Irregularities and Absence of Members of NAPS Standing Committees at the Inauguration

By Faniyan Caleb

Irregularities and Absence of Members of NAPS Standing Committees at the Inauguration- How Far is Too Far?

Article 13, Section I, Sub-section A of the Nigerian Association of Psychology Students (NAPS), UI chapter constitution provides for standing committees to assist the Executive council in carrying out their duties. In obedience to this, legislators of the NAPS House of Representatives (NPHR) quizzed and inaugurated some members of these committees in their 5th NPHR sitting, which was held on Friday, the 2nd of December, 2022. The composiion and duties of these committees were further stated in Article 13, Section II of the same constitution.

Despite the notification of the sitting that was sent out to the members of the committees awaiting inauguration, the conspicuous absence of several committee members did not go unnoticed. However, the honorable of the house were in unison in their agreement that the available committee members be inaugurated, regardless of the absentees. The inaugurated committees include:

• The Education development committee.

• Social Committee.

• Sports Committee.

• Independent NAPS Electoral Commission.

• An Adhoc committee for sponsorship.

The composition and functions of these committees (except for the Adhoc committee) are clearly stated in NAPS, UI constitution, Article 13, Section II a,b,c, and f, respectively. The Adhoc committee was created as a prerogative of the Executive council as provided in Article 13, Section I, Sub-section III of the NAPS, UI constitution.

According to the constitution, Educational development should consist of 5 members nominated by the Vice President and the Executive council. Despite the numerous notifications and calls sent by Ms. Oluwasikemi, Vice President of NAPS UI and chairperson of the committee, to her committee members, only a member of the Education Committee, Ms. Jane Ezirim of 200 level, was present at the inauguration of the committee. While a committee member could not take the oath a second time, other committee members blamed their absence in an event they had been told beforehand on the proverbial unforeseen circumstances. How, then, can we trust this committee with the development of our education when they do not care enough to be at their inauguration?

The Sports committee fared slightly better compared to the Education development committee. Out of 5 members of congress required by the constitution, four members of the Sports committee were present for their inauguration; These four members include Mr. Suara Azeez Atolani of 100 level, Mr. Adeyemi Adebayo Victor of 200 level, Mr. Ayomide Bakare Emmanuel of 300 level, and Mr. Henry Daniel of 400 level. Although the Sports director was quizzed as to why individuals of the male gender dominated her committee, she retorted that she had selected the best hands she could work with.

The Adhoc committee was created to seek sponsorship for events in the department. Although the number of members for an Adhoc committee is not specified in the constitution, it is rumored that about four members of the Adhoc committee were missing from the inauguration. Only seven members of the committee were inaugurated on the 2nd of December. These members include Mr. Olumide Dasaolu of 300 level (head of the committee), Mr. Adeyemo Samuel of 300 level, Mr. Ibitara Stephen of 200 level, Ms. Shola of 400 level, Ms. Fejiro of 100 level, Ms. Titi of 200 level and Ms. Favour of 200 level.

For the Social committee, the constitution requires four members, and they were adequately represented at the inauguration. The four members of the inaugurated social committee include Ms. Ajagbe Adedamola of 200 level, Ms. Olagunju Olamide of 400 level, Ms. Obadan Mary of 100 level, and Ms. Akande Iteoluwaokiisi of 300 level. Like the Sports director, the Social director was quizzed as to why individuals of the female gender dominated his committee. He was asked if he was a sexist, to which the social director replied that he only nominated the best available hands.

Although the constitution does not clearly state the time for the inauguration of the Independent NAPS Electoral Commission, this commission is usually inaugurated a few weeks before the commencement of its responsibilities. This was according to tradition when the Press, the Speaker of the NPHR, raised concerns over the time of inauguration and fears of electoral malpractice. Hon. Adeyoye Oluwasemilore quenched the fears of the Press by saying that the commission is being inaugurated earlier to aid preparation for the elections and avoid a repeat of the ugly events seen in the last election. According to the constitution, four members of the Independent NAPS electoral commission are to be nominated by constituency leaders across all levels. The four nominated Independent NAPS Electoral Commission members were present for their inauguration. These members include Mr. Idris of 400 level, Mr. Caleb of 300 level, Ms. Grace of 200 level, and Ms. Esther of 100 level. We hope that the early inauguration of this committee will produce the freest and fairest election ever witnessed in the Nigerian Association of Psychology Students, UI chapter.

The actions and inactions of some of these committee members and their heads reveal their total disregard for the NAPSITES they intend to serve. The absence of disciplinary actions against defaulters and the indulgence of some legislators have made some individuals take the house and NAPSITES generally for granted. If these red flags are ignored, it will take away the rights of anyone to complain if these individuals underperform and fail at their duties. NAPSITES should wake up and demand accountability from their leaders!