FOR ME, "SCHOOL NA SCAM" IS A SUBJECTIVE VIEW___GREAT OWELE

NCB: It is our pleasure to have you here.

FYB: Thank you for having me.

NCB: Can you please introduce yourself?

FYB: My name is Great Ayomikun Owele, I’m from Ondo state. I’m a digital artist and a soon to be UI/UX designer, I enjoy drawing and creating digital art.

NCB: Like, Great is your first name?

FYB: Yes, it is.

NCB: Can you please tell us about your background?

FYB: Hm, Ok, I’m from Akoko in Ondo state. Although, I was born and bred in Akure. I grew up in a family of four children (last born). My parents are church ministers and they’re academic enthusiasts.

NCB: Your name still interest me. For you to have Yoruba parents and you were named ‘Great’. Have you ever asked them the motive behind this name?

FYB: Well, I’ve asked them before, long ago but I’ve forgotten what they told about it . I guess they just wanted a change in my naming when I was born. P.S. I’m the only child with an English name as the first name.

NCB: Waoh! That’s exceptional! Being the last born of the family, there must be some privileges you are enjoying that others are not. Right?

FYB: Hm, not really actually. I inherit most of the house chores and errands. Does that count as a privilege?

NCB: Even as a guy?

FYB: Yes, but I reward myself for the errands though, I keep like 10% of the change for myself. Yeah, plus we’re all boys, and the first born is like commander-in-chief.

NCB: There is motivation and reward… How did you meet yourself in OAU, by choice or by chance?

FYB: The two.

NCB: Ok, let’s have it. How come?

FYB: Well, UI was my first choice. I passed their post-utme but wasn’t admitted, my mum was angry (like she was the one who didn’t get admitted). The second year, I wanted to try UI again but she ‘forced’ me to pick OAU (till today, she’s still mad at UI) and I passed post-utme here on my first try. That’s how I ended up in this ‘amazing’ institution.

NCB: Amazing. How is OAU so far? Would you choose OAU again as your first choice if the hand of the clock were to be turned?

FYB: My experience in OAU has been bitter-sweet so far and Yes, I would choose OAU again.

NCB: Awn awn! As the last child, decision making is always based on their parents or elder siblings. Will you say you have similar experiences or you are allowed to make decisions by yourself?

FYB: Well not entirely in my case, since I gained admission, I made most of my decisions myself.

NCB: Aside from academics, is there any other thing you do?

FYB: Yes, I’m a Digital Artist/illustrator.

NCB: In a simple term, you are?

FYB: An Artist, I draw.

NCB: Using computer? Wao! How do you come about that?

FYB: Yes, using computer. Well, I’ve been drawing since I was little. So as time went on, I simply decided to do it with digital devices.

NCB: Great! So, you went for a formal training?

FYB: No, I simply did trial and error with my phone with a sprinkle of YouTube tutorials.

NCB: That’s great! With your experiences on campus and beyond, what is your view on this popular trend “school na scam”?

FYB: (sighs) For me, “school na scam” is a subjective view. I feel the only people who say such are those that don’t intend to use the certificate at all. As much as I don’t like academics, school is not scam.There are a handful of professions in which you cannot succeed if you have not attended school. Now, think about it, we wouldn’t have Doctors if there was no school for them to learn. Imagine a doctor doing a wrong transplant during a surgery because he doesn’t know how to do it well. You’ll never hear Architects say “school na scam” because they got their knowledge from school. Imagine if schools don’t train their engineers well, thousands of people would die from collapsing buildings here and there because the engineer na olodo.

NCB: Hm. What next after B.Sc?

FYB: Siri, play me “Hand of God” by Jon Bellion. Just kidding… I plan to go into Digital Arts full time and venture into businesses too.

NCB: Are you a lover boy or a play boy?

FYB : emi kẹ? “Play boy” it’s a foreign term to me. But lover boy? I think so.

NCB: So, there is this someone you are showing that to right now?

FYB: Yes, his name is Ayomikun Owele….

NCB: Come on! We both understand.

FYB: I choose not to understand this one.

NCB: Ok. Are you in any relationship?

FYB: No, no, no. I’m a Single Pringle, but anyone interested can shoot their shot and find out if I’m searching…

NCB: If you say so then, I’ll agree. But she can see this shaa. What are your likes and dislikes?

FYB: further elaborate on your question.

NCB: What are the things you like?

FYB: Thank God, I asked you to clarify, I would’ve answered wrongly. For likes: FOOD, GOOD FOOD. I like creating digital art. I like anime. I like listening to hip hop. I like singing. I like drawing. I like basketball. I like GIRLS (even though their head no dey correct sometimes). Once again I like FOOD, GOOD FOOD.

NCB: Dislikes nko?

FYB: For dislikes, I don’t like academics.I don’t like English department.I don’t like ilé ifẹ́.That’s all I can think of for now sha…

NCB: Why? What has Ile-Ife done to you? Department of English must have done you Shege?

FYB: Ile-Ife is a terrible place to be, especially the student areas off campus. They amplify the situation of Nigeria. Yes, majority of us can testify to this.

NCB: Eaya, sorry. I feel your pain. What advice will you give to the newly admitted students?

FYB: Nothing much. Read your books like say you wan die. Connect with your peers too (very important) being a lone ranger doesn’t help.

NCB: Thank you. Do you have any shout-outs?

FYB: Shout-out to the ERUDITES clique, you guys are amazing. They know themselves (if they ever read this interview sha).

NCB: Thank you so much for your time. We have come to the end of this session.

FYB: Thank you for having me.

Connect Great on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/great-owele-605040231?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_app