The Nation Newspaper

Tag: SUG

  • Southwest NANS, Osun Poly resolve prolonged SUG issue, withheld students results

    Southwest NANS, Osun Poly resolve prolonged SUG issue, withheld students results

    The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Southwest Zone D, and Management of Osun Polytechnic, Iree has resolved the long-standing issues affecting students on campus.

    The meeting followed an open letter by NANS Southwest Zone D, demanding an end to the prolonged imposition of a caretaker leadership over the Student Union Government (SUG) and release of withheld academic results of certain student activists.

    A statement by the Coordinator, NANS Southwest, Zone D, Comr. Owolewa Taiwo said the meeting with the Rector and top management officials of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, was constructive and yielded positive outcomes.

    According to him, resolution reached at the end of the meeting include immediate release of withheld results of some students activists.

    He said: “The management has committed to the immediate release of the academic results of the affected student comrades: Ashiwel Samuel Bamise, Oseni Ige Olaitan, Olutekunbi Jacob, and Adebisi Adeyemi Simeon.

    “This demonstrates a clear stance that no student should face academic victimization for advocating for justice.

    “The management has agreed to conduct a free, fair, and democratic Student Union Government election. The leadership of NANS Southwest will be actively involved throughout the process. It was also stated that the current caretaker committee chairperson will hand over power to the duly elected student union government.

    “As we celebrate this important milestone, NANS Southwest Zone D urges all students of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree, to remain calm, law-abiding, and committed to the ideals of comradeship. 

    “We encourage students to respect the institution’s rules and regulations and to work collectively to protect the integrity of their academic environment.

    Read Also: Ex-Southwest NANS Coordinator hails Asefon

    “This resolution marks a victory for student unionism and the collective strength of Nigerian students. NANS Southwest will continue to monitor the implementation of all agreements to ensure accountability and transparency.

    “We sincerely commend the Rector and all the management team for their openness, willingness to dialogue, and swift commitment to resolving the issues raised. Their leadership and respect for student rights are deeply appreciated.

    “We also extend special appreciation to the Chairman of the Governing Council, Honourable Diran Ayanbeku, for his timely intervention and supportive role in this resolution. If governing council members across Nigeria adopt such a proactive and student-conscious approach, our institutions will flourish. 

    “Our gratitude also goes to the Senior Special Assistant to the Osun State Government on Students’ Affairs for his concern, intervention, and consistent support throughout this process.

    “We further recognise and commend the steadfast support and collaborative efforts of the NANS Osun State Joint Campus Council (JCC) under the proactive leadership of Comrade Abel Ayobami (AY. Aluta). His commitment to the struggle and unwavering solidarity with Zone D in the pursuit of justice greatly contributed to the success of this engagement.”

  • 53 students benefit from SUG scholarship at FUAM

    The Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi(FUAM) has disbursed N300,000 in support of 50 students. The beneficiaries received the scholarship at the maiden Students’ Union Scholarship Disbursement event.

    The event was attended by Dr Mark Time, who represented the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof A.R. Kimbir, and also Dean Students’ Affairs (DSA), Prof Terhemen Aboiyar. Members of the union mobilised students to the event.

    The union president, David Pine, said the objective of the scholarship scheme was to support the education of the brilliant indigent students in the school.

    Zach Terlumun, who heads the union committee on scholarship, said the committee was still expecting funds from donors to enable the union disburse reach out more beneficiaries.

    The VC and other dignitaries at the event took turns in eulogise the union for what they described as “laudable initiative” and urged the beneficiaries to use the grant for academic purposes in order to justify their selection for the scheme. They promised to support the union in sustaining the scheme.

    Beneficiaries expressed their appreciation to the union for supporting their education, promising to study hard in order to justify the union’s confidence in them.

    Twenty-three students with Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 4.50 and above were part of the beneficiaries. Also, 30 students with CGPA that falls within upper and lower divisions of Second Class benefitted from the union scholarship.

    The union leaders used the opportunity to ask for financial support from well-to-do individuals and private sector professionals in order to extend the scheme to more students.

  • NGO trains, signs MoU with SUG on Omoluabi standards

    A non-governmental organisation, Omoluabi Standards Commission, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Student Union Government of The Polytechnic, Ibadan on the use of non-violent approaches to resolving issues.

