How long have you been living in Thompson?
Since 2006.
What do you do for a living?
A chemical engineer by profession. Right now I’m an industrial hygiene co-ordinator with Vale.
Why do you want to be on the school board?
People have been pushing me for either councillorship, mayorship or as a trustee and I feel like its time to be engaged in such. Since 2007 I’ve been involved as the science head judge and I’ve gone through many coaching [roles] for students. Through this coaching of the students, I now know exactly what needed to be implemented in the school system in order to improve on education so that any students from Thompson going to Winnipeg or Vancouver or Toronto or any part of the world that they be more confident in themselves, and not intimidated by students from big cities.
What is the most important educational issue you want to address if elected?
I’ll work towards making sure that the resources we have are actually used, optimized and through mentoring and coaching to inspire the students. Because I believe that every student has potential that we, using engineers and professionals within the community, need to go to these schools to inspire them, so that we can bring the best out of their students.
Why should someone vote for you over the other candidates?
I know exactly what is needed … in order to make the education services usable and relevant to our community here. Because I also grew up in the remote town in Nigeria, it’s called Ilora, so I feel like initially, when I go there, I’m kind of intimidated by people in big cities. After some times I feel like I’m getting confidence … the same confidence can be instilled in the students up north here. So that’s my dream.
Anything else you want to add?
I would ask the electorate to go out and register and vote for me and be a part of the already started movement for progress in Thompson, because I believe that it will inspire the students.
