Yesterday 9th of May, OAU News Track in conjunction with OAU Sniper, Smartbrain News Agency, OAU Pigeonpost and Campus Villa organised a chat for three students who have participation but from different blocs to discuss the topic: OAU VC's Race: The Next Sailor Of The Ship.
One of the guest popularly known as O'zik was not present at the platform. All efforts made to reach him before the program proved abortive due to power failure in his residential area.
The two other guest present, Jayd and Spice spoke intellectually well as they educates Great Ife students.
The Media chat witness as follows:Adejumo Kabir (OAU News Track): Good evening every one the Media Chat will start now on the topic: OAU VC's Race: The next Sailor of the Ship.
We are sorry we could not reach Mr Ozik as his number is presently switched off,but with us here we have Mr Spice and Mr Jayd.
Hi, I am Adejumo Kabir, one of the moderators of tonight program and here with me we have other News Agencies Representatives
Dayo (OAUSniper): Good evening I am Oromidayo for OAUSniper
Bamidele (OAU Pigeonpost): I'm Bamidele Williams
OAU Pigeonpost
Ify (Smartbrains): Evening everyone
Mr Spice: Good evening to the house, colleagues, friends and gentlemen of the press. I remain Toblan Spice, a Journalist, writer and undergraduate law student of OAU.
Mr Jayd: Good evening all, I'm deeply honored to be
here. I'm JayD, a student of Urban and Regional Planning in this Awo varsity
Adejumo Kabir: It is no longer a news Sir, that Obafemi Awolowo University will be appointing a new VC in 1 or 2 months time.
What are your views on the state of the University Sir
Comrade Spice 1st
Mr Spice: Well, I will state that the University is living up to it's standard of producing world class graduates as evident in our students winning various laurels both international and locally.
Meanwhile, I will say that we have a Politician as a VC as evident in his last minute developmental policy such as the solar power in halls...he is typically a Mimiko-like person.
Adejumo Kabir: Your views Mr Jayd
Mr Jayd: Obafemi Awolowo University is an institution with a vision to yield performance, build and produce. The university community has proven over recent times to be a school much interested in global glory and not global excellence.
Administration cannot be zeroed in the performance of any system in
the world. The lack of harmony, focus on defined goals as well as
pursuance of the accomplishments of the dreams of the pioneers of the
institution has much contributed to a slack in the system.Mr Spice: I might want to disagree with Mr Jaydee on the lack of vision of the administration. Financial handicap as a result of under funding of Education cannot be disregarded.
Bamidele: Well said.
To Spice; As we are to discuss the history of the VC's trend:
Do you think we have ever had any worthy VC in the past that left an indelible landmarks or footprint?
If YES; highlight his or their achievements
Mr Spice: OAU has had Vice chance-cellors and Vice Chancellors. Obviously we are about to have the 11th VC so OAU in time past have had VC's that are Worthy. Professor Rogers Makanjuola is one as he was a VC who took the students as a Stakeholder. He has a VC was always willing to engage students when matters arise. Also there was a VC whose name I cannot remember and won't want to mislead the public; whose administration saw the sensibility of a Moot and Mock Court for the Faculty of Law...went to the Law school to look for the young man who had the initial idea and today our Moot and Mock court is about to be completed.
Bamidele: Any addition or counter from JayD?
Mr Jayd: In terms of a worthy VC, posterity has kudos for Prof Wande Abimbola (1982-89). If Rogers took students as stakeholders, Abimbola took students as brothers.
He participated in congresses at mainbowl and still till date remains the only VC who has ever joined a student march.
His tenure experienced that of a leader who was ready to listen. Though the political instability was tense in the nation at the moment generating unfriendly system and policies, he still maintained the image of the university with developments in the system
Mr Spice: So we have had worthy VC's in time memorial
Dayo: We heard of one Prof (Mrs) Aina. Vying for the post of Vc. In your own view do you think a woman can pilot the affairs of the institution?
#OAUSniper.
Mr Spice
Mr Spice: Prof. Aina is one with a huge track record as she has once been a Dean of Faculty. I actually don't believe in segregation...(laughs). What a man can do a woman can do better but what a woman can do...men cannot do. How many men can get pregnant or lemme stress how many of the shortlisted men can get pregnant. Prof Aina is capable like every other candidate though am not trying to project her. Ladies can handle leadership roles.