    The commission, which earlier offered a two- day free leadership training programme to the union leaders, also said it would help the students entrench a new culture of interaction with school management without the usual noise and violence by student leaders in recent times.

    The SUG team was led to the signing of the understanding by the President Comrade Kuyoro Oluwamuyiwa at the Commissions office at First Floor, Cocoa House Building, Dugbe, Ibadan.

    The Global Coordinator and Chairman, Omoluabi Standards Commission, Rev Ladi Thompson, explained that the move was to re-introduce the culture the Yoruba race was known for, which helped the late sage Obafemi Awolowo achieved the much he did for the defunct Western region in his youthful days.

    He recounted that Awolowo, though a youth at the time, was able to set a standard and led revolutions that set the region’s development ahead of many other white nations.

    He explained the late Western Premier showed to the world the ingenuity of the black race, which must be reintroduced among the youths again to save the future of the country.

    Thompson said: “The virtues and morals standards of the Omoluabi ethos need no introduction in the South West of Nigeria but its full program as an operating system of governance requires a deeper understanding.

    “One great advantage of the Omoluabi however is its degree of articulation and track record of practical application as a successful operating system for governance in African history.”

    Commending the organisers, Comrade Kuyoro noted the training has energised the team to learn new culture of interaction and interrelations with both the students and the school management.

    “The training has de-militarised me and I have learnt new ways of approach and engagement. It has opened our eyes to other non violent ways of interacting with other stakeholders and the virtues exhibited by Omoluabi.

    “The Omoluabi code has taught me the non-violent communication as best option. It will help us change the ways politicians see us as corporate thugs.

    “We will transmit the trainings down to other students for faster spread and starting a new culture among the students,” he said.

  • Are youths ready to lead

    Too often have different groups and individuals talked about youths being leaders of tomorrow. However, are the youths truly the leaders of tomorrow?

    So many questions like can we count on the present generation to lead our country and are the youths really ready, beg for answers.

    These are just a few out of the platoon of questions to consider before giving thought to the idea of this present generation taking over from the reigns of the previous.

    Meanwhile, one needs to know what defines a leader. No denial that factors that make anyone a leader include but not limited to maturity which is not just about age, temperaments, mindsets, exposure, failure as success experiences, etcetera.

    To become a leader is not a day job. Parents, teachers and the society all play a vital part in the process of brewing an outstanding leader, one that is able to gain the trust of followers that later emerge leaders in different spheres of life.

    Nowadays, college graduates feel they are equipped with the tools to take on the world by merely obtaining a degree from the tertiary institution. Frankly speaking, not everyone is poised to lead or to become a leader.

    The world we live in today is far different from the world of 100 years ago. Youths of today are more concerned with technology, social media, gadgets, fashion, innovations, etcetera. Irrespective of the fact that technological advancement has changed our perspective of the world.

    Unfortunately, the more the innovation and technological advancements, the more the younger generations are becoming irrelevant. No hard feelings, it is just sad that most young people have failed to brace up to occupy the spaces that science and technological disruptions are creating in different field of endeavour.

    They only lazily enjoy the ease of work that comes with these disruptions as they hardly need to open a book, Bible, Quran or newspaper, with virtually every information available online.

    Dynamically, there is no good without evil. Do we admit that Social media is playing the role of being the evil here for setting our youths off course. Of course no, because the same Social Media has created jobs for several people as marketers, strategists, managers, consultants, etc.

    Incredibly, statistics show that 65% of young people are on more than one social media platform like Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, WhatsApp and so on. Interestingly, children aren’t left out of the action with eleven, twelve year olds owing a social media account that their parents are not familiar with.

    The blame can’t be solely laid on social media and technology only. The government too is at fault. Not all youths are privileged to be educated, even those that do are either half-baked by institutions or self-inflicted failure, while the crop of others are not well-transitioned from adolescence to adulthood.

    Promisingly, there is yet the strong believe that a meaningful proportion of our youths are ready for leadership roles. The hope is hinged on the fact that the University political system, the Student Union Government (S.U.G), produces credible leaders who often fight for the rights of their colleagues.

    As it is currently, the younger generation may want to learn to stay together to pull the required strength as against a few who are loyalists of the older generations that have looted the treasury of the country and are not willing to give up just yet.

