met you just yesterday, and I trust you enough to tell you about this, about him" that shut Ese up, she didn't know what to say to that. Teju continued
"I didn't even tell Funke, or the other girls I met before you. Why do you think I told you and didn't tell them? She asked and answered herself without waiting for a reply "It's because I'm good with people, I am good at reading and judging them, I have a knack for it. My instinct tells me I can trust Kalu just as it tells me I can trust you" Teju gave her friend her charming gap-toothed smile and Ese could not help but smile back.
"I know you care Ese, just as I would if the tables were turned. But don't worry your pretty head too much, I'm not losing my virginity yet, not tonight anyway. In fact I'll write a formal letter seeking your permission on the day I am going to lose it" they both burst out laughing at her joke.
"Boys on the corridor!!! Boys on the corridor!!!" They heard a girl shout outside and there was a little commotion in the room as girls who were naked and half naked rushed to cover themselves.
Ese watched the little drama with interest. She couldn't just understand why someone would be walking around the room completely naked, especially in a school where boys were allowed to enter female hostels. She hardly walked around her own room at home naked how much more a room shared by 12 girls, she couldn't even imagine herself dressed half naked in this room, except when she was just coming from the bathroom. Good thing her friend Teju shared the same sentiment, they had talked about it the previous night when Ese had asked her why some of the girls were naked and Teju had replied that some said it was because of the hot weather, even though there were fans in the room, and others had claimed they just liked being free.
Now, Teju was giving her a knowing smile. Ese was fully dressed in a pair of jean trousers and an armless top and she was lying on her bed on the lower bunk. Teju had managed to sweet talk the girl above Ese into agreeing to a swap, so both friends were both bunk mates now.
There was a knock on their door, then a male voice saying "Can boys come in"
Teju whispered to Ese "it's him, it's Kalu" then she looked around to make sure all the girls were fully covered before she answered "You can come in please"
About the author.
Soji Adeola Ayanleke was born about 3 decades ago in Kano.
He studied Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, he speaks Yoruba and Hausa fluently and he is trying to learn Igbo and Spanish. His hobbies are reading, writing and playing some indoor games.
He studied Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, he speaks Yoruba and Hausa fluently and he is trying to learn Igbo and Spanish. His hobbies are reading, writing and playing some indoor games.
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