PROve It: Jacinth’s Account of Stewardship

Agnes Oyedokun

In the world of student leadership, promises made during campaigns set the stage for the trust that students place in their candidates. It is said that with great responsibility comes great accountability, and the actions of candidates once elected often determine whether their promises live up to the expectations of those who voted for them. This is exactly the case for Oladosu Daniel Ayotunde (p.k.a JACINTH), a 300-level student of the Department of Music, who is the current Public Relations Officer (P.R.O.) for the Association of Faculty of Arts Students (AFAS).

Jacinth’s manifesto, when examined closely, is marked by a lack of depth and specificity. Many of his promises were tied to his constitutional duties, leaving little room for innovative or original ideas. When asked whether his manifesto was properly written, Ayotunde confidently said “YES.” While fulfilling constitutional responsibilities is important, a manifesto is expected to go beyond the bare minimum, offering clear plans for change and improvement. In this respect, Ayotunde’s manifesto could be seen as underwhelming, as it was largely full of constitutional duties that any leader in his position would be expected to fulfill. This approach has led to a perception that his manifesto was more about fulfilling obligations than creating a vision for progress.

The Quick Response Squad: A Question of Effectiveness

One of Ayotunde’s prominent promises was the establishment of a Quick Response Squad, designed to offer immediate support for students facing emergencies. The concept was well-received, with many students hopeful that the squad would provide a much-needed safety net during unforeseen situations. However, it has not gained popularity among students. There has been little to no effort in ensuring that students are aware of the squad, let alone actively engaging with it.

When asked about the initiative, Ayotunde stated that he was able to fulfill it properly, but in addition to the lack of awareness, the actual functionality of the Quick Response Squad is in question. For a service designed to address urgent student concerns, it has remained largely unknown to the large student body, with no clear mechanisms in place for students to access it when needed. For a communication tool to work, it requires both visibility and engagement; two areas where the Quick Response Squad has faltered. The failure to popularise and mobilise students around this squad reflects a disconnect between the PRO’s intentions and the needs of the students

The Feedback Culture: An Overlooked Commitment

Alongside the Quick Response Squad, Ayotunde promised to foster a strong feedback culture among students. He envisioned a system in which students would feel heard, with their concerns actively addressed through proper communication channels. However, this initiative has also fallen short. While the idea of a feedback mechanism sounded promising during the campaign period, it has failed to materialize in any meaningful way.

When asked about the challenges, Ayotunde admitted that it was a bit difficult at first because people were not responding, and the anonymous link they always put up on WhatsApp was being misused by individuals sending irrelevant messages. Despite Ayotunde’s assurances, students have not been provided with clear avenues to voice their opinions, and even when feedback is offered, it is rarely acknowledged or acted upon. This lack of follow-through on feedback mechanisms has left students feeling disconnected and ignored. The promised channels for open communication have not been effectively established, and the transparency needed to maintain a healthy feedback loop has been absent.

Social Media Visibility: A Mixed Outcome

One area where Ayotunde has seen success is in his efforts to improve AFAS’s social media visibility. He revitalized the AFAS Twitter page and made effective use of WhatsApp as a communication tool to enhance student engagement. These actions show that Ayotunde is capable of utilising digital platforms to strengthen communication and reach a wider audience.

When asked about his efforts, Ayotunde stated that he was able to revitalize the social media pages and claimed to have featured business owners on Instagram. However, upon reviewing the Instagram page, there was little to no evidence of business owners being posted. One of his specific promises was to feature AFAS business owners on AFAS’ social media pages, including Instagram. Unfortunately, this commitment remains largely unfulfilled. Despite the importance of supporting student-run businesses and offering them visibility through the association’s platforms, Ayotunde has not followed through on this promise, leaving the business owners without the recognition they were promised

AFAS E-Magazine: Creativity in Limbo

The launch of an AFAS E-Magazine was promised to provide a platform for student creativity in writing, editing, graphic design, and other artistic fields. However, progress has been slower than anticipated, with the lack of submissions from students hindering the development of the magazine. When asked about this, Ayotunde explained that students did not send in their submissions, which has delayed the project. He assured, however, that the magazine will be completed and released before the end of the semester. While there is still hope that it will be released before the end of his tenure, the promise remains largely unfulfilled. It remains to be seen whether this project will be fully realised, but efforts to bring this vision to life are still ongoing

Ayotunde’s manifesto, though earnest, was largely a reiteration of his constitutional duties, leaving students with a sense of unmet expectations. His leadership journey reflects the complexities of student governance, where promises are often challenged by unforeseen obstacles. While some progress has been made, it is clear that more work remains to be done to truly realise his vision for AFAS. The ultimate measure of leadership lies not just in promises made but in the tangible impact those promises have on the community. Whether Ayotunde will manage to fulfill his remaining goals before the end of his tenure is still to be seen, but how he navigates these challenges and whether he manages to fulfill his remaining promises will ultimately reflect on the effectiveness of his leadership during the rest of his tenure.