Elite Show: I always like to work for a cause and not for applause - says Tayo Mabunmi

Elite show maiden edition with SUG President

Student union government (SUG) president, comrade Tayo Mabunmi in an exclusive interview with OOU reporters speaks on balancing his administration and academics.

In the maiden edition of Elites Show, an interview session organized by OOU reporters to meet with top officials of the school, the number one student of the school in person of the SUG president 2016/2017 set, comrade  Mabunmi Omotayo Olanrewaju was interviewed.

Before this interview, students had sent in their questions and we at OOU reporters ensured that all questions were answered.

Reporter: Can we meet you?

Tayo: I am comrade Tayo Mabunmi Olanrewaju, SUG president, 2016/2017 set.

Reporter: It is such a great privilege meeting you in person.

Tayo: This is because we practice a participatory government where the views of students are attended to at all times and we are very accessible, our administration is democratic and your comfort is my headache.

Reporter: What prompted you to contest for the post of SUG president? 

Tayo: Thank you very much, just like you, I've seen a lot and also suffered a lot, I've been compelled to succumb blindly to the obnoxious caprices of this ferocious system characterized by strenuous registration processes, transportation quagmire, dilapidated infrastructure, lack of facilities and the likes, having faced the winds of victimization, I am not an accident of history, I've served in different government parastatals, I've been to Lagos state university before and I've always believed that it's when the power of love overcomes the love of power that the world will know peace.

Reporter; How has it been,  being a leader and a student?

Tayo:  Sincerely it has been stringent and cumbersome, it has really not been easy combining politics and academics because most times, you have to miss classes, tests and even get to examination hall late because problems will always come up and as a leader you should have the ability to multi-task, these are part of the characteristics of a good leader.

Reporter: Have you been special treatment or recognition for you from lecturers,H.O.D's and other officials of the school.

Tayo: To be sincere, it's a yes and a no because in some areas, there has been special and preferential treatment, having been  students before, they understand the rudiments and nitty gritty of student unionism and the preferential treatment comes in probably when I get to class late but I'll say no in the aspect of academic excellence as no lecturer would give out free marks.

Reporter: How supportive has your administrative team been? 

Tayo: Sincerely, I must give them kudos because like we all know, a tree doesn't make a forest and my executives have been my backbone , they have been up and doing.

Reporter: What are your achievements during your tenure?

Tayo: Thank you very much. I think the major achievement we've has is the fact that the administration has been really accessible compared to previous administrations,we've also been apt and swift in our response to students problems,we are also the first union executives to have our fresher's orientation program even outside the four walls of this institution. Another achievement is the extension of the  deadline for the payment of school fees which has never happened before. We also organised several events like the health week where we gave out free mosquito nets, souvenirs, drugs and also brought motivational speakers to enlighten students on STI and malaria. We are also trying to bring OOU students together for other massive programmes too.

Reporter: What solution have you preferred to the issue of transport constraint in the evening and during the weekends?

Tayo: You will agree with me that Rome wasn't built in a day, since the inception of this administration, we've tried to reduce trekking to the barest minimum and we've given the transport workers the timetable for 4pm-6pm lectures so that they will be available. And talking about the challenge hostel students have been facing, I can assure you that we've stationed tricycles at the hostel to convey them on weekends.

Reporter: What legacy do you plan on leaving behind for your successor?

Tayo: Thank you very much,well as a person, I always like to work for a cause and not for applause, I always like to live to express and not to impress, and I always strive to make my presence noticed but to make my absence felt. Right from time, I know that I'm not an accident of history and what I've noticed is that the previous administrations have been there to squander money and embezzle funds, the legacy we are trying to lay is a long lasting legacy and it's going to be a capital project legacy. You should just anticipate as it us not something we should tell you but we can assure you that it's a legacy we can come here in ten(10) years time and still see. We are also trying to Key an ethical legacy for our successors.

Reporter: What is your final message yo OOUites?

Tayo: My final message to OOUites is that their primary aim in this institution is academic excellence and we know that the institution is surrounded with a lot of distractions, OOUites should try their best to eradicate these distractions. Secondly, we want our students to be assertive and alert in their fundamental human rights,we want OOUites to stand out in the world. Lastly, we need the absolute support and encouragement from the total student populace.

View a short Video from the interview

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