Summing up Ibadan days in five adjectives… A casual conversation between ‘Kunle and Kanyinsola

This is an interview unlike any you’ve seen. Did we say an interview? No. Let’s call it a conversation — or shall we say a two-way interview — between ‘Kunle Adebajo and Kanyinsola Olorunnisola, authors of “The Road Before the Fourth Estate: A Guide to Becoming the Ultimate Campus Journalist” and former Co-columnists of The Courtroom, University of Ibadan.

While one was a student of Philosophy at the premier university until recently, the other dedicated his time to the study of Law. In this lighthearted conversation, their thoughts and convictions are bared on topics as serious as journalism and student unionism to others such as personality traits, sapiosexuality, and personal plans for the morrow. 

[divider]

KANYINSOLA: Five years at the University of Ibadan, if you could sum it all up in five adjectives, what would they be?

‘KUNLE: Adventurous. Eye-opening. Fruitful. Short. Priceless. In no particular order.

KANYINSOLA: Short? You’re perhaps the only graduate who’d ever describe their time as “short”. Or are you feeling nostalgic already?

‘KUNLE: Haha. I think it is a thing with time generally. One of its most essential attributes is that it is fleeting. It flies. This is especially so in hindsight. All those years at the University of Ìbàdàn are but limited pages in the chapter of the past. I still remember the first day I set foot on the campus and how an Internet cafe at the Faculty of Arts provided the first warmth. How I marveled at a map of the campus close to the SUB Park, and how the UCJ press board left me spellbound. Five years then seemed like a pretty long time. But now, not so much. Many great lessons exist in this little fact.

KANYINSOLA: Now, even I am getting nostalgic with your beautiful description.

‘KUNLE: Lovely. I believe nostalgia is beautiful. We should not only be able to look to the future with anxious anticipation. It is important we are also able to recall the past with great joy and satisfaction.

‘KUNLE: What adjectives would you use for your roughly four philosophical years?

KANYINSOLA: Mind-twisting. Edifying. Stressful. Productive. And long. Haha.

‘KUNLE: Mind-twisting? Now that’s an unexpected twist.

‘KUNLE: The web of theories was too thick and complicated?

KANYINSOLA: I pride myself on being able to overcome even overt intellectual challenges but I met my masters in Hume, Kierkegaard and Nietzsche.

‘KUNLE: Haha. Of course.

KANYINSOLA: I’m just playing around, though. Now that I think about it, four years is such little time but I still think I didn’t do enough with it, you know. All the “T”s could have been better crossed and the dots a bit thicker on the “I”s.

‘KUNLE: We all wish we could have done more with our time. Read more. Attended more conferences. Get more certifications. Met more people. Etc. Etc. Sadly, the only time we truly have is now. The past is gone, and will never return — except as electrical signals in our minds. Or till, a time machine is eventually invented at least.

KANYINSOLA: Says the man who won a billion awards…

‘KUNLE: And the man who could have won a billion more, if he sacrificed a bit more. Billion here is metaphorical of course.

KANYINSOLA: Oh. I had no idea.

‘KUNLE: Haha. No kidding man.

‘KUNLE: If there was one thing you could change about the university, what would that thing be?

KANYINSOLA: The political apathy, I suppose. I mean, it took the shutting down of the Students’ Union for many to even care about the political goings-on within the student body. With such apathy, it is so easy to trample on students’ rights and get away with it. We all know the Premier University has not taken an exemplary lead for others to follow in a while.

‘KUNLE: That is true, my friend. But I’m not aware much has changed in the general psyche even after the suspension. If anything has changed, it is perhaps for the worse. Not otherwise.

KANYINSOLA: How so?

‘KUNLE: The university is a microcosm of what happens in the outside world, despite that it’s meant to house the best intellectual threads in the society’s fabric. I may be wrong, but the docility (I hope that’s the appropriate word) is even more palpable now. The Students’ Union Building lies in ruins. But more importantly it also lies in graveyard silence and discomforting complacency.

‘KUNLE: I hear the pre-suspension union leaders are also to face the SDC soon for what was no crime at all. It’s saddening the university administration is proceeding with its plans to silence dissent and uphold a regime of fear.

KANYINSOLA: Is that apathy or tyranny?

‘KUNLE: It is both apathy and tyranny. The former partly triggered by the latter.

