MICHEAL AMOSUN: FUELED BY PASSION, DRIVING INNOVATION IN LSS
Blessed beyond his lanky frame and dark complexion, Michael Irekanmi Amosun is a promising young man who is very passionate about whatever he does or engages in. This is evident in the number of associations he belongs to and his active participation in them. His passion for service has driven him to present himself for service to the Law Students Society in the capacity of the Public Liason Officer of the society. Getting this busy bee settled for a chat was a herculean task which we eventually surmounted. Nevertheless, we were able to get is opinion on certain issues regarding his candidacy and agenda for LSS amongst others. Enjoy the excerpts
JC: First of all, we appreciate your time for granting us this interview. Can you introduce yourself?
Michael: You are very welcome. My name is Michael Irekanmi Amosun
JC: Michael, word making the rounds say you are interested in an executive post on the LSS Executive Council when the next set of executives come on board
Michael: That's very correct. By the grace of God and mandate of our dear citizen of the Law student society of this University.
JC: And I suppose it's the position of the Public Liaison Officer of the Law Students' Society?
Michael: That's right
JC: Your battle cry into the arena has been "Explosive Innovation". Can you tell us the idea behind this?
Michael: Okay. You see, one thing a bright society of millennial shows as key sign is his/her ability to innovate, birth new ideas and steer them to realization. And the faculty of law even in its progressive state should not stop at any point. So what we are basically saying is that we intend to innovate in all existing areas and also bring about a ground breaking experience for the next generation of budding lawyers in the faculty of law
JC: Whom I presume are the next set of freshmen in the faculty?
Michael: Yes. The very key responsibility of the principal liaison officer.
JC: Briefly Michael, what are the duties of the PLO?
Michael: Okay, The Principal liaison officer is stipulated to majorly take charge of the freshman just being admitted into the faculty, acquainting them with the faculty, and of course taking progressive special instructions from the president in cause of the Law student Society in furthering the cause of the Law student society
JC: And you trust yourself enough to handle this daunting task of guiding hundreds of freshmen throughout their first year at the faculty?
Michael: Yes, it is a daunting task and it is not because for us, it is a concerted effort, we are, by the grace of God, leaning on the shoulders of giants to run a very successful administration by God's grace. And also, it is an entrusted mandate from the very founding fathers of the Law student society of this prestigious University and Reasonable drafter of the sacrosanct constitution of the republic which prefers a sophomore student to take the task. Then it is very doable. And we are very set for the task.
JC: The position of the PLO requires a lot of contact with people. How well do you relate with lecturers within and outside the faculty?
Michael: This comes for me as less problem because of my readiness from day one which has made me familiarize myself with most lecturers before and on resumption. Apart from the fact that I attended the center for distance learning which I leveraged on to know many lecturers/staffs of the university in and out of the faculty, I have also had more one or two contact with a few of them which makes the job lot easier. For everyone we know, there could be help to know another 2. This also applies to Student/Student Leaders across faculties of the University.
JC: Can you give us a peek of what to expect from you if you eventually get elected?
Michael: Basically, Like our creed, ExPLOsive innovation. We would be channeling Innovation to every units that pertains to the freshman in making for the progress of the Society We intend to rebrand some of our programs, and of course introduce some other innovations. You know, it would be a good idea to see to the existing programs like the PLO&I get a new face. Subsequently, the need for drawing educational as much as capacity building plan also remains paramount and we have plans in this direction too. The office of the PLO is one with a distinct responsibilities and for us we intend to channel innovative moves towards every aspects of this responsibilities.
JC: As a freshman in the faculty, what do you consider the most challenging aspect of a freshman's life in the faculty and what solutions do you proffer?
Michael: The most challenging aspects I would say, are fear and uncertainty. Largely, almost every freshman has fear and uncertainty when starting. He/she might do things blindly because he has been told to by someone seemingly better off. So the freshman year is filled with different uncertainty and fear. If not all, at least a good number of us express these fears. This for example would be conquered by one of our programs in our manifesto tagged the IFELAW Mentor & Mentee Scheme. Fear and uncertainty is reduced when one is under the tutelage of a seasoned person already close to or with better understanding of where/ what we intend to be. Every one of us needs a mentor.
