We begin by congratulating the new intakes of the Mellanby Hall Press Organization who took the oath on Saturday. It is only befitting that new members are recruited and trained to take over as the old depart. In this light, we encourage you to work assiduously as members of the Press and uphold the reputation of Mellanby Hall Press Organization. Remember that there are two boards in Mellanby hall- the press board and you. Uphold the oath you have taken, fight evil and defend justice at all times.
The previous week in Mellanby Hall can appropriately be tagged a week of victories. It was a week when Mellanbites of the great Mellanby Hall lived up to their motto: we lead while others follow. The Mellanby Hall football team won the finals of the inter hall football competition after defeating the legendary defending champions, Sultan Bello Hall Football team. Mellanby hall had earlier defeated Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall and Independence Hall in the preliminaries and semi-finals respectively to clinch the cup. We congratulate the Mellanby hall football team, the management, and residents of Mellanby Hall on this astonishing achievement.
Again, the Mellanby Hall Literary and Debating Society made it to the quarterfinals of the inter hall debate competitions, Jaw-Wars. Mellanby hall defeated the great Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall twice in the first round. We congratulate the literary and debating society and encourage them to put in their best to ensure that the cup comes home to Mellanby hall.
Mellanbites have always been known as conquerors in their different endeavours. We celebrate all Mellanbites. In addition, we encourage everyone to be at their best in their different endeavours in order to reflect the hall in good light.
To more pressing matters. The treasurer of Mellanby Hall, Seyi Bankole, recently published a 5-page document titled: MELLANBY HALL FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR FIRST SEMESTER OF 2013/ 2014 ACADEMIC SESSION. The publication has raised some issues.
First is the lateness of the document. It is constitutionally prescribed that the treasurer shall publish the financial statement of the hall 6 weeks into every semester, after presentation before the HLC. Section 17(vi). Contrary to constitutional provision, the treasurer released the financial statement for the first semester 5 weeks into the second semester.
Again, it appears the document is not a financial statement properly called. A financial statement is a formal record of the financial activities of an organization. It usually contains the income and expenditures of the organization. Regrettably, the document released by the treasurer is only a list of expenditures of the hall. What happened to the income? Don’t Mellanbites have a right to know how they came about the money that is being spent? This attempt to blind and confuse us is very unacceptable.
Funny items that need to be questioned include the grant to T-Cent for campaign. Did Mellanbites approve such grant? Why would t-cent be given a grant for campaign? Is it constitutionally allowed? How many other Mellanbites have been given grants in the past to campaign? How will T-cent be given a grant of 10,000 naira when the legislative council and other arms of the hall are still begging for grants?
The financial statement is a ruse and smacks of inefficiency on the part of the treasurer. On this basis, we laud the move by the Hall’s Legislative Council to suspend him. It is long overdue considering the level of incompetence the treasurer has exhibited.
Finally, we urge the executives to be upright in their dealings and to carry Mellanbites along. Mellanbites on the other hand should learn to ask questions on pertinent issues.
Complaints, comments, suggestions, rejoinders and requests should be sent to mellanbypressui@gmail.com
