What relevant experience, skills and qualities do you have that make you a strong candidate for this elected position?
I am a microbiologist, public health advocate, and environmentalist by certification, and possess vital skills such as leadership, communication, management, and team spirit. Back then, at the University of Ilorin (Unilorin), Nigeria, I held the position of Assistant General Secretary and later the GS of Unilorin POGSASS, an apex Student Union. This is in addition to being on many committees of the Union, such as Transportation, Conference, Business, etc. In 2009, I facilitated the presence of over 60 small buses popularly called ‘Koropes’ at the university to address chronic transportation challenges faced by students, visitors, and staff. I wish to use my previous leadership experiences to improve the stay of international students at RGU with humility, doggedness, openness, integrity, love, and respect for the dignity of life that I am humbly known for. Presently, I volunteer at Somebody Cares, Aberdeen- a SCIO that strives to improve lives, and alleviate poverty)
Priority Aim 1
By God’s Grace, I will convince the management to see reasons why they should be more lenient on the fee payment timeline, say from May for the 2nd Instalment, to ensure the students' mental & physical well-being and that the academic timetables suit students to be able to rest more considering that for every day a student who lives in town comes to school, an average of 1-3 hours is spent in transit which should have been used to do self-study. I will also ensure that the management considers the peculiar concerns of minority groups like Muslims, Africans, and Indians.
Priority Aim 2
Working with other Union leaders, I will organize relevant FREE introductory training sessions with certifications in skills like Programming, Digital Marketing, Graphic Design, Project Management, Housekeeping, Barbing, Hair Dressing and UK Driving Rules. I believe these trainings, along with other trainings recommended by students, can help international students increase their employability and start working remotely and physically. These training sessions will be transmitted virtually for the benefit of our Distance Learning colleagues. Professionals in the UK and among the students will be engaged as facilitators.
Priority Aim 3
From Day 1 of the Induction Week, I will ensure seamless communication on School & Student Union activities for all international students by ensuring they immediately join all necessary social media and create WhatsApp & Telegrams groups for real-time dissemination of information & opportunities. These platforms can also be used to form formidable teams for the 2025 Coding Hackathon, exchange currencies at reasonable rates, get compatible roommates and provide platforms for free to learn other countries' languages and cultures (sponsored by the Union).
What is the biggest issue currently facing RGU students, and how will you work with the rest of the Student Presidents and Vice Presidents to tackle this?
The biggest issue is how to acquire a job immediately to augment their available funds, which are constantly affected by fluctuations in currency exchange rates. By God's Grace, I will work with the team & Centre for Employability to organize FREE relevant soft & hard skills if given the chance. My Office will also liaise with UK Entrepreneurs who are of African and Asian origins to lessen their recruitment requirements for international students, for instance, by not denying students interviews due to the non-availability of a UK Driver’s License when it can be worked towards while on the job.