JC: You are in the race against some of the brightest heads in your class. What distinguishing quality (ies) do you possess as the deal breaker between you and them?
Michael: Well so, this is true. But then, there is more to service than our academic stints. Yes, it is very important but very reliant. It relies on practical track records of leadership and service to either the community or even a cause. This I think is our major distinguishable factor so as to avoid clueless leadership. From the day one, we have been observing and actively participating in the system to ready us for a task like this. We have not just woken up to the task, we have been prepared for the task, mostly ready for the task ahead.
And more so, the elections of our society is leaving the years of running for office basically by sentiments, BC's and popularity. People want to see more, the real work being done. It should be marked that in the forthcoming election, Popularity may FAIL.
JC: What's your perception of the LSS having been a member for almost a year?
Michael: Well, LSS is a very progressive body. I commend our progressive nature. Every member of this society is commendable. However, sometimes, it's disheartening that we may tend to place the interest of the society against personal Interest/Political leanings and it is really not laudable.
JC: What do you mean by placing "the interest of the society against personal interest / political leanings?
Michael: It is quite obvious. You see, where danger waylays the progress of a society is a situation where every person his/her own lot to fill. By this I mean, that in spite of our progressive nature, sadly, we tend to sometimes sweep the interest of the society at large under the carpet to fuel our political camps, or entry-mode cabal. It's not fine. Out there, it would be the Law student society of IFELAW not a political camp, a chamber or a sect. Those would be just a bye-issue, not the main question.
JC: Since one cannot be a judge in his own case, how would you rate the current administration in terms of performance and commitment to society?
Michael: Well, the current administration have done well, they deserve due celebration. They have done to their best in the interest of the society. And still, the administration is still operating so we cannot but expect more things on the table as they wind up for the next administration by God's grace. Of course, there may be things to be improved upon but they have done well.
JC: Moving on to national issues: do you think entrusting key leadership positions of government to the youth would serve as a panacea to national underdevelopment?
Michael: That's a very timely question and there are so more questions to ask ourselves.
Are the youth ready? Do they have the delivering capacity and competence? Or in Achebe's way, would they be a cliché of themselves when appointed to office? It has always been like this. The generation X (Older generation) has greedily failed but would ours turn a new leaf?
It is not that straight. Whether young or old, Nigeria needs and deserves the competent leaders. But in case of the age-long ruling and recycling of cabals, and of course in the turn of events in the international scene, yes the competent young ones could be seen as a better way of reshaping the country.
JC: What's your philosophy of life?
Michael: Very simple, Fight daily your own self and WIN to make the world better than the way it is met.
JC: Who are your mentors?
Michael: I have a few number of mentors. My Mum, Asiwaju Dayo Israel,Teju Oyelakin are some of them.
JC: Any hobbies?
Michael: Yeah, Karaoke/Open Mic, Meeting people, cycling and Reading (For Fun)
JC: What's a typical day like for you and how do you let loose the stress of it?
Michael: It depends, During school, jog lighty in the morning, Take a 2mins test, set out for school, attend to the daily to dos, check my mails before turning in to read (I am trying hard to get a Feeding/Eating plan) But when on break, It can be very tight with projects/programs and assignment before turning in to read later at midnight/dawn.
JC: Who is your best lecturer in the faculty?
Michael: I am just getting to know them very well though, but Professor Popoolas humility thrills me. Mr. M. A Lateef and Dr Yusuff are awesome.
JC: Organizations you belong to?
Michael: Im a member of the Green Advocate of the Institute of Ecology, Ready, Run, Win movement, The Youth wing, International Law student Association (in view), OAU Chess Club, Projection Africa to mention but a few.
JC: Social media contacts
Michael: Michael Babatunde Amosun on Facebook
Amosun Babatunde Michael on Linkedin
Themichaelamosunn on IG
Amosun Babatunde Michael on YouTube
[email protected] for emails
JC: Thank you for your time, Michael
This interview is a publication of the editorial committee of the Radiant Justice Chambers.