‘You Must Be Able To Distinguish Between Godfathers And Mentors’ – Olayiwola Folahan, President, Great Ife Students’ Union

 

In this exclusive interview by ACJOAU, the President, Great Ife Students Union, Olayiwola Folahan, discusses his plans and agenda for the Great Ife Students’ Union.

 

ACJ OAU: Can we meet you?

Reform: I’m Olayiwola Folahan popularly and politically known as Reform, the President of the Great Ife Students’ Union. I’m a part 4 student from the Department of English.

 

ACJ OAU: Congratulations once again, how do you feel on your first day in the office?

Reform: There is no extraordinary feeling. This is over six months after the election and the first or second day after inauguration there’s no extraordinary feeling.

 

ACJ OAU: Apparently, it took six years and six months before the return of the Union, what have you been doing for the past six months as the President-elect?

Reform: Carrying the responsibilities at our quarters. The majority of the activities we have been doing, we’ve been running it with personal resources. So many things, several interventions that we have been attending to at our risk and from our pocket.

 

ACJ OAU: What are those things that you’ve been doing?

Reform: The responsibility as the President. Although there are some limitations because we can’t have a letterhead since we have not been inaugurated but whenever students called us about their problems, we attend to it with immediate effect.

 

ACJ OAU: We believe that every event is an offshoot of another event, we want to take you back to memory lane. During your campaign, speculations were flying around that you were a leftist, what can you say about this?

Reform: The question is who is a leftist?

 

ACJ OAU: We don’t know that’s why we are asking you.

Reform: I don’t know too.

 

ACJ OAU: So you are not a leftist?

Reform: I am not saying so. I said who is a leftist?

 

ACJ OAU: Have you heard the word leftist before?

Reform: I doubt, I so much doubt.

 

ACJ OAU: So, when you were campaigning during elections, what were the challenges you faced that you feel like you have overcome or you are still facing?

Reform: Hmm… Of course, there’s no how I’ll be able to triumph and I won’t have met with some challenges… if I’d mention, those that would advise you to consider other options, those that’ll advise you to even step down that it’s not for a small boy like you, those that’ll just discourage you but I think what is most important is that you have to be focused.

 

ACJ OAU: We understand that you have a support system during and after elections, who are your support systems?

Reform: My support systems are the students; the Great Ife.

 

ACJ OAU: Interesting! All through your inauguration, the Dean, Division of Students Affairs said the election was free and fair, same with the University Vice-Chancellor as well as the Electoral Chairman, from your view, do you think the election was free and fair?

Reform: Yes now. Of course, it was even in my speech.

 

ACJ OAU:During your campaigns, you were rolling out different manifestoes and agendas about what you want to do, what part of your manifesto are you eager to get started on now that you’re the President of Great Ife Students’ Union?

Reform: Transportation issue, especially for the Road 7 axis.

 

ACJ OU: And what are the plans for that?

Reform: If you watch my campaign or manifesto, you’ll see that those that are at Road 7 are going through a lot of transportation challenges. The issue is that they’re always stranded, both in the morning and in the evening. The solution we are bringing is that there will be a bus that will be able to transport them at a lesser price in the morning and the evening.

 

ACJ OAU: There were controversial stories a long time ago which led to the limitation of vehicles allowed to ply that axis, how do you intend to prevent this kind of situation again?

Reform: It will be an official bus monitored by the Students Union, it won’t just be any commercial bus. We’ll have our independent transit system and all the activities will be watched and monitored.

 

ACJ OAU: How do you intend to carry other members of your executives along in your administration and while fulfilling your manifestoes, you also inculcate theirs?

Reform: The thing is that as an executive body, we’re one, irrespective of anything because how do I run an administration without carrying my executives along? I don’t know if anybody has made a complaint to you but the fact is that we are one and we are always doing things in accordance with our plans. So, we come together, we’ve meetings every weekend, several times. To make sure that we harness our ideas and make sure we are able to project it to the Great Ife students and I think our major priority as executives is the welfare of the students, that is the priority. Anything that we do will always be to serve the interest of the students.

 

ACJ OAU: Talking about welfare, how are you trying to tackle the issue of price exploitation in butteries within the halls of residence and academics?

Reform: I can tell you that the welfare director is working on it, I confidently tell you that!

 

ACJ OAU: What is your relationship with those that you contested with during the election, will you take advice from them?

Reform: Aside from me being in this position, there is no how you won’t take advice from people because we’re public office holders, different people will want to advise us. The thing now is to check if the advice will benefit or mar us.

 

ACJ OAU: …or any other external forces?

Reform: …there will always be advice. We also have mentors to guide us because anyone that doesn’t have a mentor will fall.

 

ACJ OAU: So who are your role models?

Reform: I don’t know if you know him, there’s this man that finished from Law, Festus. When I told him that I’ll be going for this position he said to me that it’s big but he told me something I’ll never forget, he said a trial is never a crime. Nobody will penalize you or prosecute you for trying. Go for it!

 

ACJ OAU: Looking back to why the Union was proscribed years ago we could relate it to “godfatherism” and so many other things, how has your administration been able to cope with external forces?

