EXCLUSIVE: DSNA'S INTERVIEW WITH NEWLY CROWNED MR IRSA

Popoola Damilare, newly crowned Mr IRSA

"I already made up my mind before coming to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) campus that I want to engage in social activities and not only focusing on my academics. Initially, I thought I would only be able to join the football team. But now, I am also Mr. IRSA"

The Diplomatic Suites News Agency interviewed the newly crowned Mr IRSA ( International Relations Students Association) and this is what he has to say.

DSNA: Hello, Mr. IRSA, you are welcome here, please express yourself freely as we try to give our audience a glimpse of you, your experiences and your feelings being Mr. IRSA. I am Isedowo Oluwatosin and with me here is Shereef aka Deen, Aderonke, Mabel and Dora. We are all excited to have you here!

You have just been crowned as the new Mr. IRSA and we are happy about that. Can you introduce yourself and everything that encompasses you so your fans can know you better?

 Mr IRSA: My name is Popoola Damilare John. I am a part 1 student of the Department of International relations. I am a member of a family of seven of which are 3 sons and 2 daughters. I am the last son but not particularly the last born. I grew up in the streets of Bariga, in Lagos State and I am from a Christian home.

DSNA: You mentioned you being the last of 3 sons. So, how is your family relationship compared to you coming to OAU campus and having to meet a large crowd of people?

Mr IRSA: In the last 2 years my three elder siblings have been self standing. My older sister, Sade is married, Banji is working in a very good company and Emmanuel is living very okay. Presently, it is just my Mom, sister and I. Normally, I have already taken up the role of man of the house. Coming to campus, my mom was very worried about how she will cope after I leave.

DSNA: Do you think the experience is worth it so far?

Mr IRSA: Yes, it is. I already made up my mind before coming to Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) campus that I want to engage in social activities and not only focusing on my academics. Initially, I thought I would only be able to join the football team. But now, I am also Mr. IRSA.

DSNA: It is so surprising to see that you are in your first year and you are already this socialized. Getting to be in the football team and all... can you tell us more?

Mr IRSA: I have a very sociable character. I really love making friends and I'm quite competent at keeping  good terms with them all. For me, making new friends is very easy. I am a very lovable person and a social all-rounder.

DSNA: Have you been to any pageantry contests, what are your experiences?

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Mr IRSA: Actually, this is my first time contesting in a pageantry and I have never before pictured myself doing something like this although, I have engaged in some social activities like being a groomsman and I was complemented for my great vibes. To my surprise, I came out a winner.

Initially, I never wanted to venture into this pageant contest but I was encouraged by my friends. And to keep records, I never missed a rehearsal. I put a lot of energy into this contest. In fact, amidst other contestants I am the shortest and least huge.

DSNA: Looking into the experience you had, do you have anything you might want to change or add with the office you are presently in?

Mr IRSA: I love partying a lot. Being Mr. IRSA, the joy is unspeakable and I am feeling this great vibe from it. I feel we should organize more get-togethers where everyone can get to know more people and expand our social circle. The party brought me in contact with a lot of people including Ayo Santos, Omo Ahlaji and a few more people.

DSNA  : The former Mr. IRSA ushered you in as the new Mr. IRSA, how do feel at that particular moment when you were crowned and what can you say about him?

Mr. IRSA: Okay, before I was admitted into the faculty, I have heard people say, Damilare, you are good at dancing. Dancing has been my hobby right from time. After the Agbada contest and the winner was about to be announced, I was not really tensed and also not shocked at who won. I had no experience on how a king should pass his crown to the next king (MR.IRSA). I was over joyous and surprised that I won.

DSNA: Wow, that is interesting. During the questioning by the panelists, was there a time you felt like giving up?

Mr. IRSA: The first question, I was scared because I have never been to anywhere in my life outside of Lagos, not even my hometown. Lots of questions were asked , for example, question like "when was the last time you wore agbada?" Actually, I knew the right answer but panic wouldn't allowed me answer.

DSNA: Who is your role model?

Mr. IRSA: My own role model is a footballer, Kevin Debruyne

DSNA:  How do you intend to balance academics with the demands of your position?

