UISU President’s Inaugural Address; Reading Between The Lines

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Olateju Aliyu Oladimeji, the newly elected president of the premier University’s Students’ Union, delivered his Inaugural Speech on the 21st of September, 2015. The speech, which was duly garnished with different alutaic spices resonates the message of change and a radical departure from conventions and traditions from some familiar aspects of Students’ Unionism. While the speech featured the regular students’ politician promises, the fact that it has a clear cut vision embedded between its lines is not debatable.

aliyu olateju oladimeji

However, before we delve to appraise these noble ideas and steps as declared in the President’s inaugural address, it is apposite that we make a brief comment on the victory party of the Illuminating Changes Team. In an article titled, “STUDENTS’ UNION ELECTIONS: GIVING THE WINNERS MY ONE KOBO” dated 30th of August, 2015, I had advised the President, “This is no time to eat out the kitchen and all its chicken parts. This, also, is no time to drink to a stuporous state. (… Expression of happiness is not a vice, only its excess points against virtue)”. I had advised the President to put away the idea of a Victory Party altogether as there was nothing victorious to party about. I had advised that the energy which would have been channelled to the organising of that party could be expended on building a stronger foundation for his administration. For the fact that it has become a norm for every new occupant of the brown house to throw a victory party doesn’t make it right. And in fact, its total avoidance by the present administration would have gone a long way to give effect to his words, “…I have only come to illuminate changes.” in his speech delivered few hours to the party. No doubt, this has happened, it is pardonable that we make mistakes but our inability to learn from those mistakes is by no means an unforgivable act. Eni a wi fun…

Be that as it may, we cannot call the dog a bad name just to hang it. The Inaugural address is by far a good step in the right direction in our aluta expedition. The speech is laced with good intentions and sincerity of purpose. While it can be said that even the path to hell is paved with such similar good intentions, however, the good intentions embedded in that speech was a departure from the regular good intentions of past administration being that the intentions were equally backed up with action. This is demonstrated in the introduction and immediate constitution of the Students’ Union Advocacy Committee to cater for the responsibilities in “educating Uites in matters concerning the students and the Students’ Disciplinary Council …put students through in replying the Students’ Disciplinary Council’s letters.” and also to “suggest a legal adviser to the Students’ Union.” It is highly laudable that Mr. President has achieved on the day of his inauguration, what the past four administrations could not achieved since 2010. While this is a great idea to help save our studentship from the heartless claws of management’s oppression, it is important that the Union takes its time to effectively work on its framework so the idea can be efficient and sustainable. To do this, I will strongly advise that a feedback structure should be provided where the generality of students’ thoughts can be gathered on the idea’s successful launch. While I am not recommending that you be led by the gallery, it is practical we recognize that in the multitude of counsel, at least, there will be an iota of wisdom. “Eni a wi fun…”

Furthermore, we must appreciate the courage of Mr. president and his plan of giving preference to student-entrepreneurs in the awarding of Students’ Union contracts. His plan of ensuring transparency and equitable process of bidding is also praiseworthy. No doubt, this is also a welcomed development as it will not only encourage entrepreneurship spirit amongst students but it will also lay a fundamental framework in giving the students a sense of belonging and in running an all-inclusive Students’ Union administration. However, as good as this idea may be, its beautiful intentions can be compromised if certain issues are not considered. While it is meant to encourage the students, the idea should not be a platform where students inordinately enrich themselves at the expense of the Union through a well calculated inflated budgets. In as much as all the executive members already have special assignments to keep them busy, I will strongly advise that a committee of students with proven integrity should be set up to cater for the considerations of such proposals and make informed recommendations to the Union Executives after a careful comparison with what is obtainable in town. “Eni a wi fun…”

To conclude our discussion for this week, I would further advise Mr. President to disregard anyone recommending that you do away with “Stakeholders’ Meetings in return for seeking guidance from congress. I must categorically warn you that you are meant to lead the students and not otherwise. The Congress ground is not a place for you to mine ideas and administrative strategies. The congress ground is meant for decisions’ validation. To map out your strategy and ideas, well represented “Stakeholders Meetings” are the best places for you. These “Stakeholders” are the Students’ representatives and it is only logical that you can successfully carry out a brainstorming session with them as opposed to hundreds of Uites in a congress session. The ignorance of the wisdom in this idea has cost past administrations irreparable damages and this is a mistake you will not want to repeat. And once you have been able to avoid this mistake and others, in your words, “In one voice”, we will, no doubt be “UNSTOPPABLE.”

“Eni a wi fun…”

May God direct our noble cause.

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