The Obafemi Awolowo Hall Literary and Debating Society has made waves in the Jaw War 2023 competition so far. In an interview with Awo Press, the Awo LnD president, Aisha Yusuf shared her feelings on her team’s participation and her journey so far.
What can you tell us about yourself?
I’m Aisha Yusuf, a 400-level student. I’ve been involved in public speaking since I was in 100 level, so sometimes I feel old when I think of the number of competitions I’ve gone to and just how much I’ve grown in terms of public speaking.
You’ve been the President of the Awo LnD since this session. What were the concerns you faced upon succession?
I think this is something my predecessors also faced, at least the last two. This is my third time being an executive and there are things that go on behind the scenes that we don’t know as members. We start knowing them when we become leaders – like getting accommodation. That was like the craziest thing. There was a time I used to stay with a friend in Agbowo. Then I would come to school every day to look for the previous hall warden in her school and hall office every single day, to the extent that the security woman at her office knew me. But then with a stroke of luck, the hall warden was changed, the policies changed and everyone can easily get accommodation. When that happened, it was a big relief. I was so worried of the technicalities of having LnD members staying off campus. Our meetings are always at night and we have meetings several times a week. It was just not going to work outside the hall.
So, you had just one concern?
That’s like the biggest thing really, there are always issues that I’m sure every LnD face. Just like the fact that some of our seasoned speakers no longer stay on campus and its really difficult getting a hold of them. One thing we try to do in Awo LnD is ensure that our speakers stay on campus, no matter how much you want to be active, if you’re not staying on campus it’s not very easy. Another challenge was that one of our executives had to resign because she was not able to resume to the hall.
The choice of speakers for the first leg of the Jaw War hall category was a bold move (having a rookie as the second speaker). Was it intentional and what influenced this decision?
This is one thing I really want to talk about. Yeah, it was very intentional. A lot of people doubted the move. Our alumni (the former president, vice president, speech coaches) they’ve been really supportive, they’ve been active. After we were done practicing, I called them to listen to our speakers, they were like “We know Nafisat, Georgeana, Anjola but this Lily person.” “Are you sure?” “You guys are facing Tedder”. Tedder has been the only hall that has beaten us in the past two Jaw Wars, they’re literally our nemesis and we needed to avenge those losses. A lot of people doubted it, but I remember our former President telling me she trusts my judgement. I’m a person who believe everyone should be given equal chances. We opened it up for everyone to write speeches and we were going to pick based on speeches and delivery. Her speech was good and she has a good delivery, it was something I could work with. She worked hard, every single day she trained for 3 hours and she worked till she achieved what she wanted in a day. I doubted myself a few times but I didn’t doubt the choice. She was good and she can only get better. The reason for me was that a number of our speakers are finalists and some are 500 level students, so what happens when they graduate or are not interested in speaking again? And Awo has to face say Bello or Tedder again? We just had to risk it and have some of our speakers get their faces out there, so when they come next year, they’re not first timers. This year thankfully, some of our girls represented their faculties and we were there to support them even when they were speaking against the faculties of other members. We have 3 new guys that have spoken at Jaw War. People like me, Nafisat, Georgeana and Anjola won’t be here again and if we don’t speak Awo LnD will still be fine.
The second leg of the hall category ended with a win for the Awo LnD. How did that feel?
I think the happiest day in my life as a UI student will be when Awo wins on May 5 by Gods grace but that came very close. After the first leg, people that were probably slightly doubting had the opportunity to say it to my face. Tedder brought their President and Vice president, obviously they took Awo serious and they felt Awo wasn’t serious enough. But we are serious. When people asked, I had zero doubts that we would eliminate the 1% margin. It doesn’t get better than bringing Nafisat and Georgeana, our current vice-president and our former vice-president. I was really happy. Seeing the videos, I’m happy I’m short because they couldn’t notice me against the taller guys. I was jumping and someone was rolling on the floor, these girls knew how much effort we put it in and it was really gratifying. After the first leg, I started doubting some things. I doubted if hard work really pays and if it was something people say to motivate us because we worked so hard to lose. So, when we won it was a surreal feeling.
As the only female hall moving to the quarter finals, do you feel that Awo LnD has gone past representing just Awo hall?
Hmmm…when discussions take the sexist angle I try to step back because I’m opinionated in this topic and my opinions aren’t what many may agree with. Awo LnD representing female halls isn’t my cup of tea. I feel bad that Idia didn’t beat Indy and I think that they have what it takes to win. I’m not trying to bring them down, it’s not a male or female thing. Gender roles are not used in public speaking, female halls just don’t put in that much effort to be candid but I think Awo has been changing that narrative since 2018. People don’t know the amount of work we put in, it’s like a fever for us and in some instances its bigger than academics. It’s a big deal for Awo because of the effort we put in but I don’t think it means anything for female halls. God forbid Awo loses in the quarter finals, there are people who will celebrate that female halls are finally out. So, I think it is a thing for Awo LnD members, for Awo hall itself but I don’t think it’s anything for other female halls to celebrate. Everyone should just really straddle up and beat those guys, they have what it takes to beat them. There’s nothing holding us back really.
What can we expect from Awo LnD in the quarter finals?
We are not going to hold back. I was thinking of the advantage of taking risks versus going all out but I think the only risks we are going to take is what we’ve taken in the first round. Every round moving forward we will field our best speakers; we are not going to be holding back. We are going to face everyone as if it is the finals, our opponents should better anticipate that but if they don’t – good for me. People can continue guessing our speakers but when they see them, the response will be that’s a smart choice.
Will you be making an appearance in the next event?
I can’t say. The only commitment I can make is that I’m going to speak at this year’s Jaw War for Awo. However, I’m not going to say what round yet. By 4pm on the day I’ll be speaking, we will trend our speakers. You will see us that day.
OBAFEMI AWOLOWO HALL PRESS 
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