KANYINSOLA: I was going to make this point. Tyranny stifles passion and silences dissent – two ingredients for a healthy political culture. Some journalists, I have heard, are terrified to uphold dissent especially because of your case with the Guardian article.

‘KUNLE: They shouldn’t be.

KANYINSOLA: Maybe the problem is not the apathy exactly but the terribly unhealthy practice of vilifying students for resisting what they perceive as injustice.

‘KUNLE: You know, I do believe in fairness and justice and rebellion. But I also believe in moderation. Generally, at least. Unionism as we know it is really not something everyone wants to associate with. It is exhilarating. It is exciting. But it can also be pointless and time-wasting. For this reason, I have always advocated for reforms in student unionism and radical change in approach. I’ve said once at a student stakeholders’ meeting that the best way to solve the issue of socio-political apathy is to change the face of unionism. It is just like comparing democratic socialists in Nigeria and those in the United States. They preach very similar ideals, but I’d be more inclined to join forces with their western counterparts because of their more reasonable methods.

KANYINSOLA: Of course. Many are overzealous with no channel for it. They are antiestablishment without ideas for replacing said establishment. A reform is needed, yes.

‘KUNLE: In short, we should be more focused on getting long-lasting results and not just agitating for agitation sake.

KANYINSOLA: Let’s leave politics and move a bit into the fourth estate. Tell me about your experience at the Ibadan School of Journalism.

‘KUNLE: Haha. You know I once entered for a fact-checking award with category for journalism students. In the application form, I was asked what school of journalism I attended, and I hesitantly wrote “Ìbàdàn School of Journalism” half-hoping not to be disqualified.

KANYINSOLA: Haha

KANYINSOLA: Let’s clarify what we mean, then – the Union of Campus Journalists.

‘KUNLE: Journalism was the core of my journey through higher institution, and I’m glad I made that decision. For me, it had always been “Law or Mass Communication”. That was my childhood fantasy.

KANYINSOLA: My childhood fantasy was “Writing or Getting Married to a Very Rich Woman”. It didn’t matter what form “writing” took.

‘KUNLE: Hahaha.

‘KUNLE: Who says you can’t achieve both?

KANYINSOLA: Good point.

‘KUNLE: The solid structure for journalism at the University of Ìbàdàn and the long line of quality “ancestry” in the field made it a fertile ground for any serious candidate to grow and soar.

KANYINSOLA: Who were the “ancestors” you looked up to?

‘KUNLE: Tijani Mayowa tops the list. He was the chief interviewer during my transition into Mellanby Hall Press. I’ve always looked up to him. I still do. Oredola Ibrahim and Adeoba Gbenga follow closely. Habeeb Kolade as well. Ekeh Pascal. All these individuals are extraordinary, and it was a great honour to have interacted with them. Uncle Fisayo Soyombo is one contact who is worth a million. Getting to win his award, interview him, drive down from Ìbàdàn to Abuja with him, work under him for a couple of weeks, and have him available for constant guidance is a privilege you won’t find at the market. Not even the museum. I’m truly grateful for the people I’m surrounded with.

KANYINSOLA: Incredible. Uncle Fisayo is a rarity.

‘KUNLE: He is.

KANYINSOLA: What was the high point of your career as a campus journalist?

‘KUNLE: Would have said having someone tell me my write-ups have inspired him to pick up the pen again. But I did not experience only one of such instances, so I’ll say it was winning the JCI award for most outstanding student journalist. How was it like for you? The cruise through the fourth estate.

KANYINSOLA: It was the most marvelous thing in the world. I was fortunate to have been guided early by Ore Afolayan and Habeeb Kolade. The Ibadan School of Journalism is perhaps the highlight of my studentship, in fact. It helped intensify my love for journalism. It is ocean-deep. To quote one of my favourite movies, my love for it “overthrows life. Unbiddable, ungovernable – like a riot in the heart.” Oh, man. I love it.

‘KUNLE: What movie is that?

KANYINSOLA: Shakespeare in Love, a brilliant re-imagining of Shakespeare’s life.

‘KUNLE: Oh, interesting.

KANYINSOLA: Campus journalism taught me life lessons beyond the classroom – dedication and utter selflessness. And through it, I made friends I like to think will remain so for the rest of my life.

