GreatIFE SRC Debates House Budget, Announces Six Resignations

           Blessed Elemikan

On Friday, July 10, the GreatIFE Students' Representative Council (GreatIFE SRC), held its business meeting for the 2024/25 academic session.

The meeting, scheduled to commence for 4 p.m. at Ajose Lecture Theatre began at 5:07 p.m. with the rendition of the national anthem led by the Deputy Speaker, Nasir Olajide. Proceedings opened with a roll call of faculties before the Speaker, Awe Ademola, apologised for the delayed commencement.

He attributed the delay to several factors, including activities marking the July 10 commemoration of the OAU 5 and transportation challenges on campus, urging members to continue holding student leaders accountable responsibly.

Giving an update on the Union's finances, the Speaker disclosed that the Union initially proposed a budget of ₦33 million, which was completed in the eighth week of the first semester and submitted in the eleventh week. However, the university management approved only ₦27 million.

He further explained that negotiations over the budget were interrupted by the 3 week mid-semester break. Upon resumption, management further informed the Union that only 60% of the approved amount would be released.

According to the Speaker, the Financial Secretary confirmed on Tuesday that ₦16.7 million had been disbursed. He added that the Hall Executive Council (HEC), Central Executive Council (CEC), except the Vice President, Judicial Council, SRC, Transport Management Committee (TMC), Budget and Finance Committee, and Select Congress had received their allocations.

The speaker also noted that only the House's budget and that of the Parliamentary Thrift Committee remained outstanding, explaining that only committee members who actively participated would receive commissions. The House subsequently deliberated on whether the ₦750,000 in its purse should be used to organise a dinner or distributed among members.

Responding to questions from Honourable Mayowa, the Speaker revealed that earlier plans for parliamentary trips to Ogun, Oyo and Abuja had been shelved due to security concerns and logistical constraints. He estimated that transporting between 30 and 50 members would cost no less than ₦4.5 million, making such trips impractical under the current financial realities. However, he noted that trips to Osun and Ogun had been undertaken.

Several members proposed different uses for the available funds. While some advocated organising a dinner and award night to foster unity and preserve memories, others suggested rewarding members based on punctual attendance.

At exactly 6:00 p.m., Honourable Kante of the Faculty of Pharmacy moved a motion that members of the CEC and HEC, having already received budgetary allocations, should be excluded from benefiting from the House's budget. Alternative motions proposed distributing the money among the 100 most punctual honourable members while also excluding House leadership and committee members.

Following a voting exercise, the House adopted the motion to distribute the funds to the 100 most punctual honourable members, excluding members of the CEC, HEC, House leadership and committee members. A proposal to organise a dinner and award night received only 11 votes and was defeated.

During deliberations, Honourable Favour observed that many members who were not assigned to committees rarely attended legislative sittings, reinforcing arguments for rewarding commitment and punctuality.

Following a brief recess, which began at 6:17 p.m., the House reconvened at 6:22 p.m. and formally announced the resignation of six lawmakers from the SRC. Those listed were Kujembola Olalekan (Ikuu Boy), Abudu Ayobami Fatai (Bambam), Lateef Hakeem Omotayo (Emmanuel) of EDM, Olaniyan Olawale of the Faculty of Administration, Akinwola Olakunle of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, and Comrade Kabiyesi.

The House also discussed concerns surrounding the university's transport system. Honourable Inumidun of the Faculty of Science raised complaints that students could no longer use old transport tickets, prompting calls for clarification from the Transport Management Committee.

Honourable Joshua of the Faculty of Pharmacy questioned reports that the TMC had been instructed to "step aside" from handling transport ticket issues, asking who would represent students' interests in the matter.

In response, the Speaker assured members that he would initiate a meeting with the university management and the TMC in the coming week to seek a resolution.

The House later considered the Vice President's report on activities marking International Women's Day. Following comments from members, the report was adopted and the Vice President was discharged.

The sitting was adjourned, with members expected to reconvene at Awo Café by 4 p.m. on Saturday, beginning with the constitution of the Electoral Commission.