It was under that heavy rain an storm of anxiety for knowledge that the siwes coordinators gave the decree "go ye into the world and do your attachments, return after six months and bear the mark of experience".
We took our dusted shoes and torn bags,our shattered hair and art materials with short life span and zoomed into Lagos like books out of the shelves.
Our heads were raised up to read a sign at the national theatre,although the National at that time lingered,like a drop of rain heading for the ground from the roof top."Universal Studios of Art".
We smiled like a baby that rounded up sucking.We entered that compound,but behold it was a community, a centre of communion between Masters and Students,A place of intercourse between art and man.Amazed by the metal sculpture that welcomes every one,Dada was at sight. Isaiah was heading to the bridge in search of bread the usual routine.
Suddenly, a voice screamed "SULE's" ,come over here.That was Odugwu the great Fidelis. Immediately he welcomed us with the words "learning is free here o,but you must pay for donkey".
We obligated, again we heard Mr Josh call "you are all craaaaaaazzzzYyyy,Oga go and do 3 minutes sketches with the soda sule's". We were nervous,his papas cap was funny,however we got used to it.
The eviroment was friendly, but sand fly's were stickers stucked to every models skin.You had dared not shake,else murmurs and grumbling rained from those IT students who waited for 12 noon to pounce on IYA Bose's Canteen.
SOP was not always far from sight ,moving around to correct errors and ask the usual question "why are you late".Especially, when you heard for the time book.
Behold a Camry drove in at 2 pm ,then Kenny's Voice was heard "Morn sir", he greeted and the master of Painting smiled,as though he just won another set of Table Tennis lords.That was Baba Olaku.(MOP).
At 3pm Chairmo was in an everyone arose, greetings conflicted. He smiled ,and with a tiny voice he said "sit down".
Not quite long I saw a man with a hat,his words awoke slaughters and cured head aches.He is called "Ejoh" in my dialect it means "Hero".
We were covered by this men with their large umbrellas of that stood strong against the winds if fear,failure,procrastination and ignorance.
There made us Strong,there made us conquerors,there made us artist beyond the shores of our Varsity.
There made us understand the art we profess.
There taught us to break bounds.
There we learnt what drawing really was Mr Emeka was the anchor,he would instruct "draw shapes, squint and observe light".
A week after a white bearded man with high intellects and strokes that struck a canvas demonstrated,his colours breathed, then Mr Josh smiled at us with this words "This is Mr Edosa". the applause was immeasurable. His paintings were inspiring.
I write this only to say:
That a true child never forgets his home,no matter how far he travels.

Long live Universal !
Long live the masters therein!! Long live every artist that came through that path!!
(evalrexson)

Supported by:
EFFA Solomon,Uzoh Asiegbu,Onome Olotu,Ekpeterson Lizzy,Ayo Oganle,Jane B,Eboh Steven,Lil Uzoh,Titilope,Edak Young,Oka Okoi,Ntiense Tom.