‘KUNLE: Haha. “Like to think.” Wait till they get married. Or become politicians.

KANYINSOLA: Haha. Are you speaking for someone in particular?

‘KUNLE: Brother, I speak for everybody. And I speak for nobody.

KANYINSOLA: The last person I heard say that sort of thing turned out to be unreliable. I might cross you off my list then.

‘KUNLE: Haha. You forget the person I mimic did not write his own speech. He merely echoed the intelligent mind of another. In my case, I speak with conviction and originality.

KANYINSOLA: I wonder who that is.

‘KUNLE: I am not fully aware too, but perhaps it is the man who is said to be seldom aware.

KANYINSOLA: Reminds of the Emperor’s New Clothes. Do you know the story?

‘KUNLE: Hahaha. The one who stands jury over the wisdom of others may as well turn out to be most foolish.

KANYINSOLA: Preach on, brother.

‘KUNLE: If you had the chance, would you have enrolled at another institution asides the University of Ìbàdàn?

KANYINSOLA: Maybe the University of Lagos.

‘KUNLE: Why UNILAG?

KANYINSOLA: Because my dad suggested it. I really did not have a second choice.

‘KUNLE: I think University of Lagos is a great, alternative choice too. The school is under-celebrated in our side of town.

KANYINSOLA: Well, it’s more known for its affluent social life, as opposed to our by-the-book intellectualism. What was your social/personal life like on campus?

‘KUNLE: Oh I sucked at making friends and socialising. Man, I still do. Like the tortoise, I’m most comfortable in my shell.

I hardly went to other halls of residence. I went often to Tedder Hall to meet nutritional needs. And, sometime, I frequented Zik Hall on a weekly basis to print articles for the board. Occasionally, I paid visits for occasions such as debates and press nights. Most other times, I was in my room. My room was my workshop. My laboratory. It was my reading room. It was my haven. I did not attempt dating until I was in my final year.

KANYINSOLA: I have come to understand that people who have few friends tend to have deeper friendships. Are you an exception to my theory?

‘KUNLE: I do not agree. There is a limit to how many truly deep friendships you can have. You can either have a lot of friends and a few deep ones, or few friends and a fewer deep ones. Anyone who pours his or her heart out to almost everyone he calls a friend needs to be checked.

KANYINSOLA: That’s my point.

‘KUNLE: Oh.

KANYINSOLA: When you have many friends, your relationship with most people tends to be superficial, on-the-surface. But with few, you tend to have more time to devote attention to those relationships. And cherish them more.

‘KUNLE: There’s perhaps a third category we’re ignoring.

KANYINSOLA: There is?

‘KUNLE: Those with few friends, but who do not devote more time to friendship because there’s more time on their hands. The extra time simply goes to other things. Ultimately, I do not think the number matters. If you value a relationship enough, you’ll find time to build, nourish, and nurture it. Regardless of what other things you’re doing or how many other friends require your attention.

KANYINSOLA: So, what’s it for you? I assume you’re in the third.

‘KUNLE: I am. You?

KANYINSOLA: I keep very few friends. Most people are just acquaintances. My friends share my values, vision and level of rationality. You can say my friend-circle is very exclusive, almost elitist. I hate that it sounds terribly arrogant. But it is what it is, Kunle. You know this.

‘KUNLE: Haha. It is not arrogant. It is just knowing how to keep your sanity. There are people who assuming you’ve become friends because you, say, chat regularly on WhatsApp or exchange emojis during conversations… but I think it’s deeper than that. Or rather, it should be. If we do not share something deeper or connect on a level that’s not superficial…I don’t know what we are, but we are not friends in the specific sense of it.

‘KUNLE: How do you pick your friends?

KANYINSOLA: Looks. Haha. I’m mostly attracted (not sexually, in this context) to intellect. You need to have a combination of intellect and…just being a kind, humble person. We all know there are smart people with ugly personalities.

‘KUNLE: So you wouldn’t say you’re sexually attracted to intelligence?

KANYINSOLA: I was only speaking within context. I wanted to make it clear that I was talking about friends, not romantic partners.

‘KUNLE: I understand. Question was poorly constructed.

KANYINSOLA: No, not at all. As for that, I am sexually attracted to beauty. Haha. But I fall in love based on intelligence primarily. I can be attracted to someone based on looks but there won’t be emotional depth without sweeping intelligence. Does that make sense?

