Team Rejuvenation is the newest bride at the helm of the Association of Students of English and Literary Studies (NASELS). After much delays and hiccups that engulfed the postponement of an election slated to hold last semester, 2021/2022 academic session, the NASELS Electoral Committee conducted the election, which came up on 14th September, 2023, with 81 students casting their votes out of the 119 eligible voters. 

The administration of the last executives tagged; Team Cohesion, left much to be desired. The students association, University of Ibadan (UI) chapter was in a state of disarray. Nothing worked. This probably enthused the political apathy of the students to vote and be voted for at the time for the electioneering last session. Team Cohesion cohered nothing. The students in the department were much individualistic, rather than having the needed concerted effort. 

However, despite being part of the immediate past executives, the newly elected president, Akomolafe Similoluwa, in her manifesto, wittily acknowledged Team Cohesion’s failure. Her campaign theme was Team Rejuvenation, which revolved around making beneficial changes, rendering something young again, bringing life into something again, just to mention a few. 

Without mincing words, Similoluwa was elected as the president with 67 votes. She formed Team Rejuvenation with Arowolo Tehilah (Vice President), Alli Promise Tishi (Financial Secretary), Hamzat Yetunde Gold (Social Director), and Adesina Opeyemi Elijah (Public Relations Officer). 

The promises of the newly elected executives during the electioneering were scintillating. Each of the new leaders listed what they would do in their manifesto and made some highly sparkling statements during the Press Night and Screening. 

The president, Akomolafe Similoluwa, in her manifesto, halsened the NASELSites that she would bring an ideal leadership with ignition, accountability, accuracy, as well as open communication. She affirmed the continuity of all the existing departmental events: NASELS Prize For Literature, Christopher Okigbo Poetry Club, Know Your Literature and the social events. She opined there would be the addition of Literary and Debating Club, which she conspicuously and subjectively used ‘Would’ for. She also promised to seek sponsorships from organisations and alumni to meet the needs of the association. 

Further, the president, at the heat of myriads of questions coming to her from the members of the press at Press Night, openly stated that the executives would buy football jersey for the male football team by taking money left by the past executives, finance the NASELS Press appropriately and organise, at least, an event for the NASELSites in the first semester. 

Arowolo Tehillah Oluwadamilare, the vice president promised to commit herself to organise tutorials, academic excellence workshops, career fairs and other events that will intrigue her fellow students. In addition, she asserted that she, with the collaboration of the social director, would ensure the participation of the NASELSites in social events. 

In her manifesto, the director of social and welfare services, Hamzat Yetunde Gold, assured her devotion to ensuring active participation of students in the social activities within the department. With a view to finding a solution to the apathetic disposition of the NASELSites towards their sociality, she asserted that she would bring in mentorship programs, use inclusive event planning, and decision making. 

The creation of a WhatsApp TV is the foremost content of the Public Relations Officer, Adesina Opeyemi Elijah, in his manifesto. He stated that he would ensure that members of the association will be celebrated on their birthdays to ensure a healthy relationship among the students. 

Overwhelmed by her experience vividly written in her promise on paper, Alli Promise Tishi, the financial secretary, affirmed her capacity to go through trending budget researches that will be in favour of the students. 

Above all, the time of mouthwatering promises has been put to rest. It is now a time for action. The NASELSites cannot afford to experience Team Cohesion-like administration now. Hence, Team Rejuvenation is expected to buckle down, and usher in a period of unprecedented development in the association and indelible growth for the students.