Breaking: Zik Hall Judicial Council Strike Out Zik Hall’s Physical Altercation Charges Against Teniola and Vanessa

By: Faith Adediran

The Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall Judicial Council on the 27th of January, 2024 have stricken out the physical altercation case that was allegation by Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall, University of Ibadan against Mr. Ayodele Teniola Joshua and Mr. Greatness Omomo Toluwa (Vanessa) due to lack of diligent prosecution by the prosecuting counsel.

You would recall that Zik Press reported in 2023 about a physical altercation case in the hall between a 400 level student of the hall, Greatness Omomo and a 200 level Zikite, Ayodele Teniola Joshua. Following the fighting incidence, Nnamdi Azikwe Hall through the former Attorney General of the hall, Bamidele Taiwo Paul, charged the two parties to court. However, the proceedings have since then witnessed numerous adjournments due to the negligence of both the prosecuting counsel and the defense counsel of one of the defendants, Otumala Emmanuel. 

You would again recall that the Zik Hall Judicial Council began the judicial proceeding of the case on the 20th of November, 2023 and has since then adjourned the case on different occasions for different reasons.

The council made this decision to strike out the case unanimously. 

"In line with order 18 of the Zik Hall Court Code, this case is hereby strike out for the lack of diligent prosecution.” says the Presiding judging, Mr. Aderibigbe Simeon. 

Also, the court had earlier on the 25th of November, 2023 mandated each of the defendants to pay the fine of N2000 for their negligence. However, the fines had exceeded their due dates— 2nd of December, 2023, and as it stands, the fines have accumulated to a sum of N4,800 for each defendant. This is because a sum of N50 accumulates on each passing day after the due date. 

Hall Management Announce Compulsory Clearance Exercise

The Hall management of Nnamdi Azikiwe Hall of residence,  have sent out a memorandum that reiterated the compulsory nature of rooms and final year clearance exercise.

 

In a memo which was shared on Saturday 18th of January 2024, by the hall Porters, it was stated that " henceforth, room/final year clearance exercise is compulsory at the end of the session. Therefore, students are expected to approach the porters/ Supervisors for their room inspection before leaving the hall." It further stated that failure to comply accordingly is a disciplinary offense and may attract heavy sanction.

 

In another excerpt from the memo, it is pronounced that accommodations form is now mandatory for every student who intends to stay in the hall for the next academic session, noting that this, although does not guarantee automatic accommodations for any student as due process shall be followed.

 

The memo also mentioned the ban on defacing and branding of walls within the room and hall, with a warning that defaulters shall be brought to book henceforth.

 

In a chat with the hall warden, Dr Okunlade, he maintained that the memo was the hall Management's decision. He also urged all students to abide by it.

 

Room clearance is one of the basic exercises that is required of every student resident who resides in the hall after the duration of the session. It is a requirement for returning students aspiring to get accomodation back into the hall for a new session.

The memo reads: 

D Block Toilets Under Lock As Elders Take Combative Measures on Toilet Use

 

By: Sailor

The toilets of D block constituency of Nnamdi Azikiwe hall of residence have been locked, as the students take on combative measures to tackle the poor usage of the block facilities.

 

Residents of D block woke up to their toilets being padlocked on Friday 19th of January 2024, in a move by the executive members of the block to protect the poor usage of the block's toilet facilities by non-D Blockites. Although the locking of toilets did not happen on all the floors of the block, the two floors affected by this development includes only the first floor and the ground floor of the block.

 

In a chat with chairman of the elders council Hon. Adewale, he said the motive behind this new development is to tackle the poor use of the toilet facilities in the block especially by people who are not occupants of the floor. He reiterated the complaints of the cleaners who complained to him directly about the poor usage of the facilities, pushed them to take actions.

 

When asked about the other floor toilets that were not affected by the new development, he made it known that most of the phenomenon uncouth facility usage was mostly experienced by occupants of these floors. He also pointed out the unavailability of doors in the toilets of these specific floors as hindrance to fixing locks on them.

