This is a text received this morning by The Informant 247 dated 15th of July 2017 on National Association of Kwara State Students (NAKSS) from Jubril Mahmud, President NAKSS LAUTECH chapter. And the response of The Ag President of the NAKSS National Headquarters in person of Comr Kamal Ashola
“Are we running a government or a family affairs?
Without prejudice or intention of attack against any personality in whatsoever capacity, this article is meant to revive our consciousness and restore our obviously lost sanity. In any democratic setting, National Association of Kwara State Students(NAKSS) national headquarter not being an exception, one expects things to be done in accordance with the constitution and democratic jurisdiction. Pathetically, the affairs of this association are run applying the rule of thumb. The three arms of the government as available and expected in any democratic setting are paddled with no missions or direction.
Having been fully involved as a senator at the national headquarter, being the apex body of the association, I can authoritatively state that;
1. The regime has been in complete deviation from the aims and objectives of the association according to Article three (3) section two (2) subsections i-ix of the constitution.
2. The regime has no proposed, reviewed nor ratified budget. Every single spending since the advent of the tenure has no record either has it been accounted for.
3. The elected president, comrade Oyedepo Hafeez from the University of Ilorin was impeached on the grounds of not operating an official bank account, receiving and expending funds unofficially and without the consent and approval of the senate council, mismanagement amongst other misdemeanors.
3. After his impeachment, a thing led to another and success was recorded in the commitment of the state government to disburse bursary grants. Thereby, funds accruing to millions of naira has accumulated in the association’s coffer. Heretofore, no details, budgets or accounts has been made of the money. Yet, activities are ongoing and funds are been consumed in them which is a stampede on the right of every member to have access to details about the association. Check Article 6(iv).
4. The last senate council sitting was held on the 26th of April 2017 prior to the bursary release and since then there has been no checks and balances with no notification of break or holiday from plenary.
5. The regime is long overdue as a convention for transition was supposed to have been held fourteen days prior to the NAKSS democratic day, when the democratic day is June 6 of every Gregorian calendar year.
According to my own maxim, no excuses or objections will justify mismanagement and maladministration, also the deviation from accepted and upheld public law. On no account should any explanation for manhandling of public funds be accepted. And no ongoing project regardless of its gravity or indispensability should disrupt a smooth and timely transition of power in a democratic setting. On no grounds will the Buhari/Osinbajo tenure exceed May 19, 2019 except they seek and get a reelection at the polls before it.
What precedence are we setting?
With utmost respect and no intention of mudslinging to his personality, the regime of Comrade Ajadi of Kwara state polytechnic will always be remembered for the undue overdue of stay in office in this same association. One day a regime will come on board and continue to postpone transition of power for frivolous reasons such as the coming up of an official’s wedding or child christening and they will be using the mentioned regime and ours as reference. Also, we all as youths have been clamouring for a change in hand of the senile beings we have at the helms of affairs in our republic with accusations of mismanagement and lack of transparency. Here we are creating the same history. I beg not to be a part of such history.
Hence, on behalf of myself and all other well-meaning and progressive personalities in different capacities of the association, we hereby push these forward as our PRAYERS;
1. That an urgent senate sitting be called, for a total review and stewardship report of the association in an ultimatum of not more than one week after the release of this piece today the 15th of July 2017.
2. That a transition committee be nominated by the executives and brought forward for scrutiny and confirmation at the senate sitting to execute a smooth transition in not more than 30 days after the sitting.
PS: Defiance to these prayers will warrant we seek repress at a court of law to usurp the regime.
Let me leave you with this word before I leave; be the change you want to see in the world.
Yours in struggle,
Jubril Mahmud,
President,
National Association of Kwara State Students (NAKSS),
LAUTECH chapter.
jubrilmahmud@yahoo.com
08064376073.”
In response to the text by the Ag President of the apex body of the association. Comr Kamal
“I have stopped writing nor replying any message after assuming the apex office of the union. At Mahmud (Lautech President), our staying in office is absolutely constitutional since it was the decision of the parliament. A copy of last Senate sitting resolution will do justice to it. Two written motions were sent to the parliament and both were assented to. Please confirm every information and desist from any act that is capable of maligning people’s hard earned integrity. When we are talking of budget approval before spending does that affect obligatory fees? Salary must be paid either budget is passed or not. The money spent so far are official salary and security fee that helps easy disbursement on field. Let me use Kwara State as a case study, budget was passed in April, does that stop January to April salary, security votes ? Even, some percentage of the last budget can still be spent while budget is awaiting approval.
Please, we are working on a leadership submit, which will expose youth and students to how governmental procedures work. We can’t continue like this with unbridled idea and think the future will birth a productive and prolific personalities.
I pray almighty God be with us all. I believe we never met a NAKSS of this viable structure. I fought with my sweat, blood and tears to bring the structure you are enjoying today and I will not do anything to jeopardize my hand work. As have always said, constructive criticism is allowed but destructive criticism is a sin and it will be frowned with seriously as well as considered anti-union and it will be seriously met with greater sanction by the National Body.
Thanks all as we are rededicating our commitment in serving u better.
Comr Kamal Ashola
Ag President NAKSS
National Headquarters “