"As the press, we write, even when it doesn’t seem like it is what the world wants to read"- Sunmonu Halimat, Outgoing Deputy Editor-In-Chief

We have drawn the new curtain on another era of leadership. Another set of individuals who have left their legacy hence shaping the press and leaving a strong foundation to continue building upon. In this series, a correspondent of Queen Elizabeth II Hall Press interviewed Sunmonu Halimat Mausi, a former lifestyle editor, creative editor and the outgoing Deputy Editor-in-Chief.

QEIIHP: Good day, ma. Can you give us a brief introduction, telling us who you are, when you joined the Press, and the positions you have held as a member of Queen Elizabeth II Hall Press?

Halimat: My name is Sunmonu Halimat Mausi, a 500 level student of Forest Production and Product. I am a student of UI basically and yeah. About when I joined the press, I am proud to say that I am the oldest member of Queen Elizabeth II Hall Press. I joined Queens Hall Press 2021 around July or August. I can’t really remember. For the position I have headed, well in 100 and 200 level, I was a member, 300 level, I was the Lifestyle Editor after which I became the Fashion and Food Editor and this session, I am the Deputy Editor-in-Chief.

QEIIHP: We all know how demanding student life can be; I can personally attest to that. Combining academics with Press activities can be quite overwhelming. How were you able to navigate that phase successfully while also balancing your academics?

Halimat: School life is actually really stressful. Then combining it with press activities, was it overwhelming? Well I would say for me, I am just a little lucky to be able to manage things. Whatever I do, I don’t make it affect my academics because when I know that I want to read, I want to read. So, how was I able to manage the phase successfully? I would say manage your time well, plan well and know your priorities. I knew my priority was my academics. When I was very very active in the press, I was doing my thing well. I wouldn’t call it a super power because I know a lot of people do it well. I wouldn’t say I did anything special. When the two of them are clashing, I just use the wisdom of God to discern the one I should do first.

QEIIHP:Were there times when you felt like giving up or abandoning everything because of how demanding the Press was? Please share your experience with us.

Halimat: Well, there were times I wanted to abandon the press but I would not say it was because it is demanding. It was because I had some issues at that time.

QEIIHP: There is often a stigma attached to the press and what it represents. Can you shed more light on this perception and share your take on it?

Halimat: The press is the press because of what the press stands for. There is a part of our press prayer that says, may we be bold to confront evil and injustice. For what we do as the press, we write, even when it doesn’t seem like it is what the world wants to read. There is a stigma attached to it because we have so many people feeling like we are doing too much. Must you see everything, must you write everything? That is just it. It is best if you are comfortable with it because you cannot escape from it, so many people will not like you. In my faculty, they were dragging us. Even in Queens Hall, there were rooms I would enter and they would be like ahhh press, even on my floor. For me, I was used to it because they don’t do anything to me. It is best for every press member to live with the fact that not everybody will like them because they are press members. They are fearless in the face of injustice, they write what many read and uncover things, bringing things into the limelight. Most people are not comfortable with that because they want a lot of things to go unspoken about. 

QEIIHP: You have been a campus journalist for close to five years now. What can you say about the state of journalism at the University of Ibadan, particularly in Queen Elizabeth II Hall Press?

Halimat: For Queens Hall Press, I would say that the standard has really improved over the years. Right from my 100 level, up until now, a lot has been done. Queens Hall Press has moved from what it was at a time to now being a well known campus local press organization. It is not just to write things for the hall but also outside the hall. It is not just for Queens Hall but for the whole of the University of Ibadan. I am happy about the state. Well, I wouldn’t say it was for Queens Hall before but now we have more recognition outside the hall. 

QEIIHP: If there was one thing you could change about the state of journalism in Queen Elizabeth II Hall Press, what would it be?

Halimat: If there was one thing I would change, it would be about the fact that there isn’t much we can do when compared to other press organizations regarding our freedom of expression. I want Queens Hall Press to not just be a press organization that publishes news and all that, I want us to talk about what we are really going through as students in Queens Hall and not be scared of what is going to happen. I feel like the problem is beyond Queens Hall, it is a Uniibadan problem and particularly about Queens Hall. Even in some local press organizations, there are some things that happen that they publish but not in Queens Hall. So if there is something I want us to change, it would be that.

QEIIHP: Is journalism something you would like to pursue further in your career?

Halimat: If you asked this question in my 200 or 300 level, I would have said yes. At this point, I don’t really know. I would say I love broadcasting, I love to work in the media space. I wouldn’t say full time journalism, I would say I love broadcasting, I love the media space and would love to be part of that. Maybe, I'm still interested in it but I don’t see myself going into a full time career in it at the moment.

QEIIHP: What advice would you give to members of Queen Elizabeth II Hall Press as you leave?

Halimat: Queens Hall Press members should keep doing well and keep on getting better. Basically, personal growth is very important. Build yourself so well, not just in writing. Self discipline, accountability, sense of responsibility, leadership skills, communication skill and human relation, build yourself. Basically, whatever thing you need in the outside world, you will find it in Queens Hall Press. Also, keep upholding the values and everything that has always been in the press.

QEIIHP: As you prepare to hand over, what advice would you give to the next Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Queen Elizabeth II Hall Press, especially regarding balancing leadership with personal growth?

Halimat: What I will say to the next Deputy Editor in Chief regarding balancing leadership with personal growth. It is very important as leadership is even part of personal growth as leadership skill is one of the skills you developed that helps you grow personally. I would say that whoever the person is, the person should make sure that they lead well. I personally believe that you don’t have to be in the limelight before you lead. You can lead from behind. The next Deputy Editor-in-Chief should know that. Be a leader and also be a press man. Do not forget your own roles while you are in Queens Hall Press. Do not get absorbed in it and forget why you are in the press or about your own personal development, those should go hand in hand. 

QEIIHP: Finally, when people remember your time in student journalism, what do you hope they say about your leadership, impact, and overall journey?

Halimat: My overall journey to Queens Hall Press was a good one. I came into Queens Hall press as a shy and timid girl but I knew I love to write and just wanted to write. I did not know what I was doing, I didn’t know what I was getting into. Queens Hall Press gave me a community, it gave me friends. It was the only organization that I spent the most time with and gave my hall except RENARSA PRESS. I became a better writer, a better person outside of writing. My overall journey was more about self development, self discovery and I learnt what it actually means to be a responsible person. I also learnt that regardless of what is going on, you should still go for what you love. As when I considered leaving Queens Hall Press because of the personal issue I had, what kept me going is the fact that this press has poured a lot into me, so I can’t just leave. So basically, a sense of responsibility is very important to uphold what you have been taught, to keep moving and not lose yourself. When they remember my time, they should remember a girl that was shaped by Queens Hall Press, a girl that came out of her shell.