OAUSU: Electoral Commission Releases Guidelines In Preparation For Elections

The Electoral Committee of the Obafemi Awolowo University Students'Union has officially released the guidelines for the conduction of the Union Elections. The guidelines were released with details of the Electoral Calendar and pasted around the Halls. Find the guidelines below;

ELECTORAL GUIDELINES

1. Only ACTIVE students are eligible to VOTE and be VOTED FOR.
2. All completed forms should be returned with photocopies of the following documents:
a. Clearance Certificate for the Session.
b. CGPA confirmation from the Faculty/Department.
c. Accommodation Clearance for Hall Executive Council (HEC) contestants.
d. An extra recent passport photograph with name/post written at the back.
e. A soft copy (jpg) format of a recent passport should be sent to oaudecide2017@gmail.com
3.Contestants MUST BE a registered student of the University i.e he/she must have registered for the current
2015/2016 academic session.
4. Contestants for CEC and SRC must have completed AT LEAST one academic session in the university.
5. Contestants MUST have a minimum CGPA of 2.5 as at the time of submission of this form to be eligible to
contest except Part One students for HEC.
6. Contestants SHOULD come to the venue of Screening Exercise with the following:
a. School Identity Card.
b. Clearance certificate.
c. Stamped original copy of the CGPA confirmation document for Department/Faculty.
d. Accommodation clearance for HEC.
e. A recent passport photograph with name and post written at the back.
7. Each contestant should provide TWO sponsors who are also registered and active students of the University.
8. Each sponsor should provide photocopy of ID Card and Clearance Certificate to be attached to the Nomination
form.
9. Sponsors for HEC candidates should also attach their Accommodation Clearance Certificate.
10. Each Contestant MUST conclude his/her campaign on the Manifesto Night.
11.All campaigns must be issued based; any form of attack on any aspirant, whether verbal, physical,
psychological, or otherwise will attract automatic disqualification.
12. Use of Hall’s Public Address System is PROHIBITED.
13. Contestants MUST not write or post bills on walls or roads; it will attract a fine of N5000.
14. Names of agents should be submitted alongside the Nomination form.
15. Agents MUST provide their University Identity Cards at the Election venue.
16. Agents CANNOT be substituted less than 48hrs before the Election Day.
17. No form of harassment is allowed (from Contestants, their agents or supporters).
18. Diploma students are NOT allowed to vote or be voted for.
19. Late submission of completed forms shall NOT be entertained. Submission of forms ends on 5th of February,
2017.
20. Any contestant who fails to submit on/before 5th of February, 2017 stands DISQUALIFIED.
21. Contestants can submit their completed form to any of the members of the commission.
22. Any contestant who has been indicted on any ground of gross misconduct (as shall be interpreted by the
Electoral Commission) stands automatically disqualified.
23. NO posters, hand bills or any form of campaign at the Election Venue.
24. Anybody whose name and picture are NOT on the Tutorial list shall not be allowed to vote.
25. Voting SHALL be by secret ballot system and shall be counted in the presence of the agents and observers in
an orderly/systematic way.
26. List of contestants SHALL be pasted across all Faculties/Halls of Residence at least 24hrs before any election.
All contestants are advised to confirm their names and position to avoid errors on the Ballot papers as no
complaints will be entertained on the Election Day.
27. ANY CONTESTANT WHO VIOLATES THESE GUIDELINES SHALL BE DISQUALIFIED.�

OAU Students' Union Election: The Task Ahead - Adigun Olayemi Paul

   It is no longer news that the Student Union activities of the Obafemi Awolowo University have come to life again. This  makes it possible to all students interested in one post or the other to have the right to vote and be voted for. At this peculiar period, the franchise of any student can't be underestimated owing him physically and mentally fit to the position he/she is vying for.

   Nevertheless,  the facial appearance of any interested individual is been surfaced either directly or indirectly on  banners, the halls of residence, online social media platform e.g WhatsApp , Facebook and so on. The ban has been lifted and the electoral commission have come out with modalities as well as  date for the election.  The walls are being therefore tampered with with some graphic representation of words of the  post aspirants will be contesting for.

   But the major  task will be on the students who constitute the larger percentage of voters. It is pertinent for them to have a good knowledge of all the contestants so that voting won't be by proxy or by friendship, but would rather  be based  on the integrity, vision and manifestos of the contestants.  They shouldn't be swayed by sweet words which is being dished to them alone. Rather, it should be on the motive of sacrifice, what to offer, some new innovations to be introduced, and many more. Questions pertaining to all these must be asked in other to prepare their mind for the course and put their legs on the track.

