Oluwafeyisayo Adebanjo 

In a memo released from the office of the NASELS President, on the 31st July 2024, Babatunde Adamson (‘Bomi), called for a Congress, to summon the Public Relations Officer, Demilade Okunola, for a fair hearing on his possible dismissal from the Executive Council of the association, over the allegation of his conduct and performance in his office.

It reads thus:

“This letter serves as a formal notification that Honorable Demilade Samuel Okunola, the current Public Relation Officer (PRO) of NASELS, University of Ibadan, has been summoned for a fair hearing. This hearing will address specific concerns and allegations that have been raised regarding his conduct and performance in his role as PRO.”

The memo disclosed the allegation of his perennial absence at Council Meetings and disregard for the Council’s Policies.

The Congress for the summon is scheduled to hold on Monday, 5th of August, 2024 by 10 am in Room 71, which is subject to change. According to the memo, the need for the call for Congress is to ensure Honorable Demilade Samuel Okunola is allowed to respond to the allegations filed against him in a fair hearing.

This, however, met with mixed reactions from NASELSites reflecting their diverse opinion on the matter. In response to the release, some members of the association reacted on the NASELS Family Page.   

Adeyefa Adeyefa Ebenezer from 200 level constituency stated, “To my dear senior colleagues, I hope we see in the congress to exhaust our mind, sirs and mas”

Alex Olalere in 300 level commented, “When did the executive council become a body to dismiss an executive office holder? NLC – Nasels Legislative Council was in the new constitution after a constitution review was made last semester but the management of the department rejected the NLC on this basis, NASELS is not for unionism. We have had docile and passive executives in recent years and I have not come across a situation whereby the president will decide on whether someone should be dismissed or elected. This is an autocratic democracy.” 

Hon. Abdul-Qayyum Lawal in 300 level, who is currently representing the NASELS in the Faculty Legislative Council, asked a question of who would call for the Congress or write the release: 

“If na the president we wan dismiss potentially, whose office go write the release or call for Congress to summon fear hearing and potential dismissal?”, he asked. 

Lawal nevertheless opined that the NASELS needed a new constitution amidst the constitutional lapses in the newly adopted constitution.