UI’Decides 25: ‘Consciousness Must Precede Elections,’ Aduwo Asserts

Oluwatosin Adeoye
Ayodele Ayodele, IndyPress Editor-in-Chief has called for the prioritization of consciousness amongst the student populace and leadership especially in regards to the upcoming UISU electioneering process.
Speaking on the second episode of AFAS Press Podcast, Aduwo asserted that “what should go ahead of election is consciousness, consciousness is what people think of themselves, the union, and how much commitment they should give, and if I have to spell out the type of commitment, it is supposed to be an altruistic one”
In his words, Aduwo said that, “what the union exists for as clearly stated in the constitution is to defend students’ right to public education by interpretation” which currently is not playing out in the leadership of the students of the University of Ibadan.
Also, advising students on the incoming electioneering process, Damilare, also known as Afrikaan Boy, the President of National Association of Political Science Students, University of Ibadan, affirmed that issue based campaign is the way to go, stressing that the press has a role to play “by asking strategic questions” avoiding traditional questions and critically engaging candidates.
Responding to questions on student leadership and the fee hike Aduwo mentioned “what could definitely resolve the fee hike debacle is the degree of consciousness situated amongst the student community”. Adding that currently “we have a kind of leadership characterised by paucity of knowledge” stressing that “ it is the amount of what they have in them that they reflect”.
Addressing the government underfunding of education, he mentioned that, insecurity is the order of the day, therefore, if the government intends to reduce the number of terrorists, subtle criminals amongst others “education is the first medicine to solve it”.
Damilare affirmed that “yes, the education sector is underfunded” as against the UNICEF recommendation of 26% of annual budget allocation for developing nations like Nigeria, but the efficient management of the previous minute allocation by the federal government needs to be critically examined. “I am not supporting the underfunding, of course I will never”. The management needs to be held accountable for the internally generated revenue for the institution seeing that increase in fees paid by students has not been reflected in the welfare of students.