AFASites Express Expectations from Team Illumination

Olanshile Ogunrinu

Change is in the air at the Association of Faculty of Arts Students (AFAS) as a new executive team steps into leadership roles. The dawn of a new academic year brings with it fresh faces, new ideas, and renewed hopes. As students of the Faculty of Arts, we are eager to see how the Esther Olaniyi-led Team Illumination will shape the future of our beloved association. In this article, selected Afasites spoke with AFAS Press to express their expectations and aspirations for the new leadership team.

Ibraheem Fiyinfoluwa, 200-level, Communication and Language Arts
I expect the new AFAS excos to follow through with all their campaign promises and duties diligently and efficiently till they are well done and completed. The last set of executives did not diligently follow through all their plans. For instance, I wasn’t able to get my Faculty ID card after the payment of 500 naira.

I also expect that they will try to elevate the image and the name of the faculty higher than it is at the moment. It would be best if this set of excos can carry out their duties without being involved in any scandal that could affect the image of the faculty.

I expect them to foster a good relationship with the faculty administration and the students of the faculty so as to properly and effectively table student issues to the faculty administration.

They should also be more student oriented and champion causes that will be beneficial to the students.

Lawal Abdul-Qayyum, 200-level, English
I expect better from them. Unlike the Akoem’s regime where the freshers were not really carried along and it led to some sort of confusion, I believe the current administration has created a help desk for them in each department, I know for sure about my own department.

Strategic planning is the best way to better the shortcomings of the previous administration. The feasibility of each plan should be strictly scrutinized before embarking on them. Kudos to them at the moment but we’re expecting far better than what we’ve so far.

Ola Samuel, 200-level, Philosophy
If at all there is anything for AFASites to cheer about today, it is our disengagement from an administration that sets us backwards a session; it is about a break from the AKOEM years that are better described as years of the locust.

However, I expect these new executives to make the faculty as egalitarian as possible. It is worrying that some departments are having a heightened sense of exclusion and disillusionment after the election, meaning that the new executives will face big challenges in easing tensions. Some AFASites don’t even have any sense of belonging in the project called AFAS. But in contrast to the elitist kind of leadership by the past executives, having a faculty whose members have equal rights and opportunities will not only enhance popular participation in the activities of the faculty but it will also build AFASites’ sense of belonging.

Since the primary assignment of every student is academics, I expect this administration to focus more on academic activities: organize tutorials with the best hands from each departments, this can be done effectively if there’s proper synergy between these new executives and the departmental presidents.

I hope and expect these new executives create a fair and balanced political-atmosphere in the faculty to avoid cases of power rift similar to the past administration. In addition, I expect these executives to represent the common interest of AFASites in their external affairs.

Team Illumination promised to build a relevant legacy and sustainable innovations. I keenly expect them to manifest this.

Lastly, I expect these new executives to be honest, transparent and accountable in their governance, as this will encourage AFASites to pay their dues. I do not expect the recurrence of tenure of the past executives when AFASites, especially freshers, were asked to pay for ID Cards alongside their dues. Unfortunately, some AFASites who paid for ID Cards since January 2022 have not gotten their cards till today. Similarly to the packages too, some people got books while some people got buckets, whereas a person is supposed to get a book and a bucket. Issues like this discourage payment of dues and maims the interest of AFASites in the political activities of the faculty.

Faith Adediran, History
On the aspect of academics which the Vice President of AFAS is in charge of, she and other executives should try as much as possible to improve steadily on it. Be it tutorials, mock exams, etc. The academic well-being of Afasites must be the interest of AFAS that which they (the executives) are leading. Therefore they should make the academic well-being of Afasites and its improvement a priority.

Muhammed Kehinde, Linguistics
As an AFASite, I hold high hopes and expectations for the current administration. The past administration has faced several challenges, including the lack of unity, the suspension and impeachment of an executive member, the rejection of the revised constitution, and the state of AFASites welfarism.

All the challenges of the past administration have left indelible marks, and now, more than ever, I anticipate a fresh start, unity, and effective administration.

To ensure a more successful and cohesive administration, I expect the current executives to prioritize transparency and accountability in all their actions and decisions. Open communication with AFASites is very essential, and they should ensure that all members are informed about the association’s activities and decisions.

Learning from the divisions of the past administration, I expect the current executives to work together cohesively as a team. They should forget about inter-departmental crises and foster an environment of collaboration where different opinions and ideas are valued and considered for the benefit of the entire AFASite.

The suspension and impeachment of executive members without proper procedures being followed was a setback for our association. I expect the current executives to adhere to due process and uphold the principles of fairness and justice in their governance. Also, they should not see the FLC as their enemy.

I hope to see the current executives actively engaging with all AFASites. They should create opportunities for involvement, listen to the concerns and ideas of AFASites through CONGRESS at least, as stated in the constitution, they should not see congress as a means to settle disputes between the executives or the FLC, and ensure that everyone feels included in the decision-making processes in the faculty.

Given that the rejection of the revised constitution during the past administration is a slap in the face for an association that wants to move forward, I urge the current executives to revisit this issue. They should facilitate a transparent and inclusive process with the FLC to revise the constitution, ensuring that it aligns with the needs and aspirations of our association.

This administration should have a clear long-term vision and strategic plan. I expect the current executives to develop and implement a roadmap that outlines their goals, objectives, and strategies for the duration of their term, and they should make sure to fulfill their manifesto promises.

In conclusion, AFASites looks forward to a more successful and harmonious era under the leadership of the current executives. By prioritizing transparency, unity, fairness, inclusivity, and effective administration, they can address the shortcomings of the previous administration and steer our association towards a brighter future.