   Obviously, there has been many Student Union leaders that had their times on this campus but the spotlight should be shown on those performed excellently well thereby tapping into their wealth of experience and quality leadership. This is  because, experience can't be thrown out at this period. The role of consultation shouldn't be undermined, in as much as they want to achieve greatly than their predecessors. But this can only be done by the students by searching deep to ask  them some terrifying questions so that the task could be achieved.

       Conclusively, it can't be ruled out that the union needs a set of vibrant  people with great vision  to put the union  back on track.

(Adigun Olayemi is a final year student and an opinion contributor on the OAU Peeps Team)

OAU: Management Advertises Vacancy For Position Of Librarian

The management of the Obafemi Awolowo University is officially calling for persons interested in holding the position of University Librarian. 

Candidates are expected to possess at least a minimum higher degree of Masters in Library and Information Science with fifteen (15) years of cognate experience. Possession of a Doctorate Degree will be an added advantage. He / She must be 50years old and above, but not more than 65 years of age by February, 2017. Candidates are also required to have scholarly publications in reputable journals and must be members of the following:

1.      Librarian Registration Council of Nigeria

2.      Nigeria Library Association

Furthermore, candidates are expected to be very computer literate and proficient in relevant computer applications as applicable to the running of a complex and modern University Library.

Find more details on application HERE

OAU: Governing Council Commences Application For Vice-Chancellor Position, Read Requirements

The Governing Council of the Obafemi Awolowo University, through the Registrar has officially advertised that candidates aspiring for the post of Vice-Chancellor of the University commence application. This is coming after the extension of the tenure of the acting Vice-Chancellor. Professor Anthony Elujoba, who was selected by the majority to handle the helm of affairs of the Universtiy following the crises that rocked the University upon the last selection.

 In the advert, the requirements to be fulfilled by the aspirants are listed, find full details of the requirements below;

“THE CANDIDATE"

The person for the post of Vice-Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, is required to possess a good University education of a recognized University and should be a proven manager of human and material resources. Specifically, the candidate shall be expected to:

·         be 50 years old and above, but not older than 65 years by June, 2017;

·         be a highly distinguished scholar of the rank of Professor of not less than ten (10) years experience on that rank, with ability to provide academic and administrative leadership for the University Community;

·         be able to command the respect of the national and international academic communities through his/her track records;

·         possess a clear vision for the development of the University and the realization of its mission as expressed in its strategic plan which theme is ‘Harnessing Technology for Academic Excellence’;

·         demonstrate interpersonal and team building skills and possess the ability to strengthen the bridges between staff, students, other members of the University community and the University’s stake holders;

·         exhibit entrepreneurial drive and ability to attract much needed funds and mobilize other resources for the development of the University;

·         enjoy excellent physical and mental health; and

·         have demonstrable ability to establish and maintain partnerships with local and international governmental and non-governmental agencies.

More details on the application procedure can be found HERE

Youth And Nigerian Politics; The Intercepts - Alabi Aderonke

Agreeably, Nigeria is a great, if not the greatest African nation, though with a generation of youth that seems to show less-promising potentials.  A former colony of the British, Nigeria eventually became independent after many years of nationalist protests.   I would not like to bore you with the history of our independence, but it’s important to pinpoint some facts that has kept our dear country in deep, troubled political waters.

The Nigerian nation has experienced, over time, eras of different political parties. Nigeria is currently in a political dispensation that seems as the ideal model of democracy, but really it is a situation of politicians just arriving at agreements on mutual benefits at the masses detriment. History may have suggested the same to have been in play as far back as the military rule, with the leading figures in each coup alleged to have already concluded on how large their shares of the country’s treasury would be on successful execution of their taking-over plans.

Fast forward to the current era, the youths have evolved to hold key potentials in the nation’s politics.  A good case study is tertiary institution politics. Students are being given opportunities to practice politics and by implication a democratic set-up in institutions all around the country.  However, it is necessary to state that this special privilege has been continuously misused by these young politicians.  It has provided them a platform to become unnecessarily overambitious, power-driven, callous and vision less; all in contrary to the potentials expected of ideal student politicians.  These ones have gone to the extent of perpetrating attacks physically, intellectually and even on personalities.  This situation had sometimes escalated into violence and chaos during campaigns and elections.  

It is of great concern to note that these young office-holders when eventually elected doesn’t deliver on their campaign promises.  Half-done projects and funds mismanagement are the only evidences of their stay in office.  Perhaps, they are caught in these act; such situations are prematurely swept under the carpets for different flimsy reasons – peace and unity being the most common – with the aid of their political godfathers. 