Dayo: Thank you Sir, Over to you Mr Jayd
Mr Jayd: As much as I have always negated "what a man can do, a woman can do better" and I'm also not a fan of gender equality, but as an advocate of gender equity, A woman who has proven beyond reasonable doubt to be good enough in administration and academics is in no way less than a man in such regards. This is a role of leadership and excellence and not domestics where feminine roles are defined off those of a man.
Mr Spice: I disagree with Jaydee's submission
Adejumo Kabir: Your point Sir@Spice
Mr Spice: Domestic role??? We have had female president in Africa. In Unilag, the PRO is as Vibrant as anything. She has not domesticated her role of leadership in Kitchen only. Jaydee obviously is one who believes a lady should not be ahead of him. We are having female SU president today and they are less corrupt than our Macho brothers. If she could have been Dean then she can be at the helms of affairs of OAU. Is it the stress??? Or intelligence...Prof Aina has that and her profile speaks well. 9month belle and lecturing no b beans my brother
excellence.
Mr: Jayd: Toblan Spice
You seem to get me wrong
I never inferred domestication of office
I meant that it's in the domestic world that roles are gender defined
This is not domestics, there's no attachments to gender in leadership and excellence
Mr Spice: Noted Jaydee I misinterpreted you
Ify: One of the candidates, Professor Eyitope Ogunbodede to be precise, talked about the creation of more programmes; though it wasn't specified if it was for undergraduates or postgraduate students.
Now do you think this is necessary in the growth of this great university
#SMARTBRAINS NEWS AGENCY
Mr Spice: Well smart brains, it is his vision to further make OAU a sophisticated University. Those areas seems to be piloting the affairs of the Country presently and putting facilities to ground for such course will put OAU on the world map likewise increase source of income. Imagine adding about 3000 students to the community. It will boost OAU water sales(smiles), increase IGR
Bamidele: Any addition from JayD or I move to my next question?
Mr Spice: Though I am skeptical about a VC from Health Sciences because they believe education is expensive so don't be surprise if there is an increment but I cannot judge him for now...am not God.
Mr Jayd: The creation of programs is an extension of the wings of the school
In the growth of the university, firstly there must be harmony; one-sided development will be chaotic
Its going to intensify the imbalance we have today.
If there's going to be any creation of more programs, it should be after the improvement of the supporting structures.
New programs means probably an increase in the population in the environment. We first need an overhaul or improvement in what is today of our infrastructural facilities
Bamidele: Both of you have served as I would call it under the flag of OAU Students' Union in this present administration.
Can you highlight the major problems students faced or has been facing under the changes administration and the changes you hope for
Spice and then JayD respectively
Mr Spice: The problem faced by Students stems from a DSA which is not really passionate about the plight of the students. The DSA is the major link between the Union, Students and the Management but politics is all that his been played in that office. We need a DSA that is for the Student and not for a VC. If we have a good DSA who is passionate about students plight...be rest assured that the problems of welfare etc is solved. Does the DSA have a child in the Poultry like hostels.No! So what else do we expect???
Secondly the problem of Give and Take. Omole gave the Union yet suffocated it with paper and Biro. We need to be off the shackles of give and take likewise Victimization. A situation where they want us to be deaf and dumb on our land! Imagine a situation where they tend to treat us like Ghana Must Go...when they want to shut down the school.
Its time to Unite...pray for a NANS of the days of Tony Fash...that confronted the Armies in Yaba in the emancipation of the student Movement; I say No to a Pocket agenda NANS
Mr Jayd: Firstly, the problem in the system cannot be separated from communication gap.
It's the situation of a boy who sees his dad as terror and a dad who sees his son as stubborn, an hoodlum and a deviant.
It takes synergy which could only work when both parties equally want it to counter this problem
Also, lack of understanding of both parties as to the essence of the other especially from the top thus creating a system that doesn't interrelate.
When Prof. Omole came on board, he summoned a student congress in September 2011 where students and the principal officers spoke out their minds. Not only did this not yield any result, none of such followed after.
The community will develop when community development takes a shape of an all inclusive citizen participation.
All stakeholders in the system must have an input in the progress so that one party won't frustrate it
Bamidele: So, you are saying a worthy DSA is the panacea to the problems and not necessarily the VC?
Ify: Imagine students in this university actually had a say in this Vc's appointment. What role do you think students would play. Or better put, what angle do we come in,what's the best way in which we can contribute our quota.
