UI’SRC: The Sorry State of a Council in Coma
Oluwatayo Ogundare
Harold Geneen (1910–1997), a renowned American business executive, in his wisdom, explained the concept of leadership as: “Leadership is practiced not so much in words as in attitude and in actions.” This statement by Geneen emphasises that true leadership is demonstrated through behaviour rather than mere rhetoric. Leaders are judged by what they do rather than what they say, and their attitudes reveal their true character.
It is self-evident that leadership comes with responsibility. When an individual, through personal conviction, decides to partake in the act of leadership, irrespective of the position, they must also be prepared for the responsibilities that come with it. Absconding from these responsibilities reflects poor leadership. In the student community, individuals have the opportunity to occupy leadership positions across various halls, departments, faculties, recognised organisations, and the Union at large. Unfortunately, many are uninformed about the fundamentals of being a leader, and when criticised for incompetence by the student body, such criticism is often dismissed as defamation or unfounded. A true leader, however, is not intimidated by criticism but learns from it and makes necessary adjustments.
The essence of the above discussion is to shed light on the leadership role of the University of Ibadan Students’ Representative Council (SRC), also known as the Council, in representing the collective interests of the student community. It also highlights the need for versatile student leaders during turbulent times. The governing body of the Union, the SRC, comprises an uneven distribution of representatives across halls of residence—halls like Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikwe, and Great Independence have higher representation compared to halls like Lord Tedder, Bello, and Kenneth Mellanby— faculty presidents, and co-opted members.
According to Article XXV of the University of Ibadan Students’ Union constitution, the Council, as the policy-making body of the Union, is vested with powers to review the constitution, approve executive budgets, summon a general meeting of the Union by a resolution passed by two-thirds of members voting at an ordinary meeting, among other duties. Thus, it can be affirmed that the SRC is one of the strongest organs in the Union, translating to an SRC member (honourable) being addressed as a leader in his or her own capacity.
The 11th Assembly of the Students’ Representative Council, under the Speakership of Rt. Hon. Matthias Busoye, has been notably active in its duties that the student community largely perceives the Council as merely a body for approving budgets. From its inception, the Council, which is meant to represent students’ interests, has been passive in addressing issues crucial to the development of the student community. It is fair to point out that both the Council and the Executive Council share responsibility for the newly inflated tuition fees at the University of Ibadan. Emphasising the responsibility of honourable members in representing their constituencies should be a recurring theme. When these members are adequately informed of their roles, they are more likely to effect significant changes in the community.
On Friday, December 6th, the Speaker called an emergency meeting to address and approve the Students’ Union week budget. However, hours into the meeting, it had to be adjourned due to the inability to form a quorum—one-third of the total number of honourable members. In simpler terms, there was poor attendance among the honourable members when critical issues affecting the student community were to be discussed. This raises questions about the commitment and sense of responsibility of these leaders.
To prevent issues like this from snowballing into systemic failure, it is important to examine how honourable members are elected and the potential for a dynamic Students’ Representative Council. According to the Union’s constitution, membership in the Council can be obtained through elections, co-option, or automatic inclusion (e.g., faculty presidents). While some honourable members aspire to represent their constituencies effectively; others are persuaded by hall stakeholders to buy the form; some want to use the position as a stepping stone for future political ambitions; some view it as an entitlement due to their contributions to their halls of residence.
If the knife that cuts a child’s hand is thrown away, is the deed not already done? – Yorùbá adage
Although these leaders have already been elected, there is still an opportunity for redemption through the upcoming elections. The responsibility of ensuring a dynamic Students’ Representative Council lies with the students, who must prioritise electing qualified leaders. Students should look beyond personal relationships and familiarity, focusing instead on criteria such as the aspirants’ qualifications, manifestos, and insights. Aspirants must also be subjected to both planned and spontaneous questioning to assess their capabilities.
Students must shift their perception of press and manifesto nights from mere traditional rites to opportunities for evaluating aspiring honourables and questioning their plans. Furthermore, students should insist on open communication with their leaders (representatives) regarding budgets, decisions, and project updates. The publication of meeting minutes, financial reports, and plans should be encouraged to ensure transparency.
Additionally, students can leverage media platforms for public discussions and coverage, which can pressure representatives to act responsibly. Actively engaging in SRC sittings and elections will hold leaders accountable. Attendance at sittings provides students with insight into Council operations and allows them to identify who’s adequately representing their interests and recall any honourable members found wanting. Establishing a feedback system where SRC members report their activities to their constituencies will also enhance accountability.
In conclusion, a dynamic Students’ Representative Council, working alongside a versatile executive council, is essential for addressing pressing issues. An informed and proactive SRC will not only benefit the current students but also set a standard for future generations who aspire to higher education.
