Emerging as the Students Union President for the current academic session, 2020/2021, Comrade Babatunde Ganiyu Adeola (BABS) in this exclusive interview with Okafor Precious of Press Club MAPOLY talks about his journey thus far in leadership alongside other intriguing issues regarding his personality.
Excerpts:
What leadership position have you handled in the past?
On my first day of being a student of Moshood Abiola Polytechnic; that’s my first day on campus during my ND I, I was the class HOC. After then, I contested for departmental treasurer during the 2017-2018 academic session where I emerged as the departmental treasurer. After that, I have been eyeing the Number 1 seat on campus as the Student Union President. So when I resumed for HND, I then decided to contest for Student Union president.
Was your family in support of your unionism ambition?
Sure! My family was in support of that. The fact is: I came from a family that is so much interested in anything that has to do with leadership. I have uncles that are into politics, even my dad is; just that he is not currently active.
Who are your political role models?
Basically the reason I don’t choose a politician as my role model is that I am more of into being a leader than being in the political class. Because currently in the country, they have stained anybody that is into politics as a dishonest person, until you go the extra mile to prove your honesty. I emulate something good that any politician does. I pick one or two things I like about them. For example, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, I like his leadership skills; he knows how to lobby. He understands the game of give and take in politics. I like Buhari because he is an honest person. I like Goodluck Jonathan, he is a politician that does not handle things with violence. I emulate being a calm politician. I like Atiku because he is a politician that knows how to spend. I pick the positive aspect of every politician that I know. I don’t really have a particular person, let me say MKO Abiola is my role model but he is late now.
Do you intend to venture into politics after school?
Yeah, all these we are doing on campus is a learning process: school politics. There are lot
s of people that started from Student Unionism and the like. Goodluck Johnathan was a Student Union President during his time in his institution. Student Unionism gives you an edge; even after here, I can venture into politics if God wills. Like contesting for positions, maybe I can start from House of Reps or Senate.
Why did you choose to become the SUG president?
My dream of becoming SUG president started from when I came to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic. Initially I like anything that has to do with leadership. I have played the roles of a leader in different places, so I like leading. My contesting for the post is not just a day thing- it’s a long-time dream. Since the day I got into MAPOLY, I had had it in mind that if I return for my HND, I will contest for SUG President.
What are your hobbies?
I love talking and meeting new people. Engaging people and humanity. My friend and I co-founded a foundation: Dynamic Dream Leader Foundation. I belong to a lot of humanitarian foundation, not humanity alone but also the development of their community. Currently, I am the community development coordinator for Mushin to the world community – that’s my community base foundation.
On a scale of 1-10, rate your leadership skills
With my exposure presently I will rate myself 8/10
What are the three values you don’t compromise?
I don’t joke with my education because the major reason I am in school is for academic excellence. I don’t joke with my religion, I pray to God, nothing stops me from praying. Lastly I don’t like when people take me for granted, or take me for a fool.
If ever you want to term your administration unsuccessful, what would constitute it to be unsuccessful?
I don’t believe it will be unsuccessful. I don’t see anything presently that will make it unsuccessful. Currently we are working on a lot of things, but we will achieve the larger percent of what we promised.
Others are looking up to you as a leader, what words of advice do you have for them as regards their ambition to be where you are today?
It’s a gradual process. You just have to start from somewhere. Anything you do, don’t take God out of it, challenges will come, be determined and focus.
Your advice to all students.
For us to succeed as SUG officers, it should be a collective responsibility, and for Moshood Abiola Polytechnic, the great citadel of learning; we should all come together. And if there’s anything that will push the institution forward, the office is open. We are running an open office whereby any student can just walk in and tell us what we need to do. Tell us what is wrong, and tell us how we can do better. Let’s come together irrespective of the difference or anything that can act as a barrier between us.
Your works are highly professional, nice one keep it up. The world is watching