Student Unionism: “Leaders Isọnu” And Their Dogmatic Followers

 

By Ajibade Abdullah Adewale

Leading Leader, Capacity Leader And Leader Isọnu. What type are you?

Heading towards my department a few days after the Great Ife Students’ Union Elections, I got drawn in by the conversation I overheard between two guys conversing in Yoruba language. One of them said something along the lines of “I told you that those people are Leaders Isọnu. They thought they could manipulate us to support their average candidate. Thank God, we didn’t give in, now they have failed”. 

His voice, struggling between mildness and frustration, echoed; “Àwon wèrè” -“mad fellows”. Initially, I thought he was upset about the loss of his candidate in the elections. However, my postulation was swiftly buried when he further told his friend that, had the students’ favourites not emerged, those people ( the acclaimed leaders) would have jubilated even when it is a failure for the faculty.

That’s when I grasped the crux of the whole discussion. A set of students in that faculty who might have been positioning themselves as leaders projected a candidate who was not well-received by the students. They resisted the action and the aftermath is that the majority’s choice emerged while the acclaimed leaders’ choice suffered defeat. 

Ratiocinating on this scenario, my mind traversed many antecedents within departmental and faculty associations and one can only say that it is a recurring pattern of events.

Between Stakeholders And The Students’ Interests

In many student associations, it is not novel to have a set of students coming together or being selected with the major aim of representing the association on strategic matters since everyone can’t be at the helm of decision-making. Over the years, the leadership of such associations and maybe students, have supported this act, leading to the formation of the “Stakeholders”. 

Candidly, having representatives is a necessary strategy, especially in the political sphere of student associations. However, in recent times, I have observed that some of these representatives are now self-proclaimed and have strayed from their purpose. Rather than focusing on satisfying the needs of the student population, they have become more interested in furthering personal interests. Unfortunately, this often leads to situations where qualified candidates are frustrated or indirectly intimidated to give up on contesting. 

To make it clearer, what they do is project a candidate with average qualities but with audience appeal and can conveniently play the pawn on their chess board while shunning the one with the right qualities since he is a threat to their selfish agenda. They go ahead to negotiate with other camps in the guise of representing the students but they end up satisfying their greed. Meanwhile, when this puppet emerges and fails, the stain will be on the association and faintly on the acclaimed stakeholders, “Leaders Isonu”, best put. 

 Sadly, when one traces the reason for the failure, it is most likely a result of the leader’s excessive demands coupled with the puppet’s incompetence.

We have witnessed how products of permutation, not competence, failed. Likewise, the opposite. However, should a product of their usual type of permutation perform? two things are involved. First is either he abandoned them after emerging, which is almost impossible, or he found ways around satisfying them likewise serving the students populace.

“Leader Isonu” With No Standing

Just like anyone defeated will try to figure out the reason for his loss, after a recent election on this campus, the defeated contestant felt so bad that the feeling was already forming wrinkles on his face. Powered by curiosity, I approached him for a  remark about the conduct of the elections. Instead of a direct response, he only retorted that his “ acclaimed leader has failed him again” He proceeded that he worked solely to pull that number of votes while his acclaimed leader didn’t offer anything obvious or behind the scene. 

When I heard this, my body was already responding with sympathy until he said “ Leader na leader”. That’s when I knew that his defeat was a result of a marriage between a leader with no proper authority and a follower who held onto dogmatic beliefs. It is perplexing to see how someone who recognized his acclaimed leader’s incompetence still accepted him moronically. 

Before you think he might be helping in other ways, the so-called leader is the one benefiting from the financial strength of this individual. It’s concerning that this “leader” hasn’t even learned the basics. No ideology, nothing. Just vibes and selfish permutations. 

What Next?

Inferring from the last union elections, some students were said to have stood against the decision of the stakeholders of their faculty who wanted to use a candidate to negotiate their greediness. While this is a positive development, it remains to be seen whether they are also truly committed to becoming responsible leaders that prioritize the interest of the students. Well, only time will tell whether they champion the ethos of putting the students’ needs first and demonstrating competence in leadership.

