Dear gentle readers, it is my pleasure to present to you a report of the IFUMSA Parliamentary Week from the mouth of 4 elders.
This day, I woke up feeling very tired like one who axed timbers overnight. I was on my way to Neuroanatomy class when I stepped on an anthill and inadvertently broke it. I was about to feel sorry for the ants whose house I had broken until one of them bit me; so painful that I went into a trance.
At first, I heard a drum beating, then I saw a group of black ants dancing to the beat (perhaps, they are feminine ants because of how they moved their tiny bodies on two tiny legs). Then, I heard some elders admiring the dancers and giving comments on who moved their bodies the best, while they, themselves, drowned in white wine. At that moment, I realized I was experiencing a festival in the insects’ world.
“We thank God for this season of plentiful crumbs; the reason for this festival,” the witty one of the elders, I supposed named Antta, said. Then, the oldest of the four, perchance named Antte, delightfully added, “My fellow elders, I am happy for the reason for this season. For some time now, my family and I have been struggling to make ends meet. We lacked bread. But now, my store is filled with crumbs that had fallen from humans’ tables.”
“Moments like the IFUMSA PARLIAMENTARY WEEK 2025- the 2025 IPW, as they call it- are my favorites. For humans, these moments provide them the chance to hear from top leaders around the globe. They get to learn more about themselves and the society around them. They tend to build their knowledge bank and increase their capacity. And, for us, we get to gather bread crumbs that fall from their tables.” The scholar among them (named Antti, supposedly) said, adjusting the eyeglasses he had placed on his nose. He further added, “An idea came to mind now, how about we share our experience with the IPW25?”
“I will go first,” Antta said with an ounce of pride in his voice. “You all know I now live around the training pitches at OAU Sport Complex, so I got to experience the first event for the week. I witnessed the IPW Olympics on June 14th. The sporting event was supposed to start at 7 am, but eventually began at 10 am. I knew that because I heard one of the humans say it on the field. The rain had delayed the program. But right after the rain, IFUMSAites and their Honorable members started the Olympics. At the sound of their feet marching on the ground, my soldiers (a word that means enslaved people in the language of insects) and I came out of our cervices to witness the sporting event.” At this point, the other elders paid full attention to his story.
Then, he continued. “They started with a jog around the area, followed by other sporting activities, including male, female, and mixed-gender races, egg races, and sack races. Also, I saw other beautiful indoor games. Under the canopy of good songs, they played ludo games and several card games. They were so happy; one would know they enjoyed the Olympics. In the end, their Speaker of the association (Hon. Daniel) and their Mr. President (President Miracle) formed two teams for a series of tug of war. Who won at last? I would not say. Then, they toasted togetherness with their cups of fruit punch (of which I tasted; it tasted heavenly, trust me) and finally took beautiful pictures to seal the event. After they had departed, I gathered my soldiers and we packed all the fruits and food items that they had left for us.”
Antti also gave his own round of speech, raising his cup of white wine. “I went for the IPW Trip to the Osun State House of Assembly.” Everyone’s faces gleamed in surprise. Even the gentlest one, perhaps called Antto, exclaimed. They all chorused, “How did you get there?”
Then Antti continued, “On June 16th, as an intelligent man that I am, I hung onto the shoe lace of one of the Honorable members. So, he walked me to the convergence point. Around 10 am, the bus was filled with IFUMSAites and Honourable members, and they took off from the college car park for the Osun State House of Assembly.” He adjusted his now “nose-glasses” again. Without needing anyone to tell me, I realized he must be one of those men who thinks eyeglasses translate to intelligence.
“As I was saying my elders” he continued. “Elders, trust me, the arrival was heavenly. The building has been beautifully sculpted. The reception was like welcoming dynasties; even I, as an insect, walked into the chambers feeling like a king. We… yes, we, you heard me right. We had the opportunity to experience legislative processes and interact with lawmakers. Then, after, we took beautiful pictures to seal the trip. And as for bread, as a scholar that I am, with no wives nor kids, I didn’t gather any. I only tasted the sweet things that dropped there. So that was my experience with the IPW Trip to the Osun State House of Assembly.” They all clapped, hailing Antti.
