In preparation for the forthcoming Law Students Society election, Legal Kekenke interviewed the two aspirants; Adeyemi Joelmilk Kehinde (The Milk of LSS) and Adejute Oluwatomisin G. (TomTom) vying for the office of the President.
From their responses, the aspirants evidently relayed their passions, intellects and commitments in every phase of life and how they intend to reflect that upon assumption into office. The interview gave a sneek peak to the aspirant debate slated for 12pm, tomorrow at the Moot Court, as well as the future for the society and its members.
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Interview
Adeyemi Joelmilk Kehinde (The Milk of LSS)
What inspired you to pursue the position of president in the law faculty, and what do you believe sets you apart as a candidate?
Firstly, I believe it's our responsibility as individuals to contribute our quota to the development and welfare of whichever society we find ourselves. Particularly as law students, the onus lies on us to bring development. LSS today is arguably the best student society in the whole of AAUA, this is because of the the sweat and struggle of selfless individuals who are committed to leadership. My commitment to leadership in faculty of law stems from a belief in the transformative power of education and student engagement. I firmly believe that leadership is not about authority but about service. As a student, I have actively and constantly sought out opportunities to lead and make a positive impact. This was what inspired and sparked the fire in me to contest for the position of president in the law faculty.
Well, what sets me apart as a candidate for this leadership role is my extensive track record of dedicated leadership and involvement in various organizations. My journey into leadership began when I served an honorable in the LSRC representing LLB1 constituency where my administration was able to amend the LSS constitution, a feat that hadn't happened in the past ten years before my administration. I also served as the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Oracles, a renowned public speaking organization in LSS. During my tenure, I worked diligently to enhance the organization's visibility and reputation. This experience allowed me to develop strong communication and organizational skills while contributing to the success of Oracles. In my first year of study (100L), I was recognized as the most dedicated student in my chamber, Gani Fawehinmi Public chambers, which was a testament to my commitment to academic excellence and active participation within the legal community.
My leadership journey continued to evolve as I advanced to the position of Assistant General Secretary within my chamber, where I played a pivotal role in coordinating various activities and events. Currently, I hold the esteemed position of General Secretary, a testament to the trust and confidence my peers have in my leadership abilities. In this role, I have been instrumental in fostering a sense of unity and organization within our chamber, ensuring smooth operations and collaboration among members.
Beyond my chamber, I am proud to be one of the founding members of the Inte-tainment Law Club at AAUA (ILC) and currently serve as its General Secretary. This role has allowed me to combine my passion for law with my interest in entertainment, providing a unique perspective on legal issues in this dynamic field. Additionally, I am the current Assistant General Secretary of the Legal Temple, where I contribute to the overall administration and success of the organization. These experiences have collectively equipped me with strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to bring this wealth of experience and dedication to the role, ensuring that I can make a meaningful and positive impact on the organization's goals and objectives.
In summary, my diverse leadership experiences and unwavering commitment to excellence make me a standout candidate for this position. I look forward to the opportunity to contribute my skills and enthusiasm to support LSS continued success.
How do you envision fostering collaboration and unity among the students and the faculty
Fostering collaboration and unity among students and faculty is a vital aspect of creating a harmonious and productive academic environment. Drawing from my experiences and background, here's how I envision achieving this:
Through open channels of communication. The first steps in promoting collaboration is to establish open and transparent channels of communication. As the General Secretary in my chamber and in various other roles, I've honed my communication skills. I intend to use these skills to bridge any gaps that may exist between students and the faculty. Regular meetings, forums, and suggestion boxes can serve as platforms for sharing ideas and addressing concerns.
Also, I propose the creation of student-faculty committees where representatives from both sides can come together to discuss important matters. This inclusive approach ensures that students have a voice in decision-making processes, fostering a sense of ownership and collaboration. In addition, building strong mentorship programs can facilitate closer relationships between faculty and students as I intend to encourage more faculty involvement in mentorship initiatives. These relationships can provide guidance, support, and a sense of belonging to students.
Lastly, the implementation of feedback mechanisms which ensures that the voices of all stakeholders both students and from the faculty, are heard.
