Against All Odds, I Was Determined. The Experiences I Am Gathering Are For Me To Return Home And Utilise – Raji Destiny

Raji Ibrahim Bamidele is a graduate of the prestigious Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta and a proud son of Ogun State, Nigeria. He is the President of Union Development for Hull University Students’ Union. In this exciting exclusive interview with ValidViewNetwork, Raji Destiny as he is popularly known shared his thoughts and the journey to becoming the President of the Union among other issues.

Can we meet you please?  

I am Raji Ibrahim Bamidele known as Raji Destiny, a graduate of Accounting from the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria and MSc Logistics and Supply Chain from University of Hull in the UK, currently the President of Union Development for Hull University Students’ Union.  My tenure as the president of the Union started in July 2023 and runs through to July 2024.
 
What were your formative stages of life like? 

I hail from a very humble background in Abeokuta, where having three square meals a day was a luxury. My father, a retired civil servant and taxi driver, struggled to provide for his children’s education. My mother, a petty trader, worked hard to support the family.  

During my formative years, I faced financial hardships to further my education. I worked as a salesboy, selling Tokunbo tyres at a popular place known as Oke Itoku in Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. Subsequently, I made a very hard decision working as a security personnel at the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta adjacent my Secondary School, Abeokuta Grammar School, where I was the Senior Prefect (Headboy). My financial struggles led to isolation from classmates as I worked tirelessly to secure admission to the university. This challenging experience reinforced my determination to overcome obstacles, pursue higher education and succeed in life, I am not there yet but I am today way better, thank God. The challenges were daunting but with God and determination, I was able to surmount them them. It is not yet uhuru as there are greater challenges ahead.

You graduated from the Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta, Nigeria. How would you describe the University? 

The Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB) is a great citadel. Without sounding immodest, not many universities in Nigeria can compare with the University in terms of academic standard. The aesthetic nature of the environment is of global standard. I had great experience while at the University with the expertise of the lecturers, there’s great discipline and of course cost effective. We got in value what people paid Millions to acquire at really cheap amount. The University prepared me in all rounds for life after school and I am glad I attended the University. The lessons from the University have continued to impact and guide my life.  

What informed your choice of Hull University? 

Cost of the tuition, cost of living in the city coupled with standard of the University Business School. They were all in one great factor and I didn’t regret the choice. I will recommend the university over and over again.

What would you say inspired you to set out for the leadership of the Students Union in Hull? 

Leadership has always been part of my life. Despite my financial challenges, I always feel the urge to provide direction for others. I was Headboy in my Primary and Secondary school, I took part in Union activities at FUNAAB for 4 years. I think helping people around me is a lifelong motivation and every time I do it, people deemed me fit to lead them. I have engaged in many leadership activities in Hull which created trust people had in me to become their President and so far so good, there’s no regret. 

 
Can you share major experiences of your emergence as the President? 

It was a tough election one with many challenges. We had an online voting that ran for a week. However, due to some observed malpractices, the election was cancelled at the verge of announcement with about five candidates disqualified. We had another election that was open ballot where I emerged victorious with over 50% of total votes cast for the role. Elections don’t involve too many posters and noise disturbing the environment here, you appeal to people on your choice without forcing it on them and await the outcome. People must be able to choose their leaders without having to wait on a $1 gift to be able to execute their right judiciously or be coerced into it. 

Did you observe any form of discrimination? 

Well, based on my personal experience in the UK, here feels like home, I have gotten to meet many loving people from class to work even at events. I definitely have no bad experience like my friends in other countries do narrate. I also work with people who appreciate the substance in me and not judgemental. Overall, it’s been a very remarkable experience most especially with the University.

Were you involved in Students Activism back home in Nigeria?  

I was very well involved, I served as legislative member of Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta Students Union (FUNAABSU) for two years, contested to become President but wasn’t successful where I later became the Chief Judge of the Union in the wisdom of the President, Olawale Olajumoke Hollar Hollar, I have campaigned for some previous NANS Presidents like Chinonso Obasi. Dotun Opaleye was my colleague in FUNAABSU, he later became the NANS JCC Ogun Chairman the year we served together. I was very active to highest level, but I did it only while I was in school. My College, College of Management Sciences ( COLMAS) was freshly established in FUNAAB, we established faculty association and all departments also had one, that was the first of its kind in the university history then within our short stay to have all associations running. I served in various capacities during my NYSC year as well in Kano State. I always take every opportunity to serve serious. 

How do you feel about delisting of COLMAS from JAMB Admission

Within a very short time, COLMAS made remarkable impacts producing great men and women who are doing well globally. Sincerely, I cannot wait for the Federal Government to reinstate this College that has produced me and many others. The advantages of the College to the nation are multidimensional and I hope all those concerned will revisit the issues concerning the College and commence admission of students.

How would you describe Activism in Nigeria and in Hull?  

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They are entirely two different things. In Nigeria, students manage everything including governance and business while University management sometimes provide support which in most cases is to manage the Union affairs to their whims but in the UK, Student Unions run as Charity with Board of Trustees and management staff that are employed to work full time supporting the President and other Students Representatives. Students Unions in the UK have businesses that run in millions of pounds annually and the relationship with the University is mutual and of partnership unlike in Nigeria where we depend on annual dues and little businesses. Politicians have also made things worse, youthful exuberance is on rampage because of reduced proper management structure and monitoring. Here, President is accountable, you must fulfil your manifestoes and other responsibilities else you would be removed, I give account of my activities monthly.  

How did you feel when you emerged as the President? 

I felt very happy, I was in London during the announcement, and I just started receiving messages and calls asking where I was, I never knew I had to be physically present but in all, I felt really glad and appreciated all the voters for and against my mandate. 

You have spent some time in the office now, what are the major lessons? 

What’s making countries like the UK work is because there’s huge discipline, accountability and people don’t use their position for selfish gains. There’s absolutely nothing stopping Nigeria as a nation to be whatever we want to be, but can we be disciplined, accountable and selfless? 
 
When is your tenure coming to an end and what are the things you will love to be remembered for? 

My tenure will end in July 2024, I have opportunity to recontest for second term, but I won’t because I want to make this one time a lifetime experience for the Union and the University generally. I want to be remembered for everything I stand for, I have some remarkable achievements in sustainability, accommodation, transportation, safety, campus internationalisation etc they are all huge and I don’t want to be forgotten with all the changes I have brought even on governance. 

How did you feel delivering the emotional convocation address?

I never knew the introduction will get audience attention as such. It was a great moment for me and I cannot take it for granted.
 
What major issues will you put on the front burner if you have an opportunity of speaking with the Nigerian President? 

Exchange rate and price of petrol have the most devastating effects on common man in Nigeria. These two factors largely determine a lot of our economic models most especially at the grassroots. Government need to do a lot to ensure that we promote local manufacturing, reduce our penchants for foreign products and see remarkable changes in few years on our overall economy. Government should also ease the process of traveling abroad, India today has countless of CEOs leading global brands, their activities in places like the UK, Canada, USA etc are remarkable because they have supportive government and are united. The experiences I am gathering are for me to return and utilise at home. 

Your advice for Nigerian students travelling abroad for study? 

Studying abroad is a huge investment which I will definitely encourage anyone to go for, it’s a life changing opportunity. Consider University with low tuition and great outcome, city with low cost of living and friendly environment because all these would reshape and impact your overall experience when you travel. 

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