Our mind is such a powerful machine that any information fed into it would be produced through our lives. Just like the popular Chinese proverb “if you can think it, you can achieve it”.

My journey from being an ordinary regular student to the top most rank of the students leadership in the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT; SUG President, is largely informed by my total believe in and the nurture gotten from the above assertions, and more importantly the God factor, consistency and hard-work towards protecting the interest of the students and leaving a good legacy. 

As posited by John Maxwell, “position is the starting place for every level of leadership. It is the bottom floor and the foundation upon which leadership must be built. Real influence must be developed upon that foundation”. Taking up leadership position as I newly entered the University was very far from my mind, even though I had always have passion for leadership. Also, I had always believed that I would occupy any of the topmost leadership positions in ESUT before I would graduate from the school.

Little did I know that I would be elected the Class Representative of my class; 100 level Law 2019/2020 session. From there, I was equally elected the General Class Rep of all the year one Class Reps. It did not stop there, I was also elected the school hostel P.R.O. In the same100 level, the then Dean, Faculty of law; Prof Osy-Nnamani Ogbu equally appointed me a member of the Caretaker Committee leadership of the Faculty of Law. 

Moreso, in my 200 level, I was appointed the Campus Director of Law Students Association of Nigeria, ESUT chapter, Senior Special Adviser to the SUG President on Students Matters. My 300 level was not left without a new position as I contested and won the SUG P.R.O after I stepped down for my senior in the faculty of law for the post of SUG President. 

In my 400 level, I stepped down from Class Rep and contested for the post of SUG President, and for the first time in the history of ESUT a hosteller won the top seat of the Students Union Government of the school. It was incredible as the election was keenly contested by 4 popular candidates.

Here again, John Maxwell’s assertion that your values are the soul of your leadership, and they drive your behaviour. My driving force and what distinguishes me in all the positions held are my commitment in protecting the interest of the students, the quest for the advancement of my leadership skill and the urge to leave a good legacy. These were evident in my commitment to help ending the plights of the students living in the school hostel, especially as it regards water, light and safety starting from my 100 level days.

As the SUG President, I vehemently resisted some individuals from National Association of Nigeria Students (NANS) Zone F who wanted to shutdown ESUT for their selfish interest. I refused to yield to their antics, and gave no room for them to scuttle the academic calendar of the University. Another incident was when 34 ESUT students were unjustly arrested at the School Cafeteria by the men of Nigerian Police Force of the Anti-cult unit. I issued out a very powerful Press Release that drew the attention of the Government and the students were released immediately and unconditionally. 

Moreover, my government carried out programs and events wherein scholarships and bursaries were given to our students by the invited personalities.

As Dr SKC Ogbonnia rightly opined, “the ability to influence an unwilling follower to an enthusiastic follower is the hallmark of effective leadership”. Being one of my top priorities, I worked towards changing the age-long perception of the students living in the school hostel, who were seen as inferiors by their counterparts who live off campus. As the SUG P.R.O then in my 300 level, I appointed some hostellers including Com Nonyia Chisom (Valour), into SUG senate to represent the hostellers at the parliament. Having made up my mind that I will contest for SUG Presidency, and owing to the fact that it is not a one-man task, I brought the leadership of the hostels together and made them see my agenda as the hostellers’ agenda. Just like Dr SKC Ogbonnia posited; “every human being has abundance of talents and capabilities but constantly requires proper combination of other relevant elements to excel”. With this, we kicked off the awakening campaign within the hostels.

The campaign was a blast as it lead to my emergence as the SUG President, and another hosteller; Nonyia Chisomlfc Valour emerged the SUG SSG.

In my government, I made the hostellers occupy strategic positions not leaving the off-campus students behind. Everybody was given sense of belonging. Thereafter, I equally ensured that another hosteller succeeded me as the SUG President, and other positions won by the hostellers include SUG VP, SUG SSG, SUG FIN. SEC and SUG Treasurer.

I could not have achieved all these without God. I always seek the face of God in everything. As the SUG PRO then and the highest ranking students’ leader in the hostels, I championed a hostel thanksgiving in the churches in the campus. Even as the SUG President, I worked closely with the leadership of the Joint Christians Campus Body (JCCB), and we organized series of programs and prayers for the students and the University at large.

As I was in the class few days after I have handed over to the new SUG President, one of my lecturers in the Faculty of Law; Rev Sis Dr Onuegbulam, approached and asked me how I feel after I have handed over. I responded by saying that I felt fulfilled. Just like John C Maxwell would say, “Leaders are always taking people somewhere… If there is no journey, there is no leadership”.

Recounting my leadership journey from my 100 level days, serving in different capacities till my 500 level, being the only SUG President over the years whose tenure was not scuttled via dissolution and devoid of any case of misconduct or misappropriation of students fund. Having fought and protected the interest of the students, helped to bring out the best from among the students, safeguarded and helped advanced the corporate image of the University in line with the agenda of our digital Vice-Chancellor; Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, there comes my fulfilment.

I could not have written down my numerous achievements here for want of space. However, having sagaciously contained the interest of the students and that of the University without any clash, and at the end being celebrated by both, is the most fulfilling aspect of my leadership.

Com Donatus Okolieuwa (Dona4all), SUG President, ESUT 2022/2023, Faculty of Law, 500 Level.