THE 34TH LASUSU – A REPORT CARD (PART 2)

LASUSU and Finances!

What exactly is going on? What is happening to the revenue generated by the Union? You would recall that at least two of the executives listed in our previous article confirmed that they sourced funds from outside with little or no iota of assistance from the Union to organize their programmes. So what exactly are all the revenues used for? After all, it is on record that a sitting office holder was suspended for financial misappropriation and lack of accountability; the 120,000 naira paid by LASULAWS. So we can safely assume the Union is not broke.

At this point, one might have to question whether the financial secretary remembers his constitutional duty to publish the Union’s statement of account every month. Does he even know the state of the account? If he doesn’t, at least we have an Auditor General. Or is that merely an office-inclined post, too?

It is stated there that we have the right to a monthly published audit. We don’t know about you, but LASU Conscience has not seen one.

There are questions we’ve failed to ask ourselves. This piece understands that a lot of factors have played into certain events being left behind; funds being one of them. But we can not sympathize if we do not know the true state of things. Furthermore, why do the excos never release an end-of-session report? They could have controlled the narrative by giving us a clear idea of what they were able to do and the reasons they were unable to execute the things planned. Again, it boils down to a lack of vision.

On to the verdict on our executives, it seems the glamour of the titles might have overshadowed the real responsibilities that come with them. It is clear that there’s room for improvement. We hope that the next batch of leaders take these reviews to heart. After all, a little self-reflection could go a long way in turning things around. Until then, we’ll just keep our fingers crossed and our expectations, realistic.

The Hallowed Chambers

We can’t give a review of the 34th LASUSU and not consider the impact the legislative arm played on the outcome of the administration. Several executives were summoned, suspended, and given sentences of community service. This is well in line with their responsibilities of acting as a watchdog on the activities of the executive arm.

We wish to note that a successful union requires coordination between all its organs to ensure maximum output. One would have thought that with both the speaker and the president coming from the same faculty, there would be such a synergy between the SEC and the SPC. Well, that bubble was busted early. We are glad the SPC did not snooze off in ensuring the executive body kept to its toes. However power is a very delicate concept and should not be misused.

This piece opines that successive administrations have always placed strict emphasis on adjectival procedures and their technicalities to the detriment of the policies in favour of the student body.

What does this mean? You would recall that the Sports Director was once summoned to the House and asked to put a halt on all sports activities with immediate effect. Why? He forgot to “seek the approval of the House for the program”. While we understand that everyone needs to be carried along, it is something so simple that a correspondence or two passed between both parties would solve.

Approval shouldn’t be something so serious as to necessitate a whole emergency sitting. There are several more examples of this, but one should suffice in establishing the points.

Additionally, do the Honourable members know that their respective Constituencies ought to be kept abreast and consulted before any sitting? In case they do not, we would refer them back to the Constitution.

Everyone is quick to start quoting the Constitution when it comes to questioning an executive, but their eyes just gloss over this particular provision, and it gets ignored. Even House of Assembly members hold constituency meetings; the most recent one happened on October 11 simultaneously across the 40 constituencies of Lagos State. But I guess this is what happens when we do not vote them into power. They are “screened”; hence, there is no accountability.

One more important thing to note is that the Honourable members tend to forget that the Constitution mandates that observers shall be allowed to attend proceedings as long as they do not violate any standing order. But tell that to the task force, and you’d rather be anywhere but there.

Do we need to remind the House that there is a special reservation for members of the press at the assembly, both State and Federal? The world is larger than what myopic views allow.

Freedom of the Press Where?

You’d think you’re a long way from experiencing certain forms of oppression. You may think that issues regarding freedom of the press only come up with the Nigerian government. Well, we are sorry to inform you that it can happen anywhere. We need to give more attention to the press. The press is rarely invited to cover events and, even when invited, are not duly recognized.

We are, however, hopeful that the 35th LASUSU is committed to ensuring their activities and goals are properly communicated via student platforms and the media organizations on campus. Do take note of this.

The Judicial Wing

This is the third arm of LASUSU jointly constituting the Student’s Union. Do you know how people take each other to court in society? Well, you can do that in LASU.

Constitutionally, the court has jurisdiction over every student and student body duly recognized by the Student Affairs. However, an average LASUite does not consider this an option for resolving disputes. Why? Over the years, the teeth of this tiger have become dull, and its agility has been cut short by excessive slumber.

In fact, the only time people remember the court is during election times when all eyes turn to them to address petitions and electoral disputes. But they do more than that. In most times, only the Faculties of Law and Science are regular customers of the Court. You’d see faculty members taking their executives and representatives to court and getting a ruling.

Only in recent times is the strength beginning to return. The 34th LASUSU had a case reach the Court of Appeal; that’s commendable. This piece doesn’t have much to say on this topic because there isn’t a lot of material to work with. We can only appeal to LASUites to explore the options of the Court whose decisions can actually be enforced by Student Affairs.

Did your HOC misappropriate funds? Sue him! Take your high-handed department speaker to court and let him/her face the full weight of the law. The amazing thing is that you really don’t have to spend much. Contact any of the Chambers/Firms in the Faculty of Law, and you won’t be disappointed.

LIDC?
To us who have seen our results and have known our fate, it’s the time of the season to know how to adjust ourselves. Good thing some of us still have another session. Till then, Aluta Continua, Victoria Ascerta!!!