Preservation Or Mummification: And Yet Another Omole Crisis…- Pope Jay

“He must have come before

Why else would mother call him ‘Tale

We still feel the pains from the sores

The ones he caused when he came as Wale”

Considering the past reactions of certain persons to criticism, I would not be surprised if at the end of this piece I am regarded with names like “Capitalist”, “Betrayer” and the likes. If anything, I have learnt that as much as we like impose our ideals on others, we often find it difficult to work with criticism. However, I have authored this piece with no prejudice to any person or party. I have only tried to express my opinions in the least provocative ways possible. 

 The politicking in the Obafemi Awolowo University Students’ Union has certainly taken an upward nudge over the past few weeks and whilst I personally have noted certain anomalies in the electoral procedures (some of which I have written about), I feel one of the errors of the Electoral commission, most especially in drafting the guidelines was its silence on the participation of final year students (as candidates) in the Electoral process. And from the look of things, the resultant effect of that oversight might be upon us already. 

 You would think with the kind of history the Obafemi Awolowo University has with “Omoles” we have had just about enough. But no! Yet again under dramatic conditions, another Omole has again come to preside over the students of the school. Whether or not he is another reincarnation of the kind of Omoles we have had in the past is for the gods to answer but the circumstances under which this controversial persona contests is one to critically assess, one that I fear might as well send back our Student’s Union before its arrival, if not distort its foundation for the generations to come.

 The Omole Ibukun campaign tag has been “Preserved to Preside”; birthed majorly from the fact that the man is a final year student who plans to be the President of the Students’ Union in an extra year. Apart from the fact that this in itself is highly absurd, it should not be the kind of example the Obafemi Awolowo Union Students’ Union should be setting at this point in time. We complain of the kind of politicians found at the level of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS):  Persons taking per time courses just to participate in students politics; majorly of course for selfish reasons. And here we stand about to walk majestically into the same quicksand. 

 I have heard arguments that his delay is due to his “tactical suspension” and is thus justified. But rather than give some reassurance, this in itself only just scares me more. People who followed the “Tactical Suspension” matter would recall that that started from “Animals in the Senate”; an article perhaps only rivalled by the Femi Adeyeye’s piece on the Unilag Management (If that is even a worthy competition). 

At this point in time, we can only hope the electorate makes the best choice come 16^th February, if not for anything but to correct the errors of the Commission. For it is obvious now, even to the blind, that the Great Ife has sure had her fair dose of crises and if any reasonable progress in the redemption course is to be made, all hands have to be on deck. But then again, I’m sure we can handle anything that comes along. After all, Brexit and Trump happened only last year!

Pope Jay

OAUDecides2017: Meet The Contenders; Director Of Socials

As the generality of Great Ife students set out to the polls to decide their next set of Union Leaders next week, it is essential that they have a modicum of information about the political aspirants and their ambitions.  The battle for the office of the Director of Socials OAU is between Afolabi Adedayo Emmanuel and Ojuola Victor Okikiola.

Adedayo  Afolabi Emmanuel(Lamba) is a 400 level student from the department of Agricultural Economics in the Faculty of Agriculture. He has served as the Director of Socials of his departmental association for 2014/15 session and is the current Director of Socials for the Faculty of Agriculture.  In an exclusive interview with OAU Peeps News Agency, Lamba, as he is popularly known asserted that socialising is not all about partying. According to him, asides partying and hangouts, educating and talent promoting events can influence the social life of undergraduates. He further reiterated that, if elected, he would make the social life of OAU students a 'memorable' one. When asked if he was a religious person due to a constant reference to God in the course of the interview, Lamba replied "I am not religious, I’m just normal."  He declared "individualism" when asked if he was working with other aspirants to garner votes in the forthcoming election.

On the other hand: Ojuola Victor Okikiola (Chauwlee) is a 300 level student of the department of Dramatic Arts in the Faculty of Arts.  He contested for the same position at the Departmental level in 2014/2015. Victor is a 300 level student in the department of Dramatic Arts, also in an exclusive interaction with OAU Peeps News Agency, Chauwlee as he is popularly called stated that going religious is being social. He expatiated by saying that although not everyone was socially inclined, religious activities can also be an avenue of establishing some level of social networking as students. He further stated that the office of the social director is the only avenue that can assemble a large population at a single sitting for leisure and innovative purposes. When asked about his plans if eventually elected, Chauwlee declared to involve the students in the renovation and reeducation of OAU students on a social life and all it entails.

