“Innovation is the unrelenting drive to break the status quo and develop where few have dared to go.”

– Steve Jeffer

What happens if a situation is approached with the same method, over and over again? It is quite simple; the results of such attempts would be inevitably the same. This is the exact allegory of the political structure of the country since the inception of the republic. We have had the same set of leaders make promises that are disconnected from the reality of the masses, irrespective of the disparity in party. It would not be strange to see the next set of presidential candidates make some bogus promises and fail to deliver on them. It would also not be strange if the next set of constituency leaders go about buying ropes and building cemeteries in communities where there are no basic things, such as schools. The cycle of failure and the persistence of real problems can be attributed to a single thing – the leaders never look where they are supposed to. 

If that is the case in the national political scene, it would not be strange to see the same scenario play out at the level of campus politics. Definitely, it (the university community) is like a mirror of what the nation looks like. It is therefore a given that if the country is to witness any considerable change in politics and leadership, the younger generation has to do things differently. 

An examination of campus politics (or more specifically, the Indy Hall politics) over the past few years reveals a similar pattern. Overtime, the executive offices have left out on major things that affect Katangites directly. At the instances where those things are noticed and marked for repair, they end up not being attended to. At this point, it is a necessity that in the next set of years, innovative ideas are introduced into solving some of the recurring problems and exploring new frontiers.

This article highlights a couple of neglected areas each office could look towards in subsequent administrations. Essentially, it is a pool from which potential leaders can look at the hall’s painpoints from the perspective of their respective jurisdictions.

The issues highlighted below have transcended administrations and persisted over the years. From the look of things, no one seems to be saying or doing anything about them. Therefore, they really need to be addressed if the hall wants to grow. 

Executive Offices And Abandoned Pain Points

Repairs And Student Welfare

For an office that is responsible for structural maintenance and welfare. Here are a couple of things that the potential house secretaries should look into for the development of a better environment for Katangites:

• The kitchenettes are in no condition for hygienic cooking. Most of the kitchenettes in Indy Hall have no sockets and no drainage structure and functional basins. 
• All the blocks of the hall have water leakages in the plumbing structures at the toilets and bathrooms. These leakages drip smelly waste water, especially when cleaners are working on them. On further analysis, it seems that these leakages occur because the cement made to cover the pipes have been weakened by the continuous flow of water. A temporary solution could be made towards this, pending the time the management responds to the tears of the residents of the hall.

Public Relations

This office has made considerable progress from the time of Morenikeji Timileyin, through to Oyebode John, Omale Gabriel, and now, Ayodele Titus. This is especially true of disseminating information and hall events. However, some of these concepts could be looked into aside just information dissemination and the hall radio:

• Indy Hall has a generally unfavourable reputation among other students in the University. It would be a huge plus, if the subsequent holders of the office can work towards turning this image around.

• The hall could use a direct response helpline that would serve as a point of correspondence and serve as a portal through to the executive recognition. The Public Relations Officer during the tenure of Mr. Sidiq Babjide did promise this. However, there is no functional helpline in place at the moment. This could be worked on.

• The hall does not have a functional resident feedback structure. Aside from the helpline mentioned above, the office of the PRO could work with that of the House secretary in the future and see to the usage of suggestion boxes. That way, the residents of the hall are engaged in the politics and welfare exchange in the hall.

•  Political consciousness has dwindled drastically. The office of the PRO should consider embarking on activities and projects that would trigger the fire of participation in the hall residents.

Sporting Activities

The current Sports Commissioner has made quite a mark when it comes to sport-themed awareness lectures and conferences. That, according to our books, is a baby step forward. However, here are some cogent sport issues that the office should work towards in subsequent administrations (and the current one if possible):

• The Katanga Maracana needs help. It is not uncommon to see the pitch defaced with mud when rain falls. The Office of the Sports Commissioner needs to come up with a feasible and lasting solution to this situation.

• The republic may need to diversify into other aspects of sports aside from football. There are quite a number of talents that the hall can boast of. Of course, this is not a one-time project. However, if this is considered one administration at a time, it could become grand in a couple of years from now.

Health And Well-Being

Health – as they say – is wealth. Aside from the conventional responsibility of washing tanks, there are really no major achievements attributed to this office. These things are still worth looking into:

• The current state of the health post does not match it in terms of cleanliness and appearance. The health office should work with the office of the house secretary and see to the facelift of the health post.  No matter how basic this it, it is a show of acknowledgment and good will.
• There should also be the organisation of mental health awareness and general wellbeing events. 

Finances

The majority of the projects would still not be executed if the funds are not enough. If funds happen to pose a major challenge to the hall, the executive body must collectively work together to seek feasible sponsorships. They should also attempt to build viable income generation models. This would be best championed by the office of the financial secretary. 

When a tsetse fly perches on a man’s scrotum more than once, he either looks for a way to kill it or cover up his scrotum. The same is the case with the issues highlighted above. They have eaten deep into the structures of the hall for a long time. It is essential that they are given the utmost consideration. Addressing these issues is the perfect basis from which the hall could launch other grand projects.

All Correspondences should be directed to the Editor-in-Chief (08169789450)

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