 

It must be noted that last session a similar move was made by the former D Blockites, but it was discontinued after a student broke the lock. Fingers then remain crossed as one can only wait to see how the new development unfolds as the semester progresses.

No Gree For Anybody

 

The New year is already underway, and like every other year, there is always a trending topic or discussion that takes the center stage defining the moment. The year 2024 is no exception and already there is a slogan that have been conjured up to best describe the motto for the year, which is "No Gree For Anybody"

 

Like the slogan depicts, you are expected to not agree or be swayed by others. In this sense one is expected to stand their ground in the face of opposition and not be easily moved by the pressure that comes with these obstacles. This motto can be easily related to students in their daily way of life as they thrive to go through the rigours of the school system.

 

As students the motto can be applied to our everyday life which includes academics and socially. It's advisable to address things that we encounter head-on and try as much as possible to overcome them in every circumstance. We shouldn't allow the obstacles we face in our everyday school life to get us down. Be it academics or socially we are expected to be strong and put up a good fight in order to overcome unhealthy challenges.

 

 

It is no news that as students, we face a lot of challenges in our everyday life, with academics being a major point of these challenges. As students our Academics is the focal point of our endeavor in the citadel of learning, so it is no surprise that it will be a challenging point in school life.

As students, we must strive to attack these challenges head-on and avoid succumbing under the pressure. So it is imperative to urge students not to succumb to these challenges that we might face academically, as no matter how tough the going might get, it will surely get better.

 

 

As much as academics remains the focal point of students' activities in school, one must remember that social activities play an important role in students' way of life. It is imperative for students to engage in the social activities that pick their interest and help them unwind from the pressure of academic activities. Students are advised to explore their social space and try to create relationships and opportunities that will serve as major links or openings for the foreseeable future.

 

As students it is advisable not to let life opportunities pass us by due to being overly academic and forget to have a social life. Life is all about balance, like the great thoughts of old "No great mind has ever existed without a touch of madness"_ Aristotle. This is not to say you are expected to run mad literally, but you are expected to let loose every now and then, to create a balance in your life.

 

In all it is advisable for us as students to imbibe this motto in the most positive way as we can. In important parts of our life, especially our Academics, as we strive and try as much as possible to come out on top in our sojourn in this citadel. We must make it a point to not be swayed in our ambition. We must make it a duty to focus on the goal ahead and try as much as possible to not pay attention to any distraction, that is; No gree for any Distraction, No gree for any Procrastination, No gree for any Second guessing, No gree for Missed opportunities, No gree for Hunger and most importantly No gree for Anybody.

 

Erinfolami, Sanjay, Mojuba: Constitutional Violation Pattern Among SU Executives

House session on the 20th of January

By: Adebowale Akinjide

A democracy can be in different forms, but for one which is called a constitutional democracy, it is important that the constitution of that democracy be allowed to take its core. A nation or an institution that operates a constitutional democracy but the constitution is not binding, such democracy would soon find itself as rubbles in no time. It is why Thomas Jefferson says "the constitution is the soul of a democracy, breathing life into the ideals of a nation and ensuring that the flame of liberty burns bright."

The constitution is supreme, in that it possesses the power to make those who follow it. It also inheres the ability to morph into a saber-toothed tiger that mars those who contravene it. In UI politics, however, it is the current student union executives who have posed as daredevils times and times again, sticking their indexes in-between the canines of the carnivore.

Last Saturday, the 20^th of January, 2024, during the ordinary session of the UISRC, another issue that concerned the breaching of the constitution was discussed on the floor of the House; this time, it was Erinfolami Hammed, the Union’s Treasurer who found himself on the other side of the law.

While presenting the union’s first semester expenditure at the floor of the House, it was revealed that the amount approved by the Aquah Emaraobhazi-led Finance Committee for last semester’s UISU Mock Exam, was stipulated at N67, 400; against this, however, the Treasurer disbursed an amount of N70, 400 to the Vice President, Ogunsesan Nafisat, who was in charge of the UISU Mock exam. The act of disbursing more than the House’s Finance Committee approved is a first-class breach of the constitution.

