Thursday, 01 December 2022
GREATIFESU/2122/102
CONGRESSIONAL RESOLUTIONS
In a distinctive atmosphere of greatness at the historical Afrika Amphitheatre, with chants of Great Ife
revolving around this edifice, the congress of Great Ife students started at 6:03pm on Wednesday, 30
November 2022, with the recitation of the Great Ife Anthem with hope and glory for the resuscitation and restoration of sanity to our dear union.
STATE OF THE UNION
The President immediately proceeded to the second agendum which is the state of the union. The
administration has achieved a lot despite the challenges faced, more reason the President could roll this out with so much happiness. The President gave a summary of the challenges faced and the achievement of this administration since the 8th of March, 2022 when the present executives were inaugurated after the collective struggle of Great Ife students to demand justice for Aisha on October, 1st, 2021. The President commended the hardworking and supportive Vice-President for organizing a successful freshers orientation and ensuring that the fresh students get familiar with the tradition of Great Ife, and the greatness of this citadel of learning.
The President briefed the congress on the intervention of the students’ union in solidarity with ASUU during the prolonged strike, which included the media confrontation that was broadcast by Channels, TVC, Arise News, the front page of Tribune Newspaper, and other media outlets. In continuation of this struggle and demand for immediate reopening of our institutions, protest was organized by the Union at Ile-Ife to block the major highways and communicate the grievances of Great Ife students to the federal government. The President discussed the security challenges faced during the appointment of a new Vice-chancellor and the meeting of the leadership of the students’ union with the university management in ensuring the safety of Great Ife students when the men of the ‘underworld’ took over the gates of our institution.
On the 720 thousand Naira that was dubiously withdrawn by the former students’ union President, Oyekan Ibukun from the students’ union account, the President informed the congress that he was charged to court by the students’ union, and the matter since then has been in court, and the adjournment date of the hearing would be communicated to the students.
The President congratulated the athletes for representing and reaffirming the Greatness of our institution during the NUGA tournament. The 23rd commemoration of July 10 was mentioned, and this was celebrated to remember our fallen heroes who have made our students enjoy a serene environment devoid of intimidation or oppression on Great Ife Soil.
The President mentioned the case of the Late Ajibola Heritage and the legal action that has been taken by the parent of the deceased, and the pressure from the union to ensure that justice is not denied for our student.
The President briefed the congress on the ultramodern radio station, Great Ife FM which was sponsored by an alumnus- Mr. Jide Ige, and the sponsoring of the renovation of the students’ union building by Gen.
Lucky Irabor which started on July, 14th 2022, and commissioned on November 12th, 2022. The Ken Saro-Wiwa Students’ Union Building is now a 21st-century edifice that receives not less than 2,000 students daily, making Great Ife students proudly associate with the union.
The President requested reactions on the state of the union, and Congressman Happiness was recognized, who appreciated the efforts of the union officers and their achievements despite the challenges since they were inaugurated.
ON GENERAL WELFARE
TRANSPORTATION
Congressman Seyi appreciated the efforts of the union officers in regulating and enforcing prices for themotorcyclists on campus, and their swift intervention in arresting the crisis that students faced on Monday. He submitted that the union should intensify its efforts on enforcing the prices for the motorcyclist, and ensuring that the bus drivers are not left out of this price regulation.
POWER SUPPLY
The President mentioned that it is necessary that we have a stable power supply as students are approaching their examinations and the need for the management to provide an alternative means of electricity at the halls of residence and academics area in case of unavoidable blackout due to the incessant break down of the National Grid. Reacting to this, Congressman Kayode resolved that necessary pressure should be put on the management to achieve this feat of stable electricity supply at Obafemi Awolowo University.
HEALTH CENTRE
The President briefed the Congress on the efforts made by the union to ensure that Great Ife students have access to free and standard health care and that the university management has employed five doctors, and nine nurses, which would ease the queue caused by the unavailability of medical personnel leading to delay in attending to our ailing students at the University health center. The congress applauded the leadership of the students’ union for this great achievement in ensuring that the
welfare of students is of utmost priority to this administration.
