Team New Era’s 100 Days in Office: How Far on AFAS Affairs?
Lawal Maruf

Evaluating the performance of political officeholders has become a tradition firmly rooted in any political dispensation where democracy thrives. At the beginning of his first term in 1932, the 32nd President of the United States, Franklin .D. Roosevelt took the mantle of leadership when America was caught in the middle of the “Great Depression” but after his 100 days in office, he proved to Americans that he was the best man for the job, he was able to brace against all odds, and he eventually delivered.
While it is crucial to note that there is no constitutional significance attached to it, the first 100 days in office of elective positions have become a barometer to measure the performance of an administration and a prism to foreshadow the fate of the administration for the rest of the tenure.
It is against this background that we evaluate the performances of the AFAS’ Team New Era which assumed office on the 18th of May 2024. Even, the Mojuba-led administration circulated a release on August 18, highlighting the number of achievements the administration has recorded in the first 100 days. As the release covered certain fulfillment of Mojuba’s plans he presented in his manifesto, one question begets another. How has the AFAS affairs faired in the first 100 days? Does the highlight of the performance foretell what becomes of the administration in the end? Does the list of achievements reflect the collective efforts of the team or an individual initiative of Mr. President as a fulfillment of his manifesto?
To start with, Mojuba started on a good note, he paid courtesy visits to some alumni of the Faculty of Arts in a bid to foster a connection with them. No doubt, the initiative has proved to be fruitful as it has birthed securing internship placements for some AFASites in some media houses in Oyo State. His first 100 days in office also witnessed the “launching of AFAS E-Library” which allows AFASites to have access to course materials and past questions and entrepreneurship webinar where “10 Afasites were rewarded with free SMEDAN business registration and some got 20% discount on CAC business registration”. Another laudable success was the 3-day Boot Camp where some AfASites learned different skills like Photography, Video Content Creation, Resume and CV Writing, Content Writing, and Graphics Design.
His administration also hosted a virtual office software training session, ‘Mastering Basic Office Tools’, to improve student proficiency in essential software skills and organised “one of the biggest freshers welcome.
Notwithstanding, there are salient issues that need to be addressed. To date, no AFASite has collected a package from the last session. Even though the President in his manifesto recognized the delayed distribution of packages as an annual occurrence. In his manifesto, he promised an “EARLY DISTRIBUTION OF PACKAGE IN THE FIRST SEMESTER”. “To ensure timely distribution, session packages will be delivered in two batches”. However, the distribution of packages has been a dream. Although this in any way, might not have had much to do with Mojuba-led administration, he vowed to challenge the status quo. “I will address this challenge as the President”. It could also be noted that the President has called out the contractor in charge of the packages in an open letter, giving her an ultimatum to deliver the packages but the update about the delivery is hanging in the air. However, a release two days ago asked AFASites to start coming for their last session’s packages.
Mojuba’s Fee agenda stands on a tripod: “Empowering A.F.A.S, Equipping A.F.A.S, and Funding A.F.A.S”. While to some extent, he has been able to deliver two out of the three strands, the fate of the last strand has been wrapped with obscurity. Due to financial challenges being faced by the previous administrations, leading to stunted growth of certain developmental projects, he promised to come up with “AFAS VENTURES”- an avenue to establish a business enterprise in the name of AFAS. However, since the inception of the administration, there has never been a clear-cut explanation of the nature of the business enterprise. AFAS FLC had earlier requested an explanation from Mojuba on AFAS VENTURES through a written letter, but the response they got was incoherent and incomprehensible, leading to a further request for an explanation from the President. Until Mr. President provides a clear explanation for it, AFAS VENTURES will remain shrouded in secrecy.
Also, open communication is one of the traits of a responsive leader, it is believed that when there is no feedback, communication does not take place.
Mojuba promised to conduct a monthly town hall meeting where AFASites would voice their concerns and opinions on matters affecting the association. Since the beginning of this administration, they have released a trove of documents containing their actions and policies. But have they given AFASites the chance to express their views? No.
Although 100 days might be short to evaluate an administration, especially a student leadership position, several other parts of Mojuba’s manifesto must not be left unaddressed as it would be at the detriment of AFASites.
As the clock continues to tick forward and the journey seems fraught with challenges, Team New Era will need to demonstrate astute and visionary leadership, clear policy direction, and unyielding commitment to navigate the complexities that lie ahead of them.