Interview Session with a Presidential Candidate, Mr Faiz Oyekanmi

 

By Habeeb Lanlehin

Interviewer: Good day. Please kindly introduce yourself and the office you’re running for. 

 

Mr Faiz: I'm Faiz. A. Oyekanmi (aka Fako jnr) , a 300 level student of the Department of Geography.

I am runnning for the post of Faculty President.

 

Interviewer: What is your vision for the faculty, and what specific goals do you hope to achieve if elected as faculty president?

 

Mr Faiz: Thank you sir. My vision for the Faculty is centered around academic excellence, prioritizing research, human development and proving a healthy environment for FATSSSAites. I'm sorry I cannot go into full details now on what I do hope to achieve if elected as the President but my goal is to establish an impact and hallmark of excellence and to profersolutions to issues affecting us in FATSSSA

 

Interviewer: Okay, what do you think are the issues affecting us?

 

Mr Faiz: There are some issues affecting us in FATSSSA but being an ordinary student one may not be able to see them, however being in the governance system of FATSSSA, I have been enlightened about these issues affecting us.

Among the issues affecting us is the issue of the toilet, the issue of academic excellence which is on a broader term and also the issue of prices being charged on commodities etc...

 

Interviewer: Can you share an insight on how you plan or the strategy you intend to solve the issues you listed?

 

Mr Faiz: I won't go into details sir, but some still evolve around the management to help solve these problems.

 

Interviewer: Can you describe any previous leadership roles you've held, either within the faculty or elsewhere, and how they have prepared you for this position?

 

Mr Faiz: In  2022/23 I was the Deputy Clerk of FATSSSA House of Representatives (FHR), I'm currently the Clerk of the FHR, I am also a floor member of the University of Ibadan Student Representative Council (UI'SRC). Aside from that, I'm a current member of Junior Chambers International (JCI) which is one of the top organisations that specialise in training and developing young individuals in becoming exceptional leaders and so more.

Like I said earlier that to profer solutions to issues and to impart, being in these leadership and organisationbodies have shaped my experience in a larger context within the faculty and in the university at large.

 

Interviewer: How do you plan to communicate with faculty management and facilitate collaboration among different departments or groups within the faculty?

 

Mr Faiz: We all know the Association is an independent body which under the office of the Dean and I don't think anything that happens in the faculty that passes the ears of the Dean or the sub-dean and the staff adviser which Is always there to guide us on administration and proper conduct.

But due to the polity we are, there should be proper communication between the management and the student body if we actually want a successful administration. We would keep abreast of our plans where and when necessary it could be through physical engagement or through emails (when the management body is extremely busy) and then do follow up.

 

For the department; over the years, I noticed a department or two trying to exclude themselves from the faculty engagements, they could have their reason, but what I intend to do is to have A leadership conference, calling the excos of each department and honourable members to discuss what the problem is and to bring someone (past alumni or someone) orientate us on what leadership is all about and lots more...

Also we'd be engaging in some sporting activities and social activities which will bring about love and collaboration amongst each department.

 

Interviewer: What initiatives or strategies do you have in mind to promote inclusivity, diversity, and a sense of belonging among faculty members and students?

 

Mr Faiz: Like I said earlier leadership conferences, sporting and social will be adopted, and we will also ensure that every department fits into some of our activities/programmes.

 

Interviewer: How do you plan to manage resources effectively, including funding and facilities, to support academic and extracurricular activities within the faculty?

 

Mr Faiz: In every administration there is always a social or sporting activities to be done, and majorly funding comes from the basic due however this doesn't lay entirely with the excos, we have the House and its financial committee that ratify budgets brought to the floor of the House , the decisions made will be respected however that this does not mean that we'd just bring anyhow budget to the house.

Hence, we'd cut cost on good and amenities that may not be necessary and ask for donations.

 

we'd also ensure that policies are put in place in order to sustain our facilities like "caution fee/damages" would be charged on the usage of the LLT and we'd also maintain the tradition of locking the toilet and other facilities within the hours of it not being in use. 

Although all these are entirely not in our powers but the management but we'd ensure that we work with them.

 

There is a recent update from the management on the usage of the LLT and other facilities but I don't have that much information yet so we don't know how the "TDB" is going to be this year and if elected

 

One of the good things this current administration has done is the purchase of the a new Public Address system, what is just needed is just sustainability and ensure that they are readily available for classes and events.

 

Interviewer: How do you plan to gather feedback from faculty members and students, and how will you ensure accountability for your actions and decisions as faculty president?

 

Mr Faiz: This will be done through ARCGIS survey 123 forms, or Google forms and through the FHR members speaking on behalf of their constituency (the House) to gather feedback from students. 

I think it's only when we're called upon when we get feedback from the management.

 

We would ensure that proper consultation is done before we take action. Track records, receipts and screenshots will be prioritized. 

And lastly, there is the presence of   the other organs to check the excesses of the Executive Council. 

All in all, I will never make any rash decisions without proper consultation.

 

Interviewer: Any last word for FATSSites? 

 

Mr Faiz: Dear FATSSSAites, I implore you to look beyond the sentiments used in determining those who want to represent us. A leader is also a follower, I'm the best candidate to be at your service and serve you wholeheartedly, beyond my leadership qualifications.

 

Interviewer: That will be all. Thank you and good luck at the polls

 

Mr Faiz: Thank you, Habeeb.