ALL NASELSITES ARE SPECIAL TO ME_Nasels President

NCB: Look who we have here. We have a great personality here tonight; the number one student in the department of English Language.Welcome here Mr. President.

NASELS PRESIDENT: Thank you for having me.

NCB: For the sake of our audience, can we meet you?

NASELS PRESIDENT: My name is Popoola Moses Damilare Jasmine, I’m a student and an entrepreneur.

NCB: Ok, can you tell us more about who Popoola Moses is; his background and political activities?

NASELS PRESIDENT: Well, I was born over 2 decades ago to the family of Rev. Popoola in Ìkìrun, Ọ̀ṣun state. I’m the 4th out of 5 children. I was raised with love and affection. I’m the President of National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies (NASELS), the association of the prestigious Department of English, OAU.

NCB: Aside from the presidential seat which you currently occupy, what other post have you contested for on campus?

NASELS PRESIDENT: In my part 2, I served as an honorable member of NSRC. In part 3, I served as the Director of Socials, NASELS OAU. I have also served as the Coordinator of NASELS Southwest, Ọ̀ṣun State Chapter.

NCB: During your manifesto, you made several promises to Naselsite. To what extent have you been able to fulfill these promises?

NASELS PRESIDENT: Well, one of my promises was to foster unity in NASELS and I can say that to a large extent, my administration has been able to unite NASELSITES across all levels through our programmes and activities.Another thing is to cater for the welfarism of NASELSites. On this, I can say that ever since we started this administration, our topmost priority has been the welfare of NASELSites. And I believe, I still have enough time to fulfill everything I said I was going to do.

NCB: Yeah. I could remember also, that one of the promises was to unite English department lecturers with the students, so to what extent have you been able to achieve that?

NASELS PRESIDENT: Well, we organised colloquium programmes for part 4 and part 1 students where some lecturers were present and students were able to interact freely with them. We made sure to inform NASELSites that they have free access to all lecturers and can build a cordial relationship with their part advisers. And, we hope to have more next semester.

NCB: More power to your elbow. What are the major challenges in this position?

NASELS PRESIDENT: Hm! I would say it’s been a lovely experience, but one of the challenges I have been faced with is listening and attending to people’s needs and challenges. To be honest, sometimes it can be overwhelming, especially from our fresh students. At the end, I knew what I was going to encounter before I contested. Aside that, there is no other major challenge.

NCB: You know we cannot compare your knowledge before being in this position to the knowledge you have acquired now, could you tell us few things that your eyes have been opened to in politics or in this position?

NASELS PRESIDENT: Omo! I have learnt to be really patient when dealing with people. Sometimes, people can be too hard to deal with. Also, I’ve learnt responsibility. With over 1000 students in NASELS, I have learnt to put other people’s interests ahead of mine.

NCB: That’s impressive. Mr. President, there was a news report we published last year and with your comment on it, Naselsites have been expecting your feedback on it. It is about the departmental toilet.

NASELS PRESIDENT: The problem we have isn’t that the toilet is spoilt or blocked, the issue is water. Water doesn’t run through the toilet pipes anymore, so it would be difficult to maintain the toilets without water. I believe all humanities buildings have the same water source and it’s a general problem. But, the Faculty is currently working on restoring the water supply, hopefully before next semester.

NCB: Hopefully! Political matters apart. Let’s come to academic aspect. Did you choose the department or the department chose you?

NASELS PRESIDENT: Well, I chose English. Not that I liked it, but there was no better course to study in the Faculty of Arts.

NCB: Do you say that there are no other departments that are better in the faculty of Arts asides English?

NASELS PRESIDENT: Well, that was my belief back then, But, now I would not dare to say that.

NCB: Oh! I gerrit. So now that you are in the department and it isn’t your first choice, how are you coping academically?

NASELS PRESIDENT: It’s not that difficult, I don’t have any issue with the course just the school. To be honest, I tried ditching OAU thrice, but all my efforts proved abortive.

NCB: The school? Please, elucidate.

NASELS PRESIDENT: Hm! OAU is great and I’ve actually met people who have been a great impact on my life, but, I detest the stress and the slow calendar. When I came in as a freshman, I was feeling out of place because OAU was never my choice.

NCB: What was your choice?

NASELS PRESIDENT: I never really had a choice. I just wanted to go to any school that’s not OAU. But, here I am.

NCB: Alright, studying, business, politics and other activities. How have you been able to manage all these together without one affecting the other?

NASELS PRESIDENT: Honestly, it has been a great task, but, I’ve found a way around it.

NCB: Gist us now. What way?

NASELS PRESIDENT: Hm. I’ve just created a kind of calendar for everything. Academics and politics can work together. My business is mostly online. I’ve set the days for market and deliveries. And so far, all has been well.

NCB: Who is that person you are gifting Val gift in the department?

NASELS PRESIDENT: I don’t support Valentine’s day. So, I don’t celebrate it. I believe everyday should be for our loved ones, setting one particular day for it is just absurd.

NCB: Sweet. I also believe that. So who is that person in the department you are celebrating every day?

NASELS PRESIDENT:I have a lot of people I celebrate every day.

NCB: That special person. You understand me sir.

NASELS PRESIDENT: All NASELSites are special to me.

NCB: Ok, do you have anyone you are in love with, in the department or beyond?

NASELS PRESIDENT: Yes, I do.

NCB: In the department?

NASELS PRESIDENT: I would rather not say.

NCB: Like, what is your political aspiration after school?

NASELS PRESIDENT: I don’t think I would love to involve myself in politics after school. It’s not what I really like.

NCB: Alright. What is your plan after school? Coming for masters?

NASELS PRESIDENT: Definitely venturing into business properly. No!

NCB: Any advice for Naselsites?

NASELS PRESIDENT: Study smart, English is soft.

NCB: Any shout-outs?

NASELS PRESIDENT: Nah. Some people will be angry if I don’t mention their names.

NCB: Thank you so much for answering our call.

NASELS PRESIDENT: Eseun! Thanks for having me.