Hello Tiwalade, I would like you to introduce
yourself.
My name is Tiwalade Aderemi, a graduate of Faculty of
law, Olabisi Onabanjo University. The erstwhile President of the Law Students’
Society.
What are your dreams and aspirations?
It is my dream to make an indelible mark in the legal
profession particularly in the Energy sector. It is my believe that the world
would be a safe place with clean energy, clean and sustainable environment. My
dream is to contribute to the development of the society through the legal
profession.
During your days as an undergraduate, you actively
participated in school politics. Is there a any motivation for that ?
Trust me when I
say school politics occupied a “zero space” in my heart in my first year. To
me, it was just a field meant for “the most brilliant, popular and good looking
student”. In my 2nd year(2017/18) I started nurturing the passion for
leadership with my parents’ support. It is worthy of note to assert that in my
3rd year, I served as the LSS PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER. In my 4th year, I
served as the LSS Vice President. In my 5th year, I served as the President of
the Law Students’ Society. My only motivation was “sacrifice, the passion to
impact lives, the willingness to serve, the passion to build capacity”.
During your reign as the LSS PRESIDENT, landmark
achievements were recorded. How were you able to balance bringing your dreams
to fruition and your academics ?
It is “amazingly
simple and hard”. Why? My last session in OOU was the scariest part of my LLB
story. I was involved involved in too many extra curricular activities at some point I broke down. My health deteriorated and I wanted to run away. Remember, the
popular slang “abi kin salo ni”. Lol. That was how I felt. However, six things lifted my burdens and
helped me achieve my dreams without affecting my academics.
a). The gift of
friendship (My circle of friends were supportive. Some held special tutorials
for me to catch up (Florence, Aish,Kafilat,Amina, Jedidiah) some sent me notes,
materials and voice notes(Yosola, Prof Matthew). I learn better when I teach others
and my reading team(Zaynab and MR Wole) pushed me to read ahead. Nemo dat quod
non habeat “you can’t give what you do not have” how can I teach something I
don’t know except I read?
b). Excellent delegation: My executive team was the
best. I ensured to delegate tasks excellently. When you delegate tasks, it
makes it easier for you to handle other things. One advise for leaders, you
don’t need to do all the jobs before we know you’re effective/excellent. Let
other members of the executive, take jobs while you supervise. I remember
during the TRIAD FAIR, we had 3 sections: The trade fair, career fair and
health fair. The success of the Triad fair was as a result of excellent
delegations. I wouldn’t have divided myself into 3.
c). Forum of
elders and mentors: as a leader, learn to listen even if someone speaks
“nothing”. Just the silence can cause progress. Even your friend can be your
mentor. Most times when people addressed me “I get my writing pads ready”.
(Abijah, Stephen, Ayinke)
d). Prayers: Even
the month of April felt the furnace of fire burning everywhere. OOULSS
Leadership trained me to be a giant in the prayer room. Myself and the
erstwhile Lord Advocate, Legal Magnate Favour Posu were prayer partners during
this period.
e). Support from
parents: Most times, I call my parents urgently to inform them I have a meeting
at Lagos. Imagine if they say “don’t go”. It would have been ugly. My parents
supported me financially, and morally. From the beginning till the very end.
f). Excellent Multitasking skills: A leader is
naturally a multitasker.
When you hear OOULSS, what comes to mind ?
Building capacity with the best generation. Life after
school starts here in school as we build capacity, we propel.
How did the seat of the LSS PRESIDENT treat you ?
The seat of the LSS President treated me well. It was an
elastic quagmire for me. It afforded me the opportunity to sit and dine with
kings. At the same time embrace insults from those who shouldn’t have done that
if not for the “presidency”. Some days I cried, I laughed, I got angry, I had
fun, I was insulted, I was respected. It was a training ground for me. Trust
me, serving over 1000 students of law is a lot. We have people with different
backgrounds, religion, affiliation, culture inter alia. I am grateful to God
for giving me the opportunity to learn about leadership at a very young age.
Do you intend to continue to participate in politics? If
yes, do you have any office in mind ?
All I have in my head is Energy. If holding a leadership
position would cause a paradigm shift in the advancement of energy transition
in Nigeria and the world at large, then I’ll gladly embrace such position.
From the stand point of Respect for Human Right,
Constitutionalism and Rule of law, do you think Nigeria is a developing country
?
From the occurrence that took place on the 20th of October,
2020. I strongly believe that Nigeria is under developed.
