By Ageh Success
Lawal Gbolahan, a 200-Level student of the Department of Political Science, is an aspirant for the office of Treasurer of the Nigerian Association of Political Science Students (NAPSS). The aspirant is campaigning under the VAULT Agenda and previously served as a member of the Budgeting and Funding Committee organized by the UI SU Treasurer.
In this interview with POSSPRESS, the aspirant speaks on the plan for a digital financial record-keeping system, how access to financial information would be controlled, how irregularities involving fellow officials would be handled, and the handover playbook meant for the next Treasurer. The aspirant also answers questions on funding projects and the results NAPSS members should expect by the end of the tenure.
I’m Ageh Success, a correspondence from POSS Press,the purpose of this interview is to give NAPSS members a better understanding of your vision, your proposed agenda, and the practical steps you intend to take if elected.
Kindly introduce yourself.
My name is Lawal Gbolahan, a 200-level student of the Department of Political Science.
I am campaigning under the VAULT Agenda for the position of NAPSS Treasurer.
What inspired your decision to contest for the office of NAPSS Treasurer, and why do you believe you are the right person for the position?
My interest in this office was inspired by my former role as a member of the Budgeting and Funding Committee organized by the UI SU Treasurer. Here, I was exposed to some of the internal processes of financial administration and realized the importance of the financial aspect of any administration.
For this reason, I decided to contribute to the welfare of the students by going for the position of Treasurer.
I believe I am the right person because I have an innate conviction to serve the people and my community, evident in my various actions towards community service.
As a 200-level student aspiring to manage the association’s finances, what relevant skills or personal qualities do you believe prepare you for the responsibilities of this office aside from your former role as a member of the Budgeting and Funding Committee organized by the UI SU Treasurer?
In my manifesto, I included a digital record-keeping system that allows for effective record-keeping and documentation of the association’s finances.
This was as a result of my background in tech. I am able to operate and effectively execute the usage of this system to help further the association’s goals.
You mentioned that your background in tech gives you the ability to effectively operate and implement a digital record-keeping system. Beyond your technical skills, what personal qualities do you possess that you believe make you suitable for the office of Treasurer, and how would these qualities reflect in the discharge of your duties if elected?
Besides that, I am also a person of integrity and transparency. I believe I am someone that can be trusted with the effective running of this administration.
As I said earlier, I have an internal desire for general welfare and community service, meaning I have a personal responsibility to ensure that I perform to the best of my capabilities.
I am also a person of worthy character and record. I have no cases of being involved in any activities that destroy the integrity of my character as a person and as a public official. And I continue this both as a student and in my general life.
Okay, so back to your manifesto, your first agenda is to introduce a digital and detailed financial record system. Are you saying there is nothing like that in the department presently?
I have spoken with the current NAPSS Treasurer and understood how the current administration does its record-keeping.
While it functions and is working, my digital system aims to build upon that existing system by making it digital and much more efficient than the current one.
In your manifesto, you stated, “I intend to introduce a structured digital record-keeping system.” The use of the word “introduce” suggests that you intend to implement a new system rather than improve an existing one or build on it. So please answer accordingly: does this mean NAPSS currently has no digital record-keeping system in place?
To the best of my knowledge, it doesn’t. But it does have a record-keeping system that works. The introduction of the digital layer would be an improvement and an efficient layer over the existing one.
Okay. Are there any specific tools or platforms you intend to use, and how will this system improve the existing method of keeping NAPSS financial records?
Yes, I know how to operate tools like Excel and Google Spreadsheet that make it easier to document and retrieve records on the go.
The current system fits perfectly with this, and the digital system adds a convenience and efficiency layer to it.
I would also be up to date about other digital technologies that can do the work even better, and I would ensure I update to these systems.
Still on the digital financial records, how do you intend to make these records accessible to the appropriate stakeholders in NAPSS while ensuring that the information is not misused or accessed by unauthorized persons?
The essence of record-keeping is to ensure that I can deliver an up-to-date and detailed financial record to the appropriate stakeholders, and any financial system would be useless without it.
The digital system accounts for this by ensuring that, upon request or at monthly intervals, the records can be printed and given to all the relevant stakeholders.
And to ensure that there is no misuse or inappropriate access to the financial information of the association, as the Treasurer, I would ensure that the information is only accessible to authorized personnel like the Executive, Legislature, and the Congress in accordance with the constitution.
Okay. Suppose you discover an irregularity in the association’s financial records involving a fellow executive or someone in a position of authority. How would you handle the situation without compromising your responsibility to the association?
As the Treasurer of the department, my allegiance is to the organization, not to any individual official or any other party. I am responsible only to the association, and in the case of any discrepancy against the organization, this statement holds true.
Should any member be found guilty, they would be reported to the right authorities, i.e., the stakeholders or the Congress, because what is more important is the financial integrity of the organization, not the position or relation of the person.
NAPSSites will hold you to your words.
Your manifesto emphasizes institutional continuity and proper handover. How do you intend to ensure that the digital record-keeping system remains functional and useful after your tenure, especially if your successor does not have the same technical background as you?
I intend to create a guideline/playbook for the next Treasurer to ensure that they can function at the same efficiency.
I.e., processes and systems that exist to enlighten the new Treasurer. Also, the digital system is not made for just efficiency; it is also for convenience, making it easier for both me and any Treasurer after me to use it effectively.
Suppose NAPSS has several important projects/events to execute, but the funds available cannot cover all of them. How would you approach the allocation of the available resources?
While the constitutional duties of the Treasurer do not directly involve looking for funds for the execution of projects in the association, as a member of the Executive Council, should a case like this occur, I would ensure that I work in cooperation with other executives in the association to source out funds.
I would invest in relationships and connections, and I would actively ensure I am participating in the process that the entire executive body takes to source out funds, like reaching out to sponsors, alumni, brands, etc.
If elected, at the end of your tenure, what specific, measurable achievements should NAPSS members expect to see that would demonstrate that your administration has improved the association’s financial management?
I would have brought in a functional and effective record-keeping system.
I would have managed the association’s funds and ensured that there was little to no discrepancy.
I would have created a playbook for the next Treasurer that ensures they can effectively function in their office and properly use the system in place.
Finally, beyond the promises outlined in your manifesto, why should NAPSS members trust you with the responsibility of managing the association’s finances, and what assurance can you give them that THE VAULT AGENDA will translate from promises on paper into tangible results?
I believe trust is earned through actions, not just words. If given this responsibility, I will do my best to ensure that our finances are handled transparently and that every commitment we make is followed through. With the VAULT Agenda, I want to do more than make promises.
I want to build a system that works, delivers results, and makes things easier for the next Treasurer. At the end of my tenure, I want members to be able to look back and see what we have actually achieved.
Thank you so much for your time.
You are welcome.
