It is no longer news that the Students’ Union Group of the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ifé has been reinstated. The reinstatement took place on Tuesday, 27th of April, 2021, after a 4-year long suspension. Recall that Union was suspended on the 7th day of November, 2017.
Following the reinstatement of the Union, O.A.U. students have since jubilated. Alas! Their grievances will be aired. Below are all of the positive effects of the reinstatement of school’s S.U.G.
• Maintenance of discipline & decorum in the school environment:
The suspension of the Students’ Union by the school management took place on the occasion that violent fightings and unruly behaviour of the then S.U.G. became the order of the day.
The new Students’ Union representative will hence, organise themselves and learn from the experiences and mistakes of their predecessors. By implication, restoring and maintaining discipline in the school environment.
• Students’ Activism:
Let’s look back at the purpose of the creation of the S.U.G. in Federal Universities. The pervading and salient reason was/is to allow for the representation of Students on topical issues on Campus.
At this, Students will have the opportunity to air their grievances to the school authority.
In recent times, one of such grievances is the unavailability of water on Campus. For weeks, there was no water supply throughout Ogbá Fémi. This is where the S.U.G. comes in.
• Curtailment of the excesses of the School Management:
Actions of the school management can be questioned by the S.U.G. if the student population appears to be uncomfortable with such actions. By extension, it allows for checks and balances.
• Students now have one voice:
While the S.U.G. was suspended, there was no one, not even a body to represent Students’ views. Students’ aired their views individually, causing separate views on a particular issue. But with the reinstatement of the S.U.G. Students can now come to a meaningful conclusion with one Voice.
• Leadership:
There is a saying; “the journey of a thousand miles, begins with a step”.
There is no gainsaying that Leaders, Political leaders even, will emerge from the S.U.G. in the nearest future. The group thus helps in preparing leaders of tomorrow as the leaders of the group garner experience as to how to rule over a group of people.
• More activities for students:
The Students’ Union has the power to organise social and academic activities for Students; exciting and thrilling ones. One big advantage of this is that it helps students develop interpersonal relationships. Ones which could change their lives for good.
• Cordial relationship between Students and the School Management:
The S.U.G. is a major actor when it comes to relationship between the management and students. The leaders of the S.U.G. engage in a roundtable discussion with the management, and then gives a feedback to the students. This helps in improving relationships between the student and school management.
These are the positive effects of the reinstatement of the Obafemi Awolowo University’s S.U.G.
Do you know of other positive effects of the reinstatement of the S.U.G.? Share with us in the Comments!
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