Apparently, if these young politicians could do so badly at the nursery stage of their development, you will agree that these ones cannot improve the deteriorating political situation of the nation when they eventually graduate to the field.  Consequently, one may be forced to ask; where is the Messiah coming from to save Nigeria from this state of political catastrophe? Is it among this set of half-baked youth politicians or from another world?  Only time would tell.

(Alabi Aderonke Victoria is a student of the English Department, Obafemi Awolowo University and a member of the OAU Peeps Team)

Man The Mic Enjoys Massive Turnout, Participants Set To Practice

After some much anticipation, the oratory training event - ‘Man the mic’ – finally held on Friday, the 27th and Saturday, 28th of January at the Law Moot and Mock Court, Faculty of Law, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. 

The event, organized to train participants in the act and skill of event-related communication, had in attendance popular media personalities and practitioners including Ayodeji Simbal aka MC Simbal, Anthony Awobode aka Don Tee, and Damilare Osundare aka Asiri Nla. Others are Nancy Isime, Timi Agbaje, and Ayo Atitebi.

Declaring the event opened, the convener and organizer, Timi Agbaje in his words encouraged the participants to have an open mind and make sure they grab everything they could in the course of the training. 

The first speaker at the program, Ayodeji Simbal (MC Simbal), spoke to participants on becoming a 21st century MC.  He delved into the expected roles of a 21st century MC and how the qualities required to fulfill these roles could be acquired.  He further advised the participants to be spontaneous since their job is to make an event successful.

While delivering a straight-from-the-roots speech on ‘the Art of Faceless Communication and the business of communication’, Awobode Anthony, aka Don Tee gave insights of faceless communication like the phone conversation, social media and many more. He also talked about the mic being a paycheck even though it is not about the money but the passion.

The highly revered comedian, Asiri, finally mounted the stage to speak after a short break with light refreshments, to deliver an all-encompassing speech.  He advised the audience to develop a unique selling point for themselves, as public speaking has a language.

There was a question-and-answer session where participants asked various questions to which answers were provided by the facilitators.  Next was the opportunity for participants to showcase their abilities and lastly a picture session with the facilitators.

The training continued on the second day - January 28^th with an interlude on stage fright by Femi-Oke Opeyemi aka Yemi Kings, an event host and a photographer. This was followed by an interactive session between the convener, Timi Agbaje and the participants.

   

Nancy Isime, an Ex-beauty queen and a TV Presenter was the first facilitator to speak. In her brief remarks, she emphasized on the need for participants to let their desire for success overcome all obstacles on their way to the top. 

Ayo Atitebi, a public speaker and an event host was the final facilitator to speak at the event, after the lunch break of the day. He spoke on Communications - straddling two words. He mentioned the different types of events and how to identify then. Also, how to communicate effectively with the audience and how to make a switch during intervals. He advised that the worth of every individual is directly proportional to what they know so they should never hide what they know.

This two-day training session ended with a practical session with Ayo Atitebi correcting them after answering their biting questions.  However, Man the Mic has not ended yet; as on the 5th of February, there will be a contest between the participants to find the man of the mic in a bid to ascertain how far the training has helped and how improved the participants have become.

EFCC Invites Ex-OAU VC Bamitale Omole

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has invited former Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) Vice Chancellor Prof. Bamitale Omole and the bursar, Mrs. Aderonke Akeredolu, for questioning.

It was gathered that EFCC asked Omole to explain how he “spent” N208 million for the renovation of the VC’s official residence during his tenure.
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Third Eye Transparency International, petitioned the EFCC, alleging embezzlement, fraudulent conversion and abuse of office.

In the petition, the group urged the agency to investigate “the illegal disbursement and embezzlement of funds”.

The NGO said the official residence had been built and completed for decent habitation long before Omole’s tenure and had been occupied by several vice-chancellors.

In a letter dated January 19 addressed to the Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Anthony Elujoba, the EFCC requested for the release of Prof Omole and Mrs. Akeredolu.

It asked the bursar to come along with Certified True Copies (CTC) of “all capital project contracts, including financial document relevant to the renovation of official residence of the VC executed in the institution”.

“Other documents expected are financial document of funds remitted to OAU under the NEEDS ASSESSMENT of Nigeria Public Universities Special Presidential Intervention between 2013 and 2014 and all financial documents of employer Contributory Pension Scheme of the Institution between 2012 and 2016.”


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