    Like the current crop of leaders, some young people trail the parts of non-challancy and lack of respect for the people who voted them into position. Well, there are some who care and devoted to the mission and task of improving the office when they step in. And for those who only fancy social life and aren’t ready to take on responsibilities, the time is now to face reality.

    Bill Bradley cannot be faulted when he claimed that leadership could also unlock people’s potentials to become better. On the other hand, leaders are born while some are made. People often relate leadership to politics and that’s blatantly wrong.

    Parents, teachers, entrepreneurs are all leaders in their respective fields and they help to shape the world we live in. Onus, thus, falls on young people to shape the world the way they want it to be for their children and the generation next.

  • SUG returns as Poly matriculates 4,000

    SUG returns as Poly matriculates 4,000

    The Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO) in Ondo State is established to train responsible citizens by imparting quality knowledge to students, its Rector, Mr Boniface Ologunagba, has said. The rector said the objective would not be compromised no matter the challenges his administration faces.

    Ologunagba spoke during the matriculation for 4,000 students admitted by the school. The event was held at the school’s 800-seater Lecture Theatre.

    The rector told the freshers that they owe their parents and the nation responsibility to attain the best and be responsible citizens. He said their success depended on the character they put up, urging them to imbibe good character that would bring out the best in them.

    The rector assured that the school would continue to provide a platform for healthy academic competition and make the environment conducive for learning to enable students compete with their peers across the world.

    He said: “This polytechnic is justifying its excellence with luminous distinctions and a long list of laurels. The school has been rated by national and international bodies as the best state polytechnic in Nigeria. This means you have uncommon opportunity to study in this place and become the best.”

    Ologunaga advised the freshers to guide their admission jealously, urging them to desist from acts that could lead to their expulsion.

    He said: “Your dreams to become champions in various spheres of life are achievable if you would be ready to maximise the limitless opportunities that your admission to this institution offers you. I urge you to follow the steps of your senior colleagues, who have written their names in gold by doing the institution proud.”

    Ologunagba said the school frowns at vice, including cultism, hooliganism, rape and examination malpractice, advising the fresh students to abide by the oath of the matriculation. He said there would be strict penalty for violators.

    A  fresher, Olajumoke Fasaye, admitted into the Department of Mass Communication, promised to study hard to attain excellence.

    The school announced reinstatement of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) activities. The union led by Temidayo Ayejuyo was reinstated a few hours before the matriculation.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the reinstatement may not be unconnected with appeal made by National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS). The school found members of the union guilty of gross misconduct against the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), which led to the suspension of the union activities.

  • ‘I didn’t steal SUG money’

    ‘I didn’t steal SUG money’

    The embattled Students’ Union President of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Adegbola Odunyemi, has denied embezzling the union’s money for which he was impeached. YOMI AYELESO (Business Administration) writes.

    The last may not have been heard about the controversy rocking the Students’ Union Government (SUG) of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State.

    Penultimate week, Student Representatives’ Council (SRC) members impeached the union president and treasurer for alleged corruption. Their impeachment led to a crisis which prompted the management to close the union building.

    But, the embattled president, Adegbola Odunyemi, denied the allegation, just as facts emerged on the political undertone that led to his removal.

    Before his removal, CAMPUSLIFE gathered that four members of the union’s executive, at a meeting, suspended Adegbola for forgery. The meeting was convened by General Secretary Segun Odunayo. It was attended by Financial Secretary Segun Bello, and Assistant General Secretary, Seun Akinola. The Vice President, Folusho Ayeni, was said to have supported the meeting in absentia.

    But, other members of the executive did not support Adegbola’s  suspension, claiming that it was unconstitutional. The vice president, it was gathered, is the only one empowered by the union’s constitution to convene such meeting, and not the General Secretary.

    Adegbola’s indictment by the SRC’s investigation panel led by Kayode Fagoroye paved the way for his removal. The panel indicted Adegbola for alleged corruption and forgery.

    But Adegbola is still laying claim to the seat, describing his impeachment as laughable. He denied misappropriating the union’s funds, saying his travail was a product of “mischievous politics” by his “ambitious” opponents.

