By Babatunde Emmanuel

In Deuteronomy 16:19 of the Holy Scriptures, God stated clearly to the judges, who can be seen as today’s legislators, that “thou shalt not take gifts, for gifts do blind the eyes of the wise and pervert the words of the righteous.”

The aforementioned biblical verse, in this time and age, could be construed to suggest the significance of leadership rooted in prioritising the people’s welfare over personal gains.

However, the practicality of this scriptural mantra, as instructive as it is, palpably appears to be a luxury among student leaders at the University of Ibadan.

Student leaders, especially those elected by students to formulate and implement policies (SRC) targeted at advancing the social welfare of students, have over time developed the precedent of leaving students to their devices in the name of pursuing personal benefits. Their actions and inactions often suggest that their political ambitions are pertinent, while the interests and concerns of students are inconsequential.

Meanwhile, Section 4 of the Union Constitution stipulates that the aim of the Union shall be to foster and protect the interests of its members, the matriculated students of the university. The disregard of the so-called representatives for this stipulation is appalling, portraying them as ‘leaders of particular interests.’

One of the apparent shortcomings of our representatives is their lack of sensitivity to the numerous issues confronting students. Worse still, at the end of their tenure, they, despite leaving their offices with numerous administrative lapses unaddressed, often take to social media to portray their stewardship as successful.

One would expect that, as ideal representatives, they should exert their energy towards championing student democracy.

Pathetically, they keep mum as students are made to wallow in their plight.

The irony is that these student leaders are using public platforms to realise personal gains at the expense and detriment of students. They use funds generated from basic dues to cover the costs of their administration, organise frivolous events, and engage in activities that add little or no value to the student community.

More troubling is the fact that repeated engagements with authorities on matters concerning students’ interests have yielded no positive outcomes in favour of the represented. The reason for the unproductive engagements with management is not far-fetched. It is because they are often driven by complicity from which they benefit.

It suffices to establish that the only thing that seems to keep them interested in their different offices is the incentives that come with them. These incentives encompass several benefits, including various allowances and box room at their hall of residemces, amongst other exclusive benefits.

The precedent of handling public offices as a means to achieve personal ends has proven to be contagious, prevailing and manifesting from one generation of leaders to another.

And as we, the students, perpetually fold our arms and fail to deem it fit to demand accountability from them, we will always remain in hot water.

Hence, the need for our representatives to have a rethink regarding how they discharge their duties can not be overstated. It is high time they recognised that leadership positions should embody sacrifice.

Ideal student representation is one that concerns itself with projecting the yearnings and needs of students to higher authorities without playing spectators, not one that is benefit- or incentive-driven. Our leaders must understand that, in the face of the pressing challenges plaguing the academic welfare of students, it is binding on them to embrace the courage to be the voice of students and not a weapon fashioned against them.

They must equally recognise that getting swayed by personal benefits, choosing mutism over amplifying the student voice, and becoming pawns in the hands of political actors in mainstream politics will continue to make them lose sight of why they were elected in the first place.

This is the best time for our representatives to write their names in gold by prioritising student democracy over the incentives that come with the leadership positions they currently hold. The student community must also challenge their leaders to be responsible. A mechanism through which students can recall their erring leaders should be utilised. The mechanism in question, which is the General Assembly or Congress, should be used as a tool to call defaulting student leaders to book.

Public offices should be occupied not because of incentives but with the intention to project and solve students’ predicaments. Student leaders come and go, but the impact or legacy, whether positive or negative, they leave behind has consequential effects that posterity may find difficult to address.

It is incumbent on both leaders and students to fix the mess and flaws that have deteriorated our student community. It takes both sides to correct our wrongs.