In conclusion, my vision for fostering collaboration and unity is grounded in creating an inclusive and supportive environment where students and members of faculty work hand in hand. My experiences as a leader, communicator, and advocate for student involvement have prepared me to champion these initiatives effectively. Together, we can build a stronger and more cohesive academic community that benefits everyone involved.
Can you discuss a past experience where you demonstrated strong leadership and how you plan to apply those skills in this role?
During my tenure as an honorable member of the Law Student Representative Council (LSRC), I had the privilege of serving as a member of the Constitution Drafting Committee (CDC). This experience was a defining moment in my leadership journey as it required me to navigate complex challenges and work collaboratively with a diverse group of individuals. One particular challenge we faced was the need to amend our constitution to address existing loopholes and improve its effectiveness. This was a crucial task, as our constitution served as the backbone of our student governance, and any shortcomings could impact our ability to represent the interests of the law student body effectively.
In my role as a member of the CDC, I took on the responsibility of facilitating our committee’s work and ensuring that every member’s insights were considered. My experience as a leader in this context taught me several valuable lessons which includes identifying issues and review of the Constitution, recognition and encouragement of collaborative environment, professing problem solving solutions and attention to processes.
By the end of our tenure, we had successfully amended the constitution, closing the identified loopholes and strengthening the foundation of our student governance. This experience not only showcased my ability to lead a diverse team but also highlighted my commitment to upholding the principles of fairness and transparency in student representation.
Looking ahead to the role I am pursuing, I plan to apply the leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration skills honed during my time with the CDC. Whether it’s addressing challenges, or fostering unity among members, I am confident that my past experiences have prepared me to navigate complexities and drive positive change effectively.
How would you navigate potential conflicts of interest while serving in this leadership role?
Conflicts of interest are a common challenge faced by leaders in various organizations. As someone committed to upholding the integrity and best interests of the Law Student Society (LSS), I recognize the importance of addressing and managing potential conflicts of interest effectively, I will outline my approach to navigating such situations, emphasizing transparency, prioritizing the LSS's interests, and the willingness to recuse when necessary.
First and foremost, transparency is the cornerstone of my strategy. I firmly believe in open and honest communication. If a conflict of interest arises, I will promptly disclose it to all relevant parties. Transparency builds trust and allows stakeholders to understand the situation fully.
Furthermore, my foremost priority will always be the best interests of the LSS and its members. When faced with a decision that could potentially benefit me personally or another party with whom I have a connection, I will assess the situation objectively. If it becomes apparent that the decision aligns with the LSS's mission and benefits the majority of its members, I will proceed cautiously, always putting the organization's welfare first. In cases where recusal is the most appropriate course of action, I will not hesitate to step aside from the decision-making process. This demonstrates my commitment to avoiding any undue influence or bias. Recusal ensures that decisions are made impartially and without personal gain.
In summary, my approach to managing conflicts of interest in a leadership role within the LSS revolves around transparency, prioritizing the organization’s interests above all else, and a willingness to recuse when necessary. By adhering to these principles, I am dedicated to maintaining the integrity and ethical standards that our organization and its members rightfully expect.
Adejute Oluwatomisin G. (TomTom)
What motivated you to run for the position of president in the law faculty, and what specific goals do you hope to achieve if elected?
Law Students' Society is a home of impeccable achievement and our history has shown in clear lines that we have unmatched track record of success in AAUA, even with recognition from different places outside the university walls. Premised on this, I was always eager to contribute my quota to the giant strides of LSS, in any capacity, in every capacity, to keep the flag flying and to create the needed bridge, in achieving the next goal or target, and I have kept up with this, by dedication to my assigned duty, since elected as the Class Liason Officer, in 2019. I believe that, irrespective of the giant strides of our past heroes and leaders, there is much more to do, much more to offer, for a better LSS.
One of my major goals, which has always been my priority, both within and outside my duties in AAUA, is the welfare of persons around me. I, for one, prioritize the people's welfare over all things. I believe in strong terms that if the people are well catered for, every other thing will fall in line, and every other goal set, will be sustainable, attainable and achieved on the long run, because without them, there's no LSS. This is my major goal, the welfare of the people is the supreme law.
