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DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to all Great Nigerian Students.

To all who strive for excellence in character and learning, I say, A luta Continua, Vitoria acerta!



Excerpts:


CHAPTER TWO

The yam and potatoes were done now. The old man was at the grill stand. Sarah was preparing tomato and ginger juice while the boys who had hurriedly fetched wood, gone home, taken their baths and hurried back, now sat on padded chairs around an oak table under the umbrella tree in the old man’s lawn.

“Granddad, the juice is ready now, what kind of music should I play for you?” Sarah asked.
“No music for now. We are a group of friends going to talk about the phenomenon called – going to Claymount,” her granddad answered.

Sarah served out the food and poured everyone a cup of the juice. They ate in silence. The boys were very shy in the presence of Sarah who in turn wanted her grandfather to start talking in order to ease the tension.

When the meal was over, the dishes cleared and everyone’s cup refilled, the old man suddenly asked, “What do you all want to be in future?”

The young students all glanced at each other with rolling eyes having now familiarized over the meal.

“Okay, let’s take it ladies first,” the old man said.

“Well, granddad, I'll like to be a lecturer so that I can witness and participate in the development of future great minds,” Sarah answered.

“Wow! That’s interesting,” her grandfather said.

“I want to be a medical doctor so that I can help cure the sick,” Charles said.

“That is very good my son,” the old man said visibly elated by now.

“I want to be a lawyer so that I can defend and uphold the rights of the poor and downtrodden in the society,” Victor said, looking very serious and legal.

The old man was so impressed with all their answers. “You have all spoken very well and may all your wishes come to pass!” He said.
The boys glanced at each other still feeling he was an angel.

He cleared his voice and started talking authoritatively, “The university experience is one that you will never forget in a hurry. From the day you step into the premises of the ivory towers, your life changes completely.

You will notice a myriad of human behavioral patterns, habits, callings, creeds, ideologies, idiosyncrasies, fashion, etcetera. All these are expected to dwell together in peace and harmony, seeking the satisfaction that comes with a true achievement of academic and behavioral excellence,” he paused and sipped from his drink.

“The university is a microcosm of the larger society. Every facet of humanity is well represented. Those that will become presidents, first ladies, ambassadors, religious leaders, top-notch businessmen, professionals, musicians, actors and actresses, armed robbers, drug barons, advance fee fraudsters, etcetera, are all there.

You will notice these inclinations at their budding stages. So always take a closer look at those faces because they will be the selfsame faces you will see in these endeavors both legal and otherwise, in the future.”

He stayed silent for a while and watched their countenances. They were deeply engrossed with his words.

“Go on granddad,” Sarah urged.

“Open your mind and better believe it, it is another world,” he continued.

“Your language and mood will be the first hit. Other students both old and new, will immediately become culture transfer mediums, immediately pummeling and reshaping you. Have immense respect for yourself and show that to the world but be willing to accept positive change!”

He stood up, went to one of his flower pots, picked a rose flower, sniffed it, gazed into the azure skies, seemed lost in thought for a while, sat down and continued, “Your academics is the number one reason why you are on campus. Let nothing and no one stop you from achieving this goal.
Your seasoned lecturers, professors and Management Staff are beacons of light that you must follow if this goal is to be achieved.

During your registration process, you must apply the do-it-yourself (DIY) policy. Make all your payments yourself and open a file to keep all receipts, tellers and printouts serially, from the very first one collected. One of the greatest nightmares of a student is to suddenly start looking for receipts some of which may form basis of admittance into examination halls and will be used for fee clearances during graduation.

Follow the queue; it is your early teacher of discipline, tolerance and perseverance – worthy virtues that you will need all your life.

Let your lecture rooms be to you a forum for you to represent yourself, your family and your nation.

Manage your time well, go for lectures on time, take a convenient seat, revise previous lessons, you will understand the new ones better.”

He took a sip from his glass, looked at them all, feeling reassured that they were still attentive, he continued, “You must participate actively in your lecture sessions, ask questions when you don’t understand.

Do not be distracted by your classmates who may not share the same aspirations with you. You will remember the things you saw and read in your lecture room more than the things you read on your own.

Be friendly with your classmates, see them not only as human beings but as co-passengers in the train of academic quest. Form reading groups, take them seriously and add spice to the group activities. Plan picnics, games, competitions and above all, have immense respect for each other.

Private reading is equally important and far-reaching. You can use search engines like Google, Bing, Yahoo, etcetera, to access online research materials for a more grounded academic work. It will also keep you ahead of your class during lectures. Always revise what you are taught each day, it will stick to your memory faster.

