EDITORIAL: ​RESTORING OUR FADING INTELLECTUALISM

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There are a lot of questions which require urgent contemplation as regards the duty of every AFASITE as leaders and follows. While questioning the pitch of our acclaimed intellectualism may be a slap, we cannot ignore the declining positive responses to intellectual activities in this faculty. 
To begin with is the publication of the annual Image magazine or AFAS Review depending on what seems to be acceptable to everyone. It should be recalled that the last time either was published was during the Adeoye-led administration. While so much effort was invested in birthing that wonderful piece of art, it was rather unfortunate that most of the books begged us to pick them from their lying-in-state from the AFAS office. According to a source, some AFASites were literally begged to collect their copy. What about those who received but did not read? We may blame the Director of Information who from the start of things never seem interested in continuing the culture but what about the apathy of many for anything that does not involve fun and parties. The signs of these apathy are evident in the low level of turn-outs that are experienced in faculty seminars, inaugural lectures and other intellectual programmes. It is rather unfortunate that other faculties are even thriving better than us in respect to arts.

Evidently, the world is going in the way of frivolities. It is no surprise that the almost everything about the AFAS WEEK is all fun. Thus, it will not be a surprise if this administration that is an imitation of traffic offers nothing that beats the norm. Maybe they are still cooking it but we must remind ourselves that the many promises they made while canvassing for votes have not been fulfilled. 

On our part, AFAS PRESS will not stop reminding the Social Director; Oyekanmi Jesufemi that he promised to improve the “academic prowess of AFASites which has come low that every other faculty tends to intimidate us both in public speaking, oratory and the likes. …to improve and enhance the academic prowess of AFASites through seminars, lectures, organizing mock exams for freshers….” Perhaps, what Oyekanmi meant by “bringing Faculty of Arts forward, making them know that we really do exist and we are not just a faculty, we are made up of substance”, is the neglect of many other intellectual programmes for which sponsors could be sought for. What has happened to diversifying the resources of AFAS by inviting entrepreneurs to display their products? Are words so soon forgotten as soon as they are uttered?

Similarly, Ojo Anthonia, the financial secretary, needs to be aware that she did not promise us that she would turn the office to a music house because of her clueless sense of what leadership mean. Occupying privileged position is not the same as ownership. So, please, discard the notion of “this is my office”. It all ends soon and posterity will join the action and inaction of everyone. One would think that our dear Financial Secretary meant business with the swiftness with which her piggy bank was brought in last semester but the case is otherwise. The piggy bank has not been placed at the proposed strategic place where AFASites could drop money that could be used to sponsor other meaningful projects. 

It is unfortunate that the association is losing grip of the many landmarks which have been set. The leaders and followers have been victims in the hands of one another but many of the issues all rise and fall on the leaders who make promises while campaigning but end up doing even almost nothing in respect to their constitutional duties.

The only things which seem to hurry by this semester is that the Council of Presidents and Secretaries (CPS) has heeded the provision of the constitution in Article 41, section 1 which says, “the electoral committee shall be constituted and inaugurated by the Council of Presidents and Secretaries not later than the beginning of the fifth week of the second semester in consultation with the Staff Adviser.”

Also worthy of note is the plausible performance of our Literary and Debating. The faculty’s L & D is on its way towards rebranding the image of the association with the performance it has recorded so far. While we may not see a complete revival, the gradual resurrection can only become whole if we give the society the support it requires. The L&D is also a part of the association and all hands must be on deck to ensure the best is produced. 

MEANWHILE, everyone must be in pursuit of the revitalization of this association. The display of apathy towards anything not trivial is quite alarming. The forthcoming AFAS WEEK should not just be about excursion, cultural, variety and dinner nights. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy but what work have we done? Let us inculcate events that include seminars, literary competitions and personality lectures. Our arts must not die and it is starts with not only voting for candidates who understand what it means to be a student of the Faculty of Arts but also candidates with innovative plans. Candidates whose aimlessness will not become a darkness that burdens what we stand for as members of the faculty of letters. As the elections draw near, it not enough to vote anyone who promises a season of wonder but does not even see himself serving just assisting the president-elect. Dear AFASites, we need to dig deeper into the level of their integrity and intellectualism of these candidates. How can we create the AFAS of our dream when we have been unable to maintain and improve the ancient landmarks? Beware of thieves whose campaign slogans are quotes, philosophies and anecdotes they themselves neither read or understand. 
PUB 5/ October 15, 2018.

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