UI student leaders charged on virile unionism

More than 100 student leaders across halls of residence, departments, faculties, Students’ Representative Council and Students’ Union executives of the University of Ibadan (UI) attended a two-day leadership workshop held between December 16 and 17 at the university.

With the theme ‘Operating Students’ Union as a Formidable Partner in University Administration,’ the event was organised by the Student Affairs Division of the institution and the essence of the workshop was to educate the student leaders on how to deliver the mandate their colleagues repose in them and to engage the management towards the welfare of the entire students in a diplomatic way if the need arises.


The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Isaac Adewole, in his speech expressed optimism that hsi administration has no regret for resuscitating the Students’ Union in 2010, considering the way and manner students have conducted themselves in leadership position since then.

He promised that the management would continue to address the students’ need, towards providing an enabling environment for them.

The vice chancellor also used the occasion to charge the Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of the union to review to union dues paid by students to have a union that is independent.

The Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), UI chapter, Professor Olusegun Ajiboye, tutored the students on: ‘Understanding Partnership as a Corporate Responsibility.’

The Professor of Social and Environmental Education identified students as key factor that any university that wants to achieve greatness must consider in its decision. Professor Ajiboye said that alliance and cooperation are required between university management and student leaders, as none of the parties could do without each other in an ideal university system.

Another speaker at the workshop, Professor Clement Kolawole, said that there is a need for effective communication between student leaders and university management to forestall unnecessary chaos.

Professor of Conflict Resolution, Professor Olawale Albert, delivered a lecture on ‘Peaceful Negotiation and Peace Building in Sustainable Leadership.’ His lecture dwelt on how to use peaceful negotiation to build sustainable leaders among students.

Dr Ayo Hammed of the Department of Guidance and Counselling also spoke on ‘Understanding the Concept of Win-Win Partnership.’

Also speaking at the workshop, the Dean, Postgraduate School, Professor Adeyinka Aderinto, urged the student leaders to always accept responsibility and be accountable to their colleagues.

He advised them not to implement any policy that would not benefit the students they lead.

The Dean, Faculty of Arts, Professor Remi Raji-Oyelade, advocated for change in perspective on how some lecturers look down at student leaders as unserious and irresponsible.

The Dean of Students, Professor Akinola Alada, advised the students to make judicious use of the lectures they listened to from seasoned speakers who were at one time student leaders during their undergraduate days.

Speaking with Campusbeats, Sylvester Adesemoye, the president, Nigerian Association of Food Science and Technology (NAFST), UI branch, said he learnt a lot from the event. He also commended the Vice Chancellor for carrying student leaders along in formulating policies for the university.