Interview with the NAPS, UI Presidential Aspirant

By Caleb Faniyan

PSYCHLENS PRESS: Good day ma'am, I'm Caleb from Psychlens Press and I have a few questions regarding your aspirations for an executive position in the Nigerian Association of Psychology Students, UI Chapter. Can you give briefly introduce yourself?

Ms. Grace: Hello Mr. Caleb, my name is Grace Yusuf. A 300L student of the Department of Psychology,  University of Ibadan. I'm deeply pleased to meet you, sir.

PSYCHLENS PRESS: What position are you vying for in the upcoming NAPS elections?

Ms. Grace: I am vying for the Presidential position of the department, UI chapter.

PSYCHLENS PRESS: You are vying for the highest position in the Association. Surely, that comes with a lot of responsibilities. Can you briefly explain what spurred your decision?

Ms. Grace: Well, I wouldn't call it the highest position. It seems fair to call it the position with the highest responsibilities, but that doesn't make it the "highest" position. 

In light of this perspective, permit me to go a bit personal. 

Before I declared my intention to run for this position, I shared it with my decision partner and he asked me "Why?". In plain terms, this was what I told him: To change perspectives. 

More of this will be shared in my manifesto, but let me say something brief. It's never about being a female president, it's about helping people see that they are more than students. And this will be elaborated on Manifesto night if permitted.

PSYCHLENS PRESS: According to the NAPS, UI constitution, what do you understand as the primary responsibilities of the President, and do you think you have what it takes to fulfill them without defaulting?

Ms. Grace: The primary responsibilities of the President can be summarized into Effective Leadership. It's a position that involves you consistently and crazily giving, with an expected return of taking many things back; and that is what makes it effective, the feedback. 

This includes feedback from your fellow executives, the results you achieve, and NAPS as a whole. 

Fulfilling these responsibilities isn't always the problem, but doing it excellently. I've been privileged to occupy several leadership positions, mostly outside the school environment. And I can say that beyond the activities of this office, three things are the pillars; strength, wisdom, and people. And fulfilling them excellently is not far-fetched with the presence of fellow executives willing to make many sacrifices as needed to reach the common goal for the department.

PSYCHLENS PRESS: Do you have any previous experience as an office holder in a students' association or any hall of residence?

Ms. Grace: Not at all sir, asides from being a member of the social committee in NAPS, UI for the 2020/2021 administration

PSYCHLENS PRESS: Can you share your long-term vision for the student's association and how you plan to work towards achieving it during your tenure as the President if elected?

Ms. Grace: My long-term vision is to work together with every willing NAPSites to broaden our minds across international borders, be it in academics, business, career, and every other sphere of influence needed. 

And of course, I plan to achieve it with the capable hands of fellow executives. I see the mighty hands working together with me as executives already, and I'm certain we won't lag in this administration. When wisdom and strength have been made available in togetherness, what's left is the people. And I trust NAPSites to demand excellence, as well as give it to their executives. With these, it is tactically possible.

PSYCHLENS PRESS: What are the anticipated challenges attached to the office you are vying for, and how do you intend to overcome them?

Ms. Grace: The anticipated challenges might be the vacant positions available at the moment. All hands must be on deck, and the bye-election will be an excellent strategy to get it done.

PSYCHLENS PRESS: This brings us to the end of this interview. Thank you for your time, Ms. Grace. I wish you the best in your endeavors. Enjoy the rest of your day.