Toheeb Babalola
Without any iota of doubt, there are quite a few situations that should be addressed amongst ourselves as students, but, we have considered them as normal events due to the fact that the majority of us do not possess adequate knowledge about them.
In observation, there are some forces outside the campus indirectly benefiting from students annually. Many students call them, ‘The Stakeholders’ who always determine the fate of aspirants during the electioneering process. One of the candidates vying for the position of a particular faculty president last year once told me that he had been summoned to several meetings outside the campus by these stakeholders for negotiations both day and night, and I wondered why he needed to get engaged with them!
After some efforts, it was revealed that those parading themselves as the stakeholders’ are allegedly to be former students. However, the way current students narrate their stories on campus has created a contrast to the duties of the graduates. This is where the misconception between the stakeholders and the Alumni comes in.
Without a doubt, all former students are known as Alumni, who support both the management and the current students with funds or pieces of advice for the smooth-running of academic affairs. While stakeholders ought to be external actors who neither make business decisions nor benefit directly from the operations of the institution.
Stakeholders are perceived to be the kingmakers whose influence cannot be undermined during students’ election. But the Alumni are great role models for current students and are often well placed to offer practical support to students in their various fields of study.
Ex-students do not extort or impose students for elective positions, rather seek violence-free election. Whilst findings show that stakeholders act as godfathers to some students for their selfish interests. Alumni use their networks to attract internships and scholarships for the students. And of course, they can never act as agents of violence, which seems to be characteristic of the stakeholders.
Meanwhile, one needs to provide answers to these questions: What are those alleged ex-students changing as stakeholders still doing on campus? Is it a must for an aspirant to seek their endorsement?I believe that immediately after graduation, one has automatically become an ex-student and nothing else remains to pick in school rather than facing the reality of life. In lieu of this, some sets of ex-students impose themselves as political lords whose decisions are final on campus. Besides, there is no provision for the existence of their activities in the Students’ Handbook.
The mentality of these stakeholders can be explained by the Yoruba proverb that says, “Eni Ba Mo Owo We, Yoo Bagba Jeun”. Hence, this has been the sole issue that quenches some vibrant students’ leadership ambitions on campus. Although it would be very difficult to eradicate the position of the stakeholders in the students’ election. However, change is certain.
I will use this medium to implore all concerned elements to be lenient with the aspirants and find lasting solution to the lingering issue.
P:S – This article is far from defaming anyone. Your comment on this piece will be appreciated.
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