    He said: “The union fund was never embezzled or misappropriated as alleged by these few ambitious individuals. When we came on board, we were given N2.2 million as take-off grant. Out of this money, about N800,000 was spent to pay the allowances of the union members, including members of SRC, electoral committee and judicial arm.

    “We used N300,000 to repair the two buses of the union. Office of the Social Director received over N200,000 to organise freshers’ orientation and social events. We sent N70,000 as the running grant for the Office of the Senate President and we were left with money for capital projects.”

    Adegbola argued that he was not allowed to defend himself before Ethics and Privileges Committee of the House,empowered by the union’s constitution to decide impeachment and suspension of any member.

    He said he was not invited by the SRC panel to defend himself before his impeachment.

    The SRC Chief Whip, Chinedu Onele, said members did not form a quorum at the sitting where the president and treasurer were impeached.

    He said: “The Senate President called a kangaroo sitting in his office with just eight SRC members and without informing the Deputy Senate President, Chief Whip and mace bearer. The impeachment is null and void.”

    Also, an SRC member, Ayodeji Ogunyemi, said Adegbola’s impeachment did not follow the requirements of the union’s constitution, calling it a “conspiracy and coup”.

    Ayodeji said: “If anybody has any allegations against the president, he should write formally to the House and follow constitutional procedures instead of going against the constitution.”

    Meanwhile, Dean of Students’ Affair, Dr Bolanle Ogungbamila has faulted Adegbola’s impeachment, saying the union’s constitution was not followed. He said the school had set up a panel on the  crisis.

    He advised the union members not to parade themselves as leaders pending the submission of the  panel’s report.

  • Secretariat shut as SUG impeaches president, treasurer

    Secretariat shut as SUG impeaches president, treasurer

    The Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State has suspended Students Union activities following last Monday’s impeachment of the president and treasurer. The management said it took the action to prevent a breakdown of law and order. SOLOMON ODENIYI (Mass Communication) reports.

    The Students Union secretariat of the Adekunle Ajasin Univeristy, Akungba- Akoko (AAUA) in Ondo State has been shut following the impeachment of the president, Adegbola Oduyemi, and the treasurer, Oluwaseun Olanrewaju, for alleged financial impropriety.

    Adegbola is the first SUG president to be impeached in the union’s history. Folusho Ayeni has been sworn in as the acting president, making history as the first woman to lead the union.

    At an emergency sitting to consider the report of a panel set up to investigate allegations of funds misappropriation against the executive arm, members of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) resolved that Adegbola and Oluwaseun should go.

    The SRC instituted the Kayode Fagoroye-led panel last November to investigate Adegbola, Oluwaseun and the Financial Secretary, Segun Bello, for alleged irregularities in the disbursement of union funds.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that the panel indicted the president and the treasurer, but cleared Bello.

    The panel found that Adegbola wrote a letter to the management without the SRC’s consent to demand 150 per cent increment in the union’s due. He was also alleged to have deceived the management that the students  agreed to use Capital Insurance Nigeria Limited to provide life cover for them.

    The panel indicated Oluwaseun for changing the union’s account mandate from three to two signatories. She was also accused of impersonation, embezzlement and truancy.

    Senate President Olakunle Balogun and the Clerk, Christopher Arowolo, advised Adegbola and Oluwaseun to hand over the union’s properties in their custody to the acting president. The SRC said it would send the panel’s report to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    In her reaction, Oluwaseun said members of the SRC conspired against her, vowing not to step down.

    She said: “I remain the union’s treasurer. There was no formal sitting of the SRC. Members of the House only had a meeting where some of them informally discussed issues. This is nothing, but a conspiracy against me. Since I assume office, I have never joined issues with anyone and I don’t know why anyone would be keen on dragging my name in the mud.

    “I have served the union with transparency and honesty. All my disbursements are well-documented and they were done for the progress of the union. To show that their report was baseless and built on falsehood, myself and the president were indicted, while the third signatory to the union’s account was exonerated. When the issue of the disbursement of funds for the repair of the union’s vehicles that led to the probe was discussed, the financial secretary was aware.”

    Oluwaseun urged the students to disregard the impeachment and the panel report “so as not to begin to have negative thoughts about people working tirelessly for their welfare”.

    Adegbola said he was not aware of any impeachment, insisting that there was no formal sitting of the SRC.