Lastly……….. 

“Followers who tell the truth, and leaders who listen to it, are an unbeatable combination.”—Warren Benn

Are you a Leading Leader, a Capacity Leader, or  Leader Isọnu?

 

Breaking: OAU Sets Date For Returning Students Bed space Allocation

 

The Obafemi Awolowo University management has set a date for the allocation of bed space request for returning undergraduate students for the 2022/2023 academic session.

According to what was released on the eportal, the bed space request for returning undergraduate students will be activated on Monday 26th June 2023 by exactly 7pm. Therefore, returning Undergraduate students are expected to login into E-portal for the limited bed-spaces.

Breaking: ACJOAU Withdraws From Electoral Debate

The Association of Campus Journalists OAU Chapter has announced her withdrawal from the Great Ife Students' Union Elections Debate. 

In a Press Statement made available to OAUPeeps News Agency, the association decides to withdraw from the election debate because of the circumstances surrounding arrangements and therefore decides to set the tone for election monitoring. 

The association decided not to participate in the election debate as a result of a last-minute in-house ruling and the leadership does not feel assured of the arrangements made available by the Electoral Commission. 

The Association however promised to support the future activities of the commission and assures Great Ife Students' to do everything possible to ensure effective election monitoring.

The statement read thus:

The leadership of the Association regrets to inform the general public of her withdrawal from the Great Ife Students' Union Elections Debate which, according to the formal invitation that we got, should hold today Monday, 29th of May, 2023, by 3pm. 

As we all know that by convention, the Association of Campus Journalists, OAU usually handles the Students' Union electoral debate and has, over the years, done it well. However, we will like to inform the general public of our withdrawal to participate during this time. This resolution is coming after a last-minute consideration of the terms, conditions, and modalities of the debate set down by the Electoral Commission. 

As a result of the Association's last-minute in-house ruling, the leadership does not feel assured of the arrangements made available by the Electoral Commission and cannot continue as initially arranged.

Having communicated our intent to withdraw to the Electoral Commission and having promised our support in their future activities, we want to assure the Commission and Great Ife students' community of doing everything possible to ensure effective election monitoring. 

Observers are recognized, safe, and protected in the course of doing their job. 

As part of our safety procedure, we want to state that our election Reporters and Monitors will be with ACJ tags signed by the leadership of the Association. This is to ensure due recognition as they go about doing their job. As the Association continues to build on its existing good reputation, we appeal to everyone to follow voting guidelines and conduct themselves in the best democratic way possible. 

We are doing everything humanly possible to ensure that prompt and real-time election updates are not missed and adequately published in a coordinated form. And we assure everyone involved in this election of fair, accurate, and fact-backed reporting. 

Thank you for your usual cooperation, and we hope the forthcoming CEC and SRC elections go well. 

In The Midst Of Everyone Coming, Great Ife Beware

By Ayomide Emmanuel

The political atmosphere in the Students Community, Obafemi Awolowo University will take a new dimension in days to come and amid everything, students need to be more careful in choosing the next set of leaders.

Electioneering activities already started in full some weeks ago with departments and faculties preparing to conduct their respective elections to present the next set of leaders. 

Consequently, the GreatIFE Students' Union also constituted the Electoral Commission to see to the emergence of the election of new leaders. The commission has however swung into action again by lifting a ban on election campaigns. 

In the centre of everything, it's important to note that the political space will be muddy and flooded in days to come. And this can only mean that students will have to open their eyes and let Ephesians 1:18a be their anchor prayer and scripture so that their eyes may be opened and be flooded with light so that they may see Wolves disguising as Sheeps.

Remember that the thief only comes to steal, kill and destroy so you must be a sheep that knows the voice of his shepherd and harkens to it. Beware of politicians on Campus who unnecessarily become so close to you in this midst of time and season. 

Everyone is coming and coming but the question that should rise in the heart of everyone is where are they coming from? Are they coming from paradise or hell? Remember those who came before them and by now I believe we can conclude where they came from. 

