AASA STUDENTS’ REPRESENTATIVE COUNCIL: The Need To Hold Power to Account…

By Oderinde Motunrayo

“With great Power comes great Responsibility..”, how then do we hold power to account, if or when it lacks responsibility?

In recent times, murmurs have been going on about how there’s the arising need for power to be held to account, as it concerns the Archaeology and Anthropology Student Association’s administration. Questions have been raised, concerns have been communicated, the student body is yearning for a voice that will ensure that their affairs are duly attended to with all integrity. Hence, the Press has decided to dig into this arising need.

On Tuesday, June 18th, 2024, the Press conducted virtual interviews with some honorable members of the department who are part of different student representative councils across the faculty and department. They are Miss. Solafunmi Alawusa, the Chairperson of AASA Stakeholders, Hon. Ogunsemore Busayo Blessing, the Deputy Speaker of AFAS FLC, and Hon. Aremo David, the Deputy Speaker of FASSA SRC (FSRC).

The topic of discussion was the creation of the SRC and its benefits to the student body. Miss. Solafunmi expressed that the creation of SRC “is a good initiative that would foster the interest of the students.” She explained that the SRC is a “voice and representation of the students.” She elaborated on how the SRC would intervene in student matters, oversee issues such as the “rumor of mismanagement of funds in the department and accountability, package issues, and create a stronger sense of community among students.”
Hon. Busayo attested to this, explaining that the SRC would help ensure checks and balances in the affairs of the executive. She further explained that they will “help regulate laws within an administration” through the guidance of the constitution that is set up. She noted that with the SRC on board, issues concerning packages or fieldwork palaver would become minimal. Hon. Aremo also expressed the importance of creating the SRC arm, emphasizing its usefulness as a voice for the student body.

Questions were raised about the selection process of members for the committee and the feasibility of creating this arm in the department. Hon. Busayo responded that the selection process would be stated in the constructed constitution, while Hon. Aremo explained that the selection process would involve picking representatives across all levels.

While the SRC sounds interesting and effective, the issue of feasibility still lurks in the shadows. Hon. Busayo expressed frustration about the feasibility of the SRC, stating that “it has been pushed for over the years but with no solid result of its creation.” However, Hon. Aremo confidently replied that “yes, it’s feasible” and all that’s needed is for them to tender their plans and constitution to the Head of Department. Before the creation of the SRC, “there must first be the enactment of a constitution” according to Hon. Busayo. The question of how the SRC will be funded was also raised. Hon. Solafunmi explained that the SRC “is liable to a percentage from the dues paid by students.” This method cannot be completely faulted since it’s towards fostering the cause of the student body.

The interview concluded with a question about the tenets of the SRC. Like every arm of government, the SRC has its own code of conduct, which members must follow to maintain discipline among themselves. Hon. Aremo listed some of the tenets, including: “Bowing before the mace when the speaker is on seat before leaving (referred to as ingress and egress); No non-parliamentary words are allowed” He explained that these rules are called standing orders, ensuring discipline among SRC members. Hon. Busayo added that “Accountability, dedication, and transparency” are also crucial codes of the council.

These interviews have hitherto raised awareness about the importance of student involvement in the department’s decision-making process. Creating a Student Representative Council in the department will provide a platform for students to voice their concerns without fear or doubt. This council will represent students’ interests, ensure checks and balances, fair budget allocation, and timely distribution of student packages.

However, the question is; can the SRC stand up to the highest authority? If feasibility is assured, and thus the council is established, can the students trust that indeed power will hitherto be held to account?

BASIC PACKAGE ‘22/23 ACADEMIC SESSION: Hanging in the Balance… “As a realistic person, I pray it yields soon..” -Kehinde Joshua, AASA President ’22/23

By Motunrayo Oderinde.

On June 4, 2024, the president-elect of the Archaeology and Anthropology Student Association held a meeting with the Stakeholders committee on whatsapp, where various matters of discussion as it concerns the administration of the department, and students’ affairs were tabled in the meeting. Issues such as, the collection of the basic package for the 2022/2023 academic session- which took the larger portion of discourse, payment and breakdown of dues, and the creation of specialized groups and a departmental TV.

In pursuance of the issue of the collection of basic package, on June 9, 2024, the Press had separate virtual interviews with the former president, Kehinde Joshua, and the President-elect, Tochi John. The interview conducted at different hours helped to shed some light on the matter. Although, there were certain disparities in their responses, they both, however, gave some assurance to a certain extent.