HALLS OF RESIDENCE
The President commended the hall chairpersons and their executives for their swift intervention and
readiness in attending to the welfare of their members.
Greatest Ife! Articulate Ife! The issue of the presence of Man O’ war officers in their uniform escalated at
the congress, and after being notified, the President received submissions from the congress. The President called on Congressman Emmanuel, who submitted that the Man O’ War officers should leave the congress. Reacting to the submission of Congressman Emmanuel, Congressman Juedalo submitted that the Congress is accessible to all students, and the Man O’ War officers present are matriculated students of the University who possess all the rights to be at the Congress.
The President requested from the Congress if the officers of the Man O’ War should excuse the congress, majority of the students said yes, and the officers, therefore, were requested to humbly vacate the venue of the congress.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS (AOB)
Congressman Marcel called the attention of the Congress to an alleged misplacement of priority, deliberate undue interference, abuse of power, and intentional contravention of the provisions of Great Ife sacrosanct constitution by the Speaker of the Union’s SRC with regards to his dramatic actions on the allocation of the SUB bar which is an exclusive right of the CEC constitutionally. With reference to section 54 of the Great Ife Students’ Union’s sacrosanct Constitution, he urged the Congress to look into matters and make necessary positions to avert setting wrong precedence for the Union.
Reactions were welcomed on the issue brought before the Congress in order to ascertain if the Congress is interested in addressing the issue brought before her consideration.
Various congressmen reacted as highlighted below;
1. As rightly posited earlier, the matter should be considered and deliberated upon with subsequent
submissions which should serve as the resolution of the Congress on the undue and unconstitutional
interference.
2. As the Congress is expected to make decisions on issues that the CEC or SRC thinks it’s above their
powers, this is a matter which should clearly dictate the principle of separation of power in the Union,
hence, Congressmen should decide and set sanctions appropriately.
3. The congress was urged to be decisive in dealing with enemies of the union, as congress is the highest
decision-making body, whose decisions shall be supreme on all matters, submissions should be taken by
Congress and strictly implemented.
4. Given that the matter is an exclusive right of the CEC as provided in section 54 of the Union’s
constitution, the President should on behalf of the CEC explain to the Congress roles played by the CEC on the allocation of the Students’ Union Building before the said undue interference.
Having received reactions to the aforementioned allegation, the President explained to Congress that as
expected, the Union’s CEC took a decision on who occupies the bar as two individuals showed interest, but the Union’s CEC is yet to communicate officially with the beneficiary of the decision as they were only waiting for the commissioning of the building after renovation so that all other spaces can be equally
allocated appropriately.
Subsequently, submissions were received and the Congress resolved as follows;
1. It appears the Union’s SRC Speaker is being used as an instrument of a personal vendetta by some
unknown individuals, therefore he should be investigated, and if found true, it should attract severe
sanctions, as it negates the oath of office observed by the speaker before assumption of office. The speaker should be given an opportunity of a fair hearing by a Committee of Inquiry constituted by the Congress, to investigate, report, and make necessary recommendations to the Congress for ratification thereafter.
2. That the Secretary General of the Union should within 24 hours upon the adjournment of congress
communicate officially to the earlier beneficiary of the CEC’s decision on allocation of the bar to him/her or stand suspended.
3. Prior to the investigation of the Union’s SRC Speaker, he should be suspended as the Speaker with
immediate effect while the Congress Committee of Inquiry investigates his possible indictment of being an instrument of personal vendetta.
4. That any committee constituted by the SRC on the allocation of the bar be immediately dissolved and the matter should never be revisited by the SRC or any committee or council of the union.
ADJOURNMENT
The Congress was adjourned sine die due to security reasons.
N/B: The Congress is the highest decision making body of the Union, thus, its decision is binding on all
members of the Union.
Aluta continua!
Announcing
Ogunperi Taofeek Olalekan (Tao),
Public Relations Officer,
Great Ife Students’ Union
08169896317
Signed
Olayiwola Folahan Festus (Reform),
President,
Great Ife Students’ Union
07039281006
Odewale Samuel Damilare (Great-Sam),
Secretary General,
Great Ife Students’ Union
08132583940
