It was a cool July evening when our very own COMPSSA president ushered us into his office to grant us an interview despite his very busy schedule. We tried to get to know our president up close and personal. He’s approachable, amiable and altogether a very nice person.
MEDILAG ESSENCE – (ME)
ME: Can you please introduce yourself?
My name is Adunmoye Ayoade (AKA Triple A), 600 level MBBS. I hail from Ekiti state. I’m a Christian. I’m the current president of the COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCE STUDENT ASSOCIATION (COMPSSA).
ME
: What do you do for fun?
Well, I read. Not textbooks or class notes. I read leadership books and attend leadership conferences. I play tennis, and I also love to drive.
ME: Why isn’t our lawn tennis court functioning?
Actually, the school management plan to erect a new hostel there, that is the reason the place has just been set aside. We are already made an arrangement with them and they have given us approval to renovate the court for use temporarily, pending the time the hostel will be built.
But due to logistics, because we have to purchase some things for the refurbishment, we’ve not been able to make the place in good enough condition for people to come play.
ME: Asides from being a student, what do you do? Do you have any side hustles?
Yes, I’m an entrepreneur. Before coming into office, I was into male wears. I have a brand, The Triple – A Collections. But now, I had to set business aside because of my administration, I need to focus.ME: Do you have any role models here in CMUL? Yes, actually. DR. Omotayo Ojo, he’s a consultant Neurosurgeon at LUTH. I’ve not actually met him in person but I’ve heard a lot about him and I aspire to be like him. ME: So far, what’s your best moment in CMUL? Every day has been good for me but my best moment so far, apart from when I won the COMPSSA elections, was when I the results of my 1st prose came out and I didn’t have a re-sit. I was really happy because then, I engaged myself in a lot of other things and I didn’t pay as much attention to my academics.ME: And what’s your worst moment in CMUL? When I had a re-sit in 300 level. It was really bad. But I summoned courage and developed a positive attitude towards it. It wasn’t easy. I passed 4 out of 5. Although I expected the re-sit because I knew I didn’t write the exam well, still the reality of the re-sit was saddening. I lost appetite for days.
The incident actually strengthened me. I did the re-sit and I passed.
ME: What are the challenges you’ve faced as a student and as the president of COMPSSA?
Well, as a student, I didn’t have much challenges. But it wasn’t really easy combining business with academics.
But as the COMPSSA president, there has been a lot of challenges. A lot has been expected of me because I made a lot of promises during my campaign and in my manifesto. In fact, during the election, my slogan was “I just want to make a difference.”. When I came on board I seriously wanted to make that difference but the problem basically has been with the management. This is not to say that they haven’t been helpful or cooperative but sometimes, official bureaucracy and red tape poses a challenge to this administration and causes delay in processing some issues.
For instance, when we first came in, we intended to renovate the COMPSSA complex &cafeteria and maximize the spaces so more money could be generated in order to be able to carter more effectively for COMPSSAites. The necessary procedure required us to write a proposal to the management stating our plans and intentions for the project which we submitted for approval and up till now, approval hasn’t been given yet. This has been a major challenge because the students might feel we aren’t concerned about the situation of things in the complex. It has to do the fact that anything concerning the complex must first pass through the management. This is a really big challenge
ME: Talking about the COMPSSA complex, what is being done about the proposed take-over by the school?
For now, we’re taking some steps and we’re optimistic that these steps will yield positive results. We’re trying to be careful which is not the same as being afraid. It is better in situations like this to be very logical and diplomatic.it is also important to come to the understanding that you cannot fight the management. Personally, I’m not in support of protests. And as I said in my manifesto, our mandate is not to protest and cause trouble but to deliver the best to the students and provide them with whatever they need. That is the fundamental objective of COMPSSA to create a conducive atmosphere of learning for student and defend the rights of the students
If we need to protest we will, but that will not be first line of action. We have written letters and met with some individuals that are concerned and they have promised to help because they understand the importance of the association to the student body.
