After nine years
of scrapping it, the SUG is on its way to limelight, but this time 'rebranded'
as SU (Student Union).
I don't mean to
burst your bubbles, but if the overrated SU will propel the changes we so
desire is a question that should be on the uppermost part of our minds.
Let us not
forget that the students union was interdicted for a reason, a justifiable one.
The school authority has done well by proposing the intended SU.
In the midst of
the fervour, let us be conscious of the fact that there are underlying factors
around the SU. A popular saying goes thus 'once bitten, twice shy'. The Vice Chancellor
(VC) did not just wake up and decide to bring back the SU. I am sure the decision
has been well examined and deliberated on, for it is only a foolish man that
will let history repeat itself.
Yes, as
students, we all want a body that can represent us. A platform through which,
we can be heard and recognised. What has been pricking my heart is the drafted
constitution for the SU. Representatives
will be from each faculty and hallS of residences in the university which is a
good idea. Are these representatives willing to serve, or are they seeing this
as an opportunity to exploit the minority under the pretence of fighting for
rights, especially the faculty presidents?
The Ex-Dean of Student
Affairs, Prof. Olukayode Amund said in an interview that the University of Lagos
students are not matured enough to be in any leadership position, hence the
delegated or elected representatives will be well trained for a month. I do not
fault this statement as it is regrettably obvious that we students are not
playing our roles well.
There had been
reports of some student leaders politicising their positions as if they are gods.
When a post like this cannot be managed, how do we expect good governance in
the SU. If things are not put in perspective with the look of things, the SU
might be banned for a very long time.
This article is
not meant to ridicule, but a clarion call for checks and balances. As I have
said earlier, the school authority knows what it is doing as the pros and cons
of this decision would have been analysed.
All the students
in the University of Lagos cannot represent the renewed SU. Are the selected
few willing to be responsible to the students, or is this an avenue for bad
politics?
I might sound
pessimistic, but I feel it is better to analyse bad possibilities. Rumour has
it that the school authority has been greasing the palms of the quasi Student Representative
Council (SRC) which is made of Council of Faculty Presidents and Council of
Hall Chairs. I feel it is obligatory to address this. The present Quasi-SRC is
meant to be an independent body not subjected to external coercion or
compensation.
Recently,
representatives were taken to Whispering Palms, Badagry for a 3-days retreat
intended for the discussion of rudimentary issues affecting the students.
At first I held
no objection to this, until I thought of it well. I hope the retreat is not a
way of canvassing for the students’ interest. It was said that a student
requested for money as compensation for hard work. I feel this is rather mortifying
as it did not portray a good image. It is not by force to be a representative,
if you are looking for benefits, then you are not worthy of the position in the
first place.
The suspicion
that there is a conspiracy to limit the effectiveness and power of the much
awaited Students Union through constitutional provisions that would make it a dependent,
undemocratic and a bureaucratic union is a grave issue that was addressed by
the Press Club UNILAG in an open letter to the school authority and the
constitution drafting committee some weeks ago.
Another aspect
of the constitution causing controversy is Article 7, section 1A which states
that election into the ULSU executive council will be conducted through an
electoral college. The question is who are the electoral college? Are Akokites
being disenfranchised from voting?
Ostensibly,
there are lots of arguments accompanying the drafted constitution and a call
for review. It is evident that the union has to be strong, to make its presence
felt. If the union will be subdued by tenets, what is the point in the first instance?
We should rather subject to protesting alone then or what do you think?
The bone of
contention is that the SRC should be at alert, and not forget that their
loyalty is with the students. Protecting the students’ rights is their first
statutory obligation. They should not be compromised by accepting 'brown
envelopes' or fair treatment of any sort which will result in being responsible
to their 'heavenly benefactors'
Being
independent with a crystal clear defined goal will make them objective in their
dealings with the authorities. What need to be said will be said without mincing
words, likewise what needs to be done.
Leadership is
not a one-day workshop, it is a gradual process. I believe if well practiced
now, there is light at the end of the tunnel for our crumbling Nigeria. It is
all about serving for positive changes.
ADEYEMO ESTHER TEMITOPE
200 level, MASS COMMUNICATION DEPARTMENT.
No comments:
Post a Comment