INTERVIEW WITH ELATUROTI MOJUBAOLUWA ESTHER, AN ASPIRANT FOR THE POSITION OF NAPS'UI AGS

By Ayomiposi Ajayi

INTERVIEWER: Good day, Miss Mojuba. So, thank you for making time for today's interview. I'd like you to do a proper introduction of yourself.

Please, do note that you have a maximum of 3 minutes to answer open-ended questions like this—that is to say, when it's not a Yes/No question.

​ASPIRANT: My name is Elaturoti Mojubaoluwa Esther.

I am a 100-Level student of the Department of Psychology.

I am contesting for the position of the Assistant General Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Psychology Students.

I love learning new things and listening to people.

I also love singing and dancing.

I am a person who believes in service to humanity, which is part of what fueled my strong desire to go for this position.

I love deeply, and I am also a strong believer in accountability.

I have two siblings whom I love deeply.

If there's anything else you need to know, I'd be more than willing to answer it.

​INTERVIEWER: Alright, thank you for giving a proper introduction of yourself.

​ASPIRANT: No problem.

​INTERVIEWER: So, topping the list of my questions will be why you are contesting for the Assistant General Secretary of the Association.

​ASPIRANT: Okay... So, first and foremost, I am contesting for the position of the AGS because of my love for NAPSITES and the Department of Psychology in general.

​Secondly, as Assistant General Secretary, I hope to bring dedication, accountability, and intentionality to the role. Through proper communication, effective record-keeping, accessibility, and collaboration with the executives and students, I want to contribute to a department where every NAPSITE feels seen, heard, and carried along.

​I also believe that wherever I find myself, I should find a way to leave an impact.

But then I realized that the impact will not just get there; I have to work towards leaving an impact. Hence the reason for my campaign name, "The Praxis Movement." I've found myself in the Department of Psychology, and being the AGS is one of the many ways I can work towards leaving an impact.

​Lastly, I am running for the post of the Assistant General Secretary of the Nigerian Association of Psychology Students because I believe that I have what it takes to carry out the job.

​INTERVIEWER: Alright… Thinking about the position you're vying for, in a few words, what are the responsibilities you're meant to take up?

​ASPIRANT: Okay... So, I'm meant to first and foremost assist the General Secretary.

I'm meant to take attendance during executive and general meetings.

I'm meant to perform any tasks assigned to me by the General Secretary.

I'm also meant to act as secretary during the NAPS week.

I am also meant to present all the assets that NAPS has to the NPHR before and at the end of the session.

​INTERVIEWER: Are there specific roles you have been instrumental in a body or a movement before now?

​ASPIRANT: Are you talking about just in the Psychology Department or generally?

​INTERVIEWER: Any previous assigned roles or leadership positions?

​ASPIRANT: Well, if it's generally, I was the labor prefect in my secondary school. I also served as the committee head for my secondary school sign-out party. I currently am serving as the Treasurer in the freshers' arm of my school fellowship, SCM.

I am also currently serving as the Head of the Dance Team in my church.

​INTERVIEWER: Alright. You mentioned earlier that you desired bringing dedication, accountability, and intentionality to the role you are vying for. To what extent are these virtues feasible, thinking about how politics has been a deadly game so far, considering the borderline between aspirants' agendas and their end points in service?

​ASPIRANT: I believe that once someone has their core values, which have been instilled in them since they were young, and they actually know what they stand for, it would be hard for those values to be swayed.

I believe that these are feasible because I know myself, and I have a strong conviction about being dedicated, accountable, and intentional in whatever I lay my hands upon to do, no matter the challenges I may face.

​INTERVIEWER: Profound!

​ASPIRANT: Thank you.

​INTERVIEWER: When faced with obstacles and limitations that come with leadership positions, what will be your standpoint, and how do you intend to get over them?

​ASPIRANT: I know that whatever one does, there'd always be things that would try to frustrate or discourage the person, and I know taking up a position in the department won't be different.

I would remember why I decided to go for the position in the first place, part of it being the love I have for NAPS as a whole, and that would motivate me.

Then, I'd also seek advice from those who have gone ahead of me, like my predecessors.

Then, I'd also think about the victory ahead or the way I'd feel when I actually overcome the obstacle or setback.

​INTERVIEWER: Alright, Miss Mojuba. Could you please describe your campaign name, "The Praxis Movement," the core concept, and the measures for goal attainment?

​ASPIRANT: Okay. So, in simple terms, "Praxis" means the transition from theory or ideas into action.

Like I said earlier, I want to make or leave an impact wherever I go, but then I realized that the impact won't just get there.

You have to actually work towards making an impact.

So, we're not just saying, "Oh, I want to do this"; we are actually looking for ways to work towards and make that impact.

​INTERVIEWER: Alright.

​ASPIRANT: I'm not done answering. There are still some measures of goal attainment.

Some measures would include:

​Improved documentation and records,

​Communication effectiveness,

​Freshers' integration

​Accountability.

​INTERVIEWER: Because of the time factor, I would like to end this conversation with you.

​ASPIRANT: Okay, no problem.

​INTERVIEWER: Having gotten the right information from you in regards to your ambitious goal, I wish you great success in your endeavors. Before I leave, do you have any other information you wish to pass on?

​ASPIRANT: Thank you so much. Well, nothing really.

Thank you so much for taking your time out to interview me.

Have an amazing rest of the day.