More To Come…
#OAUDecides2017

We Are Bringing A Change From The Norm- Emerald

In an interactive session with OAU Peeps News Agency, Jacob Oluwatosin Grace aka Emerald, a contestant for the post of Vice President in the upcoming Students Union elections, shared her plans and goals if successfully elected into office. Introducing herself as a part four student of the faculty of Law, she stated her current position as an active member of CLASFON, and her other religious and leadership roles.
Emerald went ahead to give a detailed breakdown of her aims and goals concerning academics if elected. She spoke on her plans to revive the past glory of academic excellence in OAU. Speaking on the problem of mass failure, she proffered a two way solution; setting up an active academic committee of the SRC where victim(s) would be able to lodge complaints without fear, thus avoiding the long processes that usually characteristic of such cases usually involve. She said, "We don't want processes to stop justice, that is, we don't want to sacrifice justice on the altar of technicalities. That is why we'll need to set up an ad hoc academic committee to speed up processes... Also by working hand in hand with the academic committee of each department, it would be a collective responsibility for everyone..."
She also spoke on her aim to attend to the problem of delay in the release of results. Explaining how this problem affects NYSC posting for our graduates and scholarships schemes application for students. She talked about organizing academic programs that will motivate students to put in more effort in academics, referring to times when first class graduates were given. In addition, she talked about projecting an all-encompassing programme to orientate freshmen to prevent exploitation and change the mindset of apathy to unionism. Emerald went on further to explain that going for a leadership position should not be for monetary gain or selfish interest. Also, that being a union member should not place anybody above the other students. She said, "You're not a union member because you hold an office, but because you are a student of OAU..."

When asked why her empowerment and skill acquisition plan was only for female students, which seemed like a gender bias, she explained that the female gender is generally sidelined, even though there is no bias in the SUG concerning female aspirants. She stated that her administration would urge ladies to participate more in activities, because there are many ladies who would function effectively in other offices in the Students Union.

Further questions about her opinion about twenty first century unionism brought up her motto "Mutare Ad Normam" which means "a change from the norm". She was further asked if the popularly vibrant Great Ife students union needed a change. She said a change in mindset was necessary. Students should not go into union activities for monetary gains but for service. She explained, "Student union leaders have not been responsible in their clamoring. We can't ask for what we ourselves don't have or portray. We don't have to always use political power every time. Sometimes, diplomacy works fine..."

In conclusion, when asked why she considered herself the best candidate for the post, she replied, "The Union is a pressure group fighting for the collective good of all. An injury to one is an injury to all... I'm the best candidate because my aims are purely humanitarian. I'm working for our interests and coming to set things right..." she concluded. 

OAU: Non-Academic Staff Protest Member's Death, Bars Bursar From Entering Office

Following the death of an Academic Laboratory Technician in the Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science in the line of work, workers of the Obafemi Awolowo University today took to the University Senate Building to protest the state of the Laboratories and infrastructure on campus.

The deceased, Mr Oyediwura Samson, was said to have suffered from the spillage of a toxic chemical and was rushed to the Health Centre and eventually referred to the University Teaching Hospital, where he was said to have given up the ghost.

The Protesting Workers also barred the University Bursar, Mrs Akeredolu from going into her office stating that she go to face the petition against her at the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. They claimed that she and the former Vice-Chancellor, Professor 'Tale Omole, were involved in several corrupt practices; diverting funds that were meant to improve the infrastructure of the Institution.

However, upon pleas by the Acting Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Anthony Elujoba, the protesting workers went back to work. The Acting Vice-Chancellor promised the workers to look into all the issues raised and he reassured them that the University Management was doing all necessary to make learning on campus more convenient. He then had a closed door meeting with the leadership of the Unions present.

NLC To Protest On Thursday 9th February Over Dire Economic Situation In Country

The President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Ayuba Wabba, has stated that the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in collaboration with the Trade Union Congress (TUC) will stage a protest over the state of things in Nigeria on Thursday January 9, 2017.

The protest which is tagged ‘National day
of action against corruption and for good
governance’ will hold simultaneously in Abuja and Lagos.

According to Wabba, Thursday would be
marked with marches and rallies. The unions will also seize the opportunity to submit a petition containing a list of demands to the government at the Presidential Villa and National Assembly.

Workers and Nigerians are expected to gather as early as 7am at the Unity
Fountain, Abuja from where the protest will head to the Federal Secretariat, the National Assembly and to the Presidency.
The NLC president,  Comrade Ayuba Wabba argued that the need for good governance in the face of recession and the negative effect of free for all multiple exchange rate regime necessitated the protest.

He also said that issues to be addressed in the protest also include an upward review of minimum wage and payment of salaries.

 Source 

Department of Mechanical Engineering Triumphs At Yellow House

Success was recorded in the Department of Mechanical Engineering as they once again came out in flying colours at the Department of Mathematics in the just concluded Second Annual Best Brain Quiz competition organized by Department of Mathematics. The competition, which was held at Yellow House(Department of Mathematics), span through Friday 27th- Saturday 28th January 2017.

