5 MINUTES WITH TIMI AUSTEN-PETERS AND OBIRORA AGBIM

The oxford and Cambridge Club of nigeria is a non-profit association of the alumni of University of oxford and University of Cambridge who are nigerian or living in nigeria. it was established over 35 years ago by a group of prominent nigerians who attended either of the two Universities and wished to create a forum to encourage social, economic and intellectual debates in nigeria. Funke BaBs-kuFeji speaks to Timi austen- Peters the current Pressident of the associate and obiora agbim the social secretary who tell her more about the association, their upcoming projects and their up coming annual May Ball which is a major event for the association and more.

What is the Oxford and Cambridge Alunmi network all about. What do members stand to gain from it?

TIMI- The oxford and Cambridge Club of nigeria is an association of the alumni of University of oxford and University of Cambridge. The Club was established over 30 years ago by a group of prominent nigerians who attended either of the two Universities and wished to create a forum to encourage social, economic and intellectual debates in nigeria.

Members benefit from social interaction with their fellow alumni, and enjoy networking opportunities for work and business. OBIORA- a support network where one can tap into for career advice, counsel and professional growth

And for those who aren’t members yet how do they join?

TIMI-any alumni of either university can join the club by providing their alumni detail and paying the membership fee. OBIORA- Friends of the club are welcome to participate in our open events.

As the current chairman what projects has been the most successful projects?

TIMI: have been in office for just a few weeks so we are still at the planning stage for our upcoming projects for this year. we have made plans to undertake our annual May Ball, which is traditionally held in June.

we have also commenced plans to undertake our annual lecture and have invited some prominentafrican leaders to deliver speeches. The lecture is open to the public. The idea is for the invited leaders to share experiences of how to deal with many of the challenges faced by sister african countries. once confirmed, the details of the lecturer will be made public.

we will shortly be launching an endowment fund to enable graduates of nigerian universities attend oxford or Cambridge and to assist with some of the infrastructure needs of chosen public primary schools. Do you have any projects in the works that impact society and Nigeria as a country? OBIORA- Yes partnering with educational foundations and schools at the grassroots level. educational outreach with career advice programs to primary schools and secondary schools. Are there any grants or scholarship funds available to students who have admission into Oxford or Cambridge University?

TIMI-There are numerous forms of financial assistance available to help nigerian students attend oxford and Cambridge if they are able to secure admission. Most notable are the rhodes, Commonwealth, Chevening and Cambridge Commonwealth, european and International Trust scholarships.

Your annual May ball is coming up on the 23rd of June, can you tell us a little more about the event and how tickets can be purchased. TIMI- We welcome members of the public to our

May Ball this year. simply register by purchasing tickets on the website. May Balls are held by colleges of the University of Cambridge at the end of the academic year. Colleges at the University of oxford have oxford Balls as the equivalent. These events are usually elaborate and lavish formal occasions held on college grounds involving dinner and various forms of entertainments with strict dress codes (the requirement for black and sometimes white tie).

The first May Ball was held at the University of Cambridge in 1866, to celebrate the successes of the First Trinity Boat Club and the Third Trinity Boat Club at the May Bumps – a set of rowing races which traditionally took place before the university tripos examinations in May each year. This ball was first held in the lion hotel and then in the Corn exchange (both at Cambridge), before moving to marquees on the backs (the rear grounds of several colleges at Cambridge that “back” on to the river Cam). The balls and other celebrations (garden parties and June events) which make up May week moved from May to June in 1882; they still take place in June, after examinations, although the name has been retained.

at oxford, Commemoration Balls are held by various colleges during Commemoration week (during which ceremonies are held in commemoration of the benefactors of the University) in the 9th week of Trinity Term, the week after the end of the last Full Term of the academic year. These Balls are very grand affairs and white tie is expected. They are held by different colleges each year, following a cycle by which each college holds a ball every three years. Magdalen and oriel both host balls in the first year; the second year has only one held by new College and in the third year, they are held by worcester, Christ Church, Trinity and st John’s. Many other colleges hold smaller events during Commemoration week that are called summer balls or parties which hold on an annual or irregular basis.

In nigeria, the May Ball has a long and distinguished history. The first ball was held by the oxford and Cambridge Club in 1987 at the banquet hall of the eko hotel. The Chair of the planning committee back then was Mrs nneka okeke with Dr Pius okigbo as President of the Club. This ball and subsequent events were the talk of the town, hosting 250 members and guests to a night of great food and entertainment. During this period, a lot of attention was paid to the décor and the attendees were always thrilled by the results. In fact, these balls launched the careers of several well-known event planners who were given free rein to express themselves. They were certainly an outing to look forward to.

OBIORA- May Balls are the grand finale of the academic year in oxford. It is a very formal social gathering that reunites college members and their guests to an evening of endless entertainment.

The oxford and Cambridge Club of nigeria arm replicates this annually. reservations are made via contacting the club through the website www. oxbridgenigeria.com with contact details and quantity of tickets required. People would be contacted on payment process based on ticket availability. Confirmation of attendance is guaranteed once payments have been confirmed. Any word of advice for those who are looking to go to Cambridge and Oxford to study in future? TIMI-Prepare assiduously. This will involve getting good grades at the academic institution prior to making the application and carefully filling the application forms. when there, be ready to be challenged academically and in many other ways, including time-management. all of these are worth it though as an oxbridge period of study and degree stand one in good stead for gaining lucrative employment, provides many life lessons that will be of general application and access to an unrivalled nigerian and global alumni network. OBIORA-nothing good comes easy. To get a well rounded education, a concerted effort to be the best we can be. set a goal, fill in the steps required to meet that goal, seek help/support along the way and ensure you can measure your personal development along the way.