Even if the complex is to be taken, there should be a kind of notice. This is because a large percentage of the COMPSSA budget depends on the revenue generated from the complex for funding; the association as well as the students will be seriously affected by this. Things as small as the DStv subscription for the common rooms in the various hostels will not be done. Anyways we’re really optimistic that the management will see reason with us.
ME: What were the reasons for the proposed take-over?
In our meeting with the provost, the reasons provided are: Firstly, COMPSSA is not a legal entity and if anyone was to sue COMPSSA, they would have to sue the college, because COMPSSA is under the college. And secondly, there were accusations of high handedness on the part of the excos towards the tenants. There were a lot of false allegations. For example, one of the tenants laid a complaint to the management that one of the excos demanded marks of free food from her which was totally untrue.
However, we have written a letter to the management clarifying the two reasons. There has not been any issue of high handedness. I can very well say that this current administration is the friendliest set of excos ever. I know that many of the tenants would have good things to say about us but there are a few of them that might not.
On the issue of COMPSSA not being a legal entity, we are very well aware of that and so far, there hasn’t been any case of litigation against the association.
ME: If there was something you could change or improve on in CMUL, what would it be?
That would be the cordiality between the DSA and the students. While interacting with students who have expressed their dissatisfaction on some of the policies put in place by the DSA. I know that these rules were put in place in other to ensure orderliness and that the students develop discipline. Also to make sure that we become professionals with integrity. But students need to be treated with leniency. As youths, we are bound to have some exuberances. If a student breaks a particular rule, we should understand that there are limitations to every rule and the student doesn’t always have to be punished.
I’m not encouraging breaking of rules but some situations just require us to pardon some offences. I wish a very good DSA–students relationship can be established.
There should also be friendly lecturer-student relations
ME: If you could change something from the past, what would it be?
Well, before I gained admission into the college of medicine, I stayed at home for 4 years. During this time that I was seeking admission, looking back, I wish I had involved myself in some activities that could have helped me develop myself. As a result of being psychologically down, I decided to just stay home, read and nothing else. I could have used this time to also learn a vocational skill or any other time that could be of help now. Or I could have gone for another course but I delayed myself because I wanted MBBS. I was actually in OAU for a while for estate management but that wasn’t what I put in for and the interest wasn’t there. I left after sometime
ME: What has brought you this far? What inspires/motivates you?
Firstly, God is my ultimate inspiration. And also, hope of a better tomorrow.
ME: How did you get involved in politics?
I actually never intended to get involved in politics but man proposes, God disposes. I went into student politics because of my love for COMPSSAites. I’ve been involved in student activities since my 200 level days because of my zeal and desire for the better welfarism of COMPSSAites. I felt things could be done better and a lot of improvement could be made. I just wanted to make a difference in the system.
ME: How do you balance your academic life, official duties and your personal relationships?
It has been God honestly. And if you want to engage in student politics, you have to learn how to multi task. Also importantly, I had to learn time management so my academics won’t suffer too much. It is already affected as it is.
ME: What is your view on relationships? The boyfriend/girlfriend kind?
It depends on the intention for the relationship. I personally, don’t encourage that due to my observations. It’s not a big deal if you’re in a relationship with someone and you’re very convinced that you’re going to eventually marry the person. Courtship is not a big deal. But most of what is happening nowadays is just being together for the fun and pleasure in it.
ME: You talked about being convinced about the person you are in a relationship with. Do you have any such person in your life now?
(laughs) Well, for now, NO! but that could change at any time.
ME: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
I see myself practicing as a medical doctor. And I see myself being a CEO of a business venture.
ME: What is the one thing you want to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered for contributing to medical training. During my manifesto, I stated that my legacy project would be a medical skill acquisition center which would contribute immensely to the medical training. We’re working on it and by the grace of God, before this tenure ends that will be set up.
ME: And that’s all for now, thanks for having us.
You’re welcome, anytime.
