PERSONALITY OF THE WEEK: DEBATING, DETERMINATION, AND A FRESHMAN’S BOLD FIRST STEPS

By: Public voice news agency

This week’s Personality of the Week shines the spotlight on a freshman whose courage, curiosity, and determination are already making waves within the department. Meet Junaid Habeebat Kehinde, a Part One student of the Department of Public Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Jovial by nature and sincere in her dealings with people, Junaid represents the kind of freshness and enthusiasm that defines the true spirit of a new beginning.

Interestingly, Junaid revealed that she had little knowledge of public administration before gaining admission into the university. However, since resumption, her perception has changed significantly. She describes the course as interesting and engaging, noting that she has grown to genuinely enjoy studying it.  Before coming into the university, Junaid already had an interest in debating and public speaking. That interest, combined with her passion, curiosity, and love for challenging herself, pushed her to step forward for debates at a very early stage as a freshman. For her, it was less about fear and more about growth.  Recalling her first time representing the department at the faculty level, Junaid described the experience as a mix of excitement and nervousness. Although she felt proud to be given such an opportunity, the outcome of the faculty debate was emotionally difficult for her. She admitted that she cried after the loss, but the encouragement she received changed everything. Rather than giving up, she decided to try again. That decision paid off at the departmental level, where her team emerged second. Representing both her faculty and department, she said, gave her a strong sense of confidence and motivation, a feeling that encouraged her to believe she could try anything in life.

According to Junaid, her confidence, resilience, and the constant encouragement from people around her played a major role in her success. However, the journey was not without challenges. She faced fear, time constraints, and the pressure of developing solid arguments with sharp points. Despite these obstacles, she pushed through and learned valuable lessons along the way. For other freshmen who feel they are “too new” to step into leadership roles or competitive activities, Junaid’s advice is simple and firm: jump in. She believes early experiences help shape confidence and character, and that everyone has to start from somewhere. Looking ahead, Junaid hopes to continue debating, improve her public speaking skills, and remain actively involved on campus while maintaining a strong academic balance. In her words, the experience has been extraordinary, one that has inspired her to keep pushing her limits and embracing growth.