CHALLENGES/SOLUTIONS IN THE LEADERSHIP OF STUDENT UNIONS UAM

BY chief.comr NDUKWE CHIDIEBERE OKPAN
It is the contention of this paper that Student Unionism today is a far cry from what was practiced in tertiary institutions two or three decades ago. This can be attributed to the socio-economic and political systems in the larger society that has crept into the fabrics of our education system. The following bedevil an effective Student Union leadership and Unionism;
1. Candidates aspiring for elective offices into Student Unions do not have a well-articulated manifesto for implementation.
2. Most candidates do not understand the workings of the Union before presenting themselves for service.
3. Some candidates are sponsored by certain interest group within and outside the institutions. Imposition, selection and coronation of favored candidates.
4. Some candidature are driven by personal and economic gains and not service.
5. Management and Government interference in sponsoring some candidates through the instruments of the institution. Elections are often rigged.
6. Some good candidates are marginalized along ethnic, religious and tribal considerations.
Example was the case of Isaac Jasper Adaka Boro in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka when he contested for the SUG president. He is the veteran protagonist and freedom fighter whom IJBCOE is christened and immortalized after.
7. Some credible candidates are wrongfully and deliberately dropped during screening by ELECO.
8. The influence of financial inducement against a free, fair and credible election. Other salient factors include;
9. Constitutional breaches and refusal to call for congresses and subsequent impeachment.
10. Gross loss of confidence on the Union leadership
11. Failure to extensively deliberate and consider alternatives before declaring a protest action.
12. Financial misappropriation and gross embezzlement.
13. Elongation of Tenure without congress approval and disposition to Management
14. Expulsion, suspension and rustication of student Union leaders and the disbandment of Union activities on campus.
15. Poor financial base to prosecute articulated programmes of the executive.
16. Rift arising from welfare issues and refusal of audience by government and management of institutions
SOLUTIONS TO EFFECTIVE STUDENT UNION (SU) .
1. There must be a responsible society that breeds a responsible education system that gives rise to responsible leadership where people respect and tolerate one another’s ideas and opinion.
2. There should be a speedy resolution of issues affecting the Student Unions on campus by management and government. Unions should not be viewed as adversaries but partners towards organizational success, David (2013).
3. Student Union leaders should be represented in committees of the institution for democratization of decision process by stakeholders. In taking major decisions, students have the right to be heard, Olayiwola (1999). Students’ participation in institutional governance.
4. Introduction of seminars and workshops on leadership training would enhance organizational effectiveness in tertiary institutions.
5. Being the voice of the Student community, they should strive to instill discipline among students. 6. Government should increase the funding of Tertiary institutions to boost infrastructures on campuses.
7. Student Union leaders should be alive to their constitutional responsibilities which may include organizing social and sporting activities such as football competitions, beauty pageants, ragging days, cultural events, provision of services and protecting the well-being of students.
8. Union Executives must be exemplary in their actions, conduct free, fair and credible elections to usher in a new EXCO when their tenure is due. They must be accessible, transparent and be objective.
9. Student Union leaders must encourage student to student interaction by calling congresses, forming committees to assign duties, investigate reports and exhaustively discuss issues before presentation to authorities.
10. Student Union leadership should educate congress members to be careful in handling College properties and equipment to avoid penalties or discipline.
11. There should be joint interactive meetings between students’ union leaders, management and security personnel for confidence building to avoid escalation of demonstrations and the use of brute force should it arise.
12. Union leaders must embrace dialogue and negotiation in addressing issues with Management and deploy time-lines to stimulate response. The use of ‘’GBEGE’’ ‘’SAGBE’’ ALUTA slogans to declare violent protest should be the last resort.
13. Student Union leaders must be astute, fearless and courageous in demanding for the rights of students in the most civil manner.
14. Students Union leaders must know the limits of their powers and cooperate with Management towards achieving institutional goals without compromising standards and the welfare of students. 15. Student Union Leaders must liaise with other similar institutional Unions’ for purposes of cross fertilization of ideas and solidarity.