Youth, fun, style and vigour were in abundance at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Library quadrangle on Tuesday, February 14, 2023 where both the young and the young at heart gathered to celebrate UNILAG Library Lovers Day 2.0
United in their love for books, entertainment and love itself, students and staff of the University converged from different departments and units to commemorate the month of love by celebrating knowledge, creativity and diversity.
In her opening remarks, the University of Lagos Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, FAS, expressed her excitement to address the students directly in one large gathering for the first time. She encouraged the students to make good use of the library to prepare themselves as a future-ready generation of UNILAG products.
The UNILAG Library Lovers Day event was a fantastic showcase of student creativity and talent. Of the many activities that night, the spoken word competition, in particular, left the audience spellbound by the students’ ability to convey their emotions and thoughts through powerful words.
Like the theoretical physicist, widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest physicists of all time, Albert Einstein, once said: “Creativity is intelligence having fun!”
Wordplay became the order of the day. The ability to use it properly and the audience’s ability to decipher it, fully engaged the gathering, causing eruptions of clapping, cheering, and sometimes even re-echoing of some lines.
The participants in the spoken word competition showcased a wide range of topics, from personal experiences to social issues all linking back to the theme, “My Love for the Library”.
Each student delivered their piece with confidence and passion, captivating the audience with their powerful performances. It was inspiring to see young people use their voices to raise awareness, inspire change and even simply bring humour.
The pull-out-a-book game was another highlight of the event. In this game, students were given a set time to pull out books from the library shelves that met specific criteria. The game not only tested the students’ knowledge of the library’s use but also encouraged them to explore topics from a different department (field of study) and their authors. It was a fun and exciting way to promote reading and literacy among the students.
The speedy reading competition was a true test of the students’ reading skills. The participants were challenged to read as many words as possible within a specific time. The competition was fierce, and the students demonstrated impressive reading speed and accuracy.
It was a testament to the importance of reading as a fundamental skill for academic success, a point, which was further reinforced by an article presented by a UNILAG 1989 alumna, Oluwatomi Ajayi Esq.
She was present at the event primarily to encourage current students of the University to take advantage of the resources provided by the University library. According to her “libraries play a veritable role in academic writing and acquisition of knowledge” and “librarians are the keepers of books and guardians of knowledge who provide the necessary services to help navigate this scholarly world”. She gave kudos to the University of Lagos Library for sharing the special day of February 14 with students.
The dance competition was the final event of the day, and the students did not disappoint. The University Management, led by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Folasade T. Ogunsola, FAS, also did not take the back seats in this as they had brought their A games to the stage earlier in the evening. It was a merry and refreshing experience.
In the dance competition, students displayed incredible talent and creativity, with their dance routines showcasing a diverse range of styles and influences. The students’ passion for dance was evident, and the audience was left thoroughly entertained.
The atmosphere was electric, the energy was contagious, and you could feel it on every side of the UNILAG Library quadrangle.
The passion and enthusiasm of the gathering were palpable, and it was a beautiful sight to behold. The dance competitors fed off this energy, and it was clear that the audience’s enthusiasm was fuelling their own performance.
It was a true testament to the power of shared experiences and the way in which they can bring people together.
As the lights went out signalling the close of the event, the hearty cheers of the audience lingered in the air. Through the celebration of UNILAG Library Lovers Day 2.0, the students had been taken on a journey of emotion and excitement, helping them make meaningful use of their Valentine’s Day.
And it was clear that they had thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it. The smiles on their faces and the joy in their eyes were a clear indication of just how much they had been moved by the evening’s activities.
Among the notable highlights of the evening, was an aesthetically pleasing Photo Booth set up by the Isle of Zimas. The Photo Booth was a vivid reminder of the season of love and it helped visitors capture the essence of the season. It was set up in collaboration with the University Library.
Overall, UNILAG Library Lovers Day 2.0 was an incredible celebration of creativity and talent among the student community. The spoken word competition, pull-out-a-book game, speedy reading, and dance competitions were just some of the highlights of the day. It was a great reminder of the importance of promoting reading, literacy, and creative expression among young people.
UNILAG Library Lovers Day 2.0, which was hosted and given a life of its own by the University Librarian, Professor Yetunde Zaid with the support of the intelligent and tenacious staff of the library, has indeed raised the bar for Valentine’s Day celebration in the education sector.
Some of the pictures taken by the Isle of Zimas team at the world-class photobooth set up by the brand told wonderful stories of love between friends, lovers, colleagues and parents & their children. Here are some of the pictures:
Get a feel of the event, click the play button below to watch UNILAG VC ace the Buga dance step:
