Editorial
The university of Ibadan is slowly coming into the season where prospective candidates begin to grovel, canvass and sweet talk the general student body. The many tags promising their care, vitality and assurances are already popping up. On the other hand, there are those of us who are on the receiving end of all these campaigns, forced to listen to why so and so is the best person for the job, even when all signs point otherwise. After the due process, a new set of executives are then voted in, continuing the cycle of leadership.
This is therefore why a critical look into how the current administrations – of faculties, departments and halls – have performed is paramount now. While the elections may bring mixed feelings of anxiety and happiness for candidates, press nights are popularly rumoured to be night the devil chooses to bring them down. Some may view the fourth estate as the coven of witch hunters unskilled in the art of politics seeking the throats of candidates, but the importance of the press night in assessing the viability of both the candidates and their plans cannot be understated.
The last concluded press night and hall elections ushered in the sitting hall executive council who have all remained in office for over a year, owing to the ASUU strike. The privileges enjoyed by members of the executive council are in fact the best the hall has to offer; from the best rooms and amenities to the prestige and respect of being the 1% and not to mention their buffed-up portfolios. One might then ask, if these executives receive so much, in what ways have they served the hall? Not so much.
The executive council of the Obafemi Awolowo hall may be likened to a sun bathing bird, seen gloriously bathing in the light of the sun and doing little to earn it.
A perusal of the manifestos of the current executive council gives an insight into the general attitude of the hall executives. Some manifestos are lengthy, most scanty but the general take is that these politicians had only little to offer with most having no concrete plans to carry out these so-called agendas, which clearly now reflects in their administration now that they hold the positions.
One word that continuously came up in these manifestoes was the word “impact” and so it is not out of the ordinary to question if this administration has truly made any impact and if they were in equal measure to the promises made and privileges received.
It would be of very little use to shake a clearly half-filled glass jar especially when its content is obvious to all and sundry. Therefore, a review of the recurring agendas from the manifestos of these candidates, which could have served as a common ground in deciding the actions of the administration will have to suffice.
THE PLAN TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS FACED IN THE HALL
The first agenda on the manifesto of the 001 of the halls, reads to “solve the problems faced by most of us in the hostel such as the water issues, restrictions on visitations and so much more”. The major problem with this plan was its ambiguity. Plans are meant to be specific, after all, what is not known cannot be worked on. The ambiguity also begs if the presidential candidate at the time had actually properly researched the issues that affected Awoites. If a manifesto fails to boast of specific plans, is it truly then a manifesto?
Moving on from the ambiguity and talking about the problems actually highlighted, the challenge with the water issue is that it is a problem that can hardly be solved in a session and in light of performance so far, expecting the hall council to eradicate this issue within a session is even more comedic than it was at the press night. So was the 001 planning on making a head start on solving this issue only to leave it to the next administration? Or was it just a boast as with most promises she made?
As to the restrictions on visitation, the hall indeed eased down on these restrictions. Again, to what extent can these executives claim to have had a hand in this development?
Furthermore, since “so much more” was a phrase that accompanied this plan, it is not farfetched to also take a look at the promises of other candidates fitting into problems faced by Awoites. Transportation is a problem faced by most residents of the hall. Getting a ride to the hall and from the hall, being charged higher and also getting rejected by the drivers. These are problems a lot of Awoites face on weekly basis. The office of the Assistant Secretary of State classifies transportation as “a major problem” in her manifesto and promises to tackle it.
Upon evaluation of this administration, this problem remains. No visible action has been seen as steps to solving or even managing this problem.
In the meantime, the handful reminders of the porters to pump water and the hall council going into talks with the hall management about the recent light issue are the actions this administration can protest as attempts seen in solving these problem.
THE PLAN TO ENCOURAGE SPORT ACTIVITIES
The major promise of the office of the sports minister was to revive sports within the hall, a plausible idea especially in view of the state of sporting activities in the hall. The presidents manifesto also alludes to working on this. One of the few offices that has implemented its manifesto to a considerable measure is that of the sports minister. Her promise to appoint a sports committee was actually carried out. But what has this sports committee achieved?
The Awo Hall Championship Games which was promised was a no-show, the introduction of indoor games to aid in the simple matter of relaxation for Awoites was also not carried out.
The fresher’s sports day, morning walk and the games night that held 6 weeks into the second semester are in fact the only achievements of this office. The grand occasion of an indoor game’s night held on a basketball court with a sprinkling of Awoites participating from the floor of the poorly lit court can actually be said to be the greatest achievement of this administration especially in regards to sport affairs. The initiative from the sports minister to organize a morning walk and games night is actually a laudable idea as it meant for the general wellbeing of Awoites, but one would wonder why the information was disseminated a night before the event.
THE PLAN TO IMPROVE THE MENTAL HEALTH OF AWOITES
Mental health is a very touchy issue. A read through the manifestos of some of the then aspirants brings to attention the promises to provide mental health support to Awoites in partnership with different NGOs. Till today, nothing has been done as regards this issue. A clear indication that these politicians capitalized on the trend of mental health awareness to appeal to the emotions of Awoites. Using mental health as a campaign tool is a level of low that should have no place in a community of intellectuals.
Although the current hall administration is not unique in the issue of unfulfilled promise, this does not mean they should not be held accountable for the electioneering promises they made. What these politicians promise are changes and when they fail to fulfil them, the society is bereft of change and all we are left with is a stagnant community.
OBAFEMI AWOLOWO HALL PRESS 
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