In this interview with UCJUI’s Eriomala John, Salam Tioluwalope, one of the Students’ Union Presidential aspirants, discusses his plans for the Union and addresses a few questions concerning his candidacy.
UCJUI: Good morning. Can you kindly introduce yourself?
Tiolu: Hi, my name is Tolulope Salami, a penultimate student of Law at the University of Ibadan. I am aspiring for the position of the Students’ Union President.
UCJUI: Why do you think you are the best man to become the next landlord of the Kunle Adepeju building?
Tiolu: Well, I am convinced that I am the best man for the job because of my leadership skills and disposition toward leadership.
UCJUI: Can you elaborate on what differences you think you bring compared to other contestants?
Tiolu: It’s not like I have a perfect understanding of my opponents and what their plans are, but I’m so sure of the depth and viability of the plans I have. I am sure that it is the best, especially considering the times that we are in. A lot of other factors have been considered that are very key. And as a component of leadership, I don’t just have the intentions, I have lived it. And I can always bank on my disposition toward leadership. So, those two factors lead me to the conclusion that I am the best person for this job.
UCJUI: Alright. Moving on, if elected, what do you intend to do differently as the President of the Students’ Union?
Tiolu: By differently, do you mean compared to this current administration?
UCJUI: It does not have to be this current administration, but differently as the Students’ Union leader. What would you do that would set you apart from all the student leaders we have had so far?
Tiolu: First of all would be how I portray leadership. What do I mean? I mean leadership traits like accountability would be so obvious, and intentional service would be so obvious. I am aware that other leaders have done their best. But when I move to the table, I am sure that people would see leadership in a new light. That means, truly leading. Leading by serving. That is very key, because I am so sure that I am going to put my all into the job and like I said accountability. I am going to be so accountable, such that the inclusiveness would be felt by every student of the University of Ibadan. And like I said earlier on, talking about how I am better than other candidates, I say that because I have a lot of plans and I am going to give them structure to have things done in a better way
UCJUI: Given the sensitive nature of the Students’ Union body at the University of Ibadan, how do you intend to walk the thin line between management and student demands?
Tiolu: Basically, even the constitution of the Students’ Union states that we are subject to the Senate and the management. That means that we know intrinsically that the majority of what we do will be based on what they have already stated. Nevertheless, students would make demands, I’m sure of that. So the first thing we would work on is through my diplomacy and negotiation skills, I know that there is a situation, if we tackle in this case, the management, but the problem at hand in every case, it is just a matter of strategic negotiation and diplomacy. And yes, at every point in time, we would make the voice of the students loud. And present the problem in the best possible way that the management would see it, so far we are not going to go against their laws.
UCJUI: Some would argue that you have had very little experience with the Students’ Union body, do you think this makes you less capable in the eyes of UItes compared to your opponents?
Tiolu: Like you said, “some would”. And I would not write them off, because there is an iota of truth in that. But the question of whether it makes me less capable. I think it is first of all leadership and then the space for experience comes in after. I believe the kind of connections I have built with the past President (s) and existing ones and even other members of the Students’ Union, for the past 3 or 4 presidents. I have a constant relationship with them to be able to ask questions and all. I believe that I have learned and I am still learning. Experience doesn’t always have to come from you, you can always leverage on the experience of others. And I believe that is what I have been doing. And I think it fills in the gap of not being so much involved like my opponents.
UCJUI: As a UIte, can you rate the current (SU) administration?
Tiolu: I would rate it a 6 over 10.
UCJUI: Why?
Tiolu: I know that talk is cheap. Leadership is not a bullet that goes straight and for people to occupy a post and maintain a certain structure, they deserve some accolades. Like I said, I have a relationship with the current President and the majority of their Executives, and if you view things from their perspective you would see how they are trying their best. So, administrative-wise, I can see that. However, there are always some lapses I believe they have not been able to spread on but I believe if they work on it would make the society better. So that’s why I gave them 6. One of them would be their outlook on students. They were not available to students, and they weren’t there for students. I’ve had instances where people say they do not even know their SU Executives. I sent out a survey to back that claim and that for most people, the first time they heard someone’s name was when they did something bad.
UCJUI: Rumors have emerged regarding the endorsement from your faculty, because as you are aware there are two candidates from your faculty running for this position. And apparently, the other aspirant was endorsed. Would you like to shed light on this?
Tiolu: So, traditionally, politics in UI would always require that we have hostels and faculties that are credible parties to have their heart set with. But as much as they are like political parties, they aren’t political parties. And we obviously incorporate independent candidacy, so because of these two factors, Law decided to hold an endorsement within the Student Stakeholders. Unfortunately, on the day we picked, over half of the stakeholders weren’t present. It was a Jaw War Day. I was L&D President, I had to be there. I was busy running around. Also about 5 of my classmates that were stakeholders were not there However, this is privileged information. The faculty has not released any official statement endorsing any candidate and I don’t know when it would be out but I think you should look out for the decisions of the faculty. Especially, both the student stakeholders and the management.
UCJUI: Before we conclude, why do you think UI students should vote for you ahead of others?
Tiolu: I think it relates back to the first question of why I think I am the best candidate. I think that what I bring to the table, especially as regards leadership and my plans. I find myself to be the best person for the job. And I believe that UItes are intellectuals and weigh their options, choices, and experiences of each person. The disposition of each person. As intellectuals, you have to agree with the best choice and in this case, I am the best choice considering the clear agenda we are preaching, considering the plans as you dig deep into the manifesto. I would rather vote for myself over others, and I believe as intellectuals, UItes should do the same.
UCJUI: One more, If you were to get into the Kunle Adepeju building, list two things that you are sure UItes would get in the first 50 to 100 days in office.
Tiolu: First, we have plans for academics, one of them is to have a bank of materials which we would start working on as early as possible to be useful to students. That would be available to students, that is a check. And secondly, we would have an accountability session tagged ‘A Town Hall Meeting’, where we let people know what we have done and what we haven’t, and why we have not been able to do the things we haven’t. That shows how inclusive I intend to be. And much more, you should be able to see partnerships in committees I create.
UCJUI: You are sure we would be getting these in the first 100 days?
Tiolu: Yes, I am.
UCJUI: In the event that you don’t (fulfill these plans), what would you recommend we do?
Tiolu: Like I said, leadership is not a bullet, it doesn’t go too straight. I’m not saying this to back up any inefficiency. I am very efficient as such if any of these happen. I will take responsibility, own up and address the issue.
Editor’s Note: This report has been updated to correct some words of the interviewee that were misrepresented.
- This report is the second in a special series on several aspirants and the dynamics of the 2023 Students’ Union Election by the Union of Campus Journalists under its Election Watch Room Program
