Fresher’s Week’23: Students’ Union Hold Symposium, Unveils Partnership To Ease Transportation Prices

Following the freshmen inter-faculty debate that held on Tuesday, October 24, the Great Ife Students’ Union continued the planned Fresher’s week 2023, with the highly anticipated Students’ Union symposium for the Freshmen Week. The symposium with the theme ‘360 Degree Student: Navigating balance balance and all round success as an undergraduate’.

The Symposium had in attendance distinguished personalities like Mrs. Oluneye Oluwole, CEO Oluneye Speaks, One Global, and Dr. Seun Fakorede, 2019-2023 Oyo State Commissioner for Youth and Sport, the keynotes speakers of the symposium. Distinguished friends of the former Commissioner also present at the event were Dotun Popoola, a synergetic metal sculptor and Wale, his bosom friend. Also present as panelist were a diverse mix of outstanding individuals such as, Feyisayo Awopetu, Financial Analyst and Strategist, Temidayo Olalekan, CEO Octopus, Azodo Chukwuemeka, Academic Tutor, and Olusayo Oyeyemi, Productivity Coach who added flowery spice to the event.

The Symposium was anchored by the Financial Secretary of the Union, Fasoro Damilare and Specialat. The opening remark was given by the Vice-President of the Union, Adekoya Omoyosola, who highlighted the greatness of the Ife learning community, and the responsibility that comes with such accolades. She further endeared the freshmen to be focused not only in their academic pursuit, but also to pursue interest in extracurricular like clubs, societies and even networking opportunities. The Union President, Abbas Akinremi Ojo, also in his speech emphasized the readiness of the Union to ensure the freshmen have a memorable experience during their stay on campus.

Eventually, the end of speeches gave way to the reading of the citation of Mrs. Oluneye Oluwole with her numerous achievement and accolades wowing the audience to the end, after which she elegantly climbed the podium in a host of applause. Using her unique story telling ability, she began by defining her mission-to inspire, guide, equip the next generation.

Thereafter, she proceeded to the crux of her presentation on the theme, highlighting several points, including the need to find an equilibrium and balance between academic excellence, personal growth, and social connections; setting ‘smart’ goals and priorities through effective time management and academic planning; thriving in every dimension of leadership development, cultural engagement, wellness and self-care, turning adversity into opportunity through building resilience, strong mental health, feedback and self-reflection. Also worthy of mention in her presentation are couple of actionable takeaways encouraging freshmen to build networks, join ecosystem, build spiritual life, and cultivate a positive mindset. Also, she made mention of an offer for 20 freshmen students for shadowing and internship at the Oluneye Speaks Leadership academy.

The interlude following her address was marked by a colorful and fun-filled session where the audience were treated to singing long-aged nursery school rhymes, fun-fare, dancing and plenty giveaways. Not long after, Dr. Seun Fakorede citation also was read amidst cheers and claps from the audience also contributing to the climax of excitement in the hall. In his heartwarming speech, he encouraged freshmen on the need to have a compass and its four cardinal points encapsulated in an acronym called NEWS. N stand for ‘network of quality relationships’, E stand for  ‘excellence’, W stand for ‘will and willingness’ to be great and S stand for ‘story crafting and telling’.

Towards the close of the event, various business brands that sponsored the giveaways were introduced which includes; Troves and Trends, Yakoyo, AFKiT and Uniconne. Also, awards were presented alternatively to each of the keynote speakers. Due to constraints of time, the panelist session was a hurried one with panelist emphasizing freshmen to practice excellence and diligence in whatever leadership role they find themselves, learn soft skills of communication and presentation, be open, relate and network with other people.

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Unveiling the Students’ Union new partnership with Uniconne, a brand with the aim of promoting cross campus student connection, unleashing idea exchange and collaboration. The Students’ Union President, Abbas Akinremi Ojo, said the Union is partnering with the brand to see to the fact that transportation prices are reduced on campus, as buses will be made available for students staying off-campus in areas like oduduwa estate, ibadan road etc at subsidized prices compared to the town-igboro prices.

The CEO of Uniconne, John Alalade, while speaking on the partnership said plans are going underway alongside the students’ union to provide coaster buses, fully air-conditioned and equipped with wifi at cheaper prices compared to the town-igboro prices. Speaking further on the assurance of how visible the plans are, John Alalade said he is a part 3 student of the department of Computer Science, Faculty of Technology and if by December, if what his brand promised to do is not actualized, he should be stoned when seen on campus. 

The last event at the symposium was the announcement of winners of inter-faculty debate which held on Tuesday, October 24 with Adeoye Oluwadamilola from Faculty of Administration clinching the 3rd position, Abire Esther from Pharmacy clinching the the 2nd position and Flourish Eniogo from Law the clinching the 1st position in the competition.

In an interview with OAU Kilonshele, Flourish Eniogo who felt excited after receiving the award said she was inspired by the IFELAW Debate Committee to go for the debate. She was awarded with cash prize, a power bank and an opportunity to train in a public occasion.

Speaking with ACJOAU correspondent in an interview, Mrs Oluneye Oluwole, in her words said ‘I think for mw it’s a 360 degree in the sense that being an undergraduate student from 1984 to graduating 1988 and coming back as an alumnus to giving inspiration and motivation to young undergraduates, almost a 40 yrs, for me it’s a complete cycle, and I believe that that is what life is all about, you know holding your lived experience and using that to inspire the next generation from your heart’.

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Addressing stallites, she said, ‘the key is to first understand where you are, some things might not have gone the way you planned them but there is always room to recalibrate and like in my presentation, focus on up skilling yourself, plugging yourself in the right ecosystem, and making sure you have a good network of people around you and start preparing for the outside world’.

Also, speaking to ACJOAU correspondent. The Vice-president of the Students’ Union, Adekoya Omoyosola, when asked about her remark regarding the symposium said, for someone who is climbing a mountain, there might be hitches, but what matters is the fact that you reach the peak, so regarding today’s event, despite the hitches, what matters most is the fact that freshmen were able to learn from alumnus of OAU and were impacted. She further endeared freshmen to start implementing every single thing they learnt from the symposium to be that 360 student that was spoken about.