GreatIfeDecides'24: CEC Press Night and The Ensuing Results

OAU Kilonshele 

On a night as venerable and sacrosanct as any other at the ancient grounds of Odùduwà Hall, the atmosphere was ripe with anticipation, emanating from supporters of diverse backgrounds. The Association of Campus Journalists, was at that time, grilling the aspirants of each position. 

The elections have come and passed but the press night occurrence remains. Posterity will definitely judge the decisions of voters across the thirteen faculties on campus when they either begin to enjoy the benefits of their actions or reap the drawbacks of their actions.

Fast forward, let us delve into the review of how the candidates conducted themselves and answered questions thrown to them by the experienced folks of the ACJ. 

Office of the Public Relations Officer 

Aka Daniel E. (Senator) 

Senator presented himself as a person who has established himself as both a PR and a journalist. He sees himself as one of the people's favourites and seemed confident in his abilities even though most of his answers didn't do justice to the questions. When asked a question by an official on the difference between PR and Journalism, he interpreted it to be the difference between a PRO and a journalist, although corrected. He tried his best, dominating the scene with his dominant nature and aura. Not surprised he won at the polls. Great Ife, meet your next Public Relations Officer. 

Adeniran Oluwasegun  (Prof) 

Initially, Prof didn't dress to impress. Furthermore, he didn't even exude the aura of a Prof. He wasn't fluent in answering questions, and he seemed to not have a lot of supporters. Maybe because his faculty didn't back his candidacy; who knows?

Omotola Benedict (Benmarc) 

Emanating from a faculty in the College of Health Sciences, he looked shaky and less-backed by the audience. He provided answers constructively but wasn't enough to send him into the PRO office at Ken Saro Wiwa Peace and Leadershiip Building.

Akinyele Oluwatunmise (Tumtum) 

One of a kind confused of the real position she is intending to hold or contest for. Her declaration of intent exudes that of a social media content creator, even though she was running for the position of Students' Union PRO.

Office of the Welfare Director

Busari Timilehin (S&T) 

S&T was calm, 100% composed. He also gave answers to his question like he understood them telling us he was going to be in contact with the Division of Students affairs, putting them on their toes to bring an end to water scarcity in school hostels as he is also a current resident of Awolowo Hall, and he understands what students are facing when it comes to water scarcity. He promised to uphold the high standards of Great Ife, inclusively partnering with other executives to promote student benefit programs. 

Adeboye Oluwapelumi (Marcus) 

Well, Marcus tried his best to be fluent enough but he wasn't anywhere close to it. I'm sure a lot of us who were listening apart from the supporters who were just there for campaign and noise purposes couldn't get a hold of what he was saying. The only thing audible enough was “thank you very much for that question”, which he had to say each and every time he wants to answer a question, funnily like Broda Shaggi. He vowed to keep students’ welfare at heart and remain accountable at all times.

Office of the Financial Secretary 

Bifakale Oluwaseun (Xperience) 

He told us of his qualifications when it comes to management and finance, he made us know he's the current financial secretary of (I've forgotten the name), he also told us he has been in the finance field for over five years of his life and he's also an accountant in the making. When asked the question, “if you have a girlfriend that you love so much, and she needed urgent money and the money in your hand is the Union’s money, what will you do?” Xperience answered the question just as a layman would be saying the Union's money is for the union and he wasn't going to touch it. He said he was going to bring in financial programs that will teach students to manage their finances and according to the constitution, his major duty is to give financial advice to every member of the CEC.

Fajuyi Ikeoluwa (Faj)

Faj also told us of her qualifications and experiences with management and finance. She was also asked the same question as Xperience, “if you have a boyfriend that you love so much, and she needed urgent money and the money in your hand is the Union’s money, what will you do?” She didn't answer the question well enough, the question said your boyfriend needs money urgently, but Faj responded by saying she will take the little money she has amd invest so she can turn it in for him. My question now is are investments an urgent way to source for money?. It was a subtle battle between herself and Xperience as they countered themselves while giving answers to their questions. On a faithful note, she doesn't have to go as far as addressing the electorates with 'idobale', 'ikunle' is far better as a lady. 

Office of the Assistant Secretary General 

Ogede Praise (Praise Ogede) 

If not for anything, he has the fine boy privilege. He also seemed to know his constitutional duties even though he erred a little in his declaration of intent. Praise Ogede took the stage with a flourish. His speech was a masterclass in political promises. If elected, he assured the masses, he would communicate policies and information with the clarity of a thousand suns. He would assist his principals in overseeing the Students’ Union Executives with the precision of a Swiss watchmaker. Each sentence was a carefully crafted piece of rhetorical art, designed to win hearts and minds.

