The Congress
The congress started at exactly 11:05am. It was kicked off by the president of the law students' society, AAUA, who welcomed all to the meeting.
He beckoned on one of the attending members to give the opening prayer. This was done by Owoyemi Temiloluwa, a 300 level student of the faculty and also a member of the law student's representative council(LSRC).
After this was done, Another member of the LSRC; Oluseyi Ugonna also known as Esquire, stated that out of five senators representing each constituency, only four were present at the moment and he also complained about the absence of members of the society and implored everyone to attend the Congress meeting which is their constitutional duty.
The president invited the Vice president, Omowumi Eniola to lead the Law student's society's anthem, as everyone stood up and did.
The president stressed that had most of the students attended the meeting, it would have been beneficial to them as it was a chance to discuss with the executives that are not readily available at all times. The president also mentioned that he informed the class representatives that there will be an attendance list which would be strictly followed.
The president also recognized a few of the executives including;
- Omowumi Eniola, the Vice president
- Omole Damilare, the P.R.O
- The financial secretary, Olóyè Olamilekan
- The general Secretary: Folorunso Samuel
- Hon. Oluwaseyi Ugonna, a senator representing the 300 level constituency
- The C.L.O of the society
- The representatives of LSRC
The president called on Honorable seyi to introduce himself but he countered that the president should have mentioned the speaker, the Deputy Speaker, the Chief Whipand other higher officials before introducing him. The president in turn, recognized the Chief whip, the Treasurer and also all LSSITES present.
Sir Owoyemi Temiloluwa raised a point of order that the minute from the last congress should be provided to avoid going back on discussions. The president mentioned that the last congress was of the previous administration and that should not stop the proceeding of the congress.
Sir Temiloluwa also asked that the minute of the congress be added to an online platform to encourage progress. The president acknowledged that and proceeded to the first issue.
The first issue for deliberation was the Lecture Theatres(LTs). The president noted that the state of the lecture theatres have remained the same even when the students of the faculty have been moved to a new lecture theatre. He spoke on the pungent stink around the lecture theatres, owing it to night class partakers who pollute the surroundings. He mentioned the first step to improving the state of the faculty is locking it. He also mentioned that locking the lecture theatres after school hours will prevent students that come for night class from polluting the environment and also to divert attention from the LT. He stated the issue of other faculties clashing with the faculty of law over classes and he mentioned that he had told the dean of the faculty of law that the second block of the new LT be provided for law students.
Mr Owoyemi Temiloluwa(300 level) responded with a claim that locking of the LT won't be enough but rather preventing other faculties from using it. He also made mention of bizarre situations he had witnessed during night classes and he pointed out the need to fumigate the entire surroundings of the LT to prevent dangerous animals from harming the students using the LT . He also said that moving the students from the former LT was a setup since the state of the new LT isn't a price and he also mentioned the need for bolts to lock the door upon provision of electrical outlets.
The President responded that confronting violators doesn't depend on the executives alone, he claimed, "you have the right to confront them as a law student". Touching on the subject of fumigation, the President informed the congress that the sub Dean had written a letter to the maintenance unit, expressing her displeasure at the state of the environment. He confirmed that the faculty has notified them and measures are being put into place.
He also informed the Congress men and women that the reason the faculty moved to the new LT was to ensure a more convenient space for lectures and not a "set up."
Adegboyega olugbemi, a 200 level student of the faculty suggested the need for labels to be placed on the structure of the LT to deter other faculties from thinking it's their own. He pointed out that students of the school still call the LT "SOMASA LT." He said the decision has to be made and capitalized. In response, the president appreciated the opinion and promised that steps will be taken.
Timilehin David Abiodun, a 200 level student pointed out another issue with the new LT. He mentioned that students of the faculty find it difficult to locate classes meant for their level. He suggested that those classes be specified. The president then assured everyone that this is also part of the plans for the Lts.
The Second issue for deliberation was the payemnt of LSS due. The president expressed his embarrassment over the the student's disregard of the LSS due. He maintained that payment of dues will warrant the right to request development of the LT. He implored the students to pay up, reason being; the faculty cannot rely only on its pocket. He concluded that payment of the dues will be taken as a sign of service rendered to the society. He also stressed on the importance of students keeping receipts as they will be a prerequisite for clearance.
Owoyemi Temiloluwa agreed with the president on the issue of paying up the dues. He claimed the dues will go a long way to provide utilities in the LT. He however complained of the short notice of the call for payment, citing the recent events with 300 level students where the payment of the LSS due became mandatory for submission of assignment, a day before the submission. He appealed that it should not be a prerequisite for submission of assignments and other materials.
The president defended the lecturers, claiming it wasn't intentional but it was an effort to ensure payment of dues. He noted that the faculty is lacking in the financial area, and also mentioned that to avoid embarrassment, students should kindly pay up.
The president acknowledged the presence of the chairman of the task force committee, Hon. Oluwambe. He proceeded to hand over to the vice president due to an urgent matter he needed to deal with.
