OAU Students To Vote New Union President, Others February 16

Barring a last minute change in schedule, students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife will once again on Thursday, February 16 go to the polls to decide who next will lead the Students’ Union (SU). This comes after about three months the Professor Anthony Elujoba-led university management lifted the suspension placed on union activities.

According to the time-table released by the SU Electoral Commission, elections into the positions in the Central Executive Council (CEC)will take place on February 16 across all faculties in the university starting from 9am till 3pm. Prior to the election day are the Debate Night and the Manifesto Night.

Five days before the CEC election, February 11, 2016, elections into Hall Executive Council positions will hold in all the eight undergraduate halls of residence. The Student Representative Council election comes up last, on the 20th February. The time-table however did not stipulate the time proposed for the swearing-in of the elected officers.

In April 2015, Omotayo Akande a.k.a TY rode a massive student support to beat his closest rival, Fakorede Seun a.k.a Phakoo to emerge the Union president. The much embattled TY administration was however short-lived by the suspension of activities slammed on the Union by the erstwhile Vice Chancellor, Professor Bamitale Omole. Consequently, three officers, including the President, Secretary General and Public Relations Officer of the Union were rusticated for some semesters.

What Is CGPA This Time Around Mr Electoral Commission Chairman?

If there is one particular period of time since the commencement of the operations of OAU Peeps News Agency that the organization met with serious stifling and its members were attacked by some Union elements, then it was when the Agency relentlessly reported the CGPA saga that ensued after the 2015 SU elections between the erstwhile Secretary General of the Great Ife Students’ Union, Oketooto Oluwaseun a.k.a Hon. Seun and two other contestants for the office of the Secretary General then, Awotiwon Ibiyemi a.k.a Ibiyemi and Adejobi Peter Ola. The press outfit steadily reported events right from the allegation till the case 'politically went down the drain.'

Even though the blatant disregard for the rule of law by the ex-SU President, Omotayo Akande a.ka TY prevailed over the situation at that time, there is seemingly little being done now by the current Show Baba-led Electoral Commission (EC) to address this same serious concern that could turn out to be an issue afterwards.

While I try as much as possible not to spite odd memories which definitely is not in favour of some supposed comrades, I also want Great Ife students to remember or to know (for stale freshmen) that one of the contentious issues that came up during the election hearings held by the Electoral Petition Committee (EPC) then was the definition of CGPA. Pretty good I point out asap; the TY-turned aside valid judgement of the 7-man Adeyemo Akintunde-led EPC also failed to define CGPA in that same case.

Going by the published ‘electoral guidelines for the contestants’ by the Electoral Commission, number 5 of the guidelines read: “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.”

Now the contentious questions once again are: What is CGPA? When is a CGPA obtainable? At the end of an academic session, at the end of a particular semester or at any point in time, as long as I am an active student? Is there any difference between CGPA and GPA?

From my quick check while writing this article, CGPA means Cumulative Grade Point Average. If you still have your student hand book with you, quickly turn with me to page 29 of it; CGPA is defined there as “This is not the summation of GPAs for all semesters. Rather, it is the summation of TCPs ALL SEMESTERS, divided by the summation of TLUs for the said semesters...”

Apparently, arguments in some quarters that the CGPA expected from contestants by the EC for this election is that obtained at the end of Rain semester of the 2014/2015 academic session is wrong. Instead, contestants are required to proceed to their various departments and get their CGPA as at the end of the Harmattan semester of the 2015/2016 academic session.

I have never been a fan of using CGPA to measure the administrative and leadership quality of students and I don’t think I will be any time soon, for certain reasons and several situations I have witnessed. However, since the rule of the game insists on a CGPA of 2.5, then what is worth doing is worth doing well. The last Union executives had a faulty foundation and an ugly start after the last election but we have the option of avoiding a repeat.

Truth Or Dare? Angolan Attempts To Eat Thirty Wraps Of Fufu

There was drama at the Angola Hall of Residence in the late hours of Wednesday when a resident swore he could make thirty wraps of fufu disappear down the canals of his throat.

Not the type to shy away from holding a fellow resident at his words, it didn't take long before Angolans made available the required numbers of fufu and a bowl of soup. The challenge thus commenced amidst cheers from a baffled crowd.

After an intense fifteen minutes of swallowing, the young Angolan started showing signs of slowing down on the tenth wrap. His hand to mouth transits slowed to a crawl and he began begging the crowd to reduce the number of fufus from thirty to twenty to which the throng blatantly refused.

Upon a tumultuous struggle to swallow morsels from the eleventh wrap of fufu, the Angolan gave up and called it a day, to the disappointment of the large number of onlookers.

Gradually the crowd dissipated and students retreated to their individual rooms.

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