Reading time:6 min read

“My worst moment in UI was seeing my 100L first semester results,” Sumayyah Shakrullah

Sumayyah Shakrullah, a recent graduate of Communication and Language Arts (CLA), University of Ibadan who doubled as the immediate past Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Adh-Dhikr Press had an interview session with our Correspondent, Durotola Azeezah Adedoyin.

Adh-Dhikr Press: Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh. Can I meet you, ma'am?

Sumayyah: I'm Sumayyah Titilope Shakrullah, a recent graduate from the Department of Communication and Language Arts, University of Ibadan. The immediate past deputy Editor-in-Chief of Adh-Dhikr Press Organisation and ACLAS Press Organisation. I love travelling and I cherish my friends.

Adh-Dhikr Press: Congratulations on your graduation. Baarokallohu feek.

Sumayyah: Aameen, wa feek.

Adh-Dhikr Press: What motivated you to pursue a degree in Communication and Language Arts at the University of Ibadan?

Sumayyah: Well, it's a long story. When I was in Senior Secondary School One (SSS1), a family friend of mine, The Great Salaudeen, advised me to choose the course as it encompasses my passion and more.

Alhamdulillah for following the advice as I don't regret having chosen this path as my career path.

Adh-Dhikr Press: When and why did you join Adh-Dhikr Press?

Sumayyah: As a fresher in UI, I joined the Press as that's the extracurricular activity I had been exposed to right from my secondary school days at Vanguards Academy. The main reason I joined Adh-Dhikr Press Organisation is that it is the press arm of MSSN and as such, will keep me closer to my roots as a Muslim.

Adh-Dhikr Press: Can you tell us about your role as an executive at Adh-Dhikr Press and how did it shape your professional growth?

Sumayyah: As an executive at Adh-Dhikr Press, I've had the opportunity to hone my editing skills as I edit some weekly articles and I was privileged to have been part of the editors for the organisation's annual magazine.

These experiences have greatly enhanced my attention to detail and ability to refine content. I also assisted the Editor-in-Chief in leading our team, which has helped me develop my leadership and teamwork skills.

Additionally, I was responsible for organizing events, such as training sessions, which has greatly improved my organisational, logistics and planning skills. These experiences, among others, have helped me grow professionally and personally in terms of my writing and communication skills. I'm grateful for the opportunities I've had.

Adh-Dhikr Press: Apart from being an executive at Adh-Dhikr Press, what other extracurricular activities did you engage in?

Sumayyah: My main extracurricular activities were in the press; specifically Adh-Dhikr Press, ACLAS Press, and Union Campus Journalist (UCJ, UI). This is because it is related to my chosen field.

When I'm not engaged in press work, you can find me volunteering for causes close to my heart, especially environmental initiatives. Giving back to the community and contributing to a sustainable future drives my passion for volunteering.

Adh-Dhikr Press: How did you strike a balance between these activities and your academics?

Sumayyah: It was a challenge and I wouldn't say I was able to balance it. It was specifically tough during my 400L. I had my project to deal with, my classes, and editing of weekly articles for both Adh-Dhikr Press and ACLAS Press among others. I just had to find a way.

My strategy was to prioritise my tasks by setting deadlines for everything. This assisted me significantly as I was able to complete a substantial portion of my extracurricular commitments while minimizing the impact on my academics.

Adh-Dhikr Press: What are your most exciting moments and worst moments, if any, while in school?

Sumayyah: The most exciting moments for me were the times I received appreciation and recognition for my efforts, no matter how small. On the other hand, my worst moment was seeing my 100L first semester results.

Although it was a setback, it served as a valuable learning experience for me as it sparked my self-awareness. I'm grateful for that wake-up call, as it motivated me to work on my weaknesses. Alhamdulillah, I'm proud of the progress I've made since then.

Adh-Dhikr Press: Now that you've graduated, what are your plans for the future?

Sumayyah: I can only make plans, Allah is the best of planners.

Adh-Dhikr Press: Finally, what advice would you give to current students interested in combining communication, media, and leadership roles?

Sumayyah: Combining these can be a bit challenging but it's worth it. One thing you should never do is to compromise on your academics. Academics should be your first and main priority. However, don't let academics hold you back on your other commitments because you need those skills too.

They can't teach you everything in class. You need to invest your time and energy in learning through your extracurricular activities. Strive for a balance, only you know what works best for you.

In addition, make friends and connections while at it. It might not be easy if you're introverted (which I am but people think I'm not) but I've discovered that taking small steps like greeting someone regularly, can pave the way for a meaningful connection. Remember, your network is your net worth!