In a bid to ensure accountability, the POSSPRESS interviewed the department’s Financial Secretary in the person of Miss Joy Oguniyi. She is a 300-level student in the department of Political Science.
Good morning Miss Joy. My name is Abideen, a correspondent of the POSSPRESS
Ms Joy: Good morning Mr Abideen
POSSPRESS: Alright. I will be asking a few questions centering on your office as the financial secretary of the political science department. Chapter three, article 9, section 5 of the department’s constitution states your duties as the financial secretary, am I right?
Ms Joy:: Yes, you are.
POSSPRESS: You promised to ensure a regime that is financially prudent, accountable and transparent.
Ms Joy: Yes, please
POSSPRESS: So how far have you been able to achieve this?
Ms Joy: I’ve ensured that dues were documented as soon as they are collected and deposited into the department’s bank account. So, whenever there’s a need for accountability to the senate or the entire executive Council, it could be provided.
POSSPRESS: That’s great
Ms Joy: Moreso, I ensured that we were transparent enough in the collection of the dues. You could see from the statement of account the amount of money collected and the amount that has been taken out for purposes related to the association. No fault has been found so far.
Ms Joy: That’s all I can say about that
POSSPRESS: Noted
POSSPRESS: One of your promises is to make sure the basic dues of the association come in as early as possible. So, how has been the turn-up of the students?
Ms Joy:: Awesome!
Ms Joy:: Sincerely, it has been amazing.
POSSPRESS: Great
Ms Joy: Although we know that it’s common to see the 100-level students pay their dues on time since they’re just being introduced to the system. But to see 200, 300 & 400 level students give a massive turn up too is amazing and makes my heart glad.
POSSPRESS: This is so impressive
Ms Joy:: Yes, efforts were put into it.
My other executive members helped play a part too, and I celebrate that. We worked together. And, we were able to achieve the goal. The dues started coming in in February, even after the strike was declared too. And many others in 200-400 level paid in the first few weeks of resumption in October/November.
POSSPRESS: Good
POSSPRESS: But did you adopt any strategy to achieve this?
Ms Joy:: Yes, I did.
POSSPRESS: Do you mind sharing it with me?
Ms Joy: Yes
Ms Joy:: I made use of the popular strategy – ‘No dues, no course registration’, coupled with working with the Class Representative of all levels. I made them share the BCs in their class groups almost every day. I also mentioned it to every NAPSSite I encountered during the day’s work, encouraged them to pay up on time not waiting till there was a penalty attached and it had to be done quickly. Since it was majorly an online transaction, I made them understand why it wouldn’t be so hard and that they could do it anytime. It helped to make the payment not stressful. They could get their receipt too anytime they needed it. It wasn’t quite easy for me to make sure they could reach me anytime and anywhere for their payment and/or receipt but I just had to make the sacrifices. Both at night and early in the mornings, in between classes and all, I had to make sure that I was available. There were times I missed classes or went out of a class to attend to those needing receipts just to encourage them to pay on time, and without them stressing themselves. There were just a few times that some people in 100 & 200 levels had to wait for me, or couldn’t reach me online for their receipts.
POSSPRESS: Kudos to you on this. I can also attest to this
Ms Joy: I even gave announcements in my class too before or after our classes…very funny times but reminders like that were necessary.
Good rapport with every student was necessary and I made sure to do that.
POSSPRESS: This is impressive
Ms Joy: Thank you
POSSPRESS: Another promise made was to cooperate with other executive members for unified success. How has this been actualized?
Ms Joy: Well, I’d say just that I always give my opinions, suggestions, encouragements and questions to everyone and during our meetings too. I just made sure I contributed my quota and the helps that I could offer as it was within my capacity whenever it was demanded. That’s all
POSSPRESS: Alright. Have you experienced any form of clashes with any executive member?
Ms Joy: Yes, I have
POSSPRESS: Can you share it with me?
Ms Joy: There was a time that I didn’t feel good about the acts of the General Secretary in terms of the collection of Course forms.
What was agreed upon was that no dues receipt, and no course registration but I got to know that many people in my class submitted course forms without paying their dues and it was signed. I expected that we’d all work hand in hand to ensure this, knowing that the amount of dues paid affects our plans and organisation of events. I reported this to the president and we eventually got over it.
POSSPRESS: Ooooh…This is challenging. But did you try to ask her why she broke the agreement?
Ms Joy:: I didn’t eventually get to.
I wanted a physical conversation. But I didn’t always get to see her before or after classes. Since we were getting close to writing exams, I just decided to let it go. We just made sure to get those we could get to still pay their dues. The faculty signing afforded us that opportunity. Some people’s course forms were not signed because NAPSS receipt wasn’t attached, so they eventually had to pay for it.
POSSPRESS: Alright
POSSPRESS: Another thing I would want to know is about the seminar you talked about in your manifesto. I don’t think anything of such has been done
Ms Joy:: Yes, there are plans for it. It would be done during the NAPSS week.
POSSPRESS: Alright. l want to tap from the financial education
POSSPRESS: Aside what your experience with the General Secretary, why has been your greatest obstacle in office?
Ms Joy:: There has been no other obstacle
POSSPRESS: Alright
POSSPRESS: So as we talk now, what’s the percentage of the money(dues) generated so far?
Ms Joy:: About 85%
POSSPRESS: Did students pay for other dues aside from the basic dues?
Ms Joy:: Yes, they did
POSSPRESS:Most of them are from 100?
Ms Joy: But most of them were from 100 level
Ms Joy:: Yes
Ms Joy:: I thought as much
POSSPRESS: So the last thing I’d love to know is…..
Ms Joy:: Hmm
POSSPRESS: Don’t be subjective
POSSPRESS: On a scale of 100, grade your performance so far
Ms Joy: 75
POSSPRESS: Hmmm. Why not 20% or 90%
POSSPRESS: Do you have any reasons for this?
Ms Joy:: I know that I tried my best but I wished I could have done more with reachability online.
There was a time (in a particular week) I wasn’t online consistently and I didn’t like the fact that people were reaching out to the president.
It wasn’t all my fault, (light issues at Agbowo) but I don’t want to avoid taking the blame.
Ms Joy:: I could have said 80… I just decided to be humble
Ms Joy:: Understandably, no man is perfect. We can always better our trials. You have been able to touch three of your proposed plans and I believe the last one will be taken care of this semester. It was nice having this discussion with you this morning
Ms Joy:: Thanks so much for having me, Mr Abideen.
POSSPRESS: You’re welcome ma’am
