Press Confrontational Debate Night: A Review
ACJ OAU anchored a press Confrontational Debate night with the Central Executive Council (CEC) aspirants at Oduduwa Hall on Monday, June 24. Although the debate started much later than its slated time, it still ran its course.
Office of the Director of Sport
Oluwayimika Pelumi (DA GREAT)
Da Great, the only candidate for the position of Director of Sports, was asked about how he seeks to promote all of the sporting activities on campus and not just emphasize football. His response was satisfactory. He further stated that he will showcase the talents of different sportsmen at the campus and international level. No certain approach was given by him as to how to achieve this. He would probably have prepared more if he has an opponent.
Office of the Director of Socials
Abubakare David Opeoluwa (HADO)
Aderonmu Gloria (Gorgeous)
Tijani Yusuf Akande (ASAP)
Jokotagba Ayomide (Ay Joks)
HADO stated that he is going to set aside a day for culture. He is also promising social well-being. Gorgeous was well composed until a particular question was posed to her. Salvation (erstwhile VP of the Students' Union) rose up to Gorgeous' defense. Any logical reason for this? I do not think so. Contesting again for the same position after losing the first time is supposed to be backed up by motivation. ASAP, one whose name affirms being As Swift As Possible, stated that he will bring diverse communities together. Let us hope ASAP, when elected, will be swift in carrying out social and cultural duties. I cannot always get Shallipopi's ASAP out of my head whenever I hear his name.
Ay Joks appeared in an àgbàdá that had stones all around it. In responding to the question as to how he plans on carrying out his duties, he made it known that he will be exhibiting culture in food and clothes with the interest of students at heart.
Office of the Welfare Director
Busari Timileyin (S&T)
Adegboye Pelumi (Marcus)
S&T had his composure spot on. In responding to the question of vendors on campus inflating the prices of products, he stated that there will be a rapport with the vendors, and any vendor that does not abide would have his/her office locked up. He mentioned what he did while he was the chairman of Angola Hall (2021/2022 session) to inspect the butteries in the hall of residence.
Marcus appeared to be caught up in some sort of pressure as he spoke very fast, and most of his points could not be heard. In answering the question of vendor inflation, he explained that it is artificial inflation, and he "stands against it." However, how he stands against it remains unknown as he did not provide practical approaches.
Office of the Financial Secretary
Fajuyi Ikeoluwa Funmilayo (FAJ)
Bifakale Alábá Olúwaṣeun (Xperience)
FAJ, in addressing the question about her financial track record, explained that she has quite a lot of financial experience, including assisting in organizing the Osun State Financial Summit, among other things. Some of her words were, "What else do you need to know? I have enough experience." FAJ was also asked if she would use the union's money if her partner needed financial help urgently. Her response was that she would invest the money to multiply it. This made me think, just as it led some of the watching students to shout. Overall, she appeared confident.
Xperience explained that as an accounting student, he is a testament to a wealth of knowledge. He further stated that financial literacy is at the heart of his program. He answered the questions directed at him quite well, proving himself to be an accountant in the making. It was how he clearly stated that FAJ saying Nigeria is witnessing is hyperinflation is wrong. He called it galloping kinikan. I cannot remember.
Office of the Public Relations Officer (PRO)
Aka Daniel (Senator)
Omotola Benedict Bayowa (Benmarc)
Adeniran Oluwaseun Israel (Prof)
Oluwatunmise Elizabeth Akinyẹle (Tumtum)
It is a whole deal to see people who are currently serving as PRO in different associations contest for the PRO of the Students' Union.
In response to the question of how the PRO would revive the hall-to-hall information that has died since the union got reinstated, Senator said he would go from hall to hall with a Public Address System (PAS).
Benmarc stated that the only time the PAS in the halls of residence is used is when the management wants to chase students out of the hostels. How true?
Prof stated that he would be going to halls of residence to disseminate information. The way he said it makes one wonder if this is the Stone Age.
Tumtum tried her best possible in answering the questions directed at her, but at some point, it was glaring that she was stressed out by the noise from the crowd. However, she still tried her best.
All the candidates had to answer questions about the difference between Public Relations and Journalism, a press release, and a communique. This posed an issue to them as their responses to these questions can just be referred to as fair.
Office of the Assistant Secretary General
Praise Ogede Oluwatimileyin
Omisore Michael Oluwabamise (Prof Mike)
The highlight of their questioning was when they were asked to fold an official letter, and disappointingly, both of them could not. The two candidates were able to state their constitutional duties.
Office of the Secretary General
Dotunodun Joshua Tosin (Pendragon)
Adeyemo Sunday Adekunle (Einstein)
Alo Anthony Oluwapelumi (Sage)
Babatimehin Joy Kinfeosi (Kinfeosi)
The candidates were asked about what they noticed about the Students' Union building. Pendragon said the air conditions are leaking, and toilets are unavailable. Einstein stated that there is a lack of maintenance. Sage surprisingly said it is only the structure that he noticed. For someone that is currently serving as the Assistant Secretary-General? Kinfeosi explained that the renovation had quickly deteriorated.
The candidates were also assigned an unexpected task. They were all given pen and paper (assumed letter-headed paper of the union) and were asked to write to MTN seeking sponsorship. After they were done with that, they were asked to fold the letters officially. Only Pendragon and Einstein got the method of folding right.
Pendragon stated that he already has a track record of leadership as he once served as the chairman of ETF hall. He believes he would deliver if elected.
Einstein promised to bring about unity to student unionism. Is there currently no unity?
Kinfeosi wore something like a military uniform or was I the only one that noticed? She stated that she will bring about proper grassroots communication.
Office of the Vice President
Farinde Rahmah Titilayo (Rahmah)
Odedjiji Christiana (Temitianah)
Rahmah stated that aside from organizing Freshmen Week and tutorials, she will collaborate with career services to train students. She also mentioned that she will work with other CEC members to host events.
Temitianah laid great emphasis on bridging the gap between the health center and the Students' Union. She explained that she will collaborate with the health center and management to ensure that students are attended to more quickly. With the way she placed emphasis on health, healthcare would not be a problem anymore.
Office of the President
Adetunji Abdulmonnan Olamilekan (Otunba)
Omoboriowo Damilola Isaac (Dr. Bush)
Yusuf Toheeb Olayiwola (Yusolat)
This particular session for the presidential candidates was filled with shouting, as it seemed to be the moment everyone had been waiting for. It was challenging to hear what the candidates were saying. As some were shouting "Otunba", some other individuals were saying "Dr Bush has gone into the bush" and others were screaming "Yusolat".
Otunba did not address his debate question because he spent the two minutes he was given shouting "greatest gbagba" and singing "solidarity forever." When answering other questions posed by the panelists, he seemed to evade them. He mentioned that he would implement student-friendly policies.
Dr. Bush was quite strategic. For some questions, he waited for other candidates to speak first before sharing his thoughts. In line with his debate topic, he pledged to urge the school authorities to hire more staff. Additionally, he proposed installing notice boards as an effective means of disseminating information, instead of plastering stickers and flyers all over campus.
When asked about what the presidential candidates would do if a deal was signed with a transportation company but the service stopped, and students still had their cards, Yusolat explained that for a contract to be valid, it must be legal. Therefore, he stated he would compel the transportation company to pay damages.
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