Jaw War’21: This is The Best So Far – Otito-Jesu, TLDS President.
The 2021 edition of Jaw war, the largest public speaking event in Sub-sahara Africa has gotten to its final stages and it promises to serve us with a yet to be experienced before finals and it has giant halls of residence and faculties matched up again each other for the prize at this year’s event.
Since the commencement of this year’s edition of the competition, it has served the teeming populace with remarkable renditions from the participants. However, in this year’s finals, Alexander Brown Hall (ABH) would be facing off against Lord Tedder Hall for the crown in the Halls of residence category while the Faculty of Arts will have to wade off a stern challenge from the Faculty of Clinical Sciences to claim the crown for the Faculty category.
This year’s finals is with a different twist, for the first time in the history of the Jaw War, it would be hosting its national championship with universities all over the country coming to battle in the University of Ibadan for the crown as the best university with regards to public speaking in Nigeria. Also, the year’s event will be held at the International Conference Center of the host university, the University of Ibadan, a feat that is worth commending. To this end, CAMPUS NEWS caught up with the president of The Literary and Debating Society, Mr Ayeni Otito-Jesu to discuss issues surrounding the Jaw war’21 generally, the wins, lessons, landmark achievement and much more. Also, there was prime focus on the finals.
CAMPUS NEWS: It’s been a wonderful journey so far with Jaw War’21, if you are to rate the way everything has turned out how would you rate your efforts and the output, owing to the limitations that you might encounter at the beginning of the whole process?
Mr Ayeni Otito-Jesu: I am excited and proud of this administration because we have successfully improved on the standards of Jaw War, positively changed the narrative and strategically increased the chances of Jaw War becoming a household name in Nigeria. Our output is commensurate to the effort we have put in, looking at it from the various angles, as it concerns Jaw War and TLDS as a whole
CAMPUS NEWS: The Bello scenario, what exactly happened. How were you able to cope with all the allegations from The Sultan Bello L&D and how were you able to move forward from that situation because it was first a shocker when Bello pulled out
Mr Ayeni Otito-Jesu: Well, what happened was distasteful, however, as a society, we understand that society is bigger than anybody else and everybody including the Bello Senator agrees that the society has to move on, the society has to be better and we just try our best to be as transparent as possible.
The entire episode was a good opportunity for society to learn how to handle dissenting voices properly, institutional memory and how to keep records and be tidy with our records. It was a very great learning experience for not just me but everybody on the team and society as a whole. I do hope such doesn’t happen again
CAMPUS NEWS: Concerning the national event, let’s talk about it. Finally it’,s becoming a reality, what should we expect from the finals, it’s the first of it kind, first of, how do you feel has been the one to see to the actualisation of this dream, because it must have been conceived by past L&D Presidents
Mr Ayeni Otito-Jesu: Yes it is a dream come true and I’m happy that it has begun to manifest. First, I am highly chuffed by the fact that this new phase is starting from my tenure as President of TLDS and I think it is as a result of an intentional effort to make it happen. As you have said, it has been conceived by past Presidents and even neutral persons but then, we are happy to see that it has started and I do hope that it continues and becomes better. Plus, this is the first time we would be using the International Conference Centre and I think it just is the best fit for this event.
CAMPUS NEWS: From the finals, what should be expected, apart from the display of intellectual acumen and punchlines are there any other side attractions
Mr Ayeni Otito-Jesu: First, we have secured partnerships with known and established brands. So, attendees can win gifts & prizes during the raffle draws. Second, we will be having a dance performance by Dacrystals Dance Academy. Third, we will be having an induction ceremony for 5 alumni members into the TLDS Hall of Fame.
And many others.
CAMPUS NEWS: And with regards to the national competition, which Universities are confirmed already and what should we be looking out for from this university and even the University of Ibadan L&D
Mr Ayeni Otito-Jesu: We have several universities from across the nation coming down to the University of Ibadan for the national finals. Amongst them is Abia State University, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), University of Ilorin, Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU). So we expect a resounding display of intellect and astuteness of perception
CAMPUS NEWS: The question everyone would want to ask is, will Mr Otito-Jesu, arguably the best public speaker who has emerged out of UI in the past decade be representing the University of Ibadan at the national finals??
Mr Ayeni Otito-Jesu:
Nope, I won’t be coming to the event to compete as a speaker, I will be coming to complete my work as TLDS President and Host of the Competition
Jaw War’21 has served us with breathtaking performances right from the opening ceremony and even the finals promise to serve with something even better. All road leads to the International Conference Center on Monday, November 15, 2021, at 2 pm, gather to see the finest brains that the public speaking world in Nigeria has to offer as students of the University of Ibadan go head to head to dish out facts in the most logical way.
Its Jaw War, Stand Up, Speak up, Shut Up.