MEDILAG ESSENCE – (ME)
ME: Can you please introduce yourself?
My name is Adunmoye Ayoade (AKA Triple A), 600 level MBBS. I hail from Ekiti state. I’m a Christian. I’m the current president of the COLLEGE OF MEDICINE AND PHARMACEUTICAL
SCIENCE STUDENT ASSOCIATION (COMPSSA).
ME
: What do you do for fun?
Well, I read. Not textbooks or class notes. I read leadership books and attend leadership conferences. I play tennis, and I also love to drive.
ME: Why isn’t our lawn tennis court functioning?
Actually, the school management plan to erect a new hostel there, that is the reason the place has just been set aside. We are already made an arrangement with them and they have given us approval to renovate the court for use temporarily, pending the time the hostel will be built.
But due to logistics, because we have to purchase some things for the refurbishment, we’ve not been able to make the place in good enough condition for people to come play.
ME: Asides from being a student, what do you do? Do you have any side hustles?
Yes, I’m an entrepreneur. Before coming into office, I was into male wears. I have a brand, The Triple – A Collections. But now, I had to set business aside because of my administration, I need to focus.ME: Do you have any role models here in CMUL? Yes, actually. DR. Omotayo Ojo, he’s a consultant Neurosurgeon at LUTH. I’ve not actually met him in person but I’ve heard a lot about him and I aspire to be like him. ME: So far, what’s your best moment in CMUL? Every day has been good for me but my best moment so far, apart from when I won the COMPSSA elections, was when I the results of my 1st prose came out and I didn’t have a re-sit. I was really happy because then, I engaged myself in a lot of other things and I didn’t pay as much attention to my academics.ME: And what’s your worst moment in CMUL? When I had a re-sit in 300 level. It was really bad. But I summoned courage and developed a positive attitude towards it. It wasn’t easy. I passed 4 out of 5. Although I expected the re-sit because I knew I didn’t write the exam well, still the reality of the re-sit was saddening. I lost appetite for days.
The incident actually strengthened me. I did the re-sit and I passed.
ME: What are the challenges you’ve faced as a student and as the president of COMPSSA?
Well, as a student, I didn’t have much challenges. But it wasn’t really easy combining business with academics.
But as the COMPSSA president, there has been a lot of challenges. A lot has been expected of me because I made a lot of promises during my campaign and in my manifesto. In fact, during the election, my slogan was “I just want to make a difference.”. When I came on board I seriously wanted to make that difference but the problem basically has been with the management. This is not to say that they haven’t been helpful or cooperative but sometimes, official bureaucracy and red tape poses a challenge to this administration and causes delay in processing some issues.
For instance, when we first came in, we intended to renovate the COMPSSA complex &cafeteria and maximize the spaces so more money could be generated in order to be able to carter more effectively for COMPSSAites. The necessary procedure required us to write a proposal to the management stating our plans and intentions for the project which we submitted for approval and up till now, approval hasn’t been given yet. This has been a major challenge because the students might feel we aren’t concerned about the situation of things in the complex. It has to do the fact that anything concerning the complex must first pass through the management. This is a really big challenge
ME: Talking about the COMPSSA complex, what is being done about the proposed take-over by the school?
For now, we’re taking some steps and we’re optimistic that these steps will yield positive results. We’re trying to be careful which is not the same as being afraid. It is better in situations like this to be very logical and diplomatic.it is also important to come to the understanding that you cannot fight the management. Personally, I’m not in support of protests. And as I said in my manifesto, our mandate is not to protest and cause trouble but to deliver the best to the students and provide them with whatever they need. That is the fundamental objective of COMPSSA to create a conducive atmosphere of learning for student and defend the rights of the students
If we need to protest we will, but that will not be first line of action. We have written letters and met with some individuals that are concerned and they have promised to help because they understand the importance of the association to the student body.