Keeping in mind that it had been earlier recorded around October/November 2016 that students of the Mechanical Engineering Department dominated the MTH101 results.

The representatives from the department were Odumakinde Ayomide and Akinlolu David, both 300L Students of the Department of Mechanical Engineering.

The Electoral Conspiracy- Gracious Egedegbe

By Gracious Egedegbe

There is a big conspiracy going on as the election into representative posts at the level of OAU student union. This big conspiracy is a conglomerate of several conspiracies currently cultivated by various seemingly influential individuals in various camps. These individuals with vested interest have so much at stake that they will be willing to go to lengths to influence the results to favour themselves and alignments.

Before this writer goes forward, there is the need to impress upon the reader the sensitivity and significance of the elections. OAU, like every other entity, have evolved through the ages. There was a time when it rivalled with the University of Ibadan as the hallmark of Student Unionism. Slowly, as the efficacy of mass protests and related acts waned, there was the need for a more up-to-date approach to representing students. Let the reader know that we live in changing times where the need for responsible, informed and proactive leaders cannot be overemphasized. The calibre of representatives elected will reflect in student unionism, how the school will relate with students, improvement or lack of welfare and ultimately the general image of students (and graduates) in the eyes of all observers.

This informs the conspiracies going on in several quarters. While this writer does not claim to have interacted intimately with all parties involve, there is no gainsaying that there are plans on how to sway votes in several camps.

The first camp may be referred to as the modernist. This group hopes to present itself as fitting for 21st century unionism. On the face of it, this represents the students’ need: group of individuals that will use methods that fit well with the changing times. One would expect consultations, intellectual struggles, and social media protests amongst others. It could be argued that this will be most welcomed as students are tired of having the academic calendar disrupted due to unionism related activities.

However, it can also be argued that these sets of individuals are cowards who are only interested in the economic, political and egoistic gains that could be accrued from entering the seat of power. These sets of individuals are wholly concerned of much benefits come to themselves rather than agitate for the rights of student, the ultimate price of rustication notwithstanding. To even postulate further, these individuals are ready to capitulate to the management on any matter of divergence than represent the views of the students.

This informs the views of the second camp who are commonly (and erroneously) all labelled as leftists. While it is in the leftists’ ideology to agitate for a populist society, where the right of the common man is acknowledge and respected, other individuals may also share that view without the necessary label of leftist. These groups of people (leftists or not) believe in the class struggle. As far as they are concerned, the management has a far-reaching power that ultimately makes them the oppressor in any given situation. Their primary aim is to involve students as much as possible in the decision-making process as well as fight exploitation.

While their objectives sound interesting and beneficial to all students, the question that arises it: “to what extent?” While some individuals in this camp are conscious of the students’ frustration with long unnecessary breaks, majority of them believe that the prices of indefinite breaks, victimization, suspension and ultimately rustication are necessary price to win the struggle. They argue that fear will only keep the students in administrative bondage. They fail to realise that in pay their “necessary price,” they adversely affect the lives, aspirations and goals of many students. Furthermore, the cost of living is climbing higher by the day and many are eager to complete their studies and help ameliorate the financial conditions of their families and relations.

To strike a balance, there is a third camp that believes that confrontation with the management is inevitable as well as the consequences that come with them. This group of persons believe that for any true unionism to occur there must be the preparedness in all ramifications to resist any and all exploitations and callous actions (or inactions) towards the student population. However, these individual are not entirely focused on victory that they will sacrifice the convenience of the student community. They believe that certain concessions may be necessary as the need arises.

The only objection to this is their seemingly hypocritical nature. One may tempted to ask, “Why go to battle when you already have the mind to surrender and make compromises?” It would seem that these individuals feel weak to totally confront the myriads of challenges in student unionism and will only go as far as “my legs can carry me, after all, I cannot kill myself.” It would seem that these individuals want to bask in the favour of the students as well as maintain secure relations with other parties.

At this point, the reader might ask, “What exactly is the conspiracy?” The conspiracy lies within the student population. Overtime, there has been a gradual ingraining of individualism. This has manifested itself in exploitative acts by students against students, nonchalant attitude about the welfare of other students and total disregard for the need to aspire for the common good. We have unwittingly conspired amongst ourselves to abdicate our responsibilities to a select few not minding what happens as long as our interests are protected.

This conspiracy reveals itself in mental lethargy, apathy for general student welfare as well as exploitation without the thought of giving back. It is the conspiracy being played out over time that has led to the gradual demise of student unionism. This conspiracy facilitates the growth of individuals with plans and aspirations that are only concerned with their ideologies and vendettas rather than the welfare of the students. It is this conspiracy that (if left unchecked) will sound the knell and herald the deceasing of our great nation, Nigeria .