In my humble opinion, Market Place Friday (MPF) is the best event in the American University of Nigeria. Nothing else comes close - not the parties, the award shows, not the competitions, or even the holiday events. I want to give a big handshake, and pat whoever came up with it on the back. My only criticism is that I wish it happened more often.
For those reading this who may not know, MPF is an AUN event that holds every Friday, on alternative weeks. It allows the students with a craft or business to showcase their entrepreneurial skills and--put it anyhow you want--to make money. They gather around in circles with their friends after several hours of preparation, to set up their booths where they sell delicious homemade snacks, trendy phone cases, brightly colored fabric, fashionable clothes, and so much more.
Upon my initial arrival at the event, I was greeted with loud music, the hustle and bustle, and people in circles having silly discussions about anything and everything under the sun - or in this case, under the moon. The vibrant colors lured me into different stations where people proudly showcased their crafts and had a delicate conversation, subtly convincing me why they were worth my money. There were young women happily selling off vivacious fabric for their dresses and hijabs while the young men tossed about piles of meat to make Suya, Shawarma, hotdogs, and other sandwiches or hoagies.
What is so special about MPF is that there is something for everyone. It is like the middle ground of all AUN events. It is simple enough for introverts to go about their business with a mission to buy something and get out of there, but it is also lively enough for extroverts to stay around making connections and dancing to loud music.
The food is the best thing, but activities like bike-riding in the same venue take it to a whole other level. A fun game to play is going around, giving people the gifts you bought for them at the event and watching their faces light up in appreciation. As a final year student, MPF is the event I will miss the most as I look back at memories I made here at AUN. Indeed, there is nothing like it.
Reported by Ojonoka Braimah, CMD Major and Intern, Marketing & Communications Department