"I have made peace with less sleep, more work as an Editor, it’s inevitable" - Oludare Olufunmilola, Outgoing Editor-In-Chief

As the curtains draw on another chapter in the Queen Elizabeth II Hall Press, the time comes to reflect on leadership, legacy, and the quiet resilience that sustains a newsroom. At the heart of this stands Oludare Olufunmilola, the outgoing Editor-in-Chief, a final year Law student tenure has been marked by creativity, diligence, and an unwavering commitment to truth-telling. In this conversation, she shares insights from her journey, the challenges that shaped her, and her hopes for the press she leaves behind.

QEIIHP: Good day, ma’am. The Press would be honored to have a brief interview with you. Can we meet you? 

Miss Oludare: I'm Olufunmilola Oludare, a 500-level but soon-to-be-graduate student of UI. I'm particularly interested in Family Law and Succession, Academia and Research. 

I'm the third child in a family of 6, two sisters preceding and one brother disturbing (after me, lol) I'm a very private person and I run away from problems as much as possible. I love quite a number of things, few of which include: my family, my babes, journalism, cute animals, my books (forcibly so). I love to stay indoors but I don't like to identify as an introvert because of the many stereotypes attached to it. I love fiction, writing and documenting things.

QEIIHP: We are so happy to have you. Let’s start with a bit of reflection. What has it been like serving as the Editor-in-Chief of Queen Elizabeth II Hall Press while also leading the Law Press Organization? How did you balance the demands of both?

Miss Oludare: Ok. This is a very big question. Well, I knew what I was getting into when I accepted to be double E-in-C but, I wasn’t fully prepared for it. People say challenges make you better and at times, it gives you foresight but for me, being a double E-in-C is a just a funny experience. On some days, I want to run into hiding, not minding if I'm declared missing and some other times, I move with so much zeal for this role. On my tired days, I remember the labours of my predecessors, Bolaji, Raymond, Caroline, Simi, Bibi and everyone that treaded this E-in-C path and I'm left with no choice than to push on. Asides that, I have a good structure in both LPOs, for instance, Editors in Law Press are devoted and they help with getting articles from other members even though I still communicate with each and every member privately. In Queens Hall, a similar structure exists, some articles go through rigorous editing before they get to me. Although, I never bypass any article, even if it's a food article, I go through everything that gets published. Also, I'm not E-in-C because of the title or the prestige that comes with it, bearing this in mind has instilled in me a sense of urgency and responsibility. Trust me when I say the title and prestige is nothing compared to the work. There are days when I say very nasty things to members and even editors whenever they slack and refuse to hold their ends. It comes with a lot of sacrifices too, I learnt how to make these sacrifices when I served as managing Editor under Caroline, I lost cold nights to writing articles and editing. This really helped when I became E-in-C, making sacrifices has become very normal for me and I've also learnt to stand in the gap. Caroline made us save publications whenever members refused to submit their weekly articles. The Editorial board members would come together to write articles to complete the publication tray. That was how I learnt to write on any desk at all. The only article I have not written in my entire 4 years of being a pressman is a food article. From that, I learnt that, if everyone does what they're expected to do, nobody would have to do overtime. In all, I'm a better writer and editor and I'm thankful I get to experience this.

Thank you!

QEIIHP: You’ve managed to excel academically, maintaining a first-class in Law, one of the most demanding courses, while being actively involved in campus journalism. What strategies or habits helped you sustain that level of excellence?

Miss Oludare: I honestly don't have habits, strategies or anything like that. All I know is that I must excel academically, those before me did it and I have no excuse not to do it too. I read when I must, I try to read at length and also rest at length. For instance, read for 4-7 hours straight and without my phone or laptop. I'm just there with my materials, snacks and biro. When I'm resting, I do that well too. Although, some days come with resting and working at the same time. I lay down most times to write and edit articles. For me, I get to rest my body and work at the same time. I take breaks when I need to. I have support systems too, two of them actually, I love to call them my babes. My story in UI is not complete without them. They've been a major push for me to excel academically because they are excellent too. Shout out to Bisola and Victor. Thank you guys.

And I didn't just build the grades, I started building at 100-level. I won't say I'm resting now in my final year but, I'd say it's easier to sleep at night knowing fully well that your grades are secured.

QEIIHP: That just tells how goal oriented you are as a person. Many student leaders struggle with burnout or time conflicts. Was there ever a point when you felt overwhelmed by your commitments? If yes, how did you navigate that phase?

Miss Oludare: Everyday comes with its burnout and time conflicts, in fact, they're new every hour. Like I said, on some days, I want to run away. However, I restrategize and retrace my steps. I use to-do lists a lot. A whole lot, but at some point, I began to experience intense anxiety whenever I don't finish everything on my to-do list so, I stopped for a while because it was beginning to affect me (mentally). I recently picked it up again and I don't let it pressurize me, I just do as much as I can and move. I try to cut down on sleep to cover more grounds. I have made peace with less sleep, more work as an editor. It's inevitable.