    He said: “The SRC leadership is deceiving itself. Only members of the house can suspend or impeach me and not the Senate President’s WhatsApp’s verdict. There can be no sitting without members of the Ethics and Privilege Committee meeting first. I am not aware of any impeachment. And nobody set up any committee to try me. The treasurer and the financial secretary were tried by a committee. I was never invited by anybody whatsoever to any committee. Some of the SRC members have called me to dissociate themselves from the kangaroo impeachment.”

    To prevent a breakdown of law and order, management shut the union’s secretariat and suspended its activities.

    The Deputy Registrar, Olaoluwa Akinfemiwa, in a memo signed on behalf of the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Bolanle Ogungbamila, said management would not watch the crisis degenerate into a break down of law and order.

    The memo reads: “Following the outcome of the investigation panel and arbitration, the Dean hereby directs that the students union secretariat be shut and the use of the two union buses be put on hold. The keys must be handed over to the school’s Acting Security Officer. The officials of the executive, SRC and the judicial council should cease to parade themselves as officials of the union.”

    Kayode said the panel’s report followed “thorough investigation”, adding that he refused to be intimidated the induced by the impeached members.

    He said: “Our report is available for anyone who wants to check. The report is a product of a thorough investigation. It was based on truth and we were fair to the parties involved. A lot of things were done to kill this report. I was offered bribe to conceal the truth in the report, which I rejected. They also sent some assailants after me.”

    Kayode accused Adegbola of conniving with some SRC members to boycott sittings.

    According to Section 26(1) of the union’s Constitution, the SRC shall form a quorum when one-third of members are in attendance. But, Adegbola alleged that SRC did not form a quorum when it sat on the report. CAMPUSLIFE gathered that some members threatened not to attend sittings beacuse of what they called the “predetermined agenda” of the SRC leadership.

    Kayode denied that the investigation’s outcome was predetermined. “Our report was ready one week after the panel was constituted. There were efforts to delay the presentation of the report by the executive. Out of the three persons accused, two were found guilty and one was vindicated. Majority of the transactions carried out since the inception of the administration were done by the president and the treasurer. The sum of N534,470 was illegally withdrawn from the union account.”

     

  • SUG leaders quizzed for alleged fraud

    Two Students’ Union Government (SUG) leaders of the Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State are being investigated for misappropriation of the union funds. Students’ Representative Council (SRC), the union’s legislative arm, ordered the probe of Financial Secretary, Segun Bello, and Treasurer, Olayinka Ojo, over misuse of funds.

    A five- man panel headed by Kayode Fagoroye was constituted by the SRC to investigate the affected union leaders. The legislative arm ordered Segun and Olayinka to step down for three working days to allow the SRC investigate the allegations against them. The panel is required to submit its findings to the House today.

    CAMPUSLIFE gathered that all the union’s property and documents in the custody of the embattled leaders had been retrieved.

    When Segun appeared before the SRC panel, he said he was deceived into changing the union’s account mandate from three signatories to two.

    He said: “I gave in to the idea of changing the union’s account mandate from three signatories to two, because I was told the Treasurer was going for Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES)

    in Ekiti. This was to save us from the stress of getting the signature of the third signatory. The SUG president was in the know.

    “I was never aware there was another plan. Olayinka is currently undertaking her SIWES in

    Akungba. On several occasions, I have called her on the need to reverse the mandate back to three, since she is now taking the SIWES in Akungba; she turned me down. Since then, I have been in the dark over the union’s finance. I am only aware of two cash withdrawal, and those were the ones I signed.”

    In her defence, Olayinka accused Segun of lying against her, denying any wrongdoing in the transactions carried out in the union’s account.

    When asked about the money left the union’s account, Olayinka she gave conflicting figures. The union’s president, Adegbola Odunyemi, and General Secretary, Segun Odunayo, have been summoned to appear before the House today.

  • ACE gets SUG

    Students’ Union of the Adeyemi College of Education (ACE) Ondo, has elected a new leadership to run the affairs for the 2016/2017 academic session. Omosebi Oluwatobilola, who emerged president of SU, replaced Ogunrotifa Richard whose tenure ended recently.

