FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH With Abdulhafeez T. Oyewole (PART ONE)

Hi, my name is Abdulhafeez T. Oyewole, the Editor-in-Chief of the highly respected Pen Club of the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria;  welcoming you on board to the maiden edition of this special exclusive media chat with the student’s leaders. Yes, where I will be featuring the Departmental cum Faculty Presidents of this great institution: ABU, Zaria and other figures of equal status to the aforementioned on campus.

On this edition, I have the privilege of quizzing the President of Mass Communication Students Association (MACOSA), Mr. Abduljalil Aliyu who talked about the fine and the ugly parts of his led-administration. According to him, as the President, there is nothing one can’t find oneself doing for the Association.

Good to know you’re with me as I take you through what transpired in the chat>>>

PenClub Editor (P.ED):- Can I meet you, Mr. President sir?

MACOSA President (M.P):- My name is Abduljalil, the President of Mass Communication Students Association (MACOSA), ABU Chapter.

P.ED:- Let’s know more about you sir, your family background, education and all of that.

M.P:- I was born into the family of Alhaji Jimoh Aliyu and Ramatu Aliyu. I was born and brought up in Kebbi State. I attended NYSC Nursery and Primary School and Army Day Secondary School. Then in 2008, I found myself in Mass Communication Department, studying Diploma which I finally rounded off in August 2010. By 2010 in November, I got admission to study B.sc Mass Communication. And
Alhamdulillah, I am in my final year and so far, the journey has been rough but Alhamdulillah, we are at the final stage. We are hoping and praying that In Shaa Allah, the few months that we have (left) to stay here is going to be a successful one.

P.ED:- Amin. Indeed, the journey has been very rough and tough. How will you now explain the journey to and in the seat of Mass Communication Students’ affair you are occupying today?   

  

M.P:- First of all, I would like to give gratitude to God Almighty for giving me this mantle of leadership. I would also like to extend my gratitude to the entire MACOSITES who actually agreed and give me their support to actually lead them for this journey. I actually wouldn’t have come this far without them and I can categorically say that I actually made them proud.

 ABU MACOSA President 2013/2014, AbdulJalil Aliyu

I have tried my best in my capacity as the President 2013/2014 Administration to see that we have a number of things that are actually lacking in the Department that would benefit the students. Among those things are: the (procurement of) Public Address Systems, the podium in our New Lecture Theatre (NLH 1), the renovation of (MACOSA) Secretariat, the supplier of water for our dispenser in the (Departmental) library, the purchase of library curtains, the purchase of stationeries for the Librarian’s usage, the production of electronic/light sign board, the electrification of Departmental walk ways and the installation of additional two ceiling fans in MCR. We as well had a successful picnic which was actually one of a kind in the entire University. Our picnic was huge and very interesting. We collaborated with the Political Science and it was actually a mind blowing picnic.

From that time till now, we’ve actually been working on a number of things, ranging from Public Lecture, which is going to take place In Shaa Allah on 11^th of September (Next week Thursday). The topic is going to be very interesting, because it’s about the Relevance of Entrepreneurship to Students of Mass Communication and we are hoping to invite students of Mass Communication from Bayero University, Kano; IBB University, Lapai; Kaduna State University, Kaduna State Polytechnic, Nuhu Bamali Polytechnic and other students.

We also wish to invite our sister’s Departments in the Faculty: Sociology, Economic, Political Science, International Studies and the rest.   

P.ED:- That’s actually interesting plans and success stories recorded so far by your administration. Apart from Public Lecture that’s near the clock, what other things should the entire Mass Communication students and friends be expecting more from your regime within the remaining period you have left as MACOSA President?

M.P:- Well, one of the hectic things that we are actually working on is the forthcoming Media Week, which we actually flied our shirt last week (August ending) and people actually appreciated and liked the shirt.

 ABU MACOSA T-Shirt for 2013/2014 Session

Our HOD Cup is kicking off next week Monday (8^th of September). That’s what they should actually be expecting, as it’s meant for both male and female students of the Department. From 23^rd to 27^th of September In Shaa Allah, it’s going to be our Media Week.

