INSIDE THE PARLIAMENT (Transmitted from the desk of Information and Enlightenment Committee)

INSIDE THE PARLIAMENT (Transmitted from the desk of Information and Enlightenment Committee)

Date: 22nd May, 2016.

The Senate Council of the Students Union held her 10th sitting on Saturday 21st, May 2016 at lecture theatre 2 (LT II). The sitting agenda were basically on Bill Presentation, UISEC Constitution and Final Committee Reports. However, topical but salient issues were raised and discussed during the plenary within AOB. The sitting was a true reflection of what legislature entails as necessary parliamentary and disciplinary actions were brought to stand in tandem with the constitution of the Students' Union. Meanwhile, the following are synopsis of the senate sitting.

The Senate Council had constituted Unilorin Independent Students' Electoral Commission (UISEC). Having found the nominees to credibly be in good standing with the provisions of the Electoral Act binding the establishment of the commission, the principal officers of the commission were elected via a transparent election having the nominees as the electorates and forthwith, oath of office followed the brief electoral process. The following students are the staff of the commission.

1. Chairman - ATANDA, Abdulqadri (Fac. Of Law)

2. Secretary – ABDULAZEEZ, Olamide (Fac. Of Management Sciences)

3. P.R.O – SAHEED, Ahmed (Fac. Of Life Sciences)

While the ISEC election was in progress, Points of Order were raised by some senators and response to that ignited chaos in the chamber. Sequel to the cacophony, a closed door session was held by the senators to restore normalcy. Clarifications were made by the Senate President on his ruling on the Points of Order stating that "a point of order when raised must be heard at times EXCEPT during the act of voting or when the council is ready for an adjournment and shall deal with the conduct of the meeting" as contained in the RULE 13 of the standing order of the senate council. Although reactions were still made known by some senators but at the end, a point of harmony was reached and the plenary proceeded in peace.

Thereafter, the chairmen of the senate council committees presented and submitted the final committee reports which included in-depth analysis of the committees' work, challenges and brilliant recommendations.

As part of the fundamentals of legislative functions, which include monitoring and ensuring that the welfare as well as the interests and plights of the masses are not compromised, the Senate Council of the Students' Union mounted a point of responsibility upon herself to constitute a committee to look into the disappointing outcome of sweatshirts. The committee was also charged with the responsibility of inspecting the financial involvement in the project and to report any perceived foul play or corrupt practice(s) if any.

After several objective matters were raised by distinguished senators of the hallowed chamber on the SU Dinner and Award Night, a committee was also constituted to investigate the process, criteria and modalities involved in the conferment of awards to individuals and bodies. The Senate perceived most of the awards to lack merit. However, Budget Monitoring and Implementation Committee shall give a detailed report of the financial involvement in juxtaposition with what was approved by the senate council.

The Senate Council also moved and passed a motion for the suspension of the Students' Union Social Secretary, Com. Aondongushua Tersoo Isaac a.k.a Ashosho for 10 working days on a ground that he has fallen short of expectations in the discharge of his duties. The suspension was erected and consolidated upon two-third (2/3) majority vote of senators present. However, this action is in line with ARTICLE 13, Para-4 of the Compendium of the Students' Union Laws as part of the functions of the Senate Council.

In order to avoid students being compelled to make payments for items or souvenirs come subsequent academic sessions, the Senate Council had also resolved to that effect, to write a letter to the Vice Chancellor to restrict the Students' Union from compelling students to make payments. Hence, such payments should be made optional.

   Without leaving students with disabilities behind, the hallowed chamber also passed a motion that the Students' Union should assist the Nigerian Universities Deaf Students' Association.

However, the senate sitting was a clear indication and a true reflection of the fact that the senate council is a sacred chamber which views the interest of the members of the union as an ultimate priority.

Signed: SEN. MJ KOLO,
(Engineering and Technology),
SC Chairman Information and Enlightenment,
Students' Union,
University of Ilorin.