By: IndyPress News Desk

Alabi Barnabas, a 300L student, was elected the new President of the Law Student Society (LSS), University of Ibadan, on Friday, January 10 2025, with 262 votes, leading two other aspirants.

His plans, tagged ‘NEXT WAVE’, are carved around students’ welfare, academic concerns, financial empowerment, and socialization.

Addressing Welfare Concerns

Alabi Barnabas promised to prioritize students’ welfare through the ‘LSS Care Initiative’ program, which includes the LSS Bursary Scheme to aid indigent students with school fees.

He plans to achieve this by getting support from the Simi Dokun Charity Foundation and using student basic dues to address fees.

“Over the past three years, I have been opportune to be a member of the Simi Dokun Charity Foundation, this foundation works relentlessly towards the attainment of “Quality Education” an SDG goal which I am deeply passionate about. After concrete discussion of my plans, vision and intent, this organization is willing and ready to lend a hand to the realization of this project,” the plan reads.

“I also will present a budget in this regard to the LSRC as I strongly opine that student basic dues should serve an identifiable purpose which surpasses organizing events and extra curricular activities. In this regard I also intend to reach out to alumni and other persons who are deeply passionate about the progress of the faculty and will be ultimately willing to contribute to this course,” the new President stated.

Fixing Academic Concerns

To address complacent turnout for physical tutorials, Alabi plans to create a YouTube channel for efficient teaching and academic aid.

He also intends to publish weekly or monthly legal scenarios for students to analyze and reward the best analysis with a gift. Additionally, he plans to bring in experienced individuals to explain procedural aspects of law.

“In collaboration with the office of the PRO and Class Reps of each class, each member of the class gets notified whenever a new video drops which will innumerably contribute to academic efficacy,” he stated.

“There will be a publication of weekly or Monthly legal scenarios in the LSS wherein students are called upon to give legal analysis of factual or ideal scenarios where after the individual with the most accurate analysis gets rewarded with a gift,” he added.

On Financial Empowerment

Alabi Barnabas aimed to empower law students and the LSS through two programs: the LSS Ushering Agency and the LSS YouTube Project.

The ushering agency will provide a “quick hustle and quick cash” platform for students, while the YouTube project promises financial advantages in the long run.

“The LSS Ushering Agency will be put in place. This agency through advertisement gets booked to usher at events after negotiations with organizers of such events or programs. Mobilization will then be carried out for Interested people within the LSS. Asides this program serving as a source of revenue to the LSS, it likewise serves as a means for a “quick hustle and quick cash” for interested members within the LSS thereby paving way for financial prosperity of the society and its members,” the President-elect said.

“The LSS YouTube Project is another futuristic potent source of revenue for the LSS. This project does not promise to be a get-ric-quick scheme for the LSS. However with consistency and dedication to the program, there is a potential for financial advantages in the long run,” he added.

Empowerment and Developmental Growth

Alabi plans to establish the Law Students’ Society Students’ Bar Association (LSSSBA) and organize workshops and seminars on writing competition-winning essays.

Inclusion Agenda

To ensure every voice is heard, Alabi Barnabas plans to adhere to the constitutional requirement of holding a congress at least twice a semester. He also intends to establish a committee of two representatives from each class to communicate students’ wishes to the Executive Council.

“Section 15 of the Constitution of the LSS, 2019 as amended mandates(using the word shall) a congress/congress at least twice a semester. I intend to strictly abide by this in a bid to promote inclusion, responsiveness and accessibility in the Law Students’ Society,” the manifesto reads.

On Socialization and Sports

Alabi promised to provide opportunities for socialization and relaxation through initiatives like the LSS Chess and Scrabble League and the revival of the LSS Movie Night.

“In partnership with the Sports Secretary, I plan to establish the Law Chess and Scrabble League, which promises to promote camaraderie, strategic thinking, and healthy competition among law students who will compete for an ultimate prize.”