HONEY IN THE IVORY TOWER. By Olajire Olanlokun

Yeside Adebisi - a charismatic, intelligent warm African young lady. Here at the University she and close female friends blossom and distinguish themselves and become even more dynamic, well rounded individuals. It almost brings tears to one's eyes! One might as well comment that a patina of decency - age old values if you wish - surrounds this work, an edifying ambience as it were. One might have expected a work weaved around young women in a free environment to contain elements of prurience or sexual trajectories ; but this is in no way the case here. The usual travails, vicissitudes of tertiary education campuses - not forgetting the pressures on comely young females are evident but in an edifying manner ... Yeside is a fine young lady who holds her head high, and remains alluring and virtuous, even whilst overseas: "Yeside's good virtues warmed her to the hearts of the Allens and they often joked that Yeside looked very much like an Afro-American but her accent gave her away... " Yeside and her close female friends, Sheila and Kojo, are hard working and innovative in the campus. They even orchestrate a magazine (kudos for ladies!) finally named Fortune. The publication is a success, applauded by everybody, even the male students. The young ladies keep their eyes on the ball, and Yeside in particular gets her just deserts in the end: "On the first notice board were the results of the finalists. Conspicuously perching atop were the results of the final year students in the Department of Chemistry ... under this was the name of Yeside Adebisi with a First Class. Nobody made second class upper division, only second class lower division followed. Yeside was mobbed by her friends!" Fittingly, yes. A wholesome story and narration. - O Bolaji