    He polled the highest votes in a keenly contested election, organised by the college thrAough e-voting method, supervised by the Independent Student Electoral Commission (ISEC).

    Besides,120 students were also elected into the students’ representative council (SRC), which is the SU legislative arm. The students are also to represent the various courses with the halls of residence such as: Olunloyo, Oduduwa, Café, Wande and Tinubu, Abiodun, Kiladejo and Education Trust Fund (ETF) halls respectively.

    The Dean, Students Affair (DSA), Olaniyi Olaluwoye praised SIEC members for peaceful conduct of the election and students for exhibiting maturity.

    He described the feat as another landmark recorded by the Prof. Joseph Ogen-led administration in the sustenance and entrenchment of democratic legacy in the institution.

    Olaluwoye noted that students’ participation in the exercise more than what was observed last year, through the use of cellphones, laptops and physical presence, gave validity to the global acceptability of e-voting method.

  • UNIBEN gets first woman SUG president

    UNIBEN gets first woman SUG president

    There was excitement at the University of Benin (UNIBEN) when Lauretta Obakpolor was elected the first woman president of the Students’ Union Government (SUG). EZEKIEL EFEOBHOKHAN (500-Level Pharmacy) reports.

    A woman has been elected Students’ Union Government (SUG) president for the first time in the history of the University of Benin (UNIBEN).

    She is Lauretta Obakpolor, a 400-Level Pharmacy student. She beat five other candidates with 2,283 votes to win the coveted position.

    Immediately the electoral committee declared her winner, shouts of her name rent the air. Her supporters moved round the campus singing victory songs.

    Before the election, many students did not give her a chance.  But, Lauretta played her joker on the Manifesto Day when she unveiled her programmes. Unlike other candidates, her presentation was greeted with applause.

    Emeka Onyeji, a final year student of Economics and Statistics, said: “When I heard Lauretta speak for the first time at the manifesto, I knew there was more to the aspiration of this lady than just being a candidate. Immediately she mounted the podium, every word from her wowed the audience. We believed she has good plans for the union. This is why we all voted for her.”

    Other candidates were Victor Arigbe of the Faculty of Education; Nelson Ehrauyi (Faculty of Engineering), Efosa Iyekekpolor (Faculty of Education), Godstime Oghogho (College of Medicine) and Leslie Oghama (Faculty of Social Sciences).

    A student from the Faculty of Education, who declined to give his name, said the two candidates from his faculty did not deserve to win the election. According to him, Efosa and Victor were over-ambitious, which was why they could not step down for each other.

    He said: “We met each of them personally to step down, so that the faculty can produce a single candidate to win the election. They both declined and went ahead to canvass for votes. They divided the votes that could have gone for a single candidate. They did not deserve to win.

    “A leader should know when to let down his ego for the common good. If the faculty had voted for a single candidate, that candidate would definitely be the winner of this election. But the faculty was divided so were the votes.”

    The union leaders have been sworn in.

    Other members of the executive included Sonia Obasuyi, Vice President; Jatto Ovie, General Secretary; John Aigbogun, Attorney General; Elliot Airhuoyuwa, Assistant General Secretary; Glory Odu, Director of Finance and Kelechi Ikotu, Director of Publicity.

    Others are Eugene Chukwu, Director of Welfare, Michael Iroegbu, Director of Sports and Precious Enokeran, Director of Socials.

    Addressing the union leaders during the inauguration, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Faraday Orumwense, advised them to maintain peace on the campus, saying the development of the school should be the union’s objective.

    The VC said: “I congratulate you on your election, but you must know leadership comes with responsibility. In the period of grievances, I will advise you to seek all known channels of dialogue and peaceful resolution. In every decision you take, endeavour to carry your colleagues along.”

    In her acceptance speech, Lauretta thanked students for supporting her, despite the campaign against her gender. She promised not to let the students down, vowing to use her mandate for the good of all.

    She said: “To all those who are sceptical about a female being a president, I say we have crossed the Rubicon. Those people need to read the Bible and learn about the story of Deborah. This is another Deborah standing in front of you today. I bear the plight of a woman and understand the pains of a man. Leadership is not about gender. I seek the support of all as we take the union to another level.”

    The outgone president, Raymond Omorogbe, congratulated his successor, urging the union to sustain peace on the campus.