AN OPEN LETTER TO THE SUG PRESIDENT BY COMR. STANLEY PADRE PIO' PRESIDENT FACULTY OF EDUCATION

CC:
*Students Representative Council, SUG
*Students Judicial Council, SUG
*SUG Executives
*The Office of the President, SUG
*The Office of Public relations SUG
...

His Excellency,
Comrade Hilary Ugwu
President SUG Unizik.


AN OPEN LETTER BOTHERING ON THE STATE OF AFFAIRS OF OUR CHERISHED
STUDENT GOVERNMENT AND HER EXECUTIVE.

I am one among the many who believes that "the worthiness
of life is deep rooted in the service of mankind". The above mentioned
quote therefore should be the practice of every leader and aspiring
leader for excellence in leadership.

Mr President, this letter is born out of my ardent concern
for our union, its leaders and our numerous students. Some of these
students I have had the opportunity to speak with and also have
listened to and I must confess that 85% of our beloved students have
lost faith in Unizik Student Unionism. I am not interested however in
finding out during which administration the loss of interest began but
rather I am interested in knowing the effort your administration is
putting in that regards.

For the purpose of clarity, I would love to give a few reasons
why the trust in our union and her leaders is down.
1. Incessant increase in the cost of transportation between Dec
2012 till date from Unizik temporary site to Engineering Bus stand,
Unizik Ifite gate to Temporary Site and every other bus stations
within the school. The reason however cannot be said to be a hike in
fuel price as the case has not been so within the stated period.


2. Rumour bothering on impersonation of the office of the Vice
President in 2013.


3. Inability of the union executives to properly organize a
Student Union Night/event. To mention but a few.



A saying goes thus that "every onlooker is either a traitor or a
coward". I am very sure my fellow zikites and myself are not onlookers
nor cowards but great people who want the best for our beloved
institution, future leaders who look up to you and your executive for
leadership skills they will apply in the future to better our
society.

Mr President, earlier I stated that quite a number of students
have discussed with me on the way forward for our Union. The
discussion was held based on my capacity as an Award winning leader, a
2013 nominee of the Nigeria Youth Merit Award under the category of
Excellence of Leadership and a student counselor not to mention my
years of experience as a youth and student leader.
It might interest you to know that during the just
concluded National Youth Economic Summit which I was opportune to
attend, a zikite during the summit decried the lack of performance of
some of our youth leaders siting Unizik as an example. One of the
reasons the students who elected you came to me instead is because it
is perceived that you have built a wall around yourself hence no one
can climb it talk more of reaching you personally.

As a faculty President it is believed I should be able to
reach you where others cannot but am sure no Faculty President since
your inception as President SUG UNIZIK has ever been invited or have
held an official meeting with you. Therefore i request that you please
create avenues within this period of your last days in office to
listen to your students and ensure you pass their reasonable advice as
recommendation to the incoming executive because time is inevitably on
your side any more.

The choice of making this note an open letter is not to have a
war of words neither is the open letter begging for a reply. It is so
that history will have it that we are not onlookers because the human
life ends when we begin to keep quiet, therefore be mindful Mr
President that the entire Unizik is waiting for your account of
stewardship.

About 13 months ago during the 2012 manifesto your Excellency
made promises to innocent listeners. Innocent they are because
everyone came there to listen to voices that will bring change and so
far I think it is high time you make it visible to the blind and
audible to the deaf which among your promises you made during your
manifesto you have kept. Outline them and be rest assured that faith
will gradually return to our revered Union.

Furthermore, as an educationist with great ideas and one who
is a solution provider and not just a complainer, I wish to profer the
understated solutions to our possible union problems for effective
leadership and regain of trust in Unizik Student Unionism:




1. The concept of God fatherism must be killed and buried in our union.


2. Students must be given cogent reason(s) for certain actions of
the union. Eg Increase in Transport Fare. This however should be done
before it takes effect as it is possible that along the line a student
might have the solution.


3. Union leaders must have good thinkers not just friends as advisers.


4. The executives must ensure that a" leadership congress or
meeting" is organized immediately upon assumption of office among them
and leaders at the grass root level e.g Faculty and Departmental
leaders. This however was never the case in this outgoing
administration.


5. The criteria for selecting public servants eg DOT members and
their leaders should be made known to students and possibly an open
screening should held. This will therefore give the DOT members and
their executives a knowledge that they are meant to serve the students
who board buses with their hard money and give them the respect
deserved therefore a case of transport officials creating a scene with
a student will not be heard. To mention but a few.

6. It is inevitable that politically you have made a few enemies
during this period. I would love to recommend that you have an open
mind towards everyone either friend or foe. Like Madiba, let
forgiveness be your watchword. Redeem your good name.



However, I understand that this letters will give room for
open discussions and criticism but am sure it is for the good of our
government moreover, if leaders do not speak out with courage; who
will?

On this note however, I believe I have made my points clear
enough. My support remain with the union whether about to fall or
already fallen and be rest assured that if the need arises I will
forward more letters to your office. The struggle continues till
things get better.


ALUTA CONTINUA, VICTORIA ACERTA!!!

STANLEY PADRE-PIO