INTERVIEW-"The pandemic can't destroy the agenda we plan to execute"- NAPS President

 

Lakesjay

NAPS PRESS: Good evening Mr, president. It's a pleasure to be here with you again after so long a time.

MR PRESIDENT: Good evening pressman, it is a pleasure to meet you too.

NAPS PRESS:Thank you, Mr President.

I know your name is a house hold name already being the NAPS president, but could you please do a little introduction about your person for the benefit of those who don't know you?

MR PRESIDENT: The pleasure is mine.

I am Ayobami Abdul-Rahman Oke, also known as Bhambham. A 300level student and the president of our department's student associationion

NAPS PRESS : That brings us to the deal of the day; the feasibility and the challenges webbed in the Post-Covid19 new system of learning – virtual. We all know that with the aim of mitigating the effects of the deadly pandemic, Covid-19, on the students, UI has decided to go virtual.Sir, to what extent do you see the feasibility of this new development, most especially for the NAPSITES?

MR PRESIDENT:  Thank you, Pressman. As we all know already, the pandemic has shattered almost every aspect of our general existence and we are all trying to adjust to the new norm. It  is in light of this that our school has decided to make lectures virtual for the first semester, while the second semester is undecided. Although this process like any other new innovation is liable to have hiccups and major challenges, I am optimistic that with the feedback team and other complaint medium the school has created, we will adjust to the virtual lecture mode

NAPS PRESS: it'snow an anthem on every lips that this new norm might have a grave effect on the newly admitted freshmen of the NAPS, how true this couldbe from your perspective?

MR PRESIDENT: Yes, I'm also of the opinion that the virtual class mode will have grave effect on every students and the freshers most especially. This is because they are new to the system and might have had little or no  virtual class experience hitherto. However, I believe it is the responsibility of our students' association to put in place measures that will lessen the effect of this new development. And in line with the Academic Amelioration agenda of my administration, we have already constituted a NAPS Academic Unit that will be in charge of organizing tutorials and providing academic aid materials to NAPSites. Although, the plan initially was physically oriented, we are working on adjusting its mode of operation in such as way that it will be safe and efficient in our new norm.

NAPS PRESS: Freshmen would be so much ecstatic to know about this. So, does this provision include the stalites or they should go ahead bearing their crosses?

MR PRESIDENT:: The academic unit is for all levels as stated in my manifesto, infact, it will run through out the session. I will like to use this medium to thank every member of the committee for volunteering to be part of this daring project. As of now, the so called "hard departmental courses" have student tutors and we are also working on engaging the expertise of sound students of other major borrowed courses to partner with us in tutoring of these major borrowed courses. All hands are on deck to make this a reality for all levels, it is a work in progress but I'm realistically optimistic that it will be asuccess

NAPS PRESS: NAPS staIites seem to have been conditioned to a place of endless suspense as regards when  results for the 2018/2019 academic session would be released.Please Sir, do you have any vital information that can help in this regard?

MR PRESIDENT: : We are in the same boat as regards the release of our results, I'm also eager and the suspense is having a nice ride. The main reason for the delay of our results is because of the industrial action embarked upon by the non-academic staffs of the university. Since they have recently called off the strike, I believe we will get to see the results when they are fully back to work.Who knows, maybe a BOL will be the icing on the cake.(Just kidding)

NAPS PRESS: Departmental dues has also been an important issue as far as NAPSITES are concerned. Since there wouldn't be physical classes for this semester, would there still be a need for the payment of departmental dues?

MR PRESIDENT: The issue of dues and other financial payments has been a crucial issue being discussed across departments and faculties associations. While it is already stated that our first semester will be virtual, we don't know the  mode the second semester will be operated. As far as NAPS is concerned, the pandemic can't destroy the agenda we plan to execute and we are working tirelessly to adjust these plans in such a way that it will be operable in our present reality. To answer your question, yes we have to pay our dues. The reason for the delay at the moment is that we have been making consultation with the necessary stakeholders in the department and faculty. The formal announcement of the dues and other payments should be made later this week

NAPS PRESS:Has  anything been said as to when the departmental time table for this semester would be released or any news regarding the commencement of lectures?

MR PRESIDENT: Yes, I've made contact with the appropriate persons couple of time already and the reason given for the delay is the compilation and release of the faculty timetable. The first draft of the timetable was made available yesterday, so I believe we should get our departmental timetable during the week.

NAPS PRESS: Message to NAPSITES

MR PRESIDENTFor now, I will implore my fellow NAPSites to exercise patience and have trust in the process. Change is constant, this virtual lecture is the new norm we should adapt to at the moment. It is our responsibility as NAPS executives to protect the interest of NAPSites and we won't relent in doing that. Together, we can all make this work. Any other important development will be communicated through the office of the P.R.O.

NAPS PRESS: Thank you for making it a date with us Mr. President and we hope and pray for a pleasant semester ahead.

MR PRESIDENT: Thank you and the NAPS Press for having this conversation. I hope we have more of this from time to time.

NAPS PRESS :Definitely. Thank you.