On the journey of documenting and amplifying the stories behind Student Unionism in Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) Ondo State, this correspondent engaged the immediate past president of AAUA Student Union, Adesomoju Samuel Tobi Adetoyese, popularly known on campus as SAMPRAISE.
Sampraise talked about his achievements and the challenges he faced during hiS administration as AAUA SU President.
Kindly introduce yourself.
My name is Adesomoju Samuel Tobi Adetoyese. I am a student of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko Ondo State and a final year student of law.
Can you tell us about your educational background?
I had my primary school education at St. Williams Nursery and Primary School Okitipupa. Then I proceeded to Emmanuel Royal College, Okitipupa for my secondary education where I had my West Africa Examination Council (WAEC) results and gained admission to Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko Ondo State on September 6, 2015 to Study law and legal studies 5 years ago this is my fifth year and final year.
How did your formal leadership position prepare you to be the SU President in 2018-2019?
The journey was not smooth but it’s humble and taught me lessons that cooked and boiled me well prepared for the job ahead. When I gain admission to Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko Ondo State, Faculty of Law as a fresh student then, I was elected as Honorable of law student Representative council LSRC which I was returned in again for a second term in 200L till I contested to represent the faculty at the Student Union SRC(a Senator) I won with a wide margin and I became the Senator representing Constituency 4 of faculty of law at the SUG level, just few months after that I was elected as Law Students of Nigeria LAWSAN NATIONAL TREASURER fast forward to my victory as 17th student Union government president of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko Ondo state.
How do you feel as the SU president then?
Felt “accountability” is the best word on Earth.
What are your mandates during your campaign?
To restore the union back to the people.
What can you say about AAUA STUDENT UNIONISM from inception to your tenure?
AAUA unionism starting from Year 2001 when the pioneer president Comrade OjuriIranlowo till date it’s been so massive and interesting.
Tell us about your achievements then?
We were able to achieve handful and tangible results during struggle.
We brought in shuttles on campus, After the tussle of pay what you paid last session we agitated that all fees paid apart from school fees be scrapped and reduced if essential in which all the faculties complied, Fees like Faculty due, department due was reduced to random fee of N1,000 unlike before, Practical fees were reduced by 50%. During my time, we enjoyed 70 percent stable electricity off campus. We had a befitting SU week, we had a shutdown of School in which I led myself with my executives, NO LIGHT, NO LECTURE, and the school was hot then. Smiles, it is all history today.
What are the challenges you faced back then?
When I came on board as SUG President, many issues bothers me like; Tuition fee ambiguous statement of circular of increment in 2018, a preceding year before my tenure started which was “Pay what you paid last session”. Those in school then knew what happened besides it’s not a thing of joy that the government outsmarted the union during the negotiation back then with my predecessor so sad! Nevertheless, I was able to live above the issues and today I am stronger and more built to tackle emotions separate from fundamental issues.
I can just say that I was just too calm I’m not using the options I had then as Chief security officer of the Union and I regret it anyways but my certificate was on line after two panels were set up on me causing troubles. Thank God, I ended my tenure successfully.
How can you describe your co-working relationship with other executive then?
Awesome!
We had great time and we learnt a lot from service to humanity.
What advice can you give to the current Student Union President?
The incumbent Student Union President is a friend and a brother of mine in Unionism. My advice to him and his team is to pursue the unity and justice for all and sundry within and outside the union, be pragmatic, and always consult before taking very strong decisions. Thanks and God bless.
Give a message to all AAUAITE
To all AAUAITES, we can only be stronger when we believe in the system together. That’s the spirit never let others down while in the race let’s pick the pieces and develop ourselves.
Greater heights to you all.
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