BETWEEN AGU CHRISTIAN AND PEDRO

Ordinarily, it would have been wrong to compare the two administrations of the Student Union Government in UNN owing to the fact that they had their peculiarities. One laid the foundation while the other is building on it. But since the former president of the Union, Comr. Agu Christian, started the comparison, giving himself credit and demeaning the achievements of the current SUG, silence to the issues he raised will send the wrong vibe and thus make uninformed students and readers think is right.

Haven gone through the said interview, below is my take on it.

It is important to note that development is a continuous process.

SUG in UNN was banned for years, and so it will be wise for any person to see its return as a rebirth, and expect the attendant challenges of growth in every society to also assail the Union. Of a truth we have not been the best so far, but we have not been stagnant either.

It is pride, arrogance and an urge towards image redemption that propels a man to blow his trumpet from time to time. As a former Union leader, I expected that Comr. Agu Christian should have either discussed his disappointment with the members of the current administration instead of writing an open letter in the form of an interview. His administration had its own flaws too, just that some of us decided to remain mute about it due to the fact that we saw it as a newly born Union/Government which needed time to stand. However, there were errors that could not be wished away on that premise.

When Comr. Agu Christian repeatedly refers to DRASTIC reduction in shuttle fairs, it reminds me of the over 7 days of strike by shuttle operators that caused students to walk their ways to wherever they went on campus.

Referring to the current SUG, Comr. Agu Christian was quoted as saying "Their only achievement so far has been incessantly committing both unionism and administrative errors." On my own, without consulting any of these officials, I have made a list of what I have seen the current government achieve, and so I think they should also be commended for their achievements, not just castigated for their errors. Below are the much I could remember. I know if these officials were contacted to make a list of their individual achievements themselves, we may be on our way to submitting a term paper or project.

PEDRO's ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR!!!

By the name PEDRO, I mean his administration which involves himself, his colleagues in the Executive Council, the Hall Governors, Faculty Presidents and  representatives, the Senate and the House of Representatives, etc. He could not have done it alone, team work is all about each team member understanding and playig his role well. I believe in team work as no man can make a community alone. Below are some of the things I have observed as what the current SUG can boast of, and like the Vice President said during the last Student Congress, "It is work in progress!" I will try taking them according to their offices hoping I do not forget anyone, and believing that those I do not mention will understand that I did not deliberately ignore them.

The Office of The President:

- The first ever Presidential football match held at Eni-Njoku lawn. The President and other officials came to the field to play with students resident in the hostel, a way of identifying with the students who gave them power even after attaining their respective positions in government.

- Supply of tanks to different hostels against water scarcity. This the president did in collaboration with the university administration and it has helped cushion the effect of water scarcity which we can say we have never experienced sinCe we returned from the mid-semester break.

-Supply of water to hostels when taps run out. During Agu Christian's time, I remember the boys from Franco going on rampage after about seven days of no water supply. When Agu Christian came to Franco to quell the protest, he was vehemently shouted down by the boys who told him point blank that we were not feeling his impact. It was the then Alvan Hall Governor, Hon. Chibueze Uzoma who calmed the boys before Agu Christian could speak, making promises that till today still remain unfulfilled. However, I remember some days back when Pedro himself was seen running around campus with water tankers to supply female hostels with water when he received a call that they lacked water that morning. A friend of mine said of the day, "I never knew who Pedro was until that day. When I saw him, I asked my roommate, 'Who is this small boy running around with tankers?' and she said, 'That is Pedro, SUG President!' I could not believe it. He tried sha, at least SUG is now working."

- Recognition of Students with Special Needs. It was not the first time The Association of Students with Special Needs will be celebrating their graduating colleagues, but it is the first time the SUG is joining in the celebration. They were given a sense of belonging in the government through that singular act, and also through other activities to be outlined later.

- Pedro was the first SUG President to try having a Student Congress. The first attempt did not hold successfully due to some errors with the timing, however, it showed us that we have a president who, at least, cared about what students have to say, one who knows he does not know all and so desires to hear from the students.

- Maintenance of the reduction in the prices of food on c ampus.

- Residence in the hostel. Correct me if I am wrong but the current SUG President resides in the hostel and uses its facilities like every other students. This was not seen during the time of Comr. Agu Christian as most students complained of him leading the Union from his Hiltop residence.

The Office of the Vice President:

The first ever Student Congress which was an opportunity for the students to interact with their officials from the different arms of the government. Though it was not well attended due to some hitches, it was the first time students were brought close to their SUG officials to bare their minds, ask questions and get immediate answers. Worthy of note is the fact that this congress was organized by the Vice President in less than a week after her assumption of office while she acted as the president.

