By Muhammed Bello
To catch the glimpse of their minds, Muhammed Bello trailed the new officials and engaged them on why they contested for the office.
Interview with the President— Elect, UCJ Unilorin
UCJ-UNILORIN: Tell us about yourself
Quayyim Adedimeji: I am Adedimeji Quayyim Abdul-Hafeez, a student of laws at the University of Ilorin, a freelance journalist and a creative. I am the current Director General of UCJ UNILORIN and I love journalism.
UCJ-UNILORIN: What inspired you to run for the office of the President, UCJ Unilorin?
Quayyim Adedimeji: My inspiration to run for the presidency of the UCJ is borne out of my zeal to serve and my passion towards uplifting journalism in Nigeria. I am inspired by my President, Eze Glory Chika and the rest of the wonderful team I worked with at the Press Council, and I do believe I am best positioned to serve the UCJ UNILORIN and its community of journalists as its President.
UCJ-UNILORIN: I want to believe you’re aware of the sacrifices and challenges that come with being a leader, most especially a leader of UCJ. How do you intend to manage these challenges without affecting the productivity of your office?
Quayyim Adedimeji: Leadership connotes sacrifice, dedication, consistency and service, and I do plan to imbibe this in my years of service as UCJ’s President. Indeed, I am not UCJ’s leader. The wonderful pressmen of the Union are.
I do plan to battle the challenges I would face by ensuring that all hands are on deck and that teamwork is made paramount. I would ensure that my challenges do not interfere with my office by ensuring that proper deliberations are made with the Press Council and members of the Union.
UCJ-UNILORIN: So, tell us, how do you feel about being the President and if you hadn’t won, what would you have done?
Quayyim Adedimeji: Glad. Challenged. Inspired to serve. I am pleased that Pressmen are impressed by my work at the Union and that they are willing to entrust me to serve them. They are the real deal.
I salute the comradeship and sportsmanship of my co-contender, brother and friend, Sir Adepoju Samuel Oluwatimileyin. His tremendous maturity is indeed worthy of emulation. Thank you, my brother.
As I said during my manifesto, if I didn’t win, I promised, before God and Man, that I would dedicate my services to whoever the Union deems fit to elect as President. Service is not tied to positions or roles in organizations. It is fueled by zeal and passion, which I do have for the UCJ UNILORIN and journalism.
UCJ-UNILORIN: Parting words to those who are looking up to you.
Quayyim Adedimeji: Be you. Be consistent. Find your voice. Listen not to naysayers. Be kind. Be ready to learn, relearn and relearn. You are a fine human and you are bliss congealed in the foils of humans.
Interview with the Vice President, Admin—Elect, UCJ Unilorin
UCJ-UNILORIN: Good day, ma. Tell us about yourself?
Christiana Peter: I’m Christiana Peter, a 300 level student of law, an active campus journalist, serial volunteer and a self development kids coach.
UCJ-UNILORIN: As the vice president, admin elect, How do you plan on creating a positive working relationship with the president while ensuring effective communication with the members?
Christiana Peter: It’s easier for birds of the same feather to flock together. Therefore, understanding and reasoning with the president will keep a positive relationship. Although, the president elect and I have a good relationship. As the Vice President, admin elect, the ability to listen, network and be transparent are core values in which I intend to hold dearly in ensuring effective communication with the members. Teaming up wins.
UCJ-UNILORIN What motivated you to run for the office of the vice president, admin, UCJ Unilorin?
Christiana Peter: Running for the office of the Vice President, admin, UCJ Unilorin was born out of a passion to serve the noble cause of journalism, to work with like minds in ensuring the progress of the Union.
UCJ-UNILORIN: What would you have done if you hadn’t won this election?
Christiana Peter: No one wants to lose but It’s not just about winning or losing, but to learn about teamwork, learn about sportsmanship, learn about discipline. The value of working together for a common goal.
I’ll share my ideas with the Vice President, administration elect, be supportive and remain loyal to the Union.
UCJ-UNILORIN: How do you intend to balance your office with your education without affecting each other?
Christiana Peter: To strike the right balance between academics and union duties,I’ll set a schedule and stick with It, give myself some time to relax and recharge, make the most of my free time, limit distractions by staying focused and ask for help when I need to.
Interview with the Vice President, Editorial— Elect, UCJ Unilorin
UCJ-UNILORIN: Good day, ma. Tell us about yourself?
