On the Retro-Kardia Magazine  

Opemipo Olukoga

During election campaigns, political aspirants present manifestos filled with promises, vowing to bring transformative change. They pledge to surpass their predecessors, and these promises become the benchmarks by which their performance is later measured, praised, or criticized.

The Team Era Administration has made notable strides in the first semester of the 2023/2024 session. Adding to their accomplishments, they recently announced the upcoming publication of a magazine, marking another milestone.

This announcement calls for a revisit of Public Relations Officer Oladosu Daniel’s campaign promises. Known as Jacinth, Daniel had pledged to publish e-magazines, aiming ambitiously for four issues per session. Although this target seemed daunting and raised doubts at the press night, Daniel is now working towards fulfilling one of his manifesto promises with the publication of an e-magazine this semester.

While some commitments, such as the Quick Response Squad for first-year students and fostering a feedback culture, remain unimplemented, the second semester presents an opportunity for the student executives to vigorously pursue these promises. Daniel’s vision for inclusive decision-making and amplifying AFASITES’ voices is gradually taking shape.

Aligned with the Fresher’s Week theme, the Retro Kardia e-magazine promises to be an engaging publication. So, what can the students of the Association of Faculty of Arts (AFAS) expect from this initiative?

In an exclusive interview with AFAS PRESS, Public Relations Officer Oladosu Daniel (Jacinth) shared the inspiration behind Retro Kardia. “My passion for exceptional art drove this project,” he revealed. “Collaborating with fellow executives, we aim to create something impactful.”

He added, “I always wanted to create an avenue for creatives to showcase their art without unnecessary stress. I’ve encountered creatives who lack access to display their work, so I felt this was an opportunity to do something meaningful for them.”

Despite the plans for Retro Kardia, many AFASITES remain unaware of this initiative, raising concerns about insufficient publicity. Without effective promotion, engagement and submissions might suffer, impacting the magazine’s quality and reach. Given AFASITES’ creative potential, maximizing participation is essential to producing an outstanding magazine.

When asked about the publicity challenges, Daniel responded, “It has been somewhat challenging to pitch this to students in the faculty because it’s not a regular occurrence. But I have been reaching out to departmental presidents to ensure it reaches the grassroots. Additionally, I’ve contacted the Press and other associations within the faculty.”

Although the Music and Linguistics department presidents confirmed receiving contact, it remains uncertain if they effectively disseminated information to their students about the magazine. Attempts to reach the Arabic and Islamic Studies President were unsuccessful, despite their department’s submissions. The President of Communication and Language Arts is yet to share information, while the History Department President submitted a personal entry but is uncertain if additional submissions were made.

Furthermore, the theme, Retro Kardia – Old Hearts, has puzzled many AFASITES. According to the Public Relations Officer, this confusion has delayed progress due to non-compliant entries. To address this, more information on Retro Kardia’s theme and submission guidelines should be provided to potential contributors.

MUSAN Press successfully submitted an entry after their department president’s contact. The Editor-in-Chief, Rosemary, shared her perspective on the theme, saying, “We interpreted Retro Kardia (Old Hearts) as exploring Nigeria’s musical memories and journey, highlighting how music has evolved over time while preserving the essence of old, evergreen songs.”

Rosemary also emphasized the magazine’s potential impact, highlighting its role in uniting departments and amplifying diverse voices: “This magazine is a wonderful way to involve different departments in faculty activities. Through it, we hear the voices of different departments, see things from new perspectives, and provide a platform for creatives to pitch their ideas and be heard.”

The Public Relations Officer also mentioned challenges in publishing the magazine early, particularly financial constraints that have hindered securing a model shoot.

While Daniel’s commitment is reassuring, there remains pressure to deliver on his campaign promises, including the fulfillment of the first three manifesto goals. He acknowledged these concerns, expressing dedication to fulfilling all promises. “I will keep trying my best to do everything within my capacity for the growth of our association,” he pledged. “I’ve reached out to the necessary parties, and with God’s guidance, I’m confident we’ll achieve our goals.”