- The Vice President led the other officials from one office to the other in their effort to negotiate with the university authority during and after the mid-semester break. It was she who also led delegates to different places like hospitals, police stations, etc. to ascertain the truth concerning the accident that happened at 9th Mile.

- When it seemed the university administration would extend the mid-semester break beyond two weeks, she and her team of SUG officials did not relent in her meetings and diplomacy with the university authorities, and their efforts paid off.

The Office of the Assistant Secretary General:

To Comr. Onah Chibuike goes the credit for organizing the first Inter-Faculty Quiz Competition. It was a time to bring students from different faculties together at the Students Multi-Purpose Centre. An event that was well attended by representatives of different faculties. For me, that was the first time I met with some of the participants.

Office of the Treasurer:

Popularly called SUG's CBN, Comr. Ebere Nwachukwu has made much effort to ensure that accountability remains the watchword of his colleagues. I have always thought such a position is better off in the hands of a female student but his prowess has taught me that it is all about a decision to maintain one's integrity, honesty and faithfulness to whatever office you occupy.

Directorate of Transportation

Headed by Comr. Okonkwo, Elendu Donald, the Directorate has done its part in ensuring that shuttle routes are well defined while working hard to reverse the decision of the university administration which has shut out certain routes to shuttles. Road signs and directions now greets everyone coming into campus or going around it so you barely miss your way especially if you are coming into UNN for the first time.

Speed limits have been carefully stipulated such that drivers, both private and commercial, now know their limits on campus.

Also, his attempt on relieving the excessive burden of logistics on students at the end of the semester is quite commendable. While the first attempt at it was not as successful as wished, it has given the students hope for better days ahead. Also, the Director of Transport, haven seen the flaws in the last arrangement is working towards making subsequent plans more successful.

Office of the Information Officer

*The first ever interactive radio program from the Office of the Information Officer. SUG Half Hour, though still fledging, shows that the current government has a good plan to reach out to students through every available means. Also from the Office of the Information Officer are the following:

- The first ever SUG Blog (www.unnmaxinfo.blogspot.com) through which information is made viral both within and outside the university environment.

-Constant sharing of information on all social networking sites and groups which has helped both students and aspirants get informed on time.

-The rebirth of the ROAR NEWSLETTER. Though published once, it was another glimmer of light in the current government, a way of leaving a legacy for the incoming administration.

- Establishment of an official email address, twitter handle, facebook page, etc. for the Union through its Information Office.

Hall Governors:

Beginning with Eni-Njoku Hall Governor, we see a man who should be commended for making provisions for Students with Special Needs. They now have their own tap and tank such that they are assured of constant water supply.

Alvan Ikoku Hostel can now boast of channels for disposal of dirty water from the rooms and series without having to go all the way to terminal points. New waste baskets were also supplied to every series.

I may not have much to say about female hostels and their governors but one thing I have noticed, especially towards the end of the session is the competition for who would organize the biggest burn-fire night. I do not know whether to credit the governors for the constant supply of internet to the hostels but that has been the situation with most female hostels as students can now browse  or from the balcony without having to go to PAA or other hot spots.

"At this point, with barely few months to the end of their tenure, one can unequivocally say that the current government have no meaningful plan for the students, but rather has been busy playing the role of a subordinate to the management, which is not the true definition of students unionism. "

This, in my opinion, is a hasty conclusion based on uninformed assumptions, especially when coming from a former Union leader who understands the challenges of leadership and government. While the government has a primary objective of protecting the interest of the students, it is not always necessary to go radical about it. The current SUG has been peaceful and diplomatic in its defense of the students before the administration. This has helped strengthen the Union a bit further.

When asked about the errors he has noticed in the current SUG, his response was more like that of a totalitarian who did all he could to ensure that every body and organization on campus under one umbrella. Sincerely, I do not know how constitutional such an action is, but in my opinion, it is necessary to have various independent bodies for effectiveness, efficiency, friendly competition and sustainable development. If anybody should have authority over all, it should be the university administration. The current SUG has done well by being able to work with the different bodies and organizations on campus without much friction. This is just my opinion.

In conclusion, it is very obvious that students are beginning to feel the impact of the Student Union Government with the current dispensation even without any form of rascality on the part of the officials. This is quite commendable as diplomacy is a better option, especially in this age and time. Our SUG has been restored and we are all working hard to rebuild it. Rebuilding is not as easy as tearing down. This is no time to tear down, whether by words of mouth or by action, but a time for all unionists (past, present and future) to unite as we build this house, not just for us but for the future of the Union. Remember, A COMMUNITY GROWS GREAT WHEN OLD MEN PLANT TREES UNDER WHICH SHADES THEY KNOW THEY WILL NEVER SIT.

Comr. Okeke, Chibueze O.

Manager,

Electronic Information,

SUG, UNN