POLITICAL PROFILE

AFAS Press’ correspondent Aduwo Ayodele sits with the social and welfare director, Richard Elijah Oluwagbenga, for this week’s edition of political profile.

Can we meet you?

My name is Richard Elijah Oluwagbenga. I’m a 300L student of Music Department at the University of Ibadan. Currently, I’m the Social Director, Association of Faculty of Arts Students. My basic interest is music, particularly composition and arrangement of music.

Before now, in what capacities have you served?

I have served, and still serving as the Assistant Class Representative of my level since 100L. Later on, I became the Public Relations Officer of my department. And like I had said, I am the Social Director, Association of Faculty of Art Students, University of Ibadan.

As a politician on campus, how has the journey been?

The journey has been complex. Being a politician began from home. I had an initial interest in holding a position. Coming into UI, I started with being an Assistant Class Representative. As the P.R.O of my department, I had to be around getting information online and offline. And, as the Social Director, I still meet up with people in and outside the faculty, even out of University of Ibadan as a whole, who play a role of influence. It started from home basically.

What Challenges have you faced thus far and how have you been able to address them?

There is no journey that is not rigorous. It just depends on one’s perseverance as a person. Serving as the Assistant Class Representative, there was an issue where people were not informed about the meeting time – when I had to tell them, because some were very busy. Even though doing it was not appreciated by some, I kept to myself and persevered. In my department as the P.R.O, I sourced for information and to be noted, I didn’t take anything from our departmental purse. I was funding it by myself based on my manifesto – data and everything. Sometimes I post these pieces of information and still get claims that messages were not seen. There were people who commended the effort notwithstanding. As the Social Director of AFAS, (sighs), there have been ups and downs, but it has been a platform that I’m learning from. I have heard lots of criticism, negative and positive, that I’ve been able to adjust to. You cannot satisfy people in general, but then you must do the best to satisfy the majority and overtime, the minority would be compelled to follow the majority, if it is the good thing. Relating to academics, people expect a lot (from me) as a politician, students’ leader, and as it is, I have to deliver at every point in time. But most people forget that we (students leaders) are first students, before being a campus politician. As a student, I have a good GP, but it didn’t happen in a day. Yet, I have a duty to maintain it because politics itself should not be an excuse. I don’t sleep often, something close to insomnia. I have to make plans, manage classes, routines, impromptu meetings and committees.  It can be overwhelming. Sometimes, I just forget to eat. Then, some people barge into DMs to make demands, in situations where they should make requests.

What do you have to say about the level of political consciousness in UI?

About 30 percent of students in the school community are politically inclined. I mean they know political histories and other political stuff. They give political pieces of advice. I reached out to some of them. But some students are and can be swayed to whatever direction. In regards to student leaders, some have the ideas, while some learn on the job.

There is a belief by some that Student leaders at the University of Ibadan are puppets. What is your view?

From my own perspective, I don’t think students’ leaders are puppets. We see the management as advisors, rather than in the context of master and slave relationship. Like in AFAS, we don’t have people interfering in our businesses. Sometimes, as leaders it happens, but we tend to safeguard both ends. We play a diplomatic role, rather than succumb.

What do you think of the Students’ Union leadership? Are they doing up to the mandate?

Yes, they are. I am in close contact with a few of them. I can make an example of the House Secretary; he is diligently doing his duties , the President of the Union too. Sometimes, I would be with the President and get emergency calls and a students leader, he takes his leave to attend to it immediately. I believe all of them are doing their job.

Nigeria is faced with a myriad of challenges. Where does the problem lie?

The problem of Nigerian politics is that of misplaced priority. A couple of years ago, I could get a sachet of milk at the rate of #20, compared to what can be obtained today. It matters if Nigeria politicians can choose to prioritize what needs to be, like education, agriculture and refineries. I simply don’t think Nigeria needs a new currency. The problem is that of priority. If priorities are right, there would be a need to travel out of the country.

Will the 2023 election bring the changes Nigeria needs?

I can’t say, I can’t see the future. I hope that it really changes a whole lot of things as a country and in some sectors.

What is your advice to prospective students’ leaders who would like to join politics?

Well, I’m going to say students in UI are intellectuals. If you want to lead them, you have to be an intellectual. Don’t promise what you cannot give, but what you can fulfil. Be a man or woman of your words, and make sure you are prepared for the overwhelming tasks ahead. Prepare your mind to change, for criticism, and a lot of backlashing. See them as a point to develop as a person and develop into the role you want to lead them.