Can you discuss a past experience where you demonstrated strong leadership and how you plan to apply those skills in this role?
If I open the books of record, just like the latin maxim, res ipsa loquitur, there are many experiences, as facts that speaks for itself, which attests to my leadership skills. I have hammered on the welfare of the people and I will keep on hammering on it, because it is no rocket science, when the house is in order, and when people are well catered for, it will be easier to achieve all other things.
Last semester, as one who is keen on the welfare of the people, two issues came up which required strong leadership skills to be able to stand for your people and prioritize their welfare. One was on an impromptu test(Criminal Law), which was conducted, and several people did not participate in, I was able to facilitate the conduct of another test for persons who were unavailable, in fact, the lecturer in charge openly attested to my role in ensuring another test was done and commented that I always stood up for my constituency, commending my leadership skills, this was done in the presence of a class I was not part of.
In furtherance, I like to refer to the fact that, one of the beauty and the trademark of LSS was our former LT and the availability of some notable features which distinguished it from the random lecture theatres. Upon movement to another LT, understanding that most times, students make use of the wall mirror at the former LT, to dress properly or check themselves as well as create beautiful memories as a law student, I have been able to provide mirrors at the LT, for the benefit of LSSITES, not just for now, but for a very long period, an innovative welfare package. Let me also add that I was able to facilitate and host a picnic and my class was the first class to hold a class picnic in the history of our dear society and immediately after we did that, other classes even from other departments followed suit. Talk about social welfarism.
I can go on and on, but let's stop here...
How would you navigate potential conflicts of interest while serving in this leadership role?
A society devoid of conflicts of interest is a society heading towards failure. Life in itself is not "balanced" as we all use as a joke. This society is one filled with people of heterogeneous interest, resulting from so many reasons. Experience, is said to be the best teacher. Prior to my admission into AAUA, I was a student of the renowned University of Ibadan, where I served as the Class representative. In all my experience as a servant of the people, I have witnessed such conflicting situation, but I can attest to the fact that it is necessary for growth.
One of the major ways I have handled such situation is by listening to every possible opinion, harnessing them together, committing tasks to capable hands, and consolidating the efforts and idea of everyone by creating a feasible pathway for all conflicting ideas. LSS is even much more advanced, with the use of congress. Conflicting interest, when needed, can be subjected to the congress where high-flying, brilliant, innovative LSSITES air their views on such matter and if there's need, certain capable hands will be constituted to achieve and work out the conclusion of the congress, being the supreme body. This again revolves around the people, because their welfare is the supreme law, and whatever conflicting interest, must be worked out to still meet the need of the people.
Could you provide more details about how you plan to improve academic assistance and mentorship initiatives for students facing academic challenges or in need of guidance?
In my yet to be released manifesto, I have outlined and created a proper framework for legal mentorship programs. However, I will be giving out a tip of the plans for the purpose of this interview. LSS had overtime thrived on having webinars and other programs which intends to enlighten students on different aspects of law and I have benefited from such programs, organized by bodies such as the law clinic, Equity Private chambers, legal temple amongst many others. I intend to, if elected, facilitate several programmes which will bring LSSITES in contact with different dignitaries and personalities in the legal world. This may often times take the form of webinars. I also intend to create an accommodating societal relationship where junior colleagues have access to senior colleagues, for proper mentorship programs, with appropriate mechanism for feedback on such event.
Furthermore, in line with the academical welfare package for LSSITES, I have been committed to the academic interest of my class, serving them as the Class representative, even when it was less convenient for me, because I understand that our primary assignment in this University is our academic. To extend this to LSSITES, tutorials and lectures will be monitored and feedbacks will be collated per time, which will help in addressing as well as fostering lecturer-students' relationship. These programs will also be encouraged by the use of academic incentives.
Lastly, as law students, the practical aspects of law is very vital and indispensable, I intend to create good partnership with law firms which will give LSSITES the opportunity to intern with them during holidays, for better practical experiences The aim is to cater to the welfare of Lssites and that is exactly what I will do with these plans and many more to be unveiled later.
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LK...Making a statement!
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