Remember, it's just an imagination
#OAU SMARTBRAINS NEWS AGENCY
Mr Spice: In OAU, especially due to our Radicality I won't as a realist agree with direct students role for Instance Prof. standing in front of a Student populated area to deliver manifesto. I accept democratization though but it can be a televised program where we call into the program. In OAU, we tend to have students who are more passionate about candidates and also I cannot rule out funding by VC candidates. Where is the ANSA that was screaming about then...the Financer is no more in the race to replace Omole or what happen? Kindly help ask them when U see them
Mr Jayd: The students first must have a recognized front up there
The selection process must incorporate not just the students but all staff unions as well
If ASUU is to screen academic performance, SSANU/NASU should screen administrative capabilities while the students should check the capabilities of each candidates as regards the students-management relations.
Adejumo Kabir: Now, What is your advise for the next VC to be, in order to perfect a stable calendar?
Mr Jayd: A stable calendar is what can only be achieved if there's synergy and harmony
Man's wants are insatiable so I've never believed a VC from the heavens will emerge to satisfy the system perfectly
Notwithstanding, let there be communication. Top-bottom approach has failed us for the past 50 years so let's turn the table around.
If students and staff unions are informed, carried along and also consulted, things will work
We can employ the facilitative system of management for the best results
Mr. Spice: The next VC must be a Catalyst and not just an enzyme. He must ensure a good working relationship with the students and staffs. Like one of the Prof said...a good working environment for all stakeholders.
Though we students are overzealous and consumed by power attimes, we must not allow Union fantasy lead us to violence.
Adejumo Kabir: Thanks Sir, Now platform is open for any first two audience that signify to ask question
Hon Man Pea:
Adejumo Kabir: Go ahead Sir
Hon Man Pea: Thanks Mr. KB
Mr Spice: your Question sir
Hon Man pea: 1. What is ur advice for the new VC on how to handle the needs of students as this is one of the major thing that causes unplanned break most times.
2. Can u advice the vice Chancellor to grant the student union the freedom to operate all alone without the intervention of the managements? If yes/no state reasons
3. As this University is known to be facing many challenges such as unpaid salaries, bad welfare condition, insufficient and inadequate learning materials which of these would u advice the new VC to handle first?...
Mr Spice: Handling the needs of students require sincerity and not deciet. If the relationship between the management and students is not seen as Master and servant relationship it will go a long way in reducing conflict. They should ensure to keep their promises on time.
My Jayd: 1. There should be a students congress from time to time where principal officers of the school will be present. Let them hear from us and be sincere with us. Let us both know the feasibilities of achieving demands from round tables.
2. NO. This is a system that is interwoven. There should be harmony. However there should be definition of roles and delineation of boundaries.
3. The new VC should first tackle administrative problems. Every other problems hinge on this. A faulty management system will not tackle any problem effectively
Mr Spice: The freedom of the Union is not in the hands of the VC, it is in our hands and that of NANS as opined by Immunity that if he becomes the Senate President he will ensure an Independent Unionism bill is pushed if we can have a Parliament talking about Same Sex then we can push our bill.
The law binding operations of unions allows them to operate it like PHCN and we students will be screaming Up nepa(union reinstated). If Unilag would have won the case Ebun Adegboruwa would have pushed further, I suspect he gave them a fatherly advice.
Well, in an enabling environment there is hope like the saying once there is Life there is hope. Every stakeholders needs a better working environment
Hon Man Pea: All have spoken intellectually well
Adejumo Kabir: In regard of no other questions, we say big thank you to our Comrades for feeding us with what we really need to know about the VC's race
We believe you will honour us when next we call you Sir
Mr Spice: Thank you for the great opportunity, it was worth leaving my tight schedule and powering the generator to honour you and precious individual that followed. Special Hi to the PRO of ULSU, I wish U success in your exams. Toblan Spice.
Mr Jayd: Thanks Sirs and Mas
Men of the press and the moderator
The audience and my amiable co-debater
It's my pleasure being here
Ify: To Dspice And Jay'D
I really enjoyed the way u guys answered the questions thrown at you. It shows that you've always got the interest of OAU at heart.
Great guys
Ify Chuks
#OAU SMARTBRAINS NEWS AGENCY
Mr Jayd: God bless Spice
Ify: Also thanks to the organizer of this debate,boss Kabir... Nice one there
Adejumo Kabir: Glory be to Almighty God, Big shout out to all News Agencies present:
(IFY)SMARTBRAIN NEWS AGENCY
(BAMIDELE)OAU PIGEONPOST
(DY)OAU SNIPER
CAMPUS VILLA.
OAU NEWS TRACK is happy to have you all here with us tonight, and lastly we are grateful to all our Audience.
Till next time we meet, stay Strong
OAU NEWS TRACK CARES
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