DASA EXECUTIVE OF THE WEEK

Stage Voice: Hi, I am from Stage Voice, can you please tell us your name?

Ajing: Hi! I am Ajing Ntan

Stage Voice: Nice you to have you here, Ajing.

Stage Voice: Please tell where you are from and where you currently reside?

Ajing: I am from Nde in Ikom LGA of Cross River State. I reside in Lagos. The city that never sleeps.

Stage Voice: It's the city that never sleeps for me. 😂  So what is your major and why you chose it?

Ajing: It's Media. I'm majoring in Media for two reasons. One, I want to shoot my first film and two, I have discovered a gap in the Nollywood movie industry concerning children's media and I want to see how this new skill can fill that gap.

Stage Voice: Wow, that's a great move. We see you going bigger and bigger.

Ajing: Oh yes! Look out cos I'm coming out hot!

Stage Voice: Oyaaaaa 😂 So any position occupied in DASA?

Ajing: I currently occupy the Office of the President in other words I am the President of DASA.....I'm shy🤭

Stage Voice: So I am speaking with the whole president of DASA. I don make am...😪😭🤭 Your Excellency, ma. 

Ajing: Hahaha!

Stage Voice: So why did you go for it? Was there anything you wanted to change?

Ajing: Hmmmm... I would say the one thing I desire for any community is growth. For DASA I saw a family drifting apart and needed to be strengthened for it to grow tremendously. DASA has amazing creative humans and is definitely one of the biggest and strongest communities on campus. I wasn't going to change that, rather build on it. The change I would like to see is a united unbreakable force. That will be a game changer in this department and I believe we are getting there with the right structures in place by God's grace. Slowly but surely.

Stage Voice: You really have a STRONG why. Well done, Miss President!

Ajing: Heavy is the head that wears the crown they say. My head has built muscles from the weight of DASA and is now strong 😂

Stage Voice: 😂😂 One must actually be strong. That's why I said Welldone! You are trying.

Ajing: Thank you very much!

Stage Voice: So being the president, how has this position been for you?

Ajing: Oh dear! I would say It's been an eye opening experience mixed with a lot of fun. There has been sweat, tears, laughter, sleepless nights and character building. People and things will test your patience, your thoughts, your decisions and choice of words but you must stand strong, be very knowledgeable and you MUST hold on to your integrity. At least for me, I always remind myself of the bible passage Proverbs 22:1 which says: "A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold."‬

I just hold on to that and ask the holy spirit for help then of course my colleagues and team mates for their suggestions.

Stage Voice: It's been a bed of roses and trust me, you have got God on your side

Ajing: My No. 1 helper, God be praised always!

Stage Voice: He is to be, my oga.

Stage Voice: So how is your relationship with other Excos? Lucky to be with or it's been hell?

Ajing: The Excos are true to their offices. They are cut to size for their positions so it makes life easy for us all. We have misunderstandings sometimes which is very normal in every organisation of different great minds but the beautiful thing about our work environment is that there is zero toxicity and there's room for expression so that helps us check and balance one another.

I want to also believe that the Excos enjoy working with me. Lol! 

So I would say blessed to be with, not lucky. They absolutely rock! I love everyone of them.

Stage Voice: Nothing brings joy that working with supportive people

Stage Voice: How is your relationship with the DRSC? Any fight occurred?

Ajing: So far our relationship has been good and we try our best to maintain the order of things.

Fight? None whatsoever and I am grateful for that.

I would like to reiterate that the DSRC is there to represent the voice of all DASAites and I hold their opinion highly because they do not speak for themselves but for the good people of DASA and this office I hold was given to me by DASAites.

Stage Voice: Thanks for wearing the garment of peace.

Stage Voice: How is your relationship with the lecturers as well?

Ajing: It's been good so far and I'm thankful for that. In my office, we have staff advisers for instance who act as our guide and make the work smooth.

Also I must say that we cannot rule out the fact that there is a clear difference between generations in terms of how activities are handled and we try as much as possible to communicate the needs of our generation to a much older generation who sometimes might see our views as unguided.

