Part 1: When Shall We Start Questioning Our Students’ Leaders?

• By Kolade Malik Ademola

Note: Dear fellow students of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, this may not arise your interest to read because it is not the usual article of sport, entertainment or thereabouts. In fact, it is starting on a boring note, so please, you may not read it, and thus allow the prayers of our students’ leaders to be answered.

If a country is threading the path of ruin, it means her citizens have shown indifference over a long period of time. Nigerians these days have been categorised, pathetically, as set of people who despite harsh conditions still thrive and never bother about the adversities as much as they have something to put on their table. But ask yourself, is that really all to living?

Since #RevolutionNow is flying in the air, there is a need to take little zeal of it from the mainstream, and agitate it at schools (tertiary institutions) as well, because apparently, Student leaders on campus today are somewhat those venturing into mainstream politics tomorrow if all things being equal. So if we can’t start the grooming of good leaders on campus today, how then do we envisage a prosperous Nigeria? With that brings the question, When Shall We Start Questioning Our Student Leaders?

As a student of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, have you ever asked yourself what you are entitled to as a financial member of an association? Have you ever imagined how your dues are going down the drain? Have you ever asked whether there are implementations to the promises made during their manifestos? Have you ever asked whether your dues are being siphoned into private account? This is not to revolt, but ask these questions and many more in a logical manner, put it into writing and publish. Air your views, and fortunately, the PRESS COUNCIL will be willing to make a publication for you.

Sentimentally, many things amuse in Students-led administration, if after the end of tenure and they list their achievements in the acclaimed “exercise book” they call souvenir, many administration include achievements like “Well organised Orientation programme and Colourful ‘department/faculty’ Day,” even employing adjectives like colourful to qualify what in the first place you are entitled to whether financial member or not, and besides ask yourself, does my due payment only cater for Orientation, Day, and Souvenir alone? Well, you have been dragged into this barbarism for long because you don’t know what you are entitled to as a financial member, and obviously you don’t know what a “souvenir” is, so to speak.

Souvenir, as it entails, is an item of sentimental or revered value, given out to remember an event or location. Unconditionally, do you know souvenir can also come as programme(s) that add(s) to your knowledge? Do you know souvenir can come as relevant training(s) or workshop(s) or tutorial(s) that equip you and make you relevant in your field of study? It is undisputed that social life is much essential, but have you asked if it is only social life that constitutes to your social well-being as a student? You can’t be labelled a felon if you ask, so ask.

RevolutionNow should start from schools, from questioning and holding Students’ Leaders accountable, to ensuring transparency, and zero-tolerance for embezzlement or misappropriation of funds. As a student of The Polytechnic, Ibadan, ask yourself, when shall I get my fair dividend of the democracy on campus. Ask yourself when shall I start questioning the students’ leaders so they can do what is right, and what benefits all.

In the end, “Revolt as a student, but don’t pick up arms. Don’t raise voices, but ask questions, you can’t be labelled a felon for such.”