Antte, at that moment, stood up, walked to the wine table, and poured himself another cup. “I attended the IPW Secondary School Debate. The student arrived at the Obafemi Awolowo University College of Health Sciences Lecture Theatre A at 9 am, and the debate started a few minutes later. The topic for the debate was “Should Youth’s Quota Be Introduced in Political Appointments?” You all missed. You should have witnessed how these students demonstrated their oratory skills by displaying a clear understanding of the policy implications of the topic. Out of the seven schools that participated, Ebenezer Baptist College took 1st place with a cash prize of fifty thousand Naira, Moremi High School took 2nd place with a cash prize of thirty thousand Naira, and Oranmiyah Grammar School took 3rd place with a cash prize of twenty thousand Naira.
Others (Gloria International Secondary School, St’ David Grammar School, St’ Mulumba Catholic College) went home with certificates of Participation.” He looked back at this point as though he was trying to confirm if others were paying attention to his story.
“The Judges of the debate competition, in the persons of Fasoro Olushola (IFUMSA Quiz and Debate Moderator), Grillo Adedolapo (Member, OAU Literary and Debate Society), Ogunlana Klistivivi (Editor-in-Chief OAU Peeps), and Olabode Obafemi (President of Association of Journalists, OAU) alongside the Chairperson for the 2025 IFUMSA Parliamentary Week Organizing Committee in person of Alimi Azeez Oluwatobi, and the 2024/2025 Speaker of the association in person of Olawale Daniel Ayomide, took pictures with the speakers from each school. The contest was blissful. It was fun to see young minds debate fiercely on a political topic. I also got to gather crumbs from the item 7 served.” he finished. Others looked so interested in his narration while sipping their wine at intervals.
“Elders, I greet.” The gentle one, Antto, finally opened his mouth. “I experienced the IPW Conference on the theme “Youth Leadership.” The Guest Speakers, Dr. Ibidapo Fashina and Commissioner Seun Fakuade, engaged the IFUMSAites and Honourable members present on the topic “Why Youth Must Lead.” Additionally, Prof. Babatope Kolawole, the Provost of the College, addressed the students and delivered a lesson-packed speech on youth leadership. Should I even talk about the panelist session? The panelists (Dr. Omoboriola Isaac, Dr. Daniel Olusade, Miss. Babatilehin Kinfeosi) all gave the appropriate response to all the questions asked. Even my head was swelling under the chair where I took shelter.
I learned more about what youth leadership truly entails, and I have been implementing my lessons at home and with my soldiers. The Conference was held from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Obafemi Awolowo University Cooperative Hall. And, I kid you not. There were over 100 people in physical attendance. And the moment when my soldiers and I had to pack bread came. Trust me when I say I packed better crumbs than you all. My soldiers and I ate rice, beef, chicken, water, and fruit juice at the conference. Then, later, we packed for our family. The Conference was delightful and also impactful. To date, I am still grateful to my creator for not missing the conference for anything.” When he finished, the other elders all stood up and applauded him – maybe it is part of their culture to hail one who attends a prestigious event.
Not long after, Antta said, “So, no one went for the IPW Medical Outreach.” Then, Antti cut in sharply, as though he intended to reclaim his crown as one who attended the most scholarly event from Antto, “I did. The Medical Outreach took place at the Ife East Local Government Area, Osun State. It had started by 9 am, and it impacted over 50 residents of the community.” “Did you also get treatment?” Antto said, looking so innocent. “No, humans don’t treat tiny insects like us. And, I am not sick.” Antti replied.
At some point, these ants noticed my presence and started chasing me. Out of fear, I ran to the extent that my legs started banging the back of my head. Later, I fell and bumped my head on a rock, and immediately, I came back to life here, out of my trance. I was eventually late for my Neuroanatomy class. However, I am still shocked that insects get to experience what we have always thought was ours, because all they said was what I also experienced at the 2025 IPW. Kudos to the Organizing committee.
If you love this report, read more here. And, if you would love to view the pictures of the events, click here.
Leave a Reply