By Suraju Mustapha Samuel
Balogun Habeedah Abimbola,is a 400 level Law student of the Department of Common&Islamic studies Lagos State University,LASU and also the first female National President of the Federation of Ikeja division students of lagos state,FIKES.
In an interview with ACJ Reporter she gave insight on how her political journey began.
How was the start off as a fresher in Lagos state university?
Well, I will say it wasnt easy because prior to my admission into LASU I had some set backs, I recently completed my National diploma(ND) at Lagos state polytechnic, Ikorodu campus in Mass communication, I wanted to go back for my HND but my Dad has always wanted for me to study Law.
Coming into LASU as a fresher was a different ball game for me entirely since their educational structure is different from a polytechnic as regards the unit of courses a student can take up per semester and also making new friends wasnt so easy for me.
Have you always been interested in politics before you got admitted to LASU?
That a very big one, actually I will say "politics runs in the blood" because my dad was into politics before he took a break but now he's getting in the game once again, but for me while growing I never saw myself practicing, Fine I know I have some leadership qualities in me due to the way I deal with situations, I have been grooming since my primary school days as the head of class down to been the head girl in secondary school and among other society position I was opportuned to hold.
While in polytechnic I never participated in politics up until my ND2 second semester, I was nominated and became part of the decision body Makers in my faculty for the Lagos state polytechnic student union group (LASPOSUG) election and also for mass communication student association (MACSA) this was the beginning of my student political career but it was kind of too late to establish well in LASPOTECH since I was about leaving.
Then I promise myself to bring out the qualities I have in me on my new journey, LASU.
How did you start your political career as a student?
Prior to LASU I was with, then it was called the EKO Youth Academy but now it known as The IBILE Youth Ambassador I was representing IKEJA division, I can say that was where the outside politics started for me but while in LASU I started my journey into politics in my 200 level as honourable in my faculty and also at NATIONAL UNION OF LAGOS STATE STUDENT (NULASS) and i was also the welfare director
Talking about NULASS when I joined,the structure wasnt so encouraging especially in my division, IKEJA. We were not ably represented and we were seen as a third class division but with my team of four, PRO, Secretary, Vice president and myself as the first female president for the division we were able to resurrect and standardize the operation in the division.
In my 300 level I contested for the position of the faculty speaker but then I loss with just two vote against me but presently I'm assisting the current speaker of my faculty.
Getting to the position of the FIKES National president is really a bîg one, was that ever in the picture?
I'm a kind of person that if I want something I go for it, not in the greedy sense or over confidence but the urge to want to cause a change.
FIKES National was never in the picture but due to my performance as FIKES LASU president was what earned me the stool as FIKES National President. Before my handing over as the division president we organised a program themed AWORI DAY and we were able to carry other MOLEBI(persons from same division) from institution like LASPOTECH along, this event suprised alot of people considering it was organised by a division that was thought to have been dead. After this program, i woke up to a call one morning and I was offered the position of the FIKES National President, I was told that madam we dont even need an election we just want you to act in that capacity, if you could have done well for FIKES LASU we are sure you will do well for FIKES National .
Has there been a time you have been denied access in the political world because of your gender?
Well, on the surface there doesn't seem to be a gender discrimination but deep down we know what we face, it wasn't easy standing up to fellow Honourable, the male gender in making critical decisions they will see you more like an antagonist so it wasnt easy.
Basically, I really know what i want and i wont settle for less and make a fellow human sit me down and tell me I cant do something.
Would you say it has been confidence all the way to this present pedestal or is there a particular time you had to deal with the fact that you are a female competing against a male counterpart?
Well I will not say it confidence, it more about been credible and having what it takes to via for what you are aiming at, it a different thing being a female running against a male counterpart pursuing the same ambition but as a female do you have the basic ethics to get to that sit, I feel I'm competent enough and I have the needed attribute to run for the stool not because it me but because I feel like I'm qualify for that stool
How do you manage to balance your political life and social life so as it doesn't affect you educational activities?
It is really not an easy task, but for me taking up the leadership position it has challenge me to be academically sound based on the country we find ourselves opinion,that examination results is the true and real test of ones knowledge.
In managing and balance these activities , it requires personal planning and commitment .
Where do you intend to go from FIKES, is there other ambitions you are nursing?
Personally, I'm not a person that set a target for positions, it is when I see the need to via for a position that I go for it, so I'm not aiming at a position presently because I belief whatever position you find yourself just make an impact there, so far I'm able to contribute my quota I'm good.
What would your advice be to younger students with similar goals?
I'll say that you dont have to look at other people in the picture be yourself run at you own pace, don't see anybody as competitor, take your time to discover where you are going and justify it with where you are coming from and who you will finally become and understand that sometimes you will lose some battles and win some.
0 Comments
What Do You say