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Sunday 15 May 2016

200 level Constituency Controversial Class Rep, Muhammad, Resigns!


The 200 level constituency has always been one with a lot of issues.

The process that brought in present class rep of the 200level constituency into power is one that was fraught with more than a few controversies, including the alleged removal of former class rep "Ifidon" by Dr Omoregie, and the subsequent "appointment" of the current class rep. It was alleged in some quarters that Muhammad instigated process that culminated in Ifidon's removal and his subsequent ascension to power.

This time, the 'lecturer appointed' class rep Muhammad has had it.
After so many complaints ranging from disrespect, to misuse of the class Whatsapp group, to noise making in the class, the class rep on Wednesday gave up his mantle of leadership.
Surprisingly, this was done on the class Whatsapp group, instead of formally, as should be the case.
When asked his reason by some members of the class, he told a saddening tale.
Muhammad said he had been threatened by Hon.Uwafiokun Osagie of the 200 level constituency.
The said person threatened to unleash a 'sarpent' on Muhammad. Up until today, the members of the class are still wondering if the word 'sarpent' is the Benin way to spell 'serpent'.
Based on Uwa's reputation as a staunch Bini man, the class rep said he had every reason to be scared. Muhammad in obvious self defence took the perceived threat to the security department of the school. Uwa was invited and most of the members of the class believe the 'sarpent' issue has been resolved.
Still Muhammad insists that a Bini would serve as a better class rep for the 'rebellious' class mates of his.

Muhammad has times without number,  implied that the reason he does not have the majority of the class on his side, is as a result of his ethnicity.



ULP's rep had to seek the reactions of some of  the members of the class:


Sir Chuks : "Even the devil does not know the true heart of man"


Tobore : "I am pleased about it, because he was imposed on us and he doesn't consult the class when making decisions that affects the class. He's a lecturers' puppet. He only makes decisions that suit his purpose" 


Oluchi : *laughs* "Well I think he has taken that decision to avoid being impeached. An autocratic leader cannot go far in leadership. I must say, this is not the first time we are hearing of his purported resignation. I hope it stands for good. The 200 level constituency will not be bullied by personal conventions, beliefs or  principles of one man. We hope for less drama now. "


Sir Edward : "I feel he loves the position more than anything else in this world. The resignation was a ploy to play with the emotions of his classmates so they will think he is the victim. He is rude, arrogant, autocratic, dictatorial and above all, insensitive to the plight of anybody in the class and as such, he is unfit to hold the position in the first place." 


Sir Mike : "I think I like Muhammad very much and he knows. The last attempt to impeach him, I intervened vehemently to ensure that all their plans were sabotage but it seems that he is not ready to learn. For instance,  on my birthday, Elijah acknowledged my birthday but now Muhammad has banned birthday greetings on the whatsapp group. I still want him though, if he is ready to change but my opinion cannot override that of the class. Erudites shall decide on Monday if or not."


Jude : "I sensed it that there will come a time when the class rep will either voluntarily or forcefully be removed from his current position. In my opinion, Muhammad is not a good or a bad guy, he is just an average person that I think lacks experience in leadership. One of my problems with him is that he never listens. I hate it when i'm talking to him (serious issues) and he is smiling sheepishly as if  he is listening to what i'm saying. I also think he is too stern (somehow despotic) and adamant. Sorry to say this but sometimes I think he sees himself as a Mallam rearing his cows(to him we do not take instructions). If you are in his group on Whatsapp, you will see how he has been removing person's who are not keeping the rules laid down."



Considering rumors of purported involvement of Lawsa and Lawba in the issue, ULP sought and spoke with the Lawba president, Tami Koroye.




ULP- We heard Lawba was involved with this 200level class rep issue, how is Lawba involved? 


Tami - Lawba was not involved, what was involved was Lawsa, people came to complain to me and I asked if they've complained to president and the sec gen, and they replied yes.
Me been a Lawsa exco, which I believe I am, I went to the President and Sec Gen, after which we went to the class to find out if class was satisfied with their class rep and we found out most person's were dissatisfied with their class rep, a lot of persons had bad blood against him.
When we went there, everybody erupted, we had some "Pro-Muhammad" but most of the class were against him.

ULP- How was the issue resolved in the end?

