Our Face Of The Week for this week is Temiloluwa Olowoyo, the President of the Law Students' Society at Ekiti State University and the National Director of Programs for the National Intellectual Property Club.
In this short interview with Temiloluwa, we are able to sneak a peek into his corporate ideas on leadership roles, especially as the President of a prestigious faculty of law, how he shuffles to strike a balance between politics and academics, as well as his interests and perspectives concerning the law school's paltry approved quota.
Interview
LK: Let's meet you!
FOTW: My name is Temiloluwa Olowoyo, President of the Law Students" Society, Faculty of Law, Ekiti State University. I'm a lover of the planet Earth, and I am building my passion for advocacy on climate change and preserving Earth for future generations.
LK: It's nice to meet you. When you are not busy with your presidential duties, what other activities do you love engaging yourself in?
FOTW: I love to read and watch documentaries about space and read more about my favourite area of law, which is intellectual property law.
LK: That’s nice. Does that mean you are a member of the Intellectual Property Law Club at your university?
FOTW: Yes, definitely, as well as the National Director of Programs for the National Intellectual Property Club (NIPC).
LK: Wow, impressive. Have you always had this intention to be your faculty’s president, and if yes, what was the motivating factor?
FOTW: Well, right from the 100-level, I've not really had an interest in "politics", so to speak, but I've always had a keen interest in leadership.
However, later on, having discovered how connected the two are, I had to go into politics. So as to whether I've always had the intention, I'd say yes.
LK: Wow, it’s quite rare and endearing to see leaders with selfless ambitions today. That’s intriguing!
What challenges have you faced since you emerged as the president of the noble society?
FOTW: Well, as it occurs with individuals entering a leadership space for the first time, one that requires a higher level of commitment, accountability, and transparency, it's quite challenging to have structures in place to incorporate all these things.
However, leadership is not all about one person; it's been quite easy with the other executives.
LK: What is your opinion as regards the combination of academics and politics?
FOTW: Yes, that's another challenge on its own: combining the education and political fronts. For anyone who eventually finds a balance, it only works for the best. But sometimes, striking a balance could be almost impossible, as most times, you'd need to scale up one front over the other.
LK: How do you feel about the inadequate quota for the law students of Ekiti State University at law school, and what measures do you think have been taken by the faculty to increase the quota?
FOTW: You know, law school has standards that are being looked out for before dishing out quotas for law faculties. As much as this has affected a lot of students, delaying them for no fault of their own, it is also imperative that there is a lot more for the faculty and the university management to put in place so that their standards meet up with those of law school.
A lot is going on underground to salvage the whole situation, and I believe that in no time, all will be resolved.
LK: What would be your advice or remark for your fellow students?
FOTW: I'd say focus on personal development, beyond the theories we're being taught within the four walls of our universities. There is another world entirely different out there where there is a high demand for practical knowledge.
So, as much as possible, go outside the box for the knowledge that is not readily made available to you. It will definitely be of immense benefit later on.
LK: Thank you very much. I really enjoyed this session.
FOTW: You are welcome.
LK...Making a statement!
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