Erinfolami further contravened the constitution by failing to appear during the three meetings of the UISRC finance committee as revealed by the committee chairman himself, Hon. Aquah Emaraobhazi. It is however important to note at this point that Article XXVII, section (A), subsection (i) of the Students Union constitution mandates the Treasurer to be the secretary of the UISRC of the finance committee. It was at this meeting that a sum of N67, 400 was approved for the Mock Exam. Are there any surprises?

While Erinfolami may have been the scapegoat this time around, we would recall that the Assistant General Secretary of the Union too, Olalekan Mojuba, had once found himself face-smashing the blade of the  Union’s constitution when, last semester, he spent over N300, 000 than was approved for the fresher’s welcome, an offense to which he was subjected to community service.

In the same vein, the House Secretary, Oluwole Ayomide ‘Sanjay’ was found guilty of organizing an end of the year party ‘FINEM ANNI’ without informing the House. Sanjay received over N200, 000 as sponsorship into the Union’s account for FINEM ANNI. The trajectory of how this money was received, spent, was never in the knowledge of the House.  

You would also recall that a UCJUI report had alleged Sanjay of financial misappropriation. The allegations involve him receiving rents for the UISRC chamber while receiving the money into his personal account. However, in the last house sitting, the disciplinary committee cleared him of all financial misappropriation charges, but rather found him culpable of breach of the constitution and also guilty of breaching protocol as to renting out and managing funds gotten from renting out the SRC chamber.  

There have been speculations of the Treasurer, Erinfolami Hammed having intentions to run for the office of the President of the Students Union; the right question to ask therefore is: if a man is found wanting in little, how then can he be trusted with plenty? The law is sacred and it wield its dagger against whoever squares up to it. If he could not constitutionally manage finances as a man in charge of the Union’s treasury, how well can he then be trusted to properly manage the union itself?   

Legislative Council Reconvenes: Sanction Erring Members

 

Igbaoreto Samuel 'Gandoki' 

By: Korede Teriba 

Following the cancellation of its sitting which was scheduled to earlier on the 20th of January due to the absence of the Mace, the Nnamdi Azikwe Hall Legislative Council later reconvened at the Junior Common Room (JCR), later in the day around 8:10pm, with issuance of sanctions to erring members as one of the major deliberations. 

You would recall that the Mace had been unavailable due to the absence of the Chief whip, Hon. Odunukan Damife and the clerk, Hon. Owolabi Joshua (Jayjay). 

During the session, deliberations were made on the absent principal officers and honorable members.  Hon. Adewole Abdulsamad stating reasons for his absence claimed he had not been informed about the sitting, stating that there had been neither any form of communication on the legislative members WhatsApp group. He further added that he received no letter from the Clerk. 

The whip of the House, Hon. Odunukan Damife, stating reasons for his absence rather apologized and claimed responsibilities for his absence. The House later adjudged that the clerk pays a sum of N2,000, with three days ultimatum. Eyewitness from the press, however confirmed that the whip was seen around the hall on the night prior to the day of the sitting.

On his own part, the clerk of the House, Hon. Owolabi Joshua 'Jay jay' stated as a reason for his absence, that he had to go see someone. He also justified his absence from the sitting by claiming that he runs a business.  However, some members of the house testified against the clerk, stating that he had been in the hall, fast asleep during the time of the meeting. It would also be worthy of note that Jay jay currently has a disciplinary issue in the house, after eyewitnesses had reported that he was caught peeing beside A-Block tanks sometimes last semester. 

The House motioned that either Jay jay resigns as a member of the House or pays a fine of N15, 000 accruing to his past and current misconducts.

In an interview with the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Igbaoreto Samuel on Jay jay's records of negligence of duties, he said the House had tried to caution him in the past for his misconducts. 

He was saying that he went to see someone and he was not around. But we discovered he was around during the time of meeting – which is not acceptable. [sic] He has been making mistakes that we tried to talk to him but it is not normal again. It is unacceptable at this point.