Mr IRSA: Well I am not that serious student, I can remember skipping classes and coming around only on Sports day because I was the Sports prefect in my secondary school. But in my family you will read ehn, my mum will be like, as far as the people in front of you are doing it, what is your excuse and to the glory of God, I'm not fumbling, I know I am not a dullard, but we are in OAU, one has to be very careful.

DSNA: It is not really about hard work, it is about smart work.

Mr IRSA: It's about balancing. I am into a lot of things, for instance, I'm into photography, there was a time I was into.... Emmanuel is into fashion, he does not sew clothes but he designs so he is a stylist, he just designs it and shares the designs with tailors, when he designs, he uses me in modelling his designs. so I'm into a lot of stuffs. So balancing all those things won't be an issue but in OAU, I see myself playing football, I can say it anywhere.

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DSNA: Won't you cross to P.H.E like this?

Mr IRSA: No, I felt International relations is a department I can like, I like meeting people and I am a preacher of love. So being a Diplomat also will help me explore a lot of things. Even my mum was like why are you not taking your camera to school, I was like I don't need it!

DSNA : So you have a camera?

Mr. IRSA: Yes I have a camera, so balancing everything won't be an issue for me because I have been doing it for a while, a lot of activities. Even my sister will be like how are you balancing all these things?

DSNA: They are surprised at how you are doing it?

Mr. IRSA:  You are playing ball, you are the class rep, you're doing pageantry, they are like guy what kind of energy are you using, I was like we will rough everything.

DSNA: It is just smart work, it is not until you have to be very focused on books, you may not end up having the best results. It is not until you practice three systems from church to class to home, you have to explore other things.

Mr. IRSA: There was a time when I was writing my O' level exams, Mathematics to be precise and we were to have a football match after the exam, I had to rush through the exam, funny enough, I still had an A when the results were released.

DSNA: It happens, you see things like that, you will not know how it happened. What do you do at your leisure time?

Mr. IRSA:  I play clarinet and saxophone.

DSNA: You do music too?!!!

Mr. IRSA:  Yeah! I do music, all my family do music. My junior sister plays all the violin family but basically I read a lot. But during my leisure I play more of football.

READ ALSO: 10 Ways to identify an OAU International relations student

DSNA: Where do you see yourself in the next five years?

Mr. IRSA: I see myself being very comfortable, if opportunity comes in playing football, I will.

DSNA : Wow, so if you're given an opportunity to study abroad while in your final year, will you forfeit your degree for going to play abroad?

Mr. IRSA : Yes, I will, I won't even think twice.

DSNA: Wow, we should be watching out then, do you have any shout outs? Any brand that supported you all through the journey, will you like to mention them? And also, how do you feel about winning the Mr. IRSA pageantry?

MR IRSA: My shoutout goes to my friends, the likes of Ayokunumi , John (he is not in the department) , Daniel , they were like "Damilare do this thing". Even Nneyna  herself because when we first started this thing , she was like guy you are good. Also, when I told my mom about it, she was like she doesn’t have any idea about it, but the Lord will be with me. Also a big shout out to all my friends that supported me. I can even remember the day when I walked on stage, the noise was so massive and so joyous so I’m so grateful to everyone. 

A big shout out to the co-contestants, also a big shout out to ex Mr. IRSA, I met him that day and he was a vibe and till now we still chat, and to the DOS, I say a very big thank you to her. She was really good to us.

 

DSNA: How do you feel winning this?

Mr. IRSA: Winning this stuff, I was like 'Damilare unto the next', what do you think you are doing? Like I said the feeling can’t be expressed, it's just priceless because this is the first time I am doing this and it clicked. I feel good and happy and to those who contested they were also good.

DSNA: Finally, one word for your fans out there?

Mr. IRSA: To everyone out there who feel they can't do it, don’t give up and keep trying because I also felt like that, but here I am, a winner and also representing my department. Some people don’t even call me by my name again, but Mr IRSA, to an extent that when I was about to withdraw at an ATM, some guys were like Mr. IRSA withdraw for two. But I’m grateful to God. So, in anything you do, always be yourself and believe in yourself and everything will work out.

   

join us now for more updates;

Interview anchored by Isedowo Tosin

Compiled by DSNA team

Edited by Lawal Shereef

DSNA PRODUCTIONS