Do we need guidance? Oh yes! We always do but at the same time we would like our lecturers to try to accept our process or trust it because they are sometimes a solution to our own modern day problems as it applies to our generation.

All we want really is a healthy relationship with our lecturers and I believe we will get there as time goes on.

Stage Voice: I really understand this. I pray the lecturers really come to help us as an Association. We really need their help… Kudos to the staff advisers too.

Stage Voice: Moving on...What are the current challenges the administration is facing, that the whole of DASA does not know?

Ajing: The administration is not properly funded. The first and most important funding of the administration comes from the dues paid by its members. We encourage all members to pay their dues. There are so many needs that need to be met and most of them involve money. We try as much as possible to get a few things done at very discounted prices to accommodate a whole lot of activities and a lot of these things are temporary.

It is also not easy to source for funding from external individuals especially with the current situation of the country but we are not phased.

We are currently working on ways to generate funding from our creativity. It's a gradual process but we are committed to setting structures in place to begin with.

Very soon I believe DASA will stand on its own financially and even support other organisations in the future.

Stage Voice: DASA people... Are you seeing what our executives are facing??? Please pay your DASA dues ooo. They need funds ooo.

Stage Voice: I believe with time, like you have said, DASA will be financially independent if certain structures are put in place to generate money.

Stage Voice: So do you have any side hustle apart from being a student?

Ajing: Apart from being a student, I teach dance in some schools, I style music videos, write children stories, manage productions on film sets and I have a mini jewellery store online (Instagram) called Herhyghness Accessories. 

I am also very passionate about the environment and Children. I volunteer with various organisations to protect our environment and I have a small group of children whose education and lifestyle I sponsor financially. Let's call it my own goodwill NGO.

Oh and lastly I am currently working on a picture book for kids that I am writing and illustrating, everyone should watch out for it this year! It's going to be mind blowing.

Stage Voice: You alone are do these? Jesus Christ. Our President no small oooo

Stage Voice: An NGO? ..you are a blessing to humanity. 🤭 We gladly anticipate your book... More inspiration 🤭

Ajing: In God I trust.

Stage Voice: So let's leave work for now... Are you in a relationship?

Ajing: Yes! I am in a sweet loving relationship.

Stage Voice: Love in the air 🤭🤭

Stage Voice: Do you think LGBTQ should be legalized in Nigeria?

Ajing: On LGBTQ, the Nigerian Government should deal with all their other problems first abeg. I don't have any other comment.

Stage Voice: Wahala 😂😂 …So any advice for the current part 1 students?

Ajing: Dear Part 1,

Your journey as a drama student has just begun. Focus on yourself, your goals and your studies. Renew your mind, grow, evolve, learn new things, new methods and apply them. Make resourceful friendships and decisions. Be kind to people around you, be kind to yourself and always show yourself love.

Remember that your "four years experience" starts now. It doesn't start after graduation so build that foundation now.

Whatever space you find yourself always take charge of that space and be the best you can be.

Express your creativity to the fullest, challenge the status quo, the sky is big enough for all.BThe world is waiting to receive your awesomeness so you must give your best against all odds.BMay it be well with you all.

Stage Voice: Thank you for your advices! Lastly, who do you want to give your shout-out to?

Ajing: Lastly, I want to give a shallat to all my hunnies in Grandeza we are FYB now and it feels great. Mama we made it!

To my forever gees Sam, Patty, Chris, Pedro, Walter, My Vee babe, Blesso and Motun ray of sunshine and Affang soup my gee.

I also want to shallat my sweet Excos, every DASAite, then to the media team, the DASA football team, all athletic DASAites making us proud, all induction coordinators and last but not least Junine Gems my precious babies.

I Love you all.

DASA KWENU!!!

Stage Voice: Thank you very much, Miss. President, we really appreciate your time! More grace to finish this race

Ajing: You're most welcome! It was great chatting with you!