Tami - The elders of the class, they met amongst themselves and they came to meet the President and they said instead of Lawsa to intervene directly, they (200level class) will conduct a referendum to see if the class still wants Muhammad to remain as class rep or if they should conduct fresh elections, if it's the later, then there will be an election for a new class rep.

ULP - But, he is still the class rep for the now?

Tami - Yes, until monday. 




ULP could not reach Osagie Uwafiokun and the class rep (Muhammad) for their comments on the situation as at press time but we are intensifying efforts to get their comments and reactions.






Report by Chineye Ugwoke. 

Tuesday 10 May 2016

Austus Ceaser Ekeoba's Cup {ACE} 2016.

Today, the 3rd edition of the Austus Ceaser Ekeoba's Cup was played!
Ceaser's cup as it's popularly referred to, is an annual football memorial match, dedicated to the memory of the late Austus Ceaser Ekeoba of the graduating class of 2015, whose untimely death on May 6th 2014 shocked the entire faculty of law and the university community at large. 

400level Class Versus Lawsa President - More Facts Emerge!

Few weeks back, the faculty was in chaos with regards to a comment allegedly made by the President in connection to the 400level class.

As a result of a press release by the President, made available to ULP, amidst many other issues arising, ULP sought and spoke with some of the principal members involved in the issue.

Due to their busy schedule, it took a while, but ULP finally sat and spoke with Olawale Busari (Class Rep 400level) and Ronny Igo, two of the principal members of the case in issue and they gave their own account of what really transpired and the way forward.


Excerpts :




Thursday 5 May 2016

My Critique Of #TheGA!

I had the pleasure to be in the General Assembly of the Great LAWSAN, University of Benin Chapter.

For me, one word to sum up the entire event is "cringe".

From the beginning, with intervals of great moments, to the end, there was something to feel embarrassed about, the most memorable being the constant going off  of the Public Address system.

Lack of organization as students kept walking around as if they were in their fathers sitting room.

The horrible music selection that alternated between depressive slow and blood pumping upbeat leading to jarred emotion and heightening the students discomfort.

Class reps too, did not fail to disappoint as some of them boycotted the GA.
 All this goes to show that this GA felt unorganized in contrast to the organized campaign to promote it. The campaign did get me to come, not just me, it got like one third of law students to come.
But sitting there, I overhead many students comment that this general assembly was overhyped.

I expected the GA to be bustling, entertaining, interactive, memorable, truthful.
I expected questions that where insightful and knowledgeable about the faculty.
Before the event, many people where eager to ask questions but strangely when it came down to do the deed, they chickened out and wilted like dead roses.

General lack of enthusiasm and co-operation from the students coupled with the fact that most of them was hungry was one of the highlights of the GA.

However, all this is not to dispute the valid points raised in the General Assembly.
Very important issues were discussed; the Lawsa Constitutional Amendment, appointment of amendment committee from all constituency, with the girl from the 100l constituency looking like she’ll cry and the absence of the 200l constituency representative.

It was an historic moment as we all felt dignified to witness this epic moment.

The swearing in left a feeling of contentment as this was something that has not happened in ten years!! (gasp).

The 200l rep came in after the swearing in, so technically, he was not sworn in right? (I'm not really clear how that works).

Olubunmi, popularly referred to as  "the godfather" in some quarters, was another interesting highlight as he took over the stage and gave a lively speech over our SUG aspirants, injecting joy and fun into the otherwise dour gathered students.

However, there was a lacuna in the great assemblage of SUG candidates which has brought up issues in which I’m not inclined to discuss.

And then the enigmatic Garrick came forth to anoint us with his glorious eloquency skills.
He didn’t even use a script. When you hear Garrick speaking, you’re carried away by the beauty of it, forgetting the meaning he’s trying to convey. He listed achievements that when you hear about it, sounds marvelous but in retrospect are just improvements on previous events.
I like Garrick, he’s the best thing after sliced bread to Lawsa, he is awesome, keep it up dear.
However, those achievements he listed were a letdown.
When Garrick entered office, with the hype surrounding him, we expected a bus and an airplane, a new LT in short. Those achievements were not spectacular.
This is in no way going to say the few that where not a let down, were not great. The journal idea is remarkable and I intend to be a writer there.

In Garrick’s defense, I’ll say that he was doomed from the beginning as Lawsa does not have money. Their only source of income been the 100l constituency and the 400l constituency.

