Pressman: Good evening ma'am, I'm Mayokun from NSASA press.
Miss Tawakalt: Good evening, I'm Tawakalt from Asido Campus Network, UI.
Pressman: Can you tell us more about yourself please?
Miss Tawakalt: I'm a final year student of the Department of Psychology and I'm the President of the Asido Campus Network, UI.
Pressman: Can you tell us what Asido Campus network is all about?
Miss Tawakalt: Asido Campus Network is the youth arm of Asido Foundation, a mental health NGO. Asido Campus Network is a student-led mental health advocacy club with the goal to promote mental health awareness and well-being amongst students in campuses.
We do this through research, awareness campaigns, rallies, fundraising events, partnerships and collaboration with other organizations, trainings, Webinars, seminars, art (as seen in our Matters That Matter event where we used stage play, dance and music, and oratory to discuss mental health). Asido Campus Network, UI (ACNUI) is the pioneer chapter but we have chapters in FUNAAB, OAU, LAUTECH, UNILAG, ABU Zaria, LEAD CITY and LASU.
Pressman: Can you tell us more about the origin of this network? When it was founded and the people behind the establishment?
Miss Tawakalt: Asido Foundation was founded in 2020 by Dr Jibril Abdulmalik. Asido Campus Network was formally registered in the University of Ibadan in January, 2020. The Pioneer President of Asido Campus Network is Dr Semiloore Atere who was a student at the time.
Pressman: What are the goals and objectives of Asido Campus Network?
Miss Tawakalt: To increase awareness on matters relating to mental health.
To reduce stigma, stigmatization and discrimination associated with mental illness and disorders.
To prevent suicide through education and outreach events.
To promote help seeking behaviours and emotional wellbeing practices.
To play a pivotal role in referring students to professional resources.
Pressman: If I'm correct, you recently took on the mantle of leadership in Asido, how was your journey as a member and how was your journey to being a president like?
And finally, how has been your journey so far as the president of Asido been?
Miss Tawakalt: I did not recently become the President. I became the President in March, 2023. I joined ACNUI in 2020 as part of the Publications Team during the lockdown. I love writing about mental health so I started writing as a member of the team. I became an editor for our series #Let'sTalkMentalHealth, then became the Editor in Chief of the publications team. In 2022, I served the Vice-President for ACNUI and was appointed as the President in 2023.
What has really helped me in my journey in ACNUI is my genuine interest and passion for mental health. I love everything we do at ACNUI and it's easy to contribute to a mission I strongly believe in.
I look forward to a day when every student in UI has optimal well-being and that vision is exactly that of ACN.
Pressman: This is quite a journey.
However, I know you are a final year student of the University of Ibadan. How has it been shuffling your academics, project and your duties as the President of ACN?
Miss Tawakalt: To be honest, it can be hard. When the session started in August, we had a major project to plan and execute (Matters That Matter), I was working on the preliminary research for my project as well alongside taking majority of my courses in first semester so I could have enough time to focus on my project this semester. I struggled at that point. I'm sure we know how hard fundraising and project management can be.
However, I have an amazing team. The executive council are impressive people and that makes work a lot easier. I also had lovely people - ACNUI ambassadors, and Alumni checking up and helping out in any way they can. Our staff advisers make processes smooth as well so it has been a huge help.
How I personally shuffle my duties is mostly prioritization, time management and knowing when to ask for help.
Pressman: How's the recruitment process for ACNUI like? For those who would like to be a member of ACNUI.
Miss Tawakalt: We usually have calls for recruitment at the beginning of the semester. We just concluded the application for this semester. After applications, there's interview, probation where you're expected to work with other recruits to execute a mental health project in UI while undergoing orientation and mental health training. Afterwards, we screen the applicants again through several methods and successful applicants are inducted.
Pressman: Can you please tell us what the University of Ibadan students stand to gain in ACNUI?
Miss Tawakalt: As ambassadors?
Pressman: Yes and as members
Miss Tawakalt: Our members are ACNUI ambassadors.
Any University of Ibadan student interested in mental health and leadership should definitely be in the club. ACN is the only student-led mental health advocacy club in UI. Every ambassador gets the chance to be educated and trained on peer support and psychological first aid, mental health and get opportunities for personal development.
Regardless of what your interests are, there's a part of ACNUI where you'll fit in. You get a supportive community where you can grow and develop while advocating for increased mental health awareness and providing better mental health support to others around you.
Pressman: Finally, what advice do you have for female student leaders like you?
Miss Tawakalt: My advice is for students in general. Most students want to hold leadership positions just to add it to their CV and tick it on their resume. However, leadership requires a high level of responsibility and it's a phase of learning and development. Don't just take the most prestigious positions or apply for a post for applying sake, genuinely apply for only those posts that you feel comfortable with and align with your personal goals. I'll also like to say that you don't have to hold a position to be a leader, start by doing excellent where you are right now.
For female student leaders, don't shrink yourself just to fit societal expectations of you. Lead with honor, integrity and confidence. You're setting an example. You'll not always be here, be exceptional in your role and leave that position knowing that you've made it easier and better for the next person taking up that role.
Pressman: Thank youuuuuuu very much for the audience.
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