By UCJ UI Correspondents
If you are an undergraduate at the University of Ibadan and you’re not a member of the Sigma Club, you will need nine persons alongside yourself to be able to reach the status of a Sigmite—a member of the Sigma Club, University of Ibadan.
These were the words of the Sigma Chief, Ibrahim Olarenwaju, a final year student of Crop and Environmental Biology, during the press conference with correspondents of UCJUI on Friday, April 10th at the Seminar Room.
Our correspondents also gathered that the Sigma Chief is the Sigma Club itself.
The purpose of the press conference as said by the Sigma Chief is to intimate press persons on the activities the Sigma Club, which would hold second semester when school resumes physically. Amidst this intimation comes exciting revelation of the Sigma Club itself.
The Sigma Chief spoke about about the Sigma Essay Competition which he said would open to all undergraduates across the federation. He revealed that the Club will also organise a secondary school competition for students within Ibadan. The reason for this innovation is to “catch them young” and to introduce Sigma Club to secondary students to facilitate their easy transition to the Sigma Club when they become undergraduates at the University of Ibadan.
He further mention a project the Club would carry out, which is the Sigma Emblem. The Sigma Emblem would be the Logo of the club and would be located at strategic places on the university campus.
As it has been done before, the Sigma Chief said the Club would be a Public Lecture to mark its 70th anniversary. The 70th anniversary was expected to have been celebrated last year (2020), but the Pandemic did not make it possible.
He also spoke on the Sigma Scholarship, which he said is awarded to “indigent but diligent student” of the University. According to the Sigma Chief, the Club is trying to increase the number of students benefitting from the scholarship from ten to twenty. The scholarship would take place in second semester.
The Sigma Chief further revealed that the Club is building a house—the Sigma House—which would have “a recreational centre, a swimming pool,” among others. “Plans are underway to complete the construction,” he added.
He said the Club would also organise a Music Feista at the second semester.
What is Sigma?
Contrary to popular beliefs that Sigma stands for an acronym, it actually means submission. The Sigma Chief said “sigma” means total submission. And the total submission is to be given to the Sigma Chief. Every Sigmite is accountable to the Sigma Chief. Also the members of the Club are expected to be loyal. This is why they are called “Loyal Sigmite.” A Loyal Sigmite is expected to be of good behaviour and must not he found wanting. The Loyal Sigmites are chosen based in three characteristics which are good character, discipline and integrity. The Sigma Club is for grooming male undergraduates into gentlemen.
Sigma Club, a misogynist club?
The Sigma Club comprises only male undergraduates of the University of Ibadan. It has no female members. When asked on why the Club has no female members, the Sigma Chief said: “Sigma Club has been, will be and will continue to be run by only male.” He added that this has been the tradition of the club over the past 70 years—and thus cannot be changed. It is what has sustained the Club as well.
Despite this, Sigmites are encouraged to have a Sigma wife (a mistress, wife or girlfriend of a Sigmite). The Sigma wife must be true and bold, and must have good attributes.
The Sigma Chief added that as much as the club is run by males, it does not ascribe a subjacent status to the female gender. The females are also beneficiary of the charity the Club does and are allowed to participate in their events.
Who’s the Sigma Chief?
The Sigma Chief, Ibrahim Olanrenwaju.
The Sigma Chief cannot be addressed by his name
The Sigma Chief is the Sigma Club. As said by the current Sigma Chief, Ibrahim Olanrenwaju, “The Sigma Chief is the Sigma Chief, and the Sigma Chief is the Sigma Club.” Why this is so is that the Sigma Chief is the embodiment of Club. The Sigma Chief is the mother and father of the Club. He should be able to answer any questions related to the Club. This is why he has huge respect. In fact at events, the Sigma Chief, who actually has a name is not called by his name, rather he is addressed simply as the “Sigma Chief.”
Sigma Constitution
Sigma Club is an influential club, and the oldest surviving students’ Club, which has produced prominent personalities like the CEO of First Bank, Adesola Adeduntan, among others. It would be surprising to know that the Club does not have a written constitution. The modus operandi of the club has always been mouth-to-mouth proceedings. What Sigmites know about their Club is learned orally—for over 70 years! There is no fear of constitutional breach or the loss of tradition. Sigma Club meeting can last for hours, yet the members are expected to take it what has been said as it is being said.
There’s only one Sigma Club in the whole world
Students’ organisations like the Union of Campus Journalists (UCJ), Junior Chambers International (JCI) etc that has branches across varsities in the federation, Sigma Club has only a branch and it’s in the University of Ibadan! The reason for this is to preserve the traditions of the Club.
