AFAS AND THE SHAMBLE FOR UNWRITTEN ENTITLEMENTS

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Before the eagle begins to gain extra wings, let it be reminded that the there are laws guiding the conducts and operations of the land. AFAS is a faculty binding on all members irrespective of levels, departments and positions held within the association. Let no one be self-drunk on power but rather fulfil obligations as warranted because ours is a land leading to a much bigger world. As John Staurt put it, the sole end for which mankind are warranted, individually or collectively, in interfering with the liberty of any of their number, is self-protection. The only purpose for which power can be rightfully exercised over any member of a civilised community, against his own self-will, is to prevent harm to others. Ours is a civilised community to be reckoned with hence, this very quote should be the very watchword of every organs of the association.

Recents happenings in the association have been one of needless troubles. Only a couple of weeks ago, the press was conceived as an antagonistic arm for holding reports to only negative happenings in the faculty. Most certainly, the press must do its job but also bearing in mind that they have to maintain public confidence and trust. They are thereby guided by a standard of ethical and professional conduct; elements of which are not limited to fairness and accuracy. The Faculty Legislative Council (FLC), Executives and the CPS in the same light are also bound by their roles and function but when a line is crossed, there is a call for checks and balances. The previous week had experienced an outright acquisition for office between the FLC and the executive. Going by the narratives given from both sides, there have been several complaints lodged by the Dean about the improper usage of the general faculty office and a need for prompt orderliness. The issue which had surfaced in the previous session melted out a unanimous decision to have the executives switch position to the other domain of the office for easier accessibility of AFASITES while the FLC occupy the inner chamber of the office. The decision was however not received in good terms as the executives insisted they keep their office. The issue was raised again during the house last sitting this session but this time, the executives, in a view that the FLC was showing off its fangs, laid them off and literally sent them packing. Reports garnered was that the executives were invoked by the FLC act to send a letter demanding they leave their room of operation instead of a letter to withdraw the needed funds for freshers welcome which was just a few days away. They took matters into their hands in order to get the needed done. The executives had in their usual theatrics melted out complains to any ear that was willing to listen, more particularly, the press. But once again, the press will always take a neutral stand and would not be caught in the web of two ‘almighty’ arms of the faculty. It was a two way situation— where the FLC trying to flaunt their powers as we would have them in past cases or where the Executives trying to be unnecessarily flamboyant?

When plunder has become a way of life for a group of people living together in a society, they create for themselves in the course of time a legal system that authorizes it, and a moral code that glorifies it. Articles fledged to the board as taken different stance on which of the party is to be blame majorly for the storm but putting all reports into scrutiny, it is apparent that both organs has decided to throw this already established legal system into the wind and do as they deem fit using the interest of AFASITes as an alibi. In a case where one claims to be constitutional and the other claims not to be is an outright show of disrespect to the association they claim to serve. Needless to remind the constitutional FLC that their resolute decision to take possession of the executive office based on unruly behaviour of AFASITES, is no way constitutional or a decision made with a commons sense. This show of shamble for who should occupy where and who should not occupy where is baseless. For one, no one holds any entitlement to the faculty general office, conditions of roles has only construed that some set of people find a place to enable them discharge their duties properly but at such there is a need for a common ground—a place where issues, situations and inconveniences are discussed and not an outcry of deprivation and neglect of orderliness. True, the previous session encountered inorderliness and disorganisation of the Faculty office. AFASITES were seen loitering around the office, littering the whole place with dirts, taking strides to sit in to charge their phones and engage in petty chats. There was a need to call for order which was done last session bringing to mind that the former Gen.Sec, Tijani Selim, was reprimanded for condoning such acts. That should have been the last straw that broke the camel’s back as drastic measures were taken to curb AFASITES excesses. All that can be done is to bring the executives to check or reminder whenever such happens. It is therefore needless of any honourable to rekindle flames in a fuming fire by resuggesting that the executives be put outside their domain because of that.

The general secretary, Peter Alawode, should perhaps be given an accolade for being the man to walk out the Legislative members from the office. Vetted by fury, he had championed the wheels of the executives to put the FLC in their place and give no room for meekness. The general secretary has shown that he is not oblivious to his constitutional duty of maintaining the office— the word ‘maintain’ and not an entitlement to the executive. But perhaps if the FLC had not created an autocratic aura around themselves, the executives would not have prompted to take out a rash decision. Nevertheless, no reason whatsoever should have warranted that the FLC be disregarded and treated as commoners.

If indeed there is no struggle or battleline drawn, then each arm should get their act together and genuinely serve AFASITES. This is a new session, a new dawn and a new era.

 

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