‘KUNLE: Totally.

KANYINSOLA: Let’s talk legacy, what do you think you left behind in campus journalism?

‘KUNLE: I can’t say for sure unless I borrow the eyes of those left behind. But I hope one thing I left was confidence in oneself. The thought that if so and so could reach this height through the dancing moves of the pen, then I can achieve even more. My project, Lines from the Fount, and the book we wrote together (The Road Before the Fourth Estate) were all about leaving something behind. I hope many will look at these things and give serious thought to doing same.

KANYINSOLA: Interesting.

‘KUNLE: And what do you want to be remembered for?

KANYINSOLA: My earnestness and dedication. I gave every inch of myself to campus journalism. I hope to be remembered as a simple man who tackled complex challenges and came out, not unscathed, but quite victorious; someone who explored every possible aspect of journalism. I was a “jack of all trades, master of none but often times better than a master of one.” I hope I showed that you can, indeed do it all and excel all-around. And our brainchild, “The Road Before the Fourth Estate”, is a way of leaving something for the next generation.

So, to finish it off: what’s next for ‘Kunle Adebajo?

‘KUNLE: Haha. I’m not at the train station waiting for what’s coming. I’m already aboard, anticipating where it’ll ferry me. Investigative reporting is what my hands findeth doing, and I hope to do it to the best of my capacity. I’ve realised despite the large size of our media industry, there are countless important stories still yearning for attention. I shall do this for a long time, while combining other things on a regular basis.

KANYINSOLA: Brilliant.

‘KUNLE: And… hey, where will we be seeing Mr Olorunnisola in the next couple of months, years?

KANYINSOLA: He is stuck serving his country. Rumour has it that he’s not in love with the idea. But, who knows? We have not been able to reach him for comment. Post-NYSC, he will delve into digital marketing, freelance journalism and social justice activism. He is certain he can do it all.

‘KUNLE: Haha. Adeosun was not in love with the idea too. Look where it got her.

KANYINSOLA: You’re right. I should think of my non-existent political ambitions.

‘KUNLE: Haha

‘KUNLE: This was a delightful experiment.

KANYINSOLA: It’s been nice talking to you, man.

‘KUNLE: Likewise.

[divider]

KANYINSOLA OLORUNNISOLA: is a poet, essayist and writer of fiction. He recently bagged a degree in Philosophy at the University of Ibadan. He was a two-time Editor-in-Chief of Indy Press. He tenured as a columnist at The Courtroom Nigeria between 2015 and 2017, during which he won the UCJ Award for Best Column twice. He was twice a finalist for the prestigious JCI FOPA for Outstanding Person in Student Journalism. He was nominated for the Sherrif Folarin Presidential Award, the Students’ Union Premier Award and the Union of Campus Journalists Award for Best Campus Journalist. He was awarded then 2017 Tijani Mayowa Award for Best Satirist.

He earned a coveted spot on the EGC annual ranking of Top 50 Contemporary Poets Who Rocked Nigeria in 2017. Among others, he won the 2016 Albert Jungers Poetry Prize, the 2015 Sampad International Creative Writing Competition and the 2017 Fisayo Soyombo Inter-varsity Essay Competition.

He is the founder of SPRINNG Literary Movement, an initiative which promotes Nigerian literature and Nation of Mad Men, a platform of social justice advocacy.

‘KUNLE ADEBAJO: is an essayist, journalist, and public speaker. Among other things, he studied Law at the University of Ibadan. He was Editor-in-Chief of two press organisations while on campus, and was eventually honoured with the JCI Award for Most Outstanding Student in Journalism.

In 2018, he was conferred the PTCIJ Award for Best Opinion Piece and the NUCJ Award for Outstanding Campus Journalist of the Year. He has won roughly a score writing competitions, including the 2016 African Leadership Writing Competition, 2016 Fisayo Soyombo Essay Competition, 2016 National Higher Education Foundation Essay Competition, 2017 Chartered Institute for Personnel Management Essay Competition, and 2017 Goal Nigeria Writing Games Competition.

At present, he contributes to good governance and national development as an Investigative Reporter at the International Centre for Investigative Reporting. If he is not searching for or writing new stories, he volunteers his time as a designer, judge, or content developer.