Halimah Adisa: Good day, sir. I am Halimah Adisa, a 300 level student of the Faculty of Education. I am a writer, Journalist, a poet and a satirist. I have been published and shortlisted in few journals. I self published an anthology of poems, titled, “In Light, Fears and love”. I am passionate about writing and I have taken its creativity to practise.
UCJ-UNILORIN: As the vice president, editorial elect, How do you plan on creating a positive working relationship with the president while ensuring effective communication with the members?
Halimah Adisa: As the vice president, editorial-elect, I plan on working with a term, an Editorial board — teamwork brings fulfillment and achievement and I believe working with the president will improve the efficiency of the Editorial boards. Ensuring expressiveness is implementing the plans that need to be carried out for the Union.
UCJ-UNILORIN: What motivated you to run for the office of the vice president, editorial, UCJ Unilorin?
Halimah Adisa: Actually, a lot of things. The editorial office carries the union and it needs someone to carry it affairs in assuring that the union keeps working effectively.
UCJ-UNILORIN: What would you have done if you haven’t won this election?
Halimah Adisa: If I’d not been elected, I would still retain full commitment to the union.
UCJ-UNILORIN : There are a lot of sacrifices that’ll be made in that office, I’m sure you are aware of that. How do you intend to manage this office without letting it affect your academic as well?
Halimah Adisa: My academics and My office are two things. My essence in making time for them is one. I understand that time management is key as I have made arrangements in making sure one doesn’t affect the other.
Interview with the Asst. Director general — Elect, UCJ Unilorin
UCJ-UNILORIN: Kindly tell us about yourself.
Ghemisola Ibrahim: My name is Ibrahim Nafisa Gbemisola. I am a 300 level medical student from the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences. I’m an enthusiast on growth and development and this has shaped almost all areas of my life. I have a book to my name and occasionally write on my blog (gbemisolaibrahim.wordpress.com). I also volunteer for different committees within and outside the school where I have had the opportunity to participate, organize and lead some programs. I love to cook, read and sleep at my leisure time.
UCJ-UNILORIN: What’s the inspiration behind running for the office of the ADG, UCJ Unilorin?
Gbemisola Ibrahim: As I have mentioned earlier. I love growth. From my previous years as a member of the UCJ. There were many things I observed could be changed and taken to a higher level. I believe I have what it takes to be involved in building a UCJ that is not only better from afar but better by far.
UCJ-UNILORIN: How do you plan on discharging your duties that won’t in any way affect your studies?
Gbemisola Ibrahim: have had the opportunity to head different positions within and outside the University of Ilorin and also combined my academics well with this office while at it. The office of the ADG is a first and might be a bit tasking but I believe I am one of the most dedicated individuals I know. I can do this!
UCJ-UNILORIN: How will you increase the awareness of the significance of your office to a wide range of the union’s members?
Gbemisola Ibrahim: One of my best traits is that I am an approachable person. I appreciate and value interpersonal relationships a lot. Giving pressmen the opportunity to feel at home will be a first step towards increasing the awareness of the significance of my office to the union members. They have to feel and be a part of something bigger than them.
UCJ-UNILORIN: How do you feel after announcing you as the winner of this office and would it have been difficult if you had a contender?
Gbemisola Ibrahim: My God, I was in awe.
No, it wouldn’t have been difficult if I had a contender. I’m the woman for the job and I want to believe all pressmen in the union are ready for a great and beautiful ride!
Interview with the Director general—Elect, UCJ Unilorin
UCJ-UNILORIN: How would you describe yourself to us, Sir?
Victor Lawal: I am LAWAL Victor Damilola a 300l student in the department of English, Unilorin.
UCJ-UNILORIN: What’s the inspiration behind running for the office of the DG, UCJ Unilorin?
Victor Lawal: Give my best to the Union and help in advancing and supporting the vision of other Press Council members.
UCJ-UNILORIN: Being elected, what will you bring to promote the growth of the union?
Victor Lawal: Further advance the effect of Journalism in the university and further help to improve upcoming journos to achieving their goals for joining this reputable Union.
UCJ-UNILORIN: How do you feel after announcing you as the winner of this office and would it have been difficult if you had a contender?
Victor Lawal: I feel it’s another time to take up another challenge and should I say mantle in serving the Union as well as being the eyes of the Union and the mouth at which the Union speaks. The best of the best would have been elected by the Union.
UCJ-UNILORIN: What would you have done if you hadn’t won the election?
Victor Lawal: Still support, uphold the cause of the Union.
