By: Ogunleye Kolapo Olayemi
POSSPRESS: Good evening, Mr. Victor. Thank you for joining us for this chat session. As you know, the Press Night is scheduled to hold on Friday, 14th of November, and this interview is part of our effort at POSSPRESS to help students better understand each aspirant’s plans and vision.Let’s get started.
POSSPRESS: Can you briefly introduce yourself to students who might not know you well?
Victor: I’m Victor Oladigbo Inioluwa, a 300-level Political Science student, the outgoing Deputy Senate President of NAPSS U.I Senate Council and P.K.A The Pioneer.
POSSPRESS: What motivated you to contest for the position of departmental president?
Victor: The desire to serve and lead the department’s association on a path that makes each and every NAPSSITE an asset that positively impacts society.
POSSPRESS: Can you elaborate on that, please?
Victor: In our environment, there’s no prestige for studying Political Science, but with initiatives planned for NAPSS U.I, we can ensure that one question that presses the heart of NAPSSITES gets solved, which is: After Political Science, what next?
POSSPRESS: Well, I beg to disagree with the notion “there’s no prestige for studying Political Science.”Moving forward… What would you say sets you apart from other aspirants?
Victor: The time of serving both my constituency and NAPSS as a whole as a Senate member right from 100–300 level has made me aligned to advancing for the development of the association.
POSSPRESS: If elected, what would be your top three priorities in office?
Victor:Putting in place an academic writing workshop, in conjunction with the VP, to address the issue of low performances recorded in some of the courses offered by NAPSSITES. An involvement and engagement of NAPSSITES in building and sharpening our skills: communication, problem-solving for taking action in society. Forging and engaging both internal and external networks with fellow Political Science students’ associations outside U.I to prepare NAPSSITES for the world after the university community.
POSSPRESS: The department has had its share of challenges, particularly in terms of political apathy. How do you intend to address this?
Victor: In as much as this might still seem true, with what we witnessed at the last Youth Symposium held on Tuesday, NAPSSITES are gradually engaging and becoming participants, and I would build on that as we work intimately with our academic mentors to host orientation talks. Resulting from that is a plan to make visits to political institutions like the legislative houses a custom or institutional initiative that stands after my tenure, and as well raising the voice for awareness within our campus with procedural approvals in collaboration with sister associations within the faculty and the Faculty Excos, as that forges a great force and voice.
POSSPRESS: Moving forward… how will you ensure inclusivity and make every level feel represented in your administration if elected?
Victor: If elected, holding Congresses will give NAPSSITES from every level the room to dialogue, interact and be involved with the running of the administration, and in the process make well-lasting connections and have the sense of inclusivity.In addition, an arrangement using the system of course reps between 100–400 level together with the executive council will be a very solid instrument of having all levels well represented even as it relates to taking decisions.
POSSPRESS: Moving to the next question. One of the major concerns students have is accountability. How will you make your administration open and transparent?
Victor: Quite often, the case is making arrangements for Google form to be sent out or through the office of the PRO to show openness and transparency, but I strongly believe this is where the Press as a body is most needed considering its independent nature.I intend to have a one-on-one conversation even if it’s twice monthly at least to be interrogated and get to make accountability expressive to all NAPSSITES.
POSSPRESS: A follow-up to this, if elected, how do you intend to handle criticism from the Press?Also, how do you handle possible disagreement with other executive members?
Victor: If elected, I do have it at the back of my mind that the executive, senate, and press are all working together towards the unified transformation and growth of the association. Hence, when the Press deems it fit to steer the executive back on track having identified deviation, such criticism should be accepted with a desire to make improvements.To emphasize upon a unifying point, we are not working for ourselves but we are working for over 200 individuals. Hence, our personal whatever needs to be placed aside to honour NAPSSITES.
POSSPRESS: How do you plan to collaborate with the staff advisers and the department’s administrators?
Victor: If you don’t mind, could you elaborate on this?
POSSPRESS: I meant, if elected, how do you plan to work with the department’s administrators (HOD and other administrative officers)?
Victor: Being a 300-level student and also the Deputy Senate President of the Senate Council has given me the opportunity of interacting with some of these administrators, and if elected I look to leverage on that.
POSSPRESS: If you could summarize your vision in one line, what would it be?
Victor: Creating the environment for NAPSSITES to keep up with the dynamic and evolving nature of our world today.
POSSPRESS: Thank you for your time, Mr. Victor Oladigbo Inioluwa. We appreciate your openness and responses. On behalf of POSSPRESS, we wish you all the best.
