Talking about politics, university campuses are seen as grassroots to gain audience and relevance. It all starts here, Reform understands this and has started building his political career early. Reform is the Student Union President of Great Ife Student Union, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, Nigeria.
Early Life.
Reform in person of Olayiwola Folahan Festus is the current president of Great Ife student union OAU, Osun State, Nigeria. Reform born Olayiwola Folahan Festus was born to the family of Elder and Mrs. Olayiwola on the 28th of December in the beautiful city of Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria where he hails from. He comes from a family of seven with five children where is the 4th child and only son. Growing up Reform had always been aligned in the political pattern as is father Elder Olayiwola always made him sit, and listen to the news at night grooming him to become a patriotic citizen. He always had to keep records of happenings in politics like present governors of each state, and happenings in the nation at large.
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Education Journey.
Olayiwola Folahan Festus for loan started his primary school studies firstly at Top crown school Ibadan, and then transferred to Royal Favour Ibadan in primary three, where he continued and concluded his primary education. After this he then proceeded to De’ Overcomers Model College Ibadan, for his secondary school education. During his senior years at De’ Overcomers Model college, his then class teacher and government teacher aroused his interest in politics. He graduated from De’ Overcomers Model College in 2016, and continued his education at Obafemi Awolowo University Centre of Distance Learning, Moro Campus for a pre-degree program. He later gained admission into the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University to the department of English Studies in 2017.
Personal Life.
Olayiwola Folahan Festus is a finalist of the department of English studies Obafemi Awolowo university, and is currently serving in the office of the President of Great Ife Student Union. Reform is a man with heart for people. He is the founder of “Student Edge”. The Student Edge is a platform that provides students the opportunity to come together to discuss problems and prefer solutions acordingly. Students edge is also a connect platform for students as connection is very paramount in any institution. In the words of Reform “your friends today are the connection your children would see tomorrow”. So we have to make good friends, and all be good friends to people around us.
Students Edge is a Non- Governmental Organization as currently Reform isn’t into any particular business, but asides academics, he has taken it upon himself to study the nitty-gritty of History. Local and international history and Politics in general. Reform utilizes any opportunity he gets to serve people as is a volunteer and member of various Non-governmental Organizations, of which include ‘Voice Against Rape And Sexual Harassment’ and ‘Global Pan Africanism Movement’.
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The Office
Reform the president of Great Ife Student Union and other electives were elected 1st September 2021, pronounced Executives-elect early hours of 2nd September 2021, and they worked for six months and six days before being sworn into office on the 8th of March, 2022. This posed to be one of the challenges he faced since the election as it has limited the capacity he can function to as he could only wait to be sworn in, and begin work fully but, this not withstanding the Great Ife Student Union President is really one with the interest of his subject at heart, as the fact that he hasn’t been sworn in hasn’t stopped him from working on a low and getting justice for his subjects in every way possible.
Among other things, the need for youths to take up responsibilities and not shy away was one of the things that inspired Reform to run for the position, he hasn’t been always particular about a union but when the opening for a position, he saw it as an opportunity to impact people with the influence of his office. His extensive study of history opened his reasoning to different African historic leaders, their flaws, their strength and the way they lead was an inspiration for him. The likes of Thomas Sankara , former president of Burkina Faso (1983-1987) and Muammar Gaddafi of Libya among others are his mentors.
The Vision.
To develop the political space of OAU community. To also be a solution provider to every situation he recognizes.
The Work Force.
There are nine executives in total , and in conjunction with the President Reform, they have been doing great and remarkable things since they came into office. All executives have been fantastic, and have contributed tremendously to the success the President’s office has recorded so far.
Achievements.
One major thing Olayiwola Folahan Festus would count as an achievement is the forum he has had to educate people, and all his community engagements, he started as being a member of the action group of the student union before the union was dissolved after which he established his registered NGO, the Student Edge in 2019.
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The Student Edge was instrumental in his success in the election, he can proudly say the Student Edge produced him the position he occupies today
Challenges.
Reform believes we learn everyday, and he hasn’t been faced with any challenge as whatever poses as one today had already been fore seen by him and expected.
The Office, Academics and Relationships.
He describes his position as one that allows more people as friends around not withstanding making new connections, he has to maintain the ones he had before coming into office as they were pivotal in making him what he is today. Reform understands that placing and arranging things in order of priority is important to strike Balance, he does plan out his day to day activities, and sticks to it with the help of the team mate he has. This strategy has proved productive, he has dedicated the day time to office activities and the night for academics.
Social Media.
Social media has had a lot of impact on his office as more supporters for his election were reached through the internet, the impact of social media is immeasurable as a lot of things that would require money can be done with just your phone and data and this helps get information across effortlessly
Wise words of Reform
“Focus and don’t lose hope”
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Social Media Handles.
Facebook: Olayiwola Folahan
Instagram: @holafolah
Twitter: @olafolahan8
LinkedIn: Folahan Olayiwola