GreatIFE Students Shine your eyes, do not be carried away by the activities of the election, you deserve leaders who will serve and not leaders who are all after the gain of entering into the building. Everyone wants to experience the opportunity of sitting down and making laws in an air-conditioned office. You deserve a VIBRANT STUDENTS REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL, one that will talk on matters pertaining to you, and put the executive councils in check and not one that will be engrossed in leadership struggle and forget to call for sitting. 

Students in the Hall Of Residence should elect a Chairman and Chairperson that will see to their welfare and not one that even the grasses in the halls will be taller than weeks after resumption hereby making Snakes and other dangerous reptiles the occupant of the hostel while you're the squatter. 

To everyone coming also, know that to be leaders, you must become servants first. You must not conform to the status quo especially if it entails ruling through coercion and unjust deeds over your subordinates. A leader’s credibility is based on how he/she upholds truth and fairness over his organisation and is meant to be humble and not boast.

They also encourage others and do not belittle their followers just because of their lack of capacity for something. They see potential in the uniqueness of their followers. You must be ready and open to taking advice so your ideas can become limitless. You must think of innovative ways to improve yourself and your followers remember where there is no guidance the people fall, But in an abundance of counsellors, there is victory.

Finally, in case you're coming and you don't know where you're going again, it's not too late to go back to where you are coming from and let those who have truly come to serve diligently attain the position of authority.

Great Ife Electoral Commission Lift Ban On Election Campaign, Releases Guidelines

By Ayomide Emmanuel

Following the constitution of the Electoral Commission by the Great Ife Students' Representative Council on Tuesday, 16th May 2023, the Electoral Commission which consist of 13-men Committee which cut across the 13 faculties of the University to oversee the conduct of the forthcoming, Students' Union Election. 

In a Release made available to OAUPeeps News Agency, the Electoral Commission has decided to lift ban on election campaigns. 

According to the release, by virtue of the powers conferred on the Electoral Commission as contained in the Great Ife sacrosanct constitution in Article IV, Section 60 (4), “the electoral commission shall organise and effectively supervise all union elections and bye elections with utmost good faith”. After careful consideration and evaluation, it is on this note the electoral commission has decided to lift the election ban, thereby allowing the commencement of campaigns, which shall take place with immediate effect, Thursday, May 18, 2023.

 The electoral commission arrived at this decision to commence the election activities due to reasonable circumstances surrounding the electioneering processes. Greatest Ife! Articulate Ife! The university academic calendar stipulates that examinations are to commence 5th of June, 2023 which translates to that the commission only have 2weeks to complete the whole electioneering process.

 The commission however plead to the entirety of Great Ife students to join hands with the Electoral Commission in commencing the election, who want the Great Ife students and stakeholders to cooperate with the commission for the essential for the smooth conduct of the elections and the consolidation of our union. In respect to this announcement, the commission urge the entire students to actively participate in the electoral process. To promote participatory democracy and good governance for Great Ife students Union prosperity, the Commission uses the medium to encourage the totality of Great Ife student union members to embark on their ambition to starting of campaigns. While the election process serves as an avenue for healthy competition, would like to emphasize the importance of conducting campaigns in a respectful and peaceful manner. 

Consequently, the Commission implore all aspirants (CEC, SRC & HEC) and their supporters to read and get familiar with the campaign guidelines which are clearly stated below:

 1. Eligibility Criteria 

A. Contestants MUST be registered students of the university for the 2021/2022 academic session.

 B. Contestants running for the positions within CEC and SRC must have successfully completed AT LEAST one academic session in the 1 university. 

2. Campaign Guidelines 

A. All campaign activities should focus on the issues and be centered around the candidate's proposed solutions. A political campaign or slogan shall not be tainted with abusive language directly or indirectly likely to injure physical, psychological, religious, ethnic, or sectional feelings against another candidate will result in automatic disqualification. 

