100 DAYS IN OFFICE INTERVIEW SESSION WITH THE CEC MEMBERS : AN INTERVIEW SESSION WITH THE SU ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL.

Sir, we know you as SIEWEN , what is your full name? 

SIEWEN: I'm Oyebanjo Oluwaseun Abiola

Can you tell us briefly about yourself and your background?

SIEWEN: I hail from Ogun state, Ijebu Remo to be precise. I had my primary and secondary education there. I am the fourth in the family of six. A final year student of the department of Arts and Social Education, faculty of Teachers - education.

OK, as you know it's 100 days  since you've been sworn in to office. What are your achievements since the inception of your administration? 

SIEWEN: Actually the fact is that money is the needed for the actualization of plans and my budget has not been ratified by the Budget and Finance committee coupled with fact that the management hasn't  released the Union dues paid for the session to the union.
     Of course, I've been able to constitute the open secretariat committee and General secretaries at all levels and they will help in the implementation of the some of our programmes.
     Also, I have been able to revitalize the consciousness of students because it is important for the. I did that by giving a bulletin with articles about the core values of our union to the freshmen. I have been able to create a platform for all general secretaries in the halls of residence in order to monitor public releases.
     I was able to lead a mini protest against absence of speed breakers on our roads  at the beginning of the semester. The protest, which some officers of the Union joined, sent a signal to the management that students are conscious of their rights.


What do you feel about the last held congress and the released resolutions? 

SIEWEN: According to Desmond Tutu, "If you are neutral in the face of oppression, you have chose the way of the oppressors"
   I can not ascertain whether the Congress was doctored or not, but it's obvious that the Congressional resolutions were doctored. And the Congress was inconclusive because the motion of adjournment was not moved.

What is your take on the suspension of the speaker? 

SIEWEN: As far as I'm concerned, the speaker was not suspended because I and my Secretary General wrote the minute and there was nothing of such. They claimed that the petition was signed by some honourables and they denied meaning those who came up with the petition should be charged for impersonation. I would advise students to do things the right way so that posterity will judge us well.

Your stance recently underscores the fact that CEC is divided. What do you have to say about that? 


SIEWEN:   You see, the CEC must be united because the back bone of every union is unity. But, I will not let unity override my sense of thinking. I will not do things that are anti-students and anti-humane all in the name of unity. We are united but with different ideologies.
 


A fourteen seaters bus was procured not quite long. What do you feel about it? 


SIEWEN:    On the issue of bus, the bus was bought and claimed to be bought by the union. Though I thought it would be an 18 seater bus but we saw a 14 seater bus which some people know about. I don't buy the idea of the purchase not passing through the B&F committee.
   A sum of 3,000,000 was given by the management but the president and the Financial secretary can speak more about the purchase of the bus.


From the opinion poll conducted,  the performance of this administration was tagged woeful. Can you please describe this current administration? 

SIEWEN:    Well, like I'll always say, proscription of any union will always have psychological effects on the union. There is no administration without its own challenges. Let us police the union by confronting our leaders in order to keep them on their toes.



What are the challenges you've been facing since you assumed the office?.

SIEWEN: The delay in approval of the budget has incapacitated some of our plans but nevertheless, one does not need money to raise the consciousness of students and do some things.
    Sometimes, I've been summoned by the students to look in to some issues like illumination of rooms and toilets in halls of Residence and because of collective responsibility, I have been able to resolve some.

Any piece of advice for the generality of Great Ife students? 

SIEWEN: According to Martin Luther King, "there is still time to make things right". It is not too late to make amends where necessary.
  I advise people who are interested in raising false alarm of cultism without evidence should desist from such act. If we can not make the union better, then, let's not compound her problems.
  In conclusion, I'll say; United we stand, divided we fall, crush and crumble.

Thanks for your time sir. Good day. 

INTERVIEWER :
Olufemi Alfred .O.
OAU Kilonshele News Agency.