The Clerk’s Office: Too Big of a Shoe to Fill?

Victoria Adeusi

“...the office of the clerk is an important position which can make or mar the house.”

The first legislative sitting of the 14th Legislative Assembly was held on 12th July 2024 with seven items on the agenda. The clerk's office had not been occupied since the previous inaugural sitting, therefore the sitting continued without the minutes being read. Proceeding with the next item, the presentation of the basic due, the association’s president, Mr. Ebuka, proposed the sum of #3000 for the basic dues and asked for approval so that payments could commence. The Honourables of the House asked questions and raised observations. Some of their primary concerns were the price of the basic due and the accounts to receive the payments, as the positions of the treasurer and the financial secretary are currently vacant. The President responded that the fixed price of the basic due was a directive from the SU.  He also added that the association’s bank account is functioning properly. Hon. Raphael further explained that the student union government is enforcing the fixed price of basic dues across all student associations on campus, due to the increment in school fees and to avoid further burden on students. After these satisfactory explanations, the House approved #3000 (Three thousand Naira) for the basic due and announced the commencement of payments.

The next item on the agenda was the inauguration of the Educational Development Committee (EDC) for the session. The Vice President, Mr. Samuel, whom the constitution tasks with academics, proposed four members for his EDC. Several questions were directed to the members of this committee. However, one of the questions asked stood out, questioning the readiness of the members to be held accountable if they fail in their responsibilities of tutoring the students effectively. Naturally, they all affirmed that they would like to be held accountable. However, Hon. Mary stated that while the committee is expected to carry out its responsibilities effectively, it should not be held responsible for the bad performance of students as long as it plays its role. She further stated that the students’ performance does not solely depend on the committee members because the second party(the students) must also be actively involved, hence her submission. After the house questioned and ratified the proposed members of the EDC, the President inaugurated Mr. Wale and Miss Ife from the 300-level constituency and Mr Joel and Miss Eunice from the 200-level constituency.

Honourable Raphael raised the issue of the clerk’s vacant office, nominating Hon. Mary from the 300-level constituency and Hon. Michelle from the 200-level constituency. The two nominees responded by declining. Hon. Michelle stated that she would only consider the position if the house gave her time to ponder it. Giving her reasons, she explained that the clerk’s office is an important position that can make or mar the house as she observed while serving as an Honourable in the FATSSSA House of Representatives last session. Therefore, she does not want to be rash when making such an important decision. Despite these objections, Hon. Raphael insisted on his nomination. However, the speaker objected to his nomination stating that she would not like the House forcing anyone into the position as the negligence of the former clerk was a problem for the 13th legislative assembly. The clerk’s position remains vacant as none of the honourables is ready to step into It.