Reform: Well, we all have different perspectives. You feel that the Union was proscribed because of godfatherism. To me, I feel that the Union was proscribed because of the leadership crisis, it’s more of a leadership crisis than godfatherism. Godfatherism will give you the advice to take this step. It is in you that you’ll know that I’m in this office and it’s my name to protect and to make. So if anyone is giving you advice and you know that you’re going to be held responsible, then you know the proper step to take.

 

ACJ OAU: So, you have godfathers?

Reform: So I’ve godfathers! Did I say that?

 

ACJ OAU: It’s a question. Do you have a godfather?

Reform: No.

 

ACJ OAU: Do you subscribe to godfatherism or bend to any other external forces?

Reform: I take advice, I’ve mentors, not godfathers that will impose their instructions on me. I’ve my own will and I’ve my things to say.

 

ACJ OAU: In your statement earlier, you said godfathers give advice and it’s left to President to take it or not, are your mentors, godfathers?

Reform: You see, you must be able to distinguish between godfathers and mentors.

 

ACJ OAU: From your statement earlier, what you said was that those that give advice are godfathers

Reform: Yes… No… No. Godfathers most times impose.

 

ACJ OAU: Well, as you’ve emerged now, different expectations will be on you. what are the challenges that you envisage in this current administration and how do you intend to overcome them?

Reform: Of course, there will always be challenges but the most important is that one should know how to manage them. We’ve been facing different challenges over six months and we’re still standing tall. So, whoever is going to challenge or come our way, we will crush him/her.

 

ACJ OAU: During your inaugural speech, you mentioned Students Union buses, what are the plans to get those buses back?

Reform: There are some buses in Maintenance and we’ll ensure that we get them back on road and they’ll be able to transport students.

 

ACJ OAU: Do you think your personality has changed since you assume the office of the President?

Reform: I’m a freeman, I’m accessible and approachable so I don’t think there’s anything… or I guess I won’t be the one to answer that question. Those that know me before are in the best position to answer that.

 

ACJ OAU: Looking at the last administration that led to the proscription of the Union, the relationship between you and the Speaker and the way you hugged each other at the inauguration, Should any crisis arise between the executives and the parliament, how will you approach the situation?

Reform: Well, we are in the 21st century, looking back at five years ago and that’s one of the beauties of history that you’re able to learn from the past just like the saying ‘History is not only a path left by the past, it’s also a tool to shape the future. There’s hardly anything new that would happen about differences so the beauty of this administration is that we’ll be able to look at the past and learn from people’s mistakes. There will be challenges, there will be differences but I can tell you that there will be ways to harmonize and settle our differences.

 

ACJ OAU: Knowing fully well that you’re still a student, how do you intend to draw the line between academics and your post as the President?

Reform: I’ve my timetable.

 

ACJ OAU: Talking about finances and the economy, how do you intend to keep your finances strong?

Reform: Well, there’s a Union due that we pay to the account of the school management. So as a Union officer or representative of the Students, our responsibility is to demand the Union due from the management and send it to the Union account for it to be used to run the Union’s activities.

 

ACJ OAU: How do you intend to be accountable to the students in terms of finances as this is what causes problems between the students and the Union?

Reform: There will be a monthly report and more so at the house, at the level of the sitting, there will always be a time that SRC members ask us how we spend the money and that’s how we have an audit committee that will be able to independently do that themselves. Because as a democratic union, there must always be a place of check and balance so there’s a way that we’re able to check ourselves.

 

ACJ OAU: There’s a bar at the students union building, is it meant for the executive members alone?

Reform: It’s for the entire students.

 

ACJ OAU: As the union President that has power and in the activities going in the halls of residence, how are you trying to work along with the hall executives and also to ensure that the re of the students in the halls of residence are adequately protected?

Reform: I get reports from them. They’re being mandated to report. Sometimes, some students come to report directly to us even without getting through to their halls of residence executives. Then, I’ll confirm first from the hall’s executive, the problems, then inform them that we’re in charge. So, there’s a way I receive reports.

 

ACJ OAU: During your speech, you mentioned getting justice for Heritage Ajibola, the girl that died at Bver. What kind of justice do you want to get for the deceased?

Reform: The thing is that the case is approaching the court and we will like to leave the procession on this issue. The case is still in court but we’re just trying, as a union and as a strong body. We’re watching keenly to ensure that justice is justified.

 

ACJ OAU: When the VC was addressing the students populace during the inauguration, he made mentioned that the popular ‘Scientific Maximum Shishi’ punishment has stopped, what other punishment are you bringing in to replace this?

Reform: Actually, some people have reservations for maximum shishi and it’s more about the physical assault to them. The person is a suspect, anybody apprehended is still a suspect. But because we have evidence and it happened on campus, this person has stolen, this person is culpable of this offence. We don’t have to keep beating such a person. So if at all the maximum shishi.. because if I should tell you that you should define the maximum shishi, there will be several definitions but what is necessary is that it’s just like moderation and parade around the hostels or the campus. Parade without beating and announcing to the Great Ife students that this is what the person has done and the person can be compelled to do some community service.

