WE NOW HAVE ENOUGH ROOMS FOR REHEARSALS— MUSAN PRESIDENT, OLARIDE VICTOR

In this interview with AFAS PRESS, the President, Music Students’ Association of Nigeria (UI), expresses joy over the newly commissioned departmental building.
AFAS PRESS: Good morning, sir. Please, introduce yourself.
MUS. President: Good morning. My name is Olarinde Victor Adedamola, the President of the Department of Music, University of Ibadan.
AFAS PRESS: It’s nice to meet you. So, tell us how you feel about this commissioning and everything.
AFAS PRESS: Whoa! I won’t lie to you, I am very happy about it, because this new department is what we’ve been clamoring for, and expecting for so long. Ever since I was in 100 level even. There were promises to provide us with a new department, and we were not even aware of our fate or its location. Sometimes, we were told we’re going to Ajibode, sometimes it’s the Archive and many others. However, we felt like, being taken to Archive or Ajibode would remove us from the students’ area, but I’m excited that we are still here, in the midst of other students. We have the Theatre Arts, Faculty of Arts and SUB around us. Also, this place is so spacious that, each person has the opportunity to rehearse and hold lectures. There are about ten to fifteen cubicles where everyone can practice their primary instruments conveniently. Even our restroom is so nice. We can even sleep there. So, yes, I’m excited this is happening, and during my tenure.
AFAS PRESS: So, what do you think are the new prospects and possibilities this will give when it finally opens up to students?
Mr. Victor: Well, initially, we music students usually have the problem of where to rehearse, because the previous department did not have enough room. We had just three cubicles there, compared to here, where we have about fifteen. Students can now have their rehearsals without disturbing each other. It will aid fast learning, and students can even sleep over whilst rehearsing their instruments. Students can also come in groups to rehearse. Effectively so.
AFAS PRESS: So, does that mean this place would be open to students overnight?
Mr. Victor: Well, not exactly so, but as a music department, it is supposed to be opened for students who are interested in staying overnight. This is because there are students who learn better overnight than during the day. So, for students that learn faster at night, and do not have musical instruments, they can come to rehearse over the night. We have over eight pianos and other musical instruments here, and to get a personal piano might cost students up to a million naira. So, yes, we will open overnight for some students. To save cost, and aid easy learning.
AFAS PRESS: That’s wonderful. Now, I saw on some of the equipment, 2019 Needs Project, could you enlighten us on what that means, sir?
Mr. Victor: Well, the project commenced 2019, before the outbreak, and due to some reasons and setbacks, we could only accomplish it this year, 2021, and it is commissioned today.
AFAS PRESS:: Does that mean this is the only project for the department or there are other ones?
Mr. Victor: I can’t say for now. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.
AFAS PRESS:: Thank you very much for your time, sir.
Mr. Victor: Thank you for having me.