FATSSSA Bye-Election; An Interview with Okunlola Gbekeloluwa- Social Director Aspirant

By Aanuoluwapo Akande

FATSSSA Press: I am Aanuoluwapo from FATSSSA PRESS and I'm having this interview with you because you are vying for the position of social director in the upcoming bye-election. 

Can you please introduce yourself? 

Interviewee: I am Okunlola Gbekeloluwa Chinedum, a 400-level student of the Department of Sociology, and an aspirant for the office of the FATSSSA Social Director. 

FATSSSA Press: Thank you. What made you want to go for the position of the social director? 

Interviewee: Passion. I am very passionate about organizing social events. 

FATSSSA Press: And, what experience do you have organizing social events? 

Interviewee: I was a member of both faculty and departmental social committees in my 100 and 200 levels. In my penultimate year, I served as the social director of the Department of Sociology, organizing what was and still is unarguably the most positively talked about picnic and cultural night in the faculty. I was also an unofficial member of the social committee because I couldn't be inaugurated due to the position I held at the time. 

FATSSSA Press: Alright. What do you think of the social events that FATSSSA has organized in the past? Like you said in your manifesto, you aim for inclusivity in the social events that you will be organizing. Do you think the past events were not inclusive enough and why? 

Interviewee: In all honesty, I wouldn't say they have been bad; however, improvement can still be made to everything in life. So yes, improvements can still be made in future events. For your second question, it's not stated in my manifesto that previous events weren't inclusive; all departments were equally represented in the committee, and students across all four departments attended these events. However, I believe consultations before organizing an event are paramount in order to know what your supposed "attendees" would like to see and how they would want to feel during your events. Hence the part I said periodically, opinions from FATSSSITES generally (not just the social committee) would be taken into consideration and their reviews about events too. 

FATSSSA Press: Thank you for your answer. But, I didn't mention that you stated in your manifesto that previous events were not inclusive. I only asked if you think they were not inclusive. However, moving on, how do you intend to take opinions from FATSSITES concerning social events? You just mentioned that it will be periodic. How often will it be? For example, will it be once every month? Or before every social event? 

Interviewee: Duly noted. Anonymous links or forms will be sent out after every social event and at times before. However, emphasis would be placed on after. 

FATSSSA Press: Alright. You mentioned that you aim to organize a cooking competition and a karaoke night. How do you intend to fund these events? Will you rely solely on the faculty's budget alone? 

Interviewee: I will try as much as possible to seek sponsorship to augment what the house gives to fund these events. 

FATSSSA Press: Okay. I understand that the karaoke night also doubles as a movie night. Based on what has been observed, most people don't come for movie nights. How do you intend to change that narrative, or do you think the addition of the karaoke would be the bait that would attract most people? 

Interviewee: That's the idea. Start with karaoke sessions. Believe me when I say everyone wants to try out a karaoke session at least once. And when you say people don't come for movie night, I remember vividly well in my 200 level, my hostel (Ransome Kuti) organized a movie night, and the turnout was more than enough for a Student Union party. Yes, movie nights have been organized, but has it been organized at FATSSSA level? I doubt it has, so it's kind of a new initiative, and new initiatives bring about curiosity, and curiosity in turn influences turnout. Also, enough PR would be in place. 

FATSSSA Press: Alright. Thank you. Lastly, you said you are going to promote teamwork that will enable students to develop new friendships and support networks. Do you intend to do this with the karaoke and cooking competition alone, or do you have other plans by which you would bring this to pass? 

Interviewee: Besides the cooking competition and karaoke, my committee and I can also include games and other tasks that require team efforts during other events like the cultural night and the faculty dinner. 

FATSSSA Press: Alright. Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions. 

Interviewee: My pleasure, Miss Aanuoluwapo. Enjoy the rest of your night.