 

ACJ OAU: From history, this SMS was just to serve as a lesson to others who are involved in the same bad act as the person being paraded to stop, so if you’re taking this SMS away, how are you going to curb others that are involved in this act to stop?

Reform: The thing is that when you’re being caught and you’re being paraded, that’s a public disgrace. I know of some faculties that if you’re being caught and paraded that’s all for you. I think for Law, you won’t go to Law School and for Education, that’s the end of your career. There are still strict rules to do these things in a civilized manner and not just beating and beating. The first thing you need to ask yourself is, the person I’m beating, what’s the person’s health status?, what if I beat the person and the person happens to pass on?

 

ACJ OAU: So in summary, there is no more maximum shishi?

Reform: The maximum shishi should be defined. If you’re saying Shishi and it’s beating, No!

 

ACJ OAU: So what will be the things in place of maximum shishi?

Reform: Community service either by going for environmental cleaning, washing toilets and parading.

 

ACJ OAU: Can you define parading?

Reform: Parading is just taking the culpable person to halls of residence around the campus telling people this is what the person has done and whoever tries that will also face the same treatment.

 

ACJ OAU: Is there any position of the constitution that talks about parading or is the parading still a convention?

Reform: It’s a conventional act.

 

ACJ OAU: So will there be any prior investigation that will take place before parading?

Reform: Absolutely!

 

ACJ OAU: What will be the effort of the Judicial arm of the Students’ Union in this aspect?

Reform: Of course, there are some parts that the security committee takes their place, and they can pronounce judgement on it and that’s why it’s a conventional act as one of the cultures and traditions of OAU that is necessary for us to uphold.

 

ACJ OAU:Are we mixing the constitution with the convention?

Reform: We have conventions, we have traditions, we have cultures and we have the constitution.

ACJ OAU: Which one is superior?

Reform: I think the constitution is superior. Just like the July 10 commemoration that we hold every year, is it constitutional? No, but it’s tradition. It’s conventional that we have to hold. Why, because we’re giving ultimate respect to those that gave us the free and sane environment, who paid the supreme price. So, some conventional things must be maintained.

 

ACJ OAU: Going back to the October 1st event, the issue of Aishat, how do you intend to hold the workers at the health centre that do not do their work properly or that do not attend to students when they go there to complain about their health accountable?

Reform: There will be Student Health Committee which will be set up very soon so as to ensure that they check the health workers and their service delivery, that’s very important. Just like I said in my speech, health is wealth and it must be properly maintained. We must try as much as possible that our health is well maintained and all hands are on deck to ensure that this is properly done.

 

ACJ OAU: Let’s come back to the issue of convention, as regards the bus driver that assaulted a student, how was that particular case moderated?

Reform: The moment the guy … and we sent out our security committee because they’re vibrant, we sent them out and that guy also did a nice job taking his picture and the picture of the plate number so I think this will also serve to others that whenever such happens, let’s try to do that kind of thing. It’ll help the judgement to be delivered faster. So, we sent them out and we were able to meet the leadership of their union, we told them exactly what has happened and they should provide the man. They also worked in conjunction with the security committee and even the CSO was also on board to ensure that this guy was brought to campus. The moment he was brought to campus, we were alerted by the guys on campus and he was questioned because there will always be a place for a fair hearing, he gave his explanation and in the end, he was found guilty and he was being punished immediately. Justice was a fine.

 

ACJ OAU: On the issue of the health centre, what ideas, plans are you putting in place for the digitalization of students’ data just as you said on the protest ground on October 1st?

Reform: About digitalization, it has been done partially. It’s not as if the idea of the file will be eradicated because your file is actually to keep your health records. Whenever you go to the health centre, they have to check your health status what you’ve done when you were tested maybe you’ve been given some drugs before it’ll also be in your health file. It’s not as if this is a computer you’ve to carey it, you use it there. The beauty of it is that as soon as you’ve someone who is coming, as fast as possible, just check the person’s name, it’ll bring the health status then you’ll able to direct him, at first he should be taken care of, then you can now get the file again to continue but there should be a quick response as soon as the health is being needed.

 

ACJ OAU: Lastly, we understand that this is the beginning of your tenure, what friendly advice do you’ve for the entire students of Great Ife so that at the end of your tenure, you would have achieved great success?

Reform: Firstly, I’ll like to appreciate Great Ife students for entrusting us with this position and to also solicit their continuous support and their continuous help. Truthfully, Great Ife students have been helpful in all ramifications. So, we will also advise them to keep up with what they’ve been doing and also as Great Ife implies that Great Ife remains Great Ife that there are many things that we do outside Great Ife and that helps us to stand out, we should also continue in this lane with our best, we will do what is good at the interest of the Great Ife students. Thank you so much.

 

ACJ OAU Correspondents: Oladipupo Paul, Adekunle Solomon Famuyiwa, Akinyele Oluwafayofunmi, Adeleye Temiloluwa, Adesina Ayomide and Gbolahan Latinwo