"I applied jokingly and I eventually emerged": Exclusive Interview With First Female Lagos Ambassador

Idris Toheeb, Bolaji Badmus

Oluwafunmilayo Akanishelle, an outgoing student of Lagos State University School of Communication who is also the erstwhile president of the Communication Students’ Association (COSA) has been appointed the Lagos State Youth Ambassador. 

In this interview, she talks about how she got to achieve the milestone, laying emphasis on getting involved on campus. 

Do enjoy...

Can we meet you?

I’m Ambassador Akannishelle Funmilayo Lagos State Youth Ambassador

From your profile, it's evident that your got highly involved on campus. Is this what led to your appointment as Lagos State youth ambassador?

Basically, me getting involved in school politics really helped me because now I'm no longer the person I used to be before taking leadership position and all in school. So after taking that leadership position it shaped who I was today and improved me in so many aspects.

I gathered experience, leadership qualities and a lot of things that aided the competition process, because the competition was in three phases. The first phase was a three days virtual training, and majorly they're looking at our dressing, confidence, how active we were and how to attempt questions. All the experience gathered in school actually helped. I wasn't a shy person and was courageous throughout. This made me scale to the 2nd phase which was the physical training. For the physical training, based on the fact that we're used to dressing properly, being involved and all that, I exhibited those trait and it also gave me an edge. Out of 50 participants only ten will be selected from each division at the second phase. I was selected based on those special qualities I displayed while introducing myself. For the final phase which was 7 days camp at Abesan Youth Centre, that phase was more like a Big Brother Ibile. That was what we called it because we're to showcase our confidence, sense of reasoning, behaviour and all. Had it been I've not taken those leadership role while in school, maybe I wouldn't be that person they're looking out for. All experienced gathered in school gave me the edge.

Your CGPA is very impressive.  How did you go about balancing your academics and politics?.

Awwn, thank you. I was able to balance my academics and politics by understanding myself and my priorities right. Being a student in Lagos state University, our major priority is to obtain academic excellence, and I believe any other thing id secondary. I didn't joke with my academics. Whenever I didn't meet up with my target I feel so pained and try as much as possible to check out for the cause of it. 

Also in school of Communication, there are some certain things you don't joke with; particularly attendance and also some impromptu test because once you miss test for like three consecutive times, automatically you're writing failure for yourself. Aside that, I realised assignment is also essential. You hardly see me not submitting assignment. So as much as attending class. 

One other thing is the friends we go out with. My friends really impacted me positively. All my friends are intelligent and as well don't joke with their academics. None of my friends that we're very close graduated with 2.2 ( 2nd Class Lower) we all graduated with 2.1 ( 2nd Class Upper). It's quite painful that just 00.3 is what denied me of getting 1st Class but at the same time I'm happy because I was able to do my best.

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Did you see yourself receiving ambassadorial or government appointments a year ago?

My goodness, I didn't see it coming at all, even at the camp, because the competition was highly intensive. I didn't see myself as a divisional ambassador talkless of state ambassador but I put in my best because they're other brilliant people at the competition. I thank God a year ago I didn't see myself here. I was doing my things, had even started seeking for job since we're almost through then, I just applied for this jokingly and i eventually emerged.

As the New Lagos Youth  Ambassador, what are the plans you have for the Youth?

Basically, as the new Lagos youth ambassador, I also have divisional ambassadors. We have five divisions which are; Ikorodu, Badagry, Lagos Island and Epe. In each division there are divisional heads. I just need to coordinate them. We have a lot of programs for the youths. Doing campaigns on domestic violence, rape, going around schools and talking to them on how to be a better person, and also we have series of programs that we've highlighted already, like marking of special days such as international Girls child day, independent day, campaign on drug abuse. Different programs will be coming up in each division, we'll be wrapping up our tenure with our week, and that's when the entertainment programs will be coming up. There will be trade fair where students from different tertiary institutions will come and showcase their products and we'll be bringing big personalities. 

Ibile youth academy is under Ministry of Youth & Social Development. We're really working to make sure this administration delivers. We have started our plans and very soon we'll unveil them. Recently we attended a program tagged: Sustainable development goals.

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Do you think it'll be more challenging being the first female youth ambassador of Lagos State?

I know there's no position held that doesn't have its own challenges. I'm just seeing this as another opportunity to learn, build myself and face any challenges that come my way.

 As ex-president of Communication Student Association and ex-LASUite, can you leave a message for fellow students and youths generally. 

Well, the society now is based on what you can offer and not really the certificate you're holding. At the Ibile Academy, nobody asked about our results. All what they were after is our capability, leadership qualities, strength and what we can offer.

For instance as a mass communication student can you handle presentations and write? What you can offer is what fetch job nowadays. My advice is every youth should gather the necessary skills that they need to strive in the society and also, personal development is key, taking leadership position and getting informations. If I didn't network with people or get information at the right time I might not attain this feet.

To my communication students and fellow LASUite -because we've not convocated yet- I urged them to be self reliant, to take advantage of opportunities and move with the right people. They'll be fine.