QEIIHP: As someone who has led two distinct press organizations, what would you say are the biggest differences, and perhaps similarities, in managing both teams?

Miss Oludare: Ok, communication in Queens is easier and more effective because Queens Hall is my home. I only get to see Law Press members during our meetings on Fridays. For Law Press, they're more. We're about 35 or so, communicating with everyone is not very easy but, when I do, the responses are faster. For the similarities, honestly, I'm the only similarity I have noticed so far. Asides members of Law Press who are also members of Queens Press, I am the only common ground. This is because things work differently in both organizations and even though I try to marry the differences, both press organisations stand out.

QEIIHP: It is quite visible that you married the difference well and managed to bring the best out of it. Congratulations once again, Chief.

Miss Oludare: Thank you. 

QEIIHP: Leadership often comes with difficult decisions. Can you share a moment when you had to make a tough call as Editor-in-Chief and what you learned from it?

Miss Oludare: In games, there's something they call difficulty level. I make difficult decisions everyday. For instance, spending 4-5 hours editing and coordinating publication when I initially planned to do it within 2-3 hours. But, I have come to terms with the fact that the least resource I have at my disposal is time. So, I manage my expectations once it comes to editing articles. For the moment I made a very tough decision, I kicked out certain persons from the press because they were inactive and were stressing me. About 3-4 of them. For what I learnt... everyone cannot do the work, some fall off just along the way and that's ok.

QEIIHP: Must have been really difficult making such decisions and sacrifices.

Miss Oludare: Yeah, right. 

QEIIHP: Outside of journalism and academics, how did you maintain your personal relationships, friendships, family, or otherwise, amidst such a packed schedule?

Miss Oludare: Well, family and friends are important. In fact, it is very very important. Speaking of family, my parents are my biggest supporters. Although they do not have the full idea of what I do in school, they are not entirely clueless. I must say, my parents are very supportive. My sisters and brother are warm too, they understand that I might not be chanced to always hold up a camera in my face to catch up on family time but they love me and I love them too. For my friends, I don't have a lot of them, I can count my close friends on one hand. It's easier to maintain my relationship with them. This is not to say I don't speak to other persons, I do speak and interact with other persons but not as much as my allies. I believe everyone is busy, it is the intentionality to make time to nurture your relationships that matters. That, I have done in the past few months.

QEIIHP: Some might say that journalism and law are two sides of the same coin: both involve truth, advocacy, and articulation. How has your experience as a journalist shaped your perspective as a law student (and vice versa)?

Miss Oludare: I believe that Law and Journalism are power couples, a match made by justice.  For how Law has shaped my perspective and approach towards journalism, I've learnt to only back true and verifiable information, down also to giving credit to whom it is due as I do not want to be caught in the web of defamation and IP suits.

Writing is the cornerstone of Journalism so it comes in handy for me. Law Students only write essay exams, not German, not McQs, Essays. Being a Journalist has helped me to write well in Law exams. I don't struggle with creativity. Although, Law exams do not give so much room for creativity because we deal mostly with principles, cases, legislations and exceptions, it still helps. I can employ perspectives and spread as much as I want to. Journalism has also helped me to speak better and dish my legal ten cents. I am a shy person, I avoid outings without my friend because I don't enjoy going out alone and speaking with people I am not familiar with, I'd rather just sleep in. I struggle with a little bit of social anxiety so I don’t exactly speak. 

However, I'm better now; journalism has pushed me out; it has exposed me.

QEIIHP: We love the confidence that the press brings out in you. Looking back, what would you say has been your proudest moment as a campus journalist?

Miss Oludare: I just want to see my members scale hurdles, honestly. For instance, my politics and opinion editors at both press organizations won UCJ essay competitions. I was very happy. I also remember when Law Press won best Faculty Press last session, it is one of the moments I hold dear.

QEIIHP: Congratulations, Chief. It is only a testament of your good leadership.

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

Miss Oludare: I just want her to see beyond the title, prestige, awards and gratification. It is beyond that; leadership is service. She must be ready to give herself completely to service and follow up on the girls. It's fine to crash out and take breaks when needed, tread carefully and hold her head high.

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

Miss Oludare: That I don't like stress and I run away from problems as much as possible. For leadership, I hope everyone agrees that I gave myself to service and for my journey, that I was a cute soft girl who made things happen.

QEIIHP: The entire community of Queen Elizabeth II Hall Press is cheering for you. We can't wait to see what life has in store for you and above all, we appreciate your sacrifices for us and we will miss you.

Miss Oludare: The feeling is mutual. I will miss seeing you guys!