Chaos, Confusions as Students' Union Holds Second Congress

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                 Blessed Elemikan

Great Ife Students' Union, on Tuesday 14 April, held the second Congress of the Rain Semester at Fajuyi Hall Cafe, to further deliberate on recent issues plaguing students, ranging from transportation to academic issues. 

The Congress started at 5 p.m. with the Students Union President, David Adelani (Itabi), explaining that the new transport system was what led to the 72-hour lecture boycott. He further stated that negotiations are expected between the Union and the university management soon.

Itabi further enjoined students to remain the intellectual fighters whom they have always been; no violence or vandalism should be reported on account of students' demonstrations.


Propositions And Submissions

When congressmen were granted the opportunity of suggesting solutions to the transport problems, Comrade Natty from the faculty of Administration, proposed that the “town-gboro” buses be returned to the campus.

Responding to his proposal, the Union president said he believes a hybrid system should be adopted, such that the "town-gboro" buses operate alongside the CNG vehicles. He also confirmed that the Union intends to hold a meeting with the "town-gboro" drivers to discuss their (drivers') return to campus, however the drivers declined, requesting the involvement of the school management in any meeting that would be held. 

 Honourable Romeo from the Faculty of Law proposed that a committee consisting of one person from each faculty or association be set up to address the transport issue plaguing the campus. 

The Union president responded by ensuring the formation of a 16-man committee consisting of a member from each faculty, with a Chairman, a Secretary, and a Public Relations Officer. “The committee will be responsible to the Students' Union and will join the Union in fighting for a better transport system on campus,” he said.


Role Ambiguity

After the 16-man committee was formed, there was a lack of role clarity, as some of the congressmen believed that the newly formed committee should hold meetings with the management, as regards transportation on campus and report back to the students. 

However, this view was met with resistance by members of the new committee who believed that they were only to work with the Students' Union, and that every meeting with the management should be attended jointly by them and the Students' Union. To these confusing role responsibilities, there remains no clarity.


The Chaos

Toward the end of the Congress, two congressmen caused a scene as they began to react violently to the Union president's speeches. The reason for their agitation is not confirmed yet, but rumour has it that they were angered by the seeming exclusion that the congressmen who were sitting at the back of the hall suffered; “they complained that he (the president) spoke as though there were no congressmen at the back, and only the front-sitters deserved to be carried along.”


No Plans Clear Yet 

At the Congress, there was no clear plan as to the next step to be taken after the 72-hour lecture boycott. At 7:33 pm, Comrade Enoch Akingbade from the faculty of Law moved the motion for adjournment, while Comrade Opeyemi seconded the motion. The congress ended in a not so pleasant atmosphere.

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