He also recounted how he introduced a democratic system for electing student leaders, inspired by a leadership workshop he attended at the University of Benin. Students were encouraged to campaign, present their ideas, and participate in transparent elections, a system that fostered confidence, accountability, and practical leadership skills. This approach allowed students like Hon. Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo to emerge as leaders through the trust and recognition of their peers, demonstrating discipline, intelligence, and maturity well beyond their years.
Mr. Oni expressed pride in seeing the leadership qualities exhibited at the school translate into lifelong excellence for former students. He described BTO’s achievements in public service as a continuation of the vision, focus, and innovation he observed in him as a student. Concluding his reflections, Mr. Oni advised young people to embrace discipline, personal development, and a problem-solving mindset, emphasizing that cultivating strong character and leadership skills prepares them for future opportunities and meaningful contributions to society.
The interview reads in full:
MEDIA INTERVIEW (Q & A) WITH MR. OLUFEMI ONI, PIONEER PRINCIPAL, FUTA STAFF SECONDARY SCHOOL (1992–2008) WHERE HON DR OLUBUNMI TUNJI-OJO HAPPENS TO BE THE SENIOR PREFECT
Media: GREAT ILLUSTRATION MEDIA
Interviewer: Mr Omolere Festus Dayo, interviewing the pioneer Principal of FUTA Staff Secondary School, who served the institution with excellence, discipline, and foresight for 16 remarkable years,from 1992 to 2008. Thank you for joining us, sir.
Mr. Oni: Thank you very much. It is a pleasure to be here.
Q1: Sir, as the pioneer principal of FUTA Staff Secondary School, what was your vision when you took charge in 1992?
Mr Oni: My vision from the very beginning was to build a school rooted in discipline, academic excellence, and moral integrity. Starting a staff school from scratch demands foresight. We had to lay a foundation that would shape future generations, and I’m glad we achieved that with the support of dedicated staff and committed students.
Q2: You led the school for 16 years. What kept you focused and inspired throughout your tenure?
Mr Oni : My passion for moulding young minds kept me going. Leadership is service, and every day I stepped into that compound, I saw the future of Nigeria in the faces of those children. That alone was enough motivation for me to give nothing but my best.
Q3: You famously introduced a democratic system for electing student leaders. What inspired that decision?
Mr Oni: That idea came from a leadership workshop I and few of my staff attended at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) during my years as principal. We were taught the importance of allowing students to choose their leaders through elections rather than appointments. I embraced the concept because democracy builds responsibility, confidence, and accountability in young people.
Q4: How was the democratic process implemented in FUTA Staff Secondary School?
Mr Oni: It was a proper electoral system. Interested candidates campaigned among the students, presented their vision, and explained why they deserved to lead. The students voted, and the results were transparent. It was not selection,it was pure democracy. That experience shaped many great leaders, including Hon Dr Olubunmi Tunji Ojo (BTO) our Nation Hon. Minister of interior
Q5: Speaking of BTO, can you explain how he became Senior Prefect under your principal leadership?
Mr Oni: BTO became Senior Prefect through that democratic system. He wasn’t selected by teachers, he was elected by the students. His fellow students saw leadership qualities in him, and they entrusted him with their mandate. That tells you a lot about the kind of young man he was even then.
Q6: What qualities did you observe in BTO as a student leader then ?
Mr Oni: BTO has always been an extraordinary young man with a matured mind. He was responsible, disciplined, and very focused. When given any assignment, he handled it with excellence. He demonstrated leadership capacity far beyond his age, and it was clear he was destined for greatness.
Q7: How has his journey beyond school reflected the leadership qualities you saw in him earlier?
Mr Oni: Everywhere BTO finds himself, he performs exceptionally well. That is not surprising to me at all. He has consistently shown vision, intelligence, and commitment. Among all Akoko sons and daughters, his performance stands out. He is number one in terms of capacity, innovation, and ability to deliver results.
Q8: What impact did the democratic election process have on students like BTO?
Mr Oni: It gave them confidence and prepared them for real-life leadership situations. For BTO, it helped him understand responsibility early. The campaign process, meeting students, defending ideas, building support, those experiences shaped him into the leader he is today.
Q9: Looking back at your 16 years as principal, how do you feel seeing your students excelling, especially leaders like BTO?
Mr Oni: I feel fulfilled. There is no greater joy for a teacher than to see his students doing well. Watching BTO rise and excel at the highest levels makes me proud. It means the seeds we planted many years ago have grown into something meaningful.
Q10: What message do you have for today’s students and young leaders?
Mr Oni: Develop yourself, embrace responsibility, and stay disciplined. Leadership begins with character. If you groom yourself well, opportunities will find you, just like they found BTO.
On a final note sir, kindly advise the youth.
Mr Oni: Youths should brace up for challenges, they should emulate BTO, his main thinking is how to solve problem be it human or community problem.
We want someone like him to come and develope our dear sunshine state in few years to come.
My prayer for him is all his heart desires the lord will grant it. Amen
© Omolere Festus Dayo
GREAT
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