you feel like slacking, the push and spank you need is there.” - Babalola Blessing Adeola

As we close the chapter on a remarkable tenure, we're honored to have Babalola Blessing Adeola, a member of the Queen Elizabeth II Hall Press, sharing her reflections and insights. Join us as she shares her story, lessons learned, during her stay in the press.

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

Miss Blessing: My name is Babalola Blessing Adeola, a 400 level student of Department of Early Childhood and Educational Foundations. A content writer, voice Artist, a Fashion designer. I think that's all.

QEIIHP: what are your hobbies?

Miss Blessing: listening to songs, Reading self help books and laying on my bed all day. 

QEIIHP: Lol, laying on your bed all day? interesting! So,How would you describe your overall experience in Queen Elizabeth Hall Press?

Miss Blessing: It was curiosity piquing, one I would love to rewind.

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

Miss Blessing: Three academic sessions now. Generally, I'll say the case is the same as it is in the mainstream journalism. The pressure, the strive to voice out when all indicators screams "shut it", the victimization from student politicians a replica of what mainstream journalist face. In Queens Hall, I think the trend has been, getting excused out of conversations because of course, "you're a snitch" , when all you're actually doing is playing your role as a Campus Journalist. Unwarranted tension.

QEIIHP: Hmmm. what was the most memorable moment for you in the press?

Miss Blessing: The most memorable moment for me was the day I was interviewed, one of the requirements for my membership. Interview stage is the last stage of the recruitment process. After I obtained the recruitment form and submitted the required two articles, I was notified of an interview schedule. The fact that I dressed all up late in the night and the receptivity of my interviewers.

QEIIHP: Did your experience in Queen Hall press change or strengthen your passion for the media/press world? How?

Miss Blessing: Yes, it did. The room wasn't large but it added few inches to the height of my confidence. And I thought to always show up without excuses. I mean wearing shoe around 8pm ain't no joke.

QEIIHP: Wow! What challenges did you face along the way, and how did you overcome them?

Miss Blessing: Moving across desks weekly at the initial stage was challenging for me, especially at the point when I had to write for the Entertainment desk. But, it energized my notion of “know many about few, and little about many”, an idea across diverse desk is an added advantage.

QEIIHP: True, an idea across diverse desk is indeed an added advantage. I think I had similar experience, of course no knowledge is a waste. 

So, What skills do you think you developed or improved during your time in Queen Elizabeth II Hall Press?

Miss Blessing: Quite a lot. But the most important is the quality of my articles.

QEIIHP: Have you ever had that experience of you writing an article and it was different from what was published maybe because it lacked good quality?

Miss Blessing: For published articles, I don't think I've had any. But for submitted article, the desk editor had at a time helped navigate through coming up with something meaningful. My initial submission lacked the quality, but her guidance went a long way.

QEIIHP: What do you think makes Queen Elizabeth Hall Press unique compared to other student press organizations?

Miss Blessing: The drive that got every member tagging along. If you feel like slaking, the push and spank you need is there.

QEIIHP: If there was one thing you could change about the state of journalism in Queen Elizabeth II Hall, what would it be? Let's say you were given the position of the Editor in chief.

Miss Blessing: I think the organization is thriving at it very best. So, nothing really.

QEIIHP: If not press, what organization would you have joined?

Miss Blessing: JCI

QEIIHP: Why JCI? Is there a particular thing about JCI that you love?

Miss Blessing: Well, Anything to widen my horizon and particularly sharpen my survival and workplace skills.

QEIIHP: Workplace skills? Is it the content writing skill or what skill ma?

Miss Blessing: Taking responsibility and being accountable. That's it for me.

QEIIHP: very true, I can relate as well. What advice would you give to students who hope to contest or participate in QE Hall Press in the future?

Miss Blessing: Queen Elizabeth II Hall press, is a home I didn't get to explore for personal reasons. Do well to acquaint yourself with the family. Besides, it's a shaping arena you don't want to escape.

QEIIHP: What will you miss about the press?

Miss Blessing: The avenue to express myself in words. And of course, the submission deadline race.