Interview with Mr Ekene- a Vice Presidential Aspirant

 

By Emmanuel Akinwale

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: How do you do? I am a correspondent of the Faculty Press, can you do the honours of introducing yourself?

 

Mr Ekene: How do you do to?

 

Thank you.

 

My name is Nwankwo Ekene Emmanuel, a 300lvl student of the Department of Psychology.

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: In light of the upcoming FATSSSA General Election, the Faculty Press has made it a priority to interview all aspirants vying for political office within the Faculty.

 

Following the due diligence of the Faculty Press, we discovered that you are contesting for the office of Vice Presidency.

 

This leads me to the question. What has sparked your interest in contesting for this office?

 

Mr Ekene: It has a long history, but I'll make it very brief.

 

Given my history of not doing well in secondary school, and having to write JAMB and UI post-UTME 3 times before getting into UI. I got into UI and I began to put to practice what I learned while I went through the process of getting into UI. In all humility, I was on a first class after 100lvl. I carried my coursemates along and I helped them overcome some of their challenges as regards academics. I continued to do that with those that came into UI after me (200lvl &100lvl), by counselling, mentoring and tutoring. 

 

I've been on a mission to empower people to achieve excellence, and I've been doing that in my capacity with students in psychology, however I realised that there's a lot more people to reach. Hence, my decision to run for the post of the Vice President. People need to be empowered to realise that excellence is not as difficult as the world has made it seem.

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: Have you held any political posts in Psychology?

 

Mr Ekene: No

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: From the above, you didn't highlight any measure of Political Engagement whatsoever, in this case vying for the Vice Presidency tends to be political what gives you the confidence that you can perform effectively and efficiently, if elected?

 

Mr Ekene: I've held posts outside UI, I was the president of Altar Servers Association in my parish. In UI, I've served in the EDC since I was in 100lvl. 

I've led my group several times to work on our school assignments. Recently, I led a team of 15 persons within UI across diverse facilities in executing a project on mental health and suicide sponsored by ASIDO FOUNDATION - UI CHAPTER as a Heralds fellow. I'm a team player and I am highly emotionally intelligent so I have an understanding of human behaviour. 

 

Most of all, I'm very adaptable and I'm very teachable, and I'm always learning.

I can't exhaust all the reasons. But there are also the experiences I have gathered from counselling my peers since I was in 100lvl, so I am highly in tune with the needs and how to tend to the needs of the students.

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: From a practical perspective and as a student of the Faculty, how would you assess the incumbent Vice President of the Faculty?

 

Mr Ekene: Well, I would say they're doing the best they can. 

 

I will build on what they have been able to do.

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: From the foregoing, what do you intend to build on regarding what they have done and what do you intend to do differently, if elected?

 

Mr Ekene: Well, from my experience from being in touch with the needs of students, I'll be doing all and beyond my abilities to provide for those needs. I'll be demystifying excellence and I will strive to create a strong culture of excellence by supporting and uplifting fellow students in their journey.

The full details will be seen during press night and manifesto night

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: Talking about mentorship, from your statement, it would be logical to deduce that you have played a significant role in mentoring sophomores and freshmen, right?

 

Mr Ekene: Yes

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: If that is the case, your direct opponent, Tobi Obayemi, is a sophomore and I believe he is one of those you have  mentored.

 

Ipso facto, for the fact that one of those you mentored academically chose to square up against you for the same political office, does this not question the mechanism you have adopted to mentor these sophomores?

 

Mr Nwankwo: Well, it doesn't. On the contrary, he was inspired by some of the things I had done for their class, and he also wants to give back to FATSSSA.

He believes he has something to offer FATSSSAites.

I deduced this from a conversation we had at some point.

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: Regarding the Faculty EDC, you stated that you had been a member ever since your 100 level.

 

What position do you hold in the EDC as we speak?

 

Mr Ekene: Currently, I'm serving in the EDC of my department.

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: What position do you hold in the departmental EDC as we speak?

 

Mr Ekene: I'm a committee member, so we don't exactly have positions. The Vice President is the chairman. 

 

However, we organise tutorials for sophomores and Freshmen, and I'm also a tutor.

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: All right. Amidst being a tutor, can you highlight major encumbrances you have encountered that seriously discouraged you from continuing your role as a tutor?

 

As a sequel to that, throughout your service as a member of your departmental EDC, what innovative ideations have you devised to ensure or resolve almost insurmountable problems or impediments your mentees have faced?

 

Mr Ekene: Nothing has discouraged me from being a tutor, I love teaching. So I haven't faced discouragements. I just happen to know a few things that the students can do that will make them enjoy the tutorial more. Like reading (preparing) before the tutorial, engaging more in tutorials, and so on.

 

Well, the greatest challenges my mentees have been solved by them imbibing what I call the "growth mindset", and having the mind that actively thinks of how to overcome their challenges, instead of succumbing to it, or giving up.

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: You established earlier that you are well-wrought in recognising the emotional state of people, particularly, students in your department. Can you highlight how you have assisted members of your department emotionally amidst academic disappointments?

 

Mr Ekene: I listen to them talk about how they feel then I encourage them. I remind them that it's not over until it is over, and to evaluate what went wrong in the bid to know what to improve on, and also to acknowledge what went right in the bid to know what to hold on to.

 

When this has been done if there's a particular challenge, then we address it. 

 

I also remind them of how some people have faced similar situations and they overcame it.

The rest of it comes according to what is needed

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: Tell about a moment when you had to make a difficult decision under pressure. How did you approach it, and what was the result?

 

Mr Ekene: Over time I've learned to always keep my internal calm no matter the storm outside, so I make sure water doesn't get inside my boat. So I always try to remain objective and to make the most rational decision by thinking. Most times it turns out well, however, when it doesn't I reflect on it and think of ways to do better when I'm faced with such situation in the future.

 

I always reflect on my day, so I'm able to spot mistakes and  grow properly

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: Give an example of a time when you had to adapt to unexpected changes or challenges in a leadership role. How did you handle it?

 

Mr Ekene: Alright, I remember when we had planned an outreach planned when I was the president of the fellows I talked about that was under ASIDO foundation. We were given a particular date, and we were working with, then we received an abrupt call that there's been a change in date and we were supposed to come the next day. 

 

I had to calm my team and we thought of the best way to handle the situation and we worked with what we could and it came out beautifully. 

 

As regards leadership role, one of the greatest challenges is with the people,  one way of always overcoming the challenge is being open minded and always talking with the people involved. There's the need to understand your team members.

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: What is your approach to decision-making in situations where there are competing priorities or conflicting opinions among stakeholders?

 

Mr Ekene: When I'm leading a team, I'm usually the last to give an opinion. I do this so that I can listen to everyone's opinions and see how to merge the opinions to have a unified opinion most times we end up having a more beautiful opinion in the end. With my understanding of human behaviour, I know how to communicate people's ideas in a way that others understand.

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: Are you aware that certain Departments in the Faculty like Geography have complained about being marginalised?

 

Mr Ekene: Yes

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: If so, how would you suggest that such departments that are marginalised are better incorporated or carried along in your administration if elected?

 

Mr Ekene: One thing I have envisioned is collaboration between departments. I'm going to be working with the executives of each department, geography included.

 

FATSSSA Press Correspondent: That marks the end of the interview. Have a wonderful night, Mr Ekene.

 

Mr Ekene: Thank you very much