Sanjay Cleared of Financial Misappropriation Charges: To Pay Fine, Undergo Community Service For Breach of Constitution and Negligence of Due Process

Oluwole Ayomide 'Sanjay'

By: Oluwagbenga Kolawole

The House Secretary of the UI Student Union, Oluwole Ayomide Joy, Sanjay has on Saturday, 20th of January, 2024 been fined and sentenced to undergo community service by the Disciplinary Committee of the Student Representative Council.

This is coming after allegations of financial misappropriation and diversion of Union's funds to his personal account levied against him. Recall that last year, UCJ UI reported that the Speaker of the SRC had in a letter directed the disciplinary committee to investigate and recommend proper sanction to Sanjay for financial misappropriation.

While briefing the house on the outcome of their investigation and resolutions, the Chairman of the UISRC Disciplinary Committee, Akinola Emmanuel, revealed that the House Secretary was found guilty of leasing the SRC chambers indiscriminately and charging as he deemed fit. 

In a letter addressed to the SRC by the committee, Sanjay was found Sanjay guilty of breach of constitution and negligence of due process. The Committee concluded in its resolutions that the House Secretary submit a letter of apology, pay a fine of  N10,000, and carry out a community service as punishment.

The letter reads: 

During the House sitting on Saturday, Sanjay submitted and read out his written apology during the sitting, while his community service punishment and it's duration are yet to be determined.

UI'SU Holds 3-Day Bootcamp

Adetona Tosin '2tancos'

By: Oluwagbenga Kolawole

The University of Ibadan Student Union under the office of the PRO have organized a three-day bootcamp that started on Friday the 19th of January to Sunday, 21st of January, 2024. 

The bootcamp featured over 6 sessions over the course of the three days; sessions like videography, photography, social media influencing, graphics design among others, with each training session lasting up to four hours.

According to the Students Union PRO, Adetona Tosin (2tancos), the bootcamp was initially intended to serve as a training session for members of the PR team, but was expanded to accommodate UITES who might be interested in these skills without necessarily wanting to be a part of the SU PR team, which, according to him, was why the bootcamp was made free.

Further speaking with this correspondent, 2tancos averred that an estimate of N200, 000 naira was spent to organize the bootcamp together; adding that of the 851 UITES who registered for the training, only about 500 UITES participated in the bootcamp. He also stated that a total of 20 facilitators were in attendance, some of whom are UITES, while other trainers like the persons of  Yemi King, John Ayomide and others are non-UITES.

Zik Legislative Council Postpones Sitting Due To Absence of the Mace

 

Igbaoreto Samuel: Zik Legislative Council Speaker

By Korede Teriba 

The  Nnamdi Azikwe Hall Legislative Council on Saturday, 20th of January, 2024, indefinitely postponed its first sitting of the year due to the absence of the mace.

The information was made known to the press through the Speaker, Honorable Igbaoreto Samuel. According to the Speaker, two principal officers, Honourable Odunukan Damife; the Chief whip, who is the constitutionally recognized custodian of the mace, was  absent. The Clerk, who had provided the press an invitation to the legislative sitting on January 17, 2024, was also absent at the sitting.

It is however pertinent to know that without the mace, the legislature cannot hold a sitting. 

In an interview with the Speaker, he revealed that the absentees did not inform neither him nor the general house of their absence. “They didn’t state it officially [sic] not to me actually.” 

The Speaker further stated that the absent principal officers will be sanctioned for their absence from the sitting. “We’ll sanction them. People will see what we will do. Definitely, everybody will know."

He also informed this correspondent that apart from these aforementioned principal officers who were absent, another honorable member of the house was also absent without prior notice.

“An Honourable member didn’t show up without notice. There’s going to be like a punishment for them which Zikites will definitely know about.” 

When asked about the next the legislative sitting, the Speaker informed that the sitting will definitely hold and it would be communicated to the generality of Zikites