It’s been a while since the Association actually had a very good Media Week, where people actually would have fun. It’s going to be worth its while as people are going to enjoy the time. We’ve been working round the clock to see that the Media Week we will be having this session is going to be the type that will be in the mind of the students forever and ever.

P.ED:- And you get me salivating already! As the incumbent President of this Association and quite aware of the election exercise knocking through your door hopefully before this semester elapses, who and who do you have in mind? Or better still, what are the qualities you hope to see in the incoming MACOSA Executives?

M.P:- Well, I always trust MACOSITES to make the best judgment when it comes to election of leaders into office. I believe they saw some qualities in me, that was why they permitted me to lead the Association and knew that I am actually leaving. They wouldn’t want to have anyone that is going to perform less that I’ve actually done. They would rather want someone that would perform even more. So, that judgment is for MACOSITES and is not mine to determine who come to succeed me. MACOSITES would decide who they want to succeed them. I believe they are actually to make the wise judgment.

P.ED:- (Smiles) In other words, you don’t have any anointed candidate.

M.P:- (Smiles) Yes, I don’t have anointed candidate. I wish all the candidates the best.

P.ED:- You’ve talked at length about your success stories; let’s hear about hitches in the Association that you would want your successor to checkmate.

M.P:- Well, the only source of revenue for the Association has been the dues students actually paid when they resumed for the first semester. Actually, it has been a very difficult task to getting them to pay. The students actually tried all forms of tricks to avoid the payment of the dues, forgetting that it is these dues that the Association rely on to perform for them. But, Alhamdulillah, I tried as much as I can to see that a good percentage of students paid their dues this session, even though it was very challenging.

So, I will encourage the next Excos to actually see how they can come to convince the members of this Association to pay dues. Without forcing them to do that, they (students) should understand that the Association cannot thrive without this money. So, they (students) should try as much as they can on their own to willingly come forward and always pay these dues. They can always ask question after payment of such dues. But when you don’t pay, you don’t have right to ask questions. Many a times, you see people who don’t actually pay a dime coming forward to ask questions on how you actually used money you realized. So, it has actually been a challenge getting students to pay their dues.

Another challenge is coordinating my Excos. It’s actually very taskful because many a times, you come to find out that the Excos are having different time table. They are from different classes and when you actually need one person or the other to carry out an assignment for you, he might actually not be available. So, you actually have to be PRO; you find yourself performing the duty of Director of Sport, Director of Social, of the Secretary General and even the Financial Secretary. So as the President, there is nothing you can’t find yourself doing for the Association.

 

Some of MACOSA Executives for 2013/2014 with the President and his Vice seated

P.ED:- So, what about other challenges? Or are payment of dues and coordinating of your Exco the two snags embattling the Association?

M.P:- Yes, they are basically the two I am facing as the President.

P.ED:- What about from the side of the Departmental lecturers, how have they been helpful for the Association under your leadership?

M.P:- Yes they have been helpful, cos, without their response and positive support, I wouldn’t have been able to achieve what I actually said earlier. That is, getting the students to actually pay their dues as at when due; because if they had not supported me, I wouldn’t have been able to get that done. I want to say kudos to them. May God Almighty reward them bountifully. And we look forward to more of this assistance from them to the Association, even though we actually know that a lot of them were Alumni of the Department.

P.ED:- What are your watchwords for the audience (reading this piece) and your fans?

M.P:- My watchword is this; do the right things at the right time, be yourself, be proud irrespective of your tribe, religion, region or status, social or whatever. Just see everyone has your brother, as your sister, as one united family. Nigeria is ours. It is only us that can make Nigeria better. There is no place in this world like Nigeria. Nigeria is the best place to live, in the entire world.

P.ED: Indeed, Nigeria is the best place to live in. Thank you MACOSA President, Mr. Abduljalil Aliyu for honouring our visit. Hope when next we call on you, you will avail yourself for PEN CLUB?

M.P:- Yes, In Shaa Allah, I will. Thank you very much.

P.ED:- Thank you very much for your time as well. We are very grateful.

That has been it on this week edition of “FROM THE HORSE’S MOUTH With Abdulhafeez T. Oyewole”, keep a date with me by God’s grace next week has I bring to you another student’s figure. It’s a person you wouldn’t want to miss!