On admission into Nigeria’s premier university, the University of Ibadan, one is arbitrarily assigned to one of the Halls of Residence. I was assigned to Independence Hall. It was a great hall, but we had a vibrant rivalry with our neighbours (‘Zikites’), the residents of Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, popularly known as Zik Hall. The rivalry was analogous to that of Manchester United and Manchester City football clubs. Sir Alex Ferguson, legendary Manager of Man Utd, famously described Man City as ‘our noisy neighbours’.
Zikites were truly noisy. Their aggressiveness and the proximity of Zik Hall to the University Zoo led to them being called ‘Zooites’ by other students. The ambience was definitely more serene in other the Halls of Residence, but Zikites did well in academics and sports. Perhaps their greatest strengths, however, were their political consciousness and social cohesion. Zikites always hearken to the clarion call. Given their provenance, it is not surprising that Zikites tend to dominate meetings of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association.
One of the ageing books in my library is the collection of reminiscences by Zikites (see photo) put together in 1998 by Lekan Akinosho, aka Scoro, a Zikite. As the eminent contributors to the book noted, an electric spirit unites Zikites. It appears that as soon as a student is inducted into this Hall, he is infused with espirit de corps and a determination to win any contest.
Reading this book, one feels that if the attributes espoused by Zikites were to be delivered at national level, Nigeria would be a great country. Zikism brooks no nonsense, manifests collective love, extols high standards and shuns parochialism.
A contributor, Femi Bamigboye, recalled how he ‘nominated an Ibo student’ [that was John Nwodo] for the post of President of the Students Union: ‘The idea was to detribalise the Union and we succeeded in doing it because it was after the civil war and we wanted Ibo students to have a sense of belonging. Although he was an Independite, Zikites gave him their full support based on rationality rather than sentiments. For this idea, rationality and excellence to continue, the spirit of Zikism should keep flying with our ever-progressive stand. The progressives represent the spirit of New Nigeria, the rebirth of the tomorrow that is to come for every one of us.’ Regrettably, this rebirth is taking too long to happen, but hope springs eternal.
Leroy C Edozien
Ubili-Ka-Nkwu of Asaba