INTERVIEW WITH OBINNA OKOROAFOR, NUASA's NEW PRESIDENT

OBINNA OKOROAFOR is the new president of NUASA (Nigerian Universities Accounting Students Association), Crawford University Chapter. He speaks to MACBRUCE KEZIA GRACE in an interview with the Crawford Students Press Club (CSPC)

Excerpts:
Q: Can we meet you?

OBINNA: I am Okoroafor Obinna, an indigene of Abia state and a 400 level student of Accounting.

Q: You were elected as the new president of the department of Accounting (at the end of last session) which by the way is the most populated department in Crawford University. What is the motivation behind your decision top contest for the post?

OBINNA;
*smiles*

Like you said, NUASA is the most populated department in the school and with that pedigree; it should have a great impact on the members and the school as a whole.  NUASA should be able to stand out amongst other associations in the school and that is the motivating factor behind my eventual decision to become the president. I want to project NUASA within Crawford University.

Q: You want to project NUASA? Exactly how are you going to achieve this? Because I’m sure your predecessor said the same thing and your successor would also say that.

OBINNA: There are two basic sectors through which NUASA can bloom into elevated relevance in the school. These two are the Academic and Social sector of the association. You see, Academics shouldn’t be all about Grades alone. There are other phenomenal activities that can be juxtaposed with academics which would culminate into total success and all round significance for NUASA as a whole.  Debates, Seminars etc should be integrated into the stream of activities that NUASA would carry out and these all together would definitely project NUASA within Crawford and we would be highly noticeable within the school.

Q: As a new President, I believe you have a set of goal you want to achieve during your tenure. So what are our Long and short term goals as the president?

OBINNA: Well, my long term goals like I early mentioned is making the department stand out amongst others. That would be a function of the short term goals. These short term goals are;

* Strengthening the relationship between students of the department and the lectures to better their performance.
* Going for Excursions (very important)
*Holding an exclusive week that would be the Best next session.

There are other goals that i hope to achieve as we progress into the new academic session. I believe that with the support of my wonderful executive members as well as the members of the department, we shall achieve them.

Q: Amen! How do you intend to achieve your goals?

OBINNA: that would depend on the level of our preparation. By “Our”, I mean, NUASA Executives. Trust me, I won’t tolerate an executive member that is just around to fill the void because all must be prepared for the task ahead and if there is any one taking us back, I’m ready to drop such a person and move on

Q: Talking tough there...! In the course of achieving your objectives, what are the expectations you desire from yourself and from your Excos?

OBINNA: I want cooperation from both my executives and members of the department. For me, I want to accomplish all my said goals, so I am expecting tenacity and ultimate success from myself.

Q: On a lighter note, I know you to be a very reserved person and I happen to see girls mostly around you, probably because of your intelligence I don’t know.  But is there any girl who’s got your heart or anyone you’re crushing on?

OBINNA:  *Laughs* …Oh Yeah, but I’ll keep the details to myself.

Q; So what do you think are the qualities a good president should possess?

OBINNA: For me, I am a President and I should be open to opinions, should be able to get things done as at when due, should lead by example, and should be diplomatic in taking decisions.

Q: Finally, what do you have to say to encourage CRU students this coming session, NUASA students in particular?

OBINNA; Hmm… well, the key to success I have come to realise in all our endeavour is time management, which is something I will like to encourage everybody  not only Accounting students to put practice this coming session . For those students with a problem or problems, other, there is room for improvement.