B. The use of the halls' public address system for campaign purposes is strictly prohibited. c. Colored posters are not allowed to be used by contestants. d. Contestants are prohibited from writing or posting bills on walls, water tanks, and roads. 

3. Conduct and Harassment:

 Contestants and their supporters must refrain from any form of harassment during the election process. Harassment includes any actions or behavior intended to intimidate, coerce, or harm others. 

4. Disqualification Risk: Any contestant who violates these guidelines stands the risk of being DISQUALIFIED. 

5. Incumbent Members' Responsibilities:

 Incumbent members of the CEC who are contesting positions within the CEC must hand over all union properties in their possession, including keys to their offices. This measure ensures the protection of sensitive election materials and promotes a level playing field for all contestants. 

The electoral commission will closely monitor the campaign activities to ensure compliance with the rules and regulations. We are committed to upholding transparency, fairness, and impartiality throughout the entire electoral process. These guidelines aim to ensure a fair, transparent, and respectful election process, fostering an environment that encourages constructive campaigns and discourages misconduct. 

Let Your Fashion Speak, Let It Be Your Voice: CEO I-Touch Collectible Admonish Fashionpreneurs On Campus

By Ayomide Emmanuel

In a colorful event hosted by the Kinflip community, a fashion Conference named "Future Fashion Industry Conference" with the theme "Exploring The Business And Sustainable Development In The African Fashion Industry which held on Friday, 12th May 2023. The conference which was graced by the attendance of the Great Ife Students'Union Vice-President, Salvation Grace was one that left impact in the life of those in attendance

The fashion conference which was hosted by Kinflip held at BOO C Faculty Of Sciences Obafemi Awolowo University. The conference which is a fashion Conference brought ladies and gentlemen from every sphere of the fashion world together to learn and unlearn new things

The keynote speaker of the day while speaking Mr Olowolaju Theophilus Itunnu the CEO of I-touch Collectibles said he spent 8 years in OAU but they were 8years of testimony, even though the school community (OAU) tried to break and humiliate him, but he kept standing. 

Speaking to the on the need to be creative and hard-working as a fashionpreneur, he said he was once stucked at Abu Dhabi, Dubai at 2am due to lack of Cash at hand. But what led to him been able to overcome that situation was because he had his fabrics which were his work and he was able to sell over $500 overnight and eventually, he was able to cater for himself and when able to afford to Lodge in a five- star hotel. 

He further admonished Fashionpreneurs on the need to be original in everything you do and the best way to show people who called youth lazy is to show them what we have. And to make fashion grow, it must come from the heart, place value on what you do by creating your own style of fashion. He need no one can initiate his style and any attempt of someone doing that will result to the person selling his brand unknowingly because it is his passion and when everyone in life should go, the passion will be there. 

Consequently, he said the best way to sell yourself to the word is to paint it on people's face as Fashion is not a convenient business, it takes hard work and Fashionpreneurs shouldn't stop creating until they get there niche, work on there ability as that's how to sustain the Fashion business. 

In his closing remark he said, Let Your Fashion Speaks, Let It Be Your Voice. 

The panelist session which was moderated by John Adefisayo had Ademiloye Adeshola, the founder of Arcade Model Agency, Atilola Gbenga, the creative director and founder of Fortress Clothing and Owoseni- Olofin Enitan Alex, the President of AMG, Allien Men Group answered series of questions related to the fashion space.

According to Mr Adeshola, Fashion is an expression. And one can start making money with what you do when there's acceptability by people Mr Gbenga said. 

Live musical performance was done by Hay-Why Virtuoso and B-pop and live drawing was done by Ferdinand which left the whole crowd elated. 

Awards were given to Fashionpreneurs who were outstanding in their different field of the fashion space

Approval To Open E-portal For Registration Issues

On Friday, 5th of May, 2023, the Vice chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University generously opened the e-portal for students who have issues with their registration.

It was stated that the e-portal will be opened from Monday 8th of May to 12 midnight, Friday 12th of May, 2023. The portal would not be opened again after this period is exhausted. 

Students are therefore required to maximize this period of grace.