During the Stakeholders meeting, the president-elect addressed the house and then directly addressed the package issue, stating that they- himself and the other executives, are still working on obtaining packages from the previous tenure. He clarified that, as the then General Secretary, he was not responsible for packages, but the President and Vice President were working on it. Prior to his interview with the press, he stated during the meeting with the stakeholders that getting the package was a 50/50 chance of success, but during his interview with the press, he mentioned that they were now making progress, which he gave a success rate of 7 out of 10.

During the Stakeholders meeting, the Chairman of the Committee- Honorable Solafunmi Alawusa, expressed annoyance, insisting that something concrete must be done about the packages, as students cannot continue to pay dues without receiving due benefits. She emphasized that, “This is unacceptable; something must be done about it!” Other committee members shared their anger and demanded that efficient action be taken on the matter. One member suggested that the president-elect involve the former president to resolve the issue, so as to ensure that his administration wouldn’t be faulted. The President-elect responded by expressing his concerns on how he has been painstakingly working with the former president on the issue.

He explained that one of the issues they are facing is getting funds for the package. He further explained this issue during the press interview, saying, “I will only know tomorrow after my meeting with the Liaison Officer- Mr. Akinsete, concerning getting access to the association’s account, as the only thing left now is getting funds for the package.” He commented on their inability to access the association’s account. When asked how he plans to ensure this matter is resolved adequately and not swept under the rug like the past two administrations, he replied, “I’m working on it to ensure every student gets their package once they resume. The 2022/2023 administration will surely deliver their package.” If this is true or just another false promise is yet to be known.

However, the interview with the former president took a new turn as he had his own opinion on the cause of the delay, which was not mentioned by the President-elect. The interview started with the press inquiring from the former president, the reason for the delay in students getting their package. In his words, “it is quite unfortunate that the distribution of packages has to be this long. But it should be noted that three major problems contributed to the delay.” He stressed that the student package was delayed because of “low turnout on the payment of basic dues, increase in price of commodity, and the inability to access the association’s account.”

He explained that the executives do not have access to the association’s account, which is in the care of the Liaison Officer. He also confirmed that they were currently working with the new administration, which has partial access to the account already. This statement corroborates the new President’s statement that all hands have been on deck concerning the issue.
On a final note, he stated that, “as a realistic person, I pray it yields soon…”

The interview ended with the press asking two rather sensitive questions. One, “what do you have to say concerning the rumour of your administration treasurer embezzling the association funds?” Two, “what will you do if you find out through the bank statement that student fees were tampered with?” In response, he stated that, “well, as we don’t have access to the account to know how much we have in total except the one in our records, I won’t like to comment on that. We only collected cash from the students at the onset of the administration, and after the freshers welcome, every other funds were being remitted to the account, which were later shifted through bank tranfer to the association’s account, and we have the documents of people that paid with the receipts to back it. As far as I and my executives are concerned, we do not have any record of recklessness with funds or embezzlement rather, what we have is a situation where, we had to reimburse funds even from our own pockets. On the second question, I prefer not to say anything concerning that…”

The disparities seem to outweigh the corroborative guarantee of a positive outcome, and it seems like the fate of the basic package being collected from the last administration hangs in the balance. Shall we continue to hold out hope and allow for the benefit of doubt, as it concerns the integrity of the Kehinde-led administration? Or shall we let bygones be just that, and anticipate what the Tochi-led administration has in store for the student body?

Drink Water, Focus, And Write Your Exams.

By Mercy Tomilola.

A lot of students don’t usually like it when exams are around the corner due to so many inexhaustible reasons, some might be just exam tension while some might be as a result of inadequate preparation for exams and limited time to adequately prepare, many others suddenly feel overwhelmed.

#EndSARS Memorial Protest: ONE YEAR WITHOUT OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

The youth-driven #EndSARS protest erupted in different parts of the country in October last year in a nationwide agitation against the nefarious activities of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and the police force in general.

#AASAAt50 | Head of Department, Professor R. A. Alabi Welcome Address (full-text).

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you all to the 50th anniversary conference and celebration of the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Ibadan. I am particularly elated because this is happening at the time I am saddled with the responsibility of leading the department as her 12th Head. Coincidentally and interestingly too, the department was 12 years old when I entered into it after my preliminary class. The preliminary class was later phased out from the University making students to enter departments directly from the 100 level.

BENEFITS OF HOLDING A POLITICAL POSITION AS A STUDENT AN EXPOSÉ BY AAIEC

Going to the university does not just entail coming to school to study, the university allows you to explore and to learn. It is often said that you should not just pass through the university but also, let the university pass through you.

POOR MAINTENANCE; ONE OF THE LEGION TORMENTING NIGERIA

Babatunde Folasayo

It is the feather that hinders our sight of the sweats of Aves; every employee is excited at the arrival of new equipment to ease their work. Systems and machines give wings to work and save the cost of production with a degree of accuracy.