Omisore Michael (Prof. Mike) 

He was pretty confident even though he missed out on his last constitutional duty. Prof Mike, resplendent in his academic regalia, boomed sonorously about his intentions. He promised to be the epitome of accountability and respectability. He vowed to liaise with both the executive and the student body with a level of dedication that would make even the most diligent honeybee look like a slacker. His words were honeyed, his promises grand, and the crowd lapped it up with the enthusiasm of starved puppies.

Both were asked to show us how to fold a letter officially, but none of them got it even with the experience they claim to have.

Office of the Secretary General 

Babatimehin Kinfeosi Joy (Kinfeosi) 

There's always that uproar when it comes to Kinfeosi, there's the proudful look and aura she carries. But, this is a democratic system of government, why does the dressing manner looks like she was coming as an authoritarian. An anonymous said “Kinfeosi passed by me when she left the hall and said the questions asked by members of the Press were unnecessary”. Unnecessary yet, she couldn't fold a letter officially. 

Alo Anthony (Sage) 

Sage, the current ASG of the Students Union now running for the post of the Secretary General. Well, he was composed but you could see through him that fear. He tried to be fluent enough and gave what he thought were rightful answers to the question, but how surprising is it that the current ASG couldn't fold an official letter? I mean, how surprising the Great IFE Students' Union Assistant Secretary could not even remember what a letter headed sheet of paper mean? Candidly, the task was not to write the letter, it was to show how well the candidates know what it means by a letter head. But, in his case, Sage wrote the address of the students' union on the sheet of paper. 

Dotunodun Joshua (Pendragon) 

What exactly does he want? From campaigning for the position of the President, then changing to position of the Secretary General. But, he was dressed like he was contesting for the post of the Director of Socials and Cultures, whereas he contesting for the post of Secretary General. Well, an applause to him for doing well with his letter, he really showed he has practicability. He promised to serve the students with unwavering dedication.

Adeyemo Sunday Adekunle (Einstein) 

Little Einstein. The hair made him look like he was a son to Albert Einstein. 

Office of the Director of Socials and Culture 

Tijani Yusuf (ASAP) 

Too much composure, man feels like he's won already. Three words sentence for every of his questions, quick to take the mic and quick to drop it. None of what he said was audible, is it the because of the loud noise from his supporters or because he himself was not audible?

Abubakare David Opeoluwa (HADO) 

Coming in late, but still stepping in with his steeze and composure, we don't even have a thing for punctuality again. 

Aderonmu Gloria (Gorgeous) 

A well composed lady, even though she was attacked by a single question - A question that made her feels like she shouldn't have contested again. Yet, only for her supporters to come to the stage and disrupt the Debate due to the weight of the question. Well, her appearance was a topnotch for a lady contesting for the position of Director of Socials. 

Office of the Director of Sport

Olayimika Pelumi (Da Great) 

A calm man, as he is unopposed. Maybe the fact that he is unopposed made him dressed like a candidate of culture, and not director of sport. He should have dressed like a sportsman to show that he is really capable enough to become a director of sport. His vision for the future of OAU’s athletics was nothing short of revolutionary. He promised to restructure sports on campus, inclusively involving all sportsmen and women, and create remuneration worthy of their Herculean efforts. With a flourish, he vowed to introduce a plethora of new sports, transforming Great Ife into a veritable Olympic village.

Office of the Vice President 

Odediji Christianah (Temitianah) 

Practically, she has an idea of what unionism is. She promised to work concertedly with his principal and other executives to recreate a society where life is comfortable for all Great Ife students. 

Farinde Rahmah (Rahmah) 

She vowed to have all Great Ife students at heart, being accountable to them at all times. 

Office of the President

Omoboriowo Damilola (DR Bush) 

He promised to be accountable to all students, ensuring equal opportunity for everyone. 

 

Adetunbi Abdulmonan (Otunba) 

He has this smiley face that made his supporters shout in joy, though were few. A honest answer from Otunba to an important question is needed, Why did he use the short frame of time given to him to answer a short question to address his supporter? Well, he vowed to prioritize academics and other beneficial programs for all Ife students. 

Yusuf Toheeb Olayiwola (Yusolat) 

He painted a utopian vision of a flourishing campus society, where all and sundry would thrive. This is someone who should have a manifesto of prioritising the use of technology. On a simple note, he has an average characteristics.