By: IndyPress News Desk

Elemide Daniel, the House Secretary of the Students’ Union, presented his end-of-the-year report to the Students’ Representative Council on Saturday, January 11, 2025.

The report highlighted seven key interventions made by the Union’s leadership in 2024.

According to the House Secretary, the “report encapsulates our endeavors in maintaining Union properties, promoting health initiatives, enhancing safety measures, regulating prices, facilitating transportation services, providing financial support, and organizing engaging social events.”

Union Properties Overview

The report stated that maintaining the Union Building has been a top priority. It stated that areas requiring improvement included dark spots and water leakages during rainfall.

To address the issue, the House Secretary claimed that plans are underway to install brighter lighting, implement waterproofing solutions, and sustainable drainage systems.

“Conducting regular roof inspections is imperative to promptly address any leakage issues and maintain the building’s longevity,” the report read.

“Furthermore, the rental income from the Union Building has been documented in the financial statements, with records from over 50 tenants who have submitted evidence of payment for the last three years’ rent,” the report added.

On Health Initiatives

The Union claimed its prioritized student health through collaborations with health ministers, University Health Service, and hospital partnerships.

It also claimed that its key initiatives have been health walks, transportation, mental health support, tank washing, and inspections to promote well-being.

“We have collaborated closely with the health ministers of halls of residence to ensure the adoption of safe practices in all hostels,” the House Secretary stated.

On Light and Security

The House Secretary said the Union prioritized campus safety and security through collaborative efforts with the Department of Works, Chief Security Officer, and external stakeholders.

This, the report noted, resulted in improved lighting and security measures, including solar-powered streetlights.

“We enforced the Students Union Intelligence Team (SUIT) to provide regular updates on electricity-related matters,” the House Secretary said.

“Collaborative efforts with the Department of Works and Maintenance and the use of Union buses have enabled us to address electrical faults on campus.”

Price Regulation

The Union claimed it established Price Regulation Committees to monitor fair pricing practices, imposing sanctions on erring shops, including the Pepsi stand situated at the Students’ Union building premises, to uphold pricing standards and ensure quality service for students.

“Through these committees, we have implemented sanctions on erring shops, one of which was the Pepsi stand, which was locked for four days and placed on probation for irregular pricing and poor customer service,” the report read.

On Intra-campus Transportation and Rates

The Transportation Committee, according to the House Secretary, welcomed new students, advocated for fair pricing and transparency at ICTC meetings, and facilitated student transportation during GES exams, ensuring seamless movement and access for all students.

“In response to fuel price hikes, the Transport Committee conducted surveys and experiments to determine fair pricing structures that accommodate students’ needs,” the report stated.

On Bursary

In the face of an issue which students have described as ‘outrageous increment’, the House Secretary claimed that the Union provided financial assistance to students by catering to a part of their fees, based on recommendations from faculty presidents.

Recall that IndyPress, alongside other local press, had reported that the fee increment policy impacted students negatively, leaving members of the Students’ Union and the leadership to resort to begging for funds from members of the public.

Social Events

The Union organized various social events, including concerts, parties, and variety nights, featuring notable artists like Ayra Starr, TI Blaze, and Dj Neptune, to revitalize campus social life and foster student camaraderie, the report claimed.

“Throughout the year, we have organized engaging social events that have revitalized the social life of the university community,” the House Secretary stated.

“Currently, we are planning ‘The Homecoming Concert,’ featuring renowned artists, to further enrich the social experiences of our student body.”