Meet Your Excos—General Secretary
An Exclusive Interview With Daniel Aghahowa
As we conclude the first half of the session, it’s only right for us to get to know our excos personally and see what they’ve been up to so far and their plans for the rest of the session. In this article, we had a sit down with Daniel Aghahowa, our faculty’s General Secretary.
This interview has been shortened and edited for clarity
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I am Aghahowa Daniel, a 500 level student of the department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering in the University of Lagos, Nigeria. I am also a Product designer with over 3 years experience of crafting seamless and intuitive experiences for users. I am the 2nd of 3 children, I am good at basically anything I lay my hands on, hence I have a vast range of interests from music to art to sports to design to chess to fitness to engineering to gaming.
What inspired you to pursue your role as a ULES Executive?
I always want to make an impact in my immediate surroundings, but I also believe that its one thing to have passion, and its another thing to be better equipped to execute/chase your passion. I believe that being a ULES executive substantially amplifies my range and reach as a change maker in my immediate society.
Who would you name as your role models or influencers?
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is my biggest role model. He’s basically HIM.
What are some experiences or milestones that have shaped your journey or that you're most proud of?
My first ever leadership position in the university was when I became a class representative in my second year. After this I contested for the position of the ULES Assistant General Secretary against 4 other people in higher levels. It seemed impossible, but I came through and I achieved a lot in office during my tenure. This inspired me to go for the SEES General Secretary, luckily I was uncontested this time, and also after I ran for the ULES General Secretary. These experiences have shaped me to be the leader I am today and a served as a launchpad to a successful leadership career in any sphere of life i find myself.
Are there any upcoming projects or initiatives within the faculty you are excited about?
Yes, expect a lot of amazing announcements this forthcoming semester.
How do you balance school, your exco duties and your personal life?
I believe its being very intentional about how I use my time to the very second. Planning out even time to call my mom, and executing each one. Its the same old time management you hear everywhere, but a very refined version.
Can you share any favorite books, podcasts or article that has had a significant impact on you?
Trading in the zone. That book changed my perspective of life, though it was a book on the financial markets.
What do you hope to accomplish this academic session?
Attain a perfect G.P.A and a successful tenure as the General Secretary, whilst not letting my design career suffer. Money must be made.
We all know how demanding engineering can be, has there been any moment where things were tough academically and how did you navigate that?
Academics has never been overwhelming for me. If I am not going to be serious in a semester, I just do the bare minimum. If I want to be very serious, I go all out.
What was your Welcome to the Faculty of Engineering moment?
Since the beginning of time, C++ exam had always been 3 questions answer any two, all 3 questions from different topics. I planned I won't learn a topic and master the other two. So I wont answer it in exam. In the exam, the topic I planned not to learn was number one, compulsory, and 40 out of 60 marks. I managed to get an E in the course. 40 on the dot.
Can you give a brief summary of what your role entails?
I act as the voice of the people whilst being the head of the ULES Secretariat. I convene all Executive and General Meetings of ULES at the request of the President. I prepare the ULES Academic Calendar for the session. Work and check-in with other leading members to make sure things are getting done. Represent the student body at school district, civic functions, and other meetings as requested by the president. Maintain student body files. All official communications to and from the student body go through the General Secretary. Present the Annual Budget of the ULES body to the Sub Dean of the Faculty of Engineering.