INTERVIEW WITH TAIWO JESULAYOMI LYDIA, AN ASPIRANT FOR THE OFFICE OF NAPS PRESIDENT

Click Me

by Queen Adekunle

Psychlens: I'd like that you do a proper introduction of yourself, Miss Lydia.

Miss Lydia: My name is Taiwo Jesulayomi Lydia, I am a 300-level student of the department of Psychology.

I was the previous Assistant General Secretary and I am contesting for the office of the President of this association.

Psychlens: Alright, thank you for the introduction.

Why are you contesting for this position?

Miss Lydia: I am willing to serve the people and I have seen first hand the work load attached to the position and I believe I am capable of handling the responsibilities attached to the position.

Psychlens: What are the “work load” attached to the position and how do you plan on handling it, since you believe you are capable of handling the responsibilities.

Miss Lydia: I think the major part is bridging the gap between NAPSITES and the management, as well as administrative work.

I hope to draw from the wealth of knowledge my predecessors have gathered, and also be very open to receive feedback from members of the department.

Psychlens: Are you accessible?

For a person that wants to bridge the gap, how accessible are you?

Miss Lydia: Oh yes I am very accessible, both physically and online.

Psychlens: okay. What are the duties of the President as provided by the NAPS constitution?

Miss Lydia:

• I shall be a signatory to the association account.

• I will be able to delegate duties to any member of my executive team.

• I can't remember all of them word for word right now.

Psychlens: Okay.

What did you see in this current administration that made you want to contest for the position?

Miss Lydia: Well it was more of what I saw in my time as AGS, I saw how things were being run in the department and it intrigued me, gave me a willingness to want to serve as much as I possibly can and in whatever position.

Psychlens: So you didn’t notice anything in this current administration, be it good or bad that could have fueled the old desire to contest for the position, now?

Or were you not at some point planning on aborting the idea of contesting?

Miss Lydia: Yes at some point I considered aborting the idea for reasons personal to me.

The current executives are doing a fantastic job that I can say I noticed.

Psychlens: So what motivated you to still pursue it?

Miss Lydia: I realized from conversations with people that there will always be moments where I want to pull out.

Psychlens: Did you notice any loophole in the current administration and you thought to yourself of ways you can fix it?

Not necessarily a big thing, but something you feel from your experience of being in the administration once as an Assistant General Secretary, that is not done properly in this administration and you think you can come in to fix it?

Miss Lydia: I can't necessarily say loopholes, I think the current administration is doing the best they can, but I think that there is always room for improvement, so I plan to build on the foundation that has already been laid.

Psychlens: What is the foundation that you want to build on?

What have they built?

Miss Lydia: I think the past administration has done a good job in establishing a structure for the department.

That summarises everything.

Psychlens: Can you elaborate on the structure the administration has established?

Miss Lydia: From what I can say, better communication and transparency are the major things.

Psychlens: So that’s what they built and you are going to build on?

Miss Lydia: Those two things are the major things that impact an administration and can actually be passed down and sustained with future administrations.

So yes I hope to build on that.

Psychlens: Okay.

What are your plans, goals and vision if elected as the president?

Miss Lydia: The backbone of my plans is making psychology practical, three things I believe all Napsites should be able to do: discover, lead, and make an impact.

I believe that if we say psychology is applicable everywhere and everywhere, the reality of that should begin with us.

I also believe that NAPSITES deserve to be led properly, with respect, responsibility and accountability.

These things shape my vision for the department.

Psychlens: Can you outline specific plans by which you intend to achieve this?

Miss Lydia: I can't do that now, as my plans are not ready to be disclosed to the public.

Psychlens: Okay. Why did you not contest for another position after your tenure as the Assistant General Secretary?

A 300-level student can also contest for the Presidential position, if your intentions were to serve as the President.

Miss Lydia: Yes I had plans to run for president but I believe everything needs proper planning, and it didn't seem right to me to jump right into another position without taking the time to think it through thoroughly.

Psychlens: During your time as the Assistant General Secretary, I’m sure you had plans, were you able to achieve them?

And what is that notable thing you did during your time there?

Miss Lydia: Yes I was, I think the notable thing I did was being able to establish a help desk for the 100-level students.

Psychlens: And lastly, what should NAPSITES expect in your administration if elected?

Miss Lydia: They should expect an all round improved communication between the executives and them, they should expect the very best that we can do as a team within our capacity.

Psychlens: Alright, thank you for your time.

Miss Lydia: My pleasure, thank you so much.