Gather and file all your lecture materials – personal notes, textbooks, past question papers, etcetera. You will always have cause to refer to them from time to time and they will form part of your library in future.

Attend as many seminars, workshops and conferences as possible and store away all the materials. Participate actively in the sessions, who knows, your future employer might just be there!

Prepare well for your exams, come to the venue on time and above all, shun examination malpractices. When you cheat at exams you might escape being caught, you might pass, get a good job and all but a day will come when your beautiful castle will collapse because it has no foundation.

A time always comes when what you know on the job is all that counts. When you are not worth your salt in you discipline, you will be known as the incompetent one by your colleagues. Trust me, you will not be happy at that time.

Try not to cram, because things crammed may elude you at any moment. The use of mnemonics may be useful for remembering things.

You can only catch the real fun when your academic records are in good order. Keep a personal record of your scores and compare them with the official records from time to time.”

The three new undergraduates sat still at the oak table looking severe now.

“Freshmen! Freshers!” The old man suddenly exclaimed amusedly. They all burst into laughter.

“That’s the name you will be called for, if not all, a greater part of your first year. You will only be saved the trauma if you look and behave civilized as soon as possible.

A variety of social clubs exist which bestow relevance on the individual both on campus and ever after, join them and participate actively; you will be exposed to leadership, followership and organizational behavior, etcetera.

Do you have any questions, Charles? I know that look on your face.”

“Yes please, sir, can we join cults? Charles asked, his face looking ashen. Victor and Sarah sat bolt upright in apprehension.

The old man smiled and answered, “That is a serious question. Campus cults are a cankerworm which will do you, your parents and loved ones, the society at large, and your academic quest no good.

Avoid them like a plague, they are easy to join but very difficult to get out from. They can turn an individual into an imbalanced person exhibiting questionable behavioral patterns and impulses such as drug abuse, violence, prostitution, armed robbery, and similar vices.

Many an innocent or otherwise, life has been lost on campus owing to the menace of cultism.

Greek letter fraternities and sororities which admit members based on good academic standing are more recommended.

Does anyone have any questions?”

“How can we avoid secret cults?” Charles asked now looking sober.

The old man looked at him thoughtfully and continued, “Be confident of yourself, do not be timid. They can capitalize on your fear to intimidate you into joining.

Be bold but do not be aggressive, they will suspect the source of your confidence and let you be.

Don’t gatecrash at parties, that is, do not attend a party you are not invited. Make sure you know the kind of party you are attending, organizers, celebrants, and everything worth knowing!

Be suspicious of everybody; your supposedly best friend may be a member.

Don’t flaunt material wealth on campus; your ‘excess cash’ may lure them to you.

Avoid unprotected residences; they may jump in at night and force you to join.

Be wary of much pleasurable allure; all that glitters are not gold!

Avoid the abuse of drugs; they will give you a multiple personality which leads to indecision, insecurity, misplaced priorities and a life of bondage. An addict cares for no other thing but to get a hit. After spending his or her school money on drugs, he or she resorts to stealing which is a fertile ground for secret cultism.

In the event of an emergency, remain calm and identify the direction of danger and know where to flee to. Many a panicker has run into a stray bullet.

Make friends with senior students. They will show you the way and they will be the ones you will meet in the offices when you come to search for a job or to sell your goods and services in future.

Snap as many photographs as you can conveniently afford and upload them on social media for posterity. These memories will be cherished in your later years when you can point at someone standing by you in a photo and say – that is the president. Can you see how young he looks here? Or, she has always been beautiful!”

The old man remained silent for a while, looked up the skies again and continued, “Your dressing is also of paramount importance. The popular saying that the way you are dressed is the way you will be addressed, is true. First impressions also matter a lot. Wear clothes that are clean, have good color combination sense and for you, Charles and Victor, remember that your wrist watch and shoes speak volumes about you.”

“What about me, granddad?” Sarah asked.

“Women are naturally beautiful but you can use your clothes and hairstyle to show how unique you are. Dress very decently in order not to attract the prying eyes of evil elements within the campus community.”

The old man suddenly had a rather funny look on his face. “You shall all be tested half done,” he said.

The young scholars all looked perplexed.

“I mean your industrial training, internship, or whatever else it is called. Before your graduation, you will be exposed to work environment in your chosen field.

Work hard and effectively, you will be better prepared to face your final year and you may also have secured your first job!”