Even if the complex is to be taken, there should be a kind of notice. This is because a large percentage of the COMPSSA budget depends on the revenue generated from the complex for funding; the association as well as the students will be seriously affected by this. Things as small as the DStv subscription for the common rooms in the various hostels will not be done. Anyways we’re really optimistic that the management will see reason with us.
ME: What were the reasons for the proposed take-over?
In our meeting with the provost, the reasons provided are: Firstly, COMPSSA is not a legal entity and if anyone was to sue COMPSSA, they would have to sue the college, because COMPSSA is under the college. And secondly, there were accusations of high handedness on the part of the excos towards the tenants. There were a lot of false allegations. For example, one of the tenants laid a complaint to the management that one of the excos demanded marks of free food from her which was totally untrue.
However, we have written a letter to the management clarifying the two reasons. There has not been any issue of high handedness. I can very well say that this current administration is the friendliest set of excos ever. I know that many of the tenants would have good things to say about us but there are a few of them that might not.
On the issue of COMPSSA not being a legal entity, we are very well aware of that and so far, there hasn’t been any case of litigation against the association.
ME: If there was something you could change or improve on in CMUL, what would it be?
That would be the cordiality between the DSA and the students. While interacting with students who have expressed their dissatisfaction on some of the policies put in place by the DSA. I know that these rules were put in place in other to ensure orderliness and that the students develop discipline. Also to make sure that we become professionals with integrity. But students need to be treated with leniency. As youths, we are bound to have some exuberances. If a student breaks a particular rule, we should understand that there are limitations to every rule and the student doesn’t always have to be punished.
I’m not encouraging breaking of rules but some situations just require us to pardon some offences. I wish a very good DSA–students relationship can be established.
There should also be friendly lecturer-student relations
ME: If you could change something from the past, what would it be?
Well, before I gained admission into the college of medicine, I stayed at home for 4 years. During this time that I was seeking admission, looking back, I wish I had involved myself in some activities that could have helped me develop myself. As a result of being psychologically down, I decided to just stay home, read and nothing else. I could have used this time to also learn a vocational skill or any other time that could be of help now. Or I could have gone for another course but I delayed myself because I wanted MBBS. I was actually in OAU for a while for estate management but that wasn’t what I put in for and the interest wasn’t there. I left after sometime
ME: What has brought you this far? What inspires/motivates you?
Firstly, God is my ultimate inspiration. And also, hope of a better tomorrow.
ME: How did you get involved in politics?
I actually never intended to get involved in politics but man proposes, God disposes. I went into student politics because of my love for COMPSSAites. I’ve been involved in student activities since my 200 level days because of my zeal and desire for the better welfarism of COMPSSAites. I felt things could be done better and a lot of improvement could be made. I just wanted to make a difference in the system.
ME: How do you balance your academic life, official duties and your personal relationships?
It has been God honestly. And if you want to engage in student politics, you have to learn how to multi task. Also importantly, I had to learn time management so my academics won’t suffer too much. It is already affected as it is.
ME: What is your view on relationships? The boyfriend/girlfriend kind?
It depends on the intention for the relationship. I personally, don’t encourage that due to my observations. It’s not a big deal if you’re in a relationship with someone and you’re very convinced that you’re going to eventually marry the person. Courtship is not a big deal. But most of what is happening nowadays is just being together for the fun and pleasure in it.
ME: You talked about being convinced about the person you are in a relationship with. Do you have any such person in your life now?
(laughs) Well, for now, NO! but that could change at any time.
ME: Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
I see myself practicing as a medical doctor. And I see myself being a CEO of a business venture.
ME: What is the one thing you want to be remembered for?
I want to be remembered for contributing to medical training. During my manifesto, I stated that my legacy project would be a medical skill acquisition center which would contribute immensely to the medical training. We’re working on it and by the grace of God, before this tenure ends that will be set up.
ME: And that’s all for now, thanks for having us.
You’re welcome, anytime.
Join us next week for another session with a PERSON OF ESSENCE.
And watch this place tomorrow for our MEDITALK which takes place every wednesday
No comments:
Post a Comment