The enticement of hearsay is just like the outer crust of puff puff…
Prof. was one of my lecturers.
He’s very cordial whenever our paths cross on campus. Apart from taking some of his courses, I was most popular with him due to my responsibilities in the faculty as a campus journalist. Outside of the walls of the University of Ibadan, we are Facebook friends, and he occasionally reacts to my posts as I do. On each one’s birthday, we send good wishes via the feeds.
It seems we have a connection that I could nurture, yes. However, I have never considered it worth my while.
Here’s why:
Those I knew quite closely never spoke highly of their encounters with him, either based on the demand of their academic assignment or a direct need for educational assistance.
I had no reason to doubt them. So I held onto their tales, such that when I needed academic references for my graduate study, I didn’t think Prof. would be willing to write me a letter of reference.
I believe strongly that there’s no harm in asking.
The answer is either yes or no. And whatever the answer may be, ask anyway. Either way, it would add points to your confidence jar.
I find it easier to encourage others to do that, but sometimes I fail to take my prescription.
2021, 2022, and 2023.
Rather than just find a way to ask Prof., I would rather go through the stress of scraping the bottom somewhere else or simply avoid an application that required more than one academic reference.
2024
I was against the wall.
I hadn’t kept in touch with my project supervisor for over a year. Although, in the past years, he provided me with academic references, I was more hesitant because I was disappointed that I have no result to show for his past efforts.
My staff adviser, who would have sufficed, had left his position at the University of Ibadan and relocated abroad.
O ti wa d’oju e bayii!
I must have a strong academic reference for my application. What do I do? I pursued other academic contacts that a friend offered, but it didn’t sit well with me. I believe in relationships and shared experience, and someone outside my department wouldn’t do justice in that regard.
“What would be the worst that could happen?” I finally took my prescription as I picked up my phone to reach one of my course mates, whom I knew had kept a closer touch with Prof.
“Hello, XYZ. I need an academic reference, and I don’t know if Prof. would be willing to assist.”
“Of course, Baba will be excited to do that for you.”
“Ehn ehn. Are you serious?”
“Please, do you know the best time I can catch up with him on campus?”
“I will ask someone who is still studying in the department. Whichever way, it would be during lecture hours.”
“That’s one of my challenges now. I would be at work till 5 p.m. By the time I get to the campus, I doubt I'll meet him at his office.”
“You know what? Let me give you his WhatsApp number. He hardly responds to WhatsApp messages, but you may call him to let him know your request.”
I took a step back from my table. Staring at my phone.
“Should I. Should I not?”
With anxiety, I picked up my phone and walked to the reception as I dialed his number.
“Good afternoon, Prof. E ku ojo meta, sir. And Happy New Year!”
“This is Rachael Ogunmuyiwa.”
I could sense the excitement in his voice as I added his favourite description of me to the introduction. Not that I thought he wouldn’t remember my legal name...
After the pleasantries, I told him why I had called.
“This number is my WhatsApp-enabled. Send me all the details I need to write the letter, and we will talk further via the channel.”
I couldn’t believe it’s that easy as I ended the call.
About a month after sending me the letter I could upload for my applications, he sent me a WhatsApp message saying that one of the schools sent him an additional request regarding his reference for me, and he had responded accordingly. I had no idea the school would have further requests for him. I was impressed that Prof. took the time to inform me.
“What exactly did you hear about Prof?” I asked myself.
The enticement of hearsay is just like the outer crust of puff puff, you don’t judge until you bite.
Who dictates your judgements and decisions about others?
Social networks are influenced by a web of narratives, beliefs, and perceptions.
Ngbati gbati gbati... He said. She said. They said.
Others’ narratives can be both enlightening and misleading. Avoid the pitfalls.
Until you have witnessed or engaged directly, do away with second-hand perception and reality.
Stay BAKE!
Omoooo. You truly cannot judge a book by its cover and until you bite the puffpuff truly, you would not know that it tasted like cake, thanks to milk and eggs added 😂.
But really, until you have witnessed or engaged directly, we really need to do away with assumptions and second hand perception and reality.
Thank you for bringing this to mind as we start the week.
Peace be unto you and success in your endeavours and pursuits.
We will stay BAKE!
Thank you so much for this beautiful read Rachael.
I'm learning to take relationships seriously and give people the benefit of doubt. Someone's enemy shouldn't be mine just by hear say.