He sat very quiet now, ran his palms on the polished and glistening surface of the oak table and said as if in sorrow, “it will all come to an end. Your days in the university are numbered. You must take you final exams. You must prepare well for it, your life actually depends on it. You have to prove to the world how much you have learnt. Temptations will be rife, so be careful.”

He remained silent for a little longer time and said,” Sarah’s father will be coming to take her to Claymount tomorrow, you may join her if you wish.”

The boys were happy to hear that and asked in unison, “Sarah, can we join you?”

“You are welcome,” Sarah answered.

With that, the boys thanked the old man profusely and headed home to prepare for the next day.

................................



CHAPTER FOUR


.....................“The girl that was eating alone at the canteen. She is Somadina, the daughter of the wealthiest oil magnate in these parts. She is also the richest student on this campus. It would do you a lot of good to keep away from her.” Zaki said. “Meanwhile, who are these?”

“They are my friends, Victor and Greg,” Charles answered.

Zaki and his friends offered to take them to a birthday party the next week. Victor remembered the old man’s admonitions and declined the offer immediately. Charles remembered them too, but since he didn’t want to be seen as anti-social, he accepted. The senior boys promised to come around much later and left. They were not happy with Victor.

The next week, on the appointed evening, Charles and Greg had loitered along the corridors for upwards of thirty minutes with their eyes darting left and right in expectation, when suddenly, two cars pulled to a stop. One, a BMW was tinted through and through, the other, – a Mercedes was not. The window of the Mercedes was wound down and a whiff of smoke spiraled out. Zaki’s ashen face appeared and he beckoned on the two younger men.

They drove on convoy towards the school gate and when the security men searched their trunks, they gave the students a rather unsettling and suspicious look which made Charles and Greg become very apprehensive.

When they got to the parking lot of Eden hotel, they alighted and were waiting for the occupant of the tinted BMW to do same. When he saw who came out, Charles’ heart almost stopped beating. Standing before his very eyes was Somadina in all her ravishing glory, holding a lit cigarette.

When they shook hands, Charles could swear he noticed her grip linger on his palm as she smiled profusely at him. They went to the poolside and sat down. Somadina ordered for some alcoholic drinks for everyone.

Charles was struggling to gulp down the beer, while Greg seemed a little more used to it. Somadina coaxed them to try some cigarettes. They initially declined but after much persuasion from her, they gave in.
The moment each of them took one and lighted, Zaki’s husky voice announced, “Gentlemen, you are welcome to the DrinkHards Confraternity!”

Charles choked and suddenly looked ill. Greg’s hand which was reaching out for his glass of beer froze and the cigarette dropped from his lips. His next action took everyone by surprise. He stood up immediately and dashed towards the gate. Charles wanted to take cue but he didn’t want Somadina to see him as a coward, so he sat back......................




CHAPTER SEVEN

A new wave had caught the campus – the Freeworkers Club formed by Victor, Sarah and Greg. Membership of this noble club cut across all departments and levels of study.

Victor was its first president. Their philanthropic work began from the campus. They were offering free counseling, academic lectures and were taxing themselves to provide succor to less privileged students by providing free meals every Sunday evening.

After some time, their influence and membership grew to the extent that they now had enough funds to pay visits to orphanages, old peoples’ homes and even the prison where they provided care and support to the inmates.

There recognition soared as well; bearing an identity card of the Freeworkers was almost as good as bearing one signed by the country’s president himself.

Somadina and Eva also applied for membership. Eva was accepted at once and after series of interviews and serious scrutiny by the school police, Somadina was accepted too.

The Freeworkers were able to meet up with the demands from the society and were also making high grades in their academics. The Vice- Chancellor was always singing their praises.

A day came when a non-governmental organization that was affiliated with the United Nations Organization called for applications for an overseas scholarship by registered members of reputable and charitable organizations in the various universities across the country.

An examination was conducted and after a rigorous screening exercise, our very own Victor won a scholarship to study law in a reputable university in the United Kingdom...............




ABOUT THE BOOk:

THE IVORY TOWERS is a tale about how the lives of three undergraduates played out on campus after they had been advised by an old man who is the grandfather of one of them. The plot is filled with intrigues and suspense and will surely keep you on the edge of your seat.

It showcases the benefits of academic virtues of hard work and the repercussions of such vices as secret cultism, examination malpractice, indiscipline, etcetera.

It can serve as an instructional manual for students of high schools, colleges and universities.




ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Emeka Eze holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Estate Management (Second Class, Upper Division) obtained in 2003 from Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria.

He is an avid lover of outdoor sport activities and also a nature enthusiast.

He hails from Obingwa L.G.A of Abia State and currently lives in Aba.



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