In conclusion, I might sound hateful and spiteful, perhaps I am. But, this is my opinion. I was expecting #TheGA to be more formal but it was half of the time child's play and the other half, saw the excos trying their best to appear formal and pouring enconiums in their addressing of one another.

I wrote this with a hungry stomach and the anger that despite my paying the due, I got only a gala. This is not an excuse for the scathing comment but one of the reasons for it.

On the other hand, the General Assembly was a nice development and I urge Lawsa to keep up the good work. Gob bless and a wonderful semester to my fellow Lawsans.

JUJU







Juju is a law student, a writer, a social critique with a flair for surfing the web, skate dancing amongst many other hobbies!



Sunday 1 May 2016

President Replies Alleged Comments!

Only last week, Faculty of Law, University of Benin was agog with news of an alleged statement credited to his person were he "allegedly" called the 400level constituency "useless" for supposedly failing to turn out en masse to vote for Law aspirants at the just concluded Students Union Government elections, thereby facilitating the inability of the faculty to secure any position at the apex student government this year, all the more so, considering the close margin in which the aspirant for Director Of Finance, Isreal Olumese, from the 300level constituency lost.

The President has replied these allegations via a press release made available to ULP.






PRESS RELEASE BY THE LAWSA PRESIDENT -Garrick Nosa John


" I needed the faculty to be at some level of decorum before I responded to whatever existing allegation there is or address whatever situation our lovely faculty is in.

It's no news that the SUG election Saga brought about a level of pandemonium in our faculty and created strife there in.

Also this election led to the furtherance of what i call " an unnecessary quest for attention and relevance" by some individuals who are hell bent on soiling  my name, the integrity of the Lawsa excos and also the good name of the faculty.


Let's start with me. 




It was alleged that i called the extant 400level class "useless" due to their alleged low turnout in this elections. Well I debunk that.

This statement is UNTRUE.

I never made such statement and I have no reason to make such.
Facing the fact, an initial  claim was that this allegation  was made by Ronny Igho (a 400level student)  and that he said Daniel Eiwanlan (another 400level student) was there to corroborate it. However this Daniel was subsequently asked and he openly denied saying such stating -
"me I nor hear u talk am o, na only say, u say our class nor come out vote I hear".

As if this does not discredit the evidence of the 400level class, another claim is that - it is not Ronny Igho that said it but instead Joshua Ajogu Okeme and that he heard me say it.
This can only show that the allegation is not only questionable but evidence tendered to find for it is faulty.

I mean there is no reasonable reason for me to make such statement considering the fact that I have a lot of friends and close associates entrenched in that class. This is the class who went out to campaign and vote for me also this class has elders there in.

Let's get this straight I am not angry with anyone neither would I hate anyone for this. I am only disappointed in a selected few. Who I believe are close to me and my heart but neglected this and proceeded in error.  They castigated me without consulting me to find out whether there is truth in the allegation or not.

OLAWALE BUSARI  who was and is still close to my heart. Who is a leader, openly spoke about me and by extension created an uproar against me in his constituency.
What hurts is not the action what really hurts is his INACTION.
He did this on the basis of an allegation which can be equated to a speculation. He did not call, text or even flash me to find out anything or discuss before he went all out to make his publication.
Truthfully speaking he does not owe me that legally but to criticize constructively one must KNOW and to know one must ASK.
This is where he erred.
I know Wale is smart and would disagree but that would mean nothing at this point the deed has been done.

Having made this clear I wish to say to Lawsans that " We did not fail in this elections, we just didn't win, however if we let this affect our relationship with each other, if we turn enemies because of an election then we indeed would FAIL.

"Let there be no strife amongst us, let there by no hatred. 

For the 300 level students I beg you do not create a division in your class. That is not the true way to be a leader. You all are leaders and I trust you'll make the right decision.

In summary, i know some set of people would not care about what has been said so far and would still demand an apology.
Well sometimes as a leader you apologize even when there is nothing to apologize for, for it is written a "soft reply turns away or reduces  wrath"

To whom is may concern. I apologize if this allegation has made you lose confidence in me, I apologize if it makes you despise me, I am sorry. Let us be at peace.  I cannot afford to lose your trust because of an allegation.
You are worth more to me.
Thanks for understanding.

Thank you lawsans
I will continue to LISTEN, LEARN AND LEAD so long as you allow me.

Signed
Garrick Nosa John
President, Law students Association university of Benin.