NCB: My name is Moyinoluwa and I will be interviewing you tonight. Can we know you, ma'am?
FYB: My name is Sekinah Omolola Akanmu, an indigene of ILOBU, the Headquarters of Irepodun Local Government in Osun State. I am a student of the department of English and a final year student. One fun fact about me is that I have never attended a private school but Alhamdulilah, I am doing just fine.
NCB: Could you tell us more about yourself?
FYB: I am an advocate for Sexual and Gender Based Violence, a human rights activist, and an advocate for child education and rights. I am a very outspoken person. I am a student who loves to contribute to the political issues in my community. In fact, I am a speaker of the Faculty of Arts Students Representatives Council. To cap it all, I love food.
NCB: That's a lot! What pulled your interest into being an activist?
FYB: My community! Let me remind you that I am from ILOBU, an interesting place to be. I have experienced quite a lot of women subjugation by individuals they called their husbands even while their children watch. Also, there is a belief that a girl child's education shouldn't go beyond secondary school after which is to learn a trade and be married. Funny right? That is an ideology that some individuals still believe. So, when I got to the secondary school, I joined an organisation: 'YOUNG AMBITIOUS" where the dream started. Being a youthful community, we inspired students especially public school students to see the usefulness of education by building a system that inspired everyone to compete for a university education. Alhamdulilah, the situation is not the same again in that community.
NCB: Why OAU?
FYB: I don't have anything for or against OAU. When I was in secondary school, all I wanted was to go to the best public university in Nigeria and OAU came to my mind. Although, I was challenged that I won't pass the entrance exam. I wrote the exam and was admitted into pre-degree from which I got admitted into OAU.
NCB: I hope you rubbed it on that person's face that you passed?
FYB: Yes ooo, I sure did.
NCB: Why English? I mean, you being an activist, one would have thought you would choose Law or are you a wounded Lawyer?
FYB: I like this question. With the organizations I joined in secondary school and my reactions to some certain situations, my teachers called me "Baby Lawyer". Everyone thought I would study law. However, a corp member who came to serve in my secondary school made me fall in love with English Language especially with how fluently she spoke. Like she did, I wanted to have a good command of the language. That was my idea before getting into OAU, When I got into OAU, my ideology about the language changed. English Language is not only about fluency, I'm more concerned about how I can use the language to solve societal problems. So Yes, I picked English from the Get-Go.
NCB: Back to OAU, you said you weren't really picky about the university you wanted to attend. When you got to Ogba Femi, What were your thoughts about it?
FYB: Ha! Great Ife, I love it! When I got to OAU, it was Aluta Continua, struggle all the way but it is an interesting place to be. If I do not have the experience, I don't know what I would have missed in life. OAU has been doing great to me and I have also been doing great to OAU. OAU is one of the best thing that has happened to me. Once again, I love OAU.
NCB: I can relate to that. I also wonder what I would have missed if I had not come to OAU. Aluta continua from Day 1. Can you recount one of your struggles faced in this school?
FYB: My results! During my secondary school years, I was a very brilliant student. In fact, I was the senior girl. So, the premonition was strong that I was a very intelligent student. But when I got to OAU, OAU changed that narrative for me. When I was in part-two, It was a bad experience for me. After studying for a course and expecting an 'A' but I had an 'E'. This made me doubt my capabilities if I am actually smart but at the end of the day, I got used to it.
NCB: Get used to it ke? "That you were a senior girl does not concern OAU." However, is this supposed to be a normal thing? I mean I've heard a lot of students complaining that the results does not complement their efforts. Do you think there's a problem somewhere?
FYB: Ma, please, I won't say anything in the absence of my lawyer as per I'm still a student. I won't like to say anything about this.
NCB: My God! FYB is pleading the fifth. Moving on, did the department of English meet your expectations?
FYB: Hm! I would say partially, because I think English department can do better in some areas. The department is already doing good to the extent that other universities are envious of us, but there are areas that we can do better.
NCB: In what areas can English department do better?
FYB: Looking at the situation from the framework that we are using, things have changed. By framework, I mean the methods of teaching and the likes which were put in place some years ago. Those methods are not fit enough for this generation. Things have evolved, we shouldn't be stagnant. There should be dynamicity in the learning and in the operation of the department. We shouldn't stick to the old methods. Let's study things that are relevant to this world. Also, In terms of Human Resources, we are so much blessed in English department but I think we are under-staffed. I wouldn't point this out as the problem of the department, The management and government at large, we should have more hands on deck to take care of academic delivery of the students. There shouldn't be a situation wherein a lecturer takes 350 students at a time and there should be enough room for students active participation in class activities.
NCB: I hope this meet the right authorities and they help English department evolve. Miss Sekinah, How is FASA so far?
FYB: FASA is FASA, FASA is great, it is good, it has always been good and great, and it will continue to be great.
NCB: What have you been able to achieve as the speaker of the Faculty of Arts Students Representatives Council?
FYB: Hm, quite a lot. I would say that we have been able to reduce the tension in the Faculty. You know it's always gbagba, gbigbo, that is, fighting within the faculty, but I can say that I am proud of this administration because we had less troubles to deal with, people have also been politically conscious and not in a violent way.
NCB: I hope this continues even after you leave.
You are a campus politician and also an activist. Isn't that contradicting?
FYB: I won't say it is contradictory, I think it is complementary for me. As an activist, anytime I see things that will be beneficial to students, I share it out as the speaker of the Faculty of Arts Students Representatives Council. Politics is activism, it's awareness. It is the only tool that can be used to restructure our society. With that, I combine the two together and I am doing what I can for the society.
NCB: Politics, activities and Education, How do you combine them all?
FYB: Ha! It's all about time management. Take a look at the situation and sit yourself down to ask yourself these questions; can I multitask? Who am I? How do I combine a lot of things? I don't always have enough time but I manage my time well.
NCB: Time Management. You've told us about the difficulties you faced academically, what about in politics and as an activist. What are the challenges you've faced?
FYB: We all are clamouring for women participation in politics, but, trust me, the situation is not really favourable to them. They always believe that as a lady, there are limitations to our capacity. I faced that a lot. Many even believe that women can not do better. And apart from that, you know politics na, struggles go sha dey. Also, as a serious muslim, I don't go to parties, I don't hug guys, mixing that with politics. While trying to restrain myself and still trying to be a muslim, I still have to mingle politically.
NCB: So far, this has been a long yet enlightening interview. What do you have to say to junior colleagues?
FYB: Okay, I would say that you should probably find who you are first before you find your purpose. Do what is best for you and not what others think is best for you.
NCB: Would you rather be in a relationship with a top political personnel or a guy who is not into politics?
FYB: My sister, I don't want a politician because I also don't want to be a politician, I just want to be a leader. A normal hardworking guy is okay for me.
NCB: 'You don't want to be a politician but a leader.' How is your relationship with the hardworking guy going?
FYB: There is no hardworking guy, I am single as at the moment.
NCB: Any Shout-out?
FYB: Shout-out to my friends, families and everyone around me because I've got good friends on campus. Yeah, my classmates and roommates. Yeah, shout-out to everyone.
NCB: Thanks for sparing is your time, Miss Sekinah, we appreciate your time with us. Do well to enjoy the rest of your day.
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