Unibadan: A letter to the aspiring SU president

BEFORE YOU RUN...

By Adekunle Muminat

Dear Mr. SU

I write you not because I want to show my

proficiency in verbal gymnastics but because

very soon, you will be my voice. I must warn you.

The journey you embark upon is not for the

feeble minded nor for the fine-faced vier. Nay!

With sweat, you shall work and your labour shall

set you free.

Before you get on that racetrack, make sure you

have the paraphernalia you need to run a smooth

polity because if all you can deliver after your

caterwauls of Greatest gbo gbo is the echo of

that shout, then you had better take off your gear

and book a seat in the gallery. Dear Mr. Aspirant,

for this race, I would advise you to draft a

constructive blueprint that will help you navigate

through this political trajectory you have chosen.

In the past, students have always had the

proclivity to listen to the pitch of voices of

aspirants rather than the substance of their

words. You must prove that you are not like the

proverbial empty drum. After all, you are not

contesting so that you can warm high-backed

chairs with your executive behinds but so you

that can table and implement plans that will

advance our common goals.

For the love of progress and refreshing change,

we do not need to spend seven days of a

precious semester in senseless jamboree!

Transient and banal reveling must never be

substituted for substantive causes that have long

lasting marks in a citadel that promotes

"character and learning". Yes, I agree -

entertainment is a welcome break in this ivory

tower we dwell in. However, it is important to

strive to maintain equilibrium in such matters as

entertainment is not a one-dimensional course

that focuses only on celebrating inane frivolities.

Infusing the annual UISU week with utilitarian

programmes that encourage and/or birth

students with stellar skills and talent will be a

welcome development befitting of the Premier

institute. More than being ivories that serve only

to please the eyes, we desire to be like gold -

strengthened by fire- UISU in this case- it comes

out resplendent, strong, useful.

The office you are about to occupy is not avenue

to engage yourself in wrestle mania with school

authorities. Would you have to engage in a face-

off with the overlords just to protect the rights of

students? Very likely! But remember that this is

not judo; it is a race you are running on behalf of

the student populace. You are our

representative, not a Jonah that must perish so

that the sink can stay afloat. Never be a populist

leader that hastily rushes to champion student

causes or attack the school management just for

the sake of being tagged an activist. Rather,

take sides with justice, fairness, uprightness and

not with people because that is what will matter

in the end - which you kept to your word of

maintaining a vibrant union. If sticking to these

golden ideals mean that you will pay the ultimate

penalty if the Student Domiciliating Committee

decides to use you as a scapegoat to deter other

errant students, you must remain stoic. It is the

race you signed up for.

If self-aggrandizement is what motivates you to

run this race, pull out before you are pulled

down. In the end, it would be your desire to

change the status quo and give life to a dying

Student Union that will fuel your limbs through

this crucial race. A thick skin is also an

invaluable requirement you must have to be

qualified for this race because whether you like it

or not, members of the fourth estate and even

clueless individuals will do their hatchet job. I

want to remind you that you were not voted to

listen to accolades but to roll up your sleeves

and work. The pen, oftentimes is not wielded just

for the purpose of seeing how ink will look on

paper. No. It is to correct and serve as

arrowheads to the people we have entrusted to

run and win our race. Ditto, ever-present

sycophants will also woo you with sweet words

even when you are as lazy as the tortoise.

Remember that it is better to be unknown and

foolish than to bring one's name to ignominy.

Take heed!

Mr. SU Sir, I warn you of the many classes you

will miss; sacrifices you will make. Remember

that as an athlete, you will not have the luxury of

indulging yourself in slothful leisure and

hedonistic cheese-eating. You will become unfit.

If you cannot maintain a healthy diet of

"stabbing" classes, thankless service, stringent

discipline, and perhaps deficiency of Vitamin C in

your CGPA, the gallery shall be thy abode. I

remember how one of the present excos

switched off her phone for a whole week just

because she was overwhelmed by the sheer

demands of the office. Understandable! Yes but

grossly inexcusable and irresponsible. Without

stamina, you will only collapse in the middle of

the race. Of what use are you to us then?

Graciously withdraw from that race so that we

can choose from the qualified few. That in itself

is a form of activism that deserves

commendation.

O Ye Aspirants of Ticklish Noses and Itchy

Fingers! You must be ready to perceive the

aroma of mint without eating of the banquet

even when it is right before your eyes. No doubt,

money is one of the greatest temptations that

can be used to rope in any man but since you

have put in for this race, you must be an

excellent sprinter and it would do you good to

run away from whatever kleptospirits are holding

you captive. If you turn deaf ears to my words, I

guarantee that nemesis is right behind you and

will catch up with you in no time. Whatever office

you are vying for, be aware that accountability

through record keeping is of paramount,

especially if you desire to scale through the

Student Red Chambers unscathed in the last lap

of your race.

MR S.U, before you run your race, makes sure

you have sturdy legs that will see you through.

Best wishes.

Ready...Set...Go!