David Akinmoji, a 200 level student passed a question to the financial secretary, asking him what it would take for students to receive the receipts for payment of the LSS due. The financial secretary maintained that he always informed the students whenever he's available for collection of receipts. He also mentioned that it would be ridiculous if he went to every class pleading for the collection of every receipt. The vice president supported the financial secretary. Hon. Owoyemi Temiloluwa complained of the financial secretary's reaction was harsh and wrong, thereby inciting argument in the congress.
Hon. Oluseyi Ugonna reminded the P.R.O of his duty to ensure decorum at the congress meeting.
The vice president called for decorum in the house and invited the chairman of the task force committee on the podium for the third issue up for deliberation which was the dress code. The chairman of the task force committee, Hon. Oluwambe, commented on the issue of the dress code that he understands that each person has a personalized closet but they should try to dress according to the dress code of the faculty. He claimed that at the last meeting of the task force committee, it was concluded that actions to reprimand defectors of the code will be made. He also pointed out that black and white means sobriety and decency, students should try to emulate that.
The President returned back to the podium and chided the task force committee in their leniency. He stressed the need for a scapegoat to make an example to others.
Hon. Oluseyi Ugonna advised that direct regulations should be added to the dress code before actions can constitute as an offence. The president responded by saying everyone should have the dress code at the back of their minds. He claimed that many choose to ignore the code as a personal choice and not because they aren't conversant with the dress code.
Dulcie Pamilerin, a 200 level student made a complaint on the attitude of the P.R.O, claiming that 200level students were not informed that there was a congress meeting. She claimed the P.R.O had used a derogatory term on them while they were waiting to confirm if there would be a class or they'll attend the Congress meeting. The president insisted that the matter would be privately dealt with and other businesses would be discussed at the A.O.B (any other business)segment.
Hon. Semilore Akinselure argued that; provided point of order can be made at any moment, Miss Dulcie's issue should be addressed. The president insisted that it's still at his discretion and he would only deal with it during the AOB segment.
The next issue for deliberation is the payemnt of Faculty due by students. The president stated that upon negotiation with the dean of the faculty, the due has been reduced from 10000.00 NGN to 7500.00 NGN. He stressed that there's still negotiation in place. Lssites present expressed disbelieve over the Dean’s decision. They maintained that that amount would be difficult to pay for the less privileged students. Hon. Esquire insisted on seeing the physical results of the faculty due paid last session. Miss Temira, a 200 level student mentioned that since there's still negotiation in place, no one should be paying for now until a conclusion is reached.
Sen. Semilore also argued that payment of the due should not have a deadline at the first semester, he claimed it should be paid at the second semester. The president insisted that students should pay up and also implored those with financial connections to help the faculty.
Hon. Oluseyi moved a motion to mandate the president to write a letter to the dean of student affairs, asking to help with the reduction of the due. The motion was seconded by Hon. Temiloluwa.
Sen. Semiloore countered the motion stating that the President shouldn't make such a confrontational decision and encouraged negotiation instead. The president called on the general Secretary to preside over the vote. Those that were in support of Hon. Oluseyi's motion were asked to signify and come and out, the same was applied to those against the motion. At the end of the vote, 29 people voted for the motion that the president should write the letter and 37 people voted against it. The results were unanimous and the motion was overruled.
Any Other Business (A.O.B.)
Sen. Semilore spoke on the issue of the inactivity of the judicial arm of the Body of Justice (BOJ). He emphasized on bringing a lasting solution to that by the president. The president claimed all protocols have been observed but the student's B.O.J has been lacking one aspirant from 400 level. He claimed that the person interested in running for the position is dealing with issues from his results. The LSRC retorted that as this is an urgent underlying issue, it should be easily resolved by inaugurating the members of the B.O.J and requesting the results later. The president agreed to this and promised to inaugurate the members.
Hon. Temiloluwa Owoyemi complained on the nonchalant attitude of lecturers towards student. He claimed he had a carry-over in a supposedly easy course due to negligence on the lecturer's part. He claimed the lecturer had not marked his script and recorded nothing for his CA. He called on the president to plead with the lectures to ensure proper grading of scores. The president promised to take action on this.
Dulcie Pamilerin earlier stated her issue with the P.R.O in person of Omole Damilare and claimed he used a derogatory term on the 200 level students by calling them "idiots." The president called on both of the affected individuals and while Miss Dulcie recapped her story, the P.R.O defended his case by saying it was merely a matter of misinterpretation. The P.R.O commented on the issue of the 200 level students not being aware of the Congress, claiming miss Dulcie had read the newsletter on the group, 'LSS related'. He also claimed that he had the personal email of every student of the faculty and had in fact sent it to her. He also stressed on the fact miss Dulcie's false allegations could tamper with his reputation. He claimed he mentioned that "only an idiot will scream unfairness after failing to come for the congress," and that miss Dulcie misunderstood it as him calling them idiots. Miss Dulcie retorted by saying the P.R.O should not have said that remark if he cared so much about his reputation. Miss Dulcie apologized for the misconception and the case was closed.
The president reminded the students to make payment of dues and called the meeting to an end.
The closing prayer was held my Miss Arafat, an hundred level student and the congress came to an end by 2:30pm
LK... Making a statement!
Share your comments!