Of Flourishing Over Desirability: A Quest For A New Media

I would assume the mind of this reader is like a black canvas, and as you read, I would paint it with stories; every detail of this colourful craft. This is not just a usual story, rather, it is a collage of stories designed to induce sparks in your mind. And also, this is a chief portion of what I own and hold dearly to heart, and I am writing to present a model that would hasten the fulfilment of this vision.?Visions they say rule the world, and it is my desire that this becomes the voice, the good voice that would remain in your head.

I really want a change. I am one of the many who want it differently and better. Not as everyone says it, but distinctly. More than often, I have found myself in the frontline of advocating for reforms and a rebuild of systems, structures and culture. I live in Ibadan, Nigeria where I study in her premier university, and I cannot speak of any other place in Nigeria teeming with as many potentials weaved in possibilities, which I believe is the same in many other tertiary institutions across Africa and the world.?

Obviously, students are GenZers and there are many narratives and labels that have been given to these set of people. Mockery. Cancel culture. Trend moguls. Viral merchandise. Hazardously woke — all these pointing to the thought that the media has caused more harm than good. These and many more are the narratives we have heard or lived by, and for a long while, I have watched this label grow, and now it is at a seemingly exponential rate, and I have committed myself to fighting this villain-label. This is what Students on LinkedIn is coming to counter-create. So, Why students? Why LinkedIn?

As a David, I have labelled myself as a disruptor. I wanted it different. I felt it could be different and better. It had first started way long, way deep inside of me. Those around called me a disruptor; a revolutionary. At some point, I couldn't hold down and organized an online conversation themed “Tradition and Transformation” to raise an awareness in Nigerian students about being future-forward. And all along, the sequence of events that unfolded gave credence to these fires of virtuous defiance in me. I remember a conversation with a friend on a walk to the library after a late night's meal. We had started conversing about how we can maximize the possibilities that abound in being a student in a tertiary institution, and all along, “I AM A STUDENT” were the words that stood out. As a ‘Quester’ also, I journeyed gradually through these paths of virtuous defiance until I transited and transformed into this full idea. It first started as a burden to have a physical LinkedIn Optimization session in my school community. Then, gradually, it morphed into thinking, researching needs and ideating, and this is where we are.

Why LinkedIn? I remember one of the heady days during the lockdown in 2020, I had a conversation with a dear friend and she talked to me about LinkedIn. I joined, and ever since, I have only been optimistic about the promise that this online community poses for students. The enabling atmosphere that LinkedIn creates truly induces transformation and enterprise in students. I have seen many students who desire a combination of opportunities to scale up, a platform for exposure, and even for businesses to thrive, but many of these students are not aware that these promises can be easily fulfilled on LinkedIn. Yes, for thousands of students.

Moving on, my advocacy that the media is a means to DECENTralize culture still holds, and Students on LinkedIn is a redemptive approach to this end-goal. During one of my musings, I hit a milestone about the word “media”. All along, I have so much embraced the spirit of community especially in student environments and right then and there, I discovered “media” has a root in the word mediator. Media-tor. The mediator here, assists and guides parties toward their own union. The mediator does not decide the outcome, but helps the parties achieve the goal. So, with Students on LinkedIn as a media-tor, we are representing a go-between to bring the right means to the end we desire.

So, you see, it is a means to an end. An approach to redeem the proper culture of flourishing and blossoming by and with a community of other people. To see students inspired by others. To foster students lifting others and themselves. To leverage exposure. To build a network and a career. To foster a sense of inclusion and no one is left behind. To tell stories; for students, by students. I believe this is a vision full of promise to make, drive and redistribute culture. This approach is a redemptive one — to restore the media purpose of flourishing, serving as a mediator between the humans of Earth; connecting people closer.?

So, why students? We are.

I had shared in a post on Facebook and LinkedIn at some point in 2021 that we, the GenZers are those that would emerge the new media. We are the millennials, GenZers, and yes, the mediators. We, are emerging to be responsible enough to make for what the world needs, and not necessarily what we want. And we, would steer our resources and vibrancy to bring our world united and together. With this venture, we hope to build and raise a critical mass of young, hopeful students who would channel the media for human advancement. Are you a student? Join this train, the countdown is on!?

Covenant Odedele,

For Students on LinkedIn.?

May 2021- January 2022.?