Students Union Government
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Category: Campus Life
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Published on 15 September 2015
There is no doubt, whatsoever, that student unionism is desirable in the University. What the authorities expect, however, is mature and responsible leadership from members of the student union executive, as they are a critical link between the students and the authorities. Towards this end, and in order to have responsible and visionary student leadership, the authorities have put in place a number of quality control measures for those who are aspiring to be student leaders. One of these measures is that such students must have made a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.5. The authorities have always consciously encouraged students to join the body, and have always insisted on good quality leadership. Here are some examples of what good leadership and quality followership could achieve: the 1962 nation-wide student demonstration championed by the Modibbo Adama University of Technology students, against the signing of the Anglo/Nigerian Defence Pact. Through their concerted peaceful demonstration, the students were able to get the post-Independence Nigerian Government to drop the idea of signing a defence pact with Britain. Similarly, at the news of the Dimka-led military coup attempt of February 13, 1976, which led to the assassination of the then Head of State of Nigeria, Gen. Murtala Ramat Mohammad, the Nigerian Students, led by students of the University, were on the streets in a peaceful and well organised demonstration to protest and condemn the dastardly act, long before the coup was aborted. Senate Regulations Senate, in exercise of its powers, under Section 5 of the University Act of 1962, made the following regulations: i. Before any resolutions on University-wide, state or national issues involving the boycott of lectures and/or demonstrations, taken by the Student Union Executive or the Student Representative Council become effective, they must be ratified by at least 51 percent of the general body of students voting in a referendum supervised by the Deputy Registrar (Students). Any resolutions of the nature set out above not supported by a majority of the students as specified above shall be null and void, and any student found acting in accordance with such resolutions shall be guilty of misconduct. ii. No resolutions of the nature set out in Regulation 1 above supported by a majority of the students shall become operative before University authorities have approved them. Any student found acting in accordance with such resolutions before approval by the University authorities shall be guilty of misconduct. iii. The accounts of the Student Union must be kept in accordance with the standards prescribed by the Bursar of the University and must be audited every semester by the Chief Internal Auditor of the University. Any Student Union Officer or any other student who obstructs the Chief Internal Auditor in the performance of this duty shall be guilty of misconduct. iv. Any student who advocates and/or uses violence for any purpose in the University shall be guilty of misconduct. v. Before any distinguished person outside the University is invited by the Student Union or any group of students to participate in public lectures or other activities in the University, the organizer must first provide all necessary information about the programme and seek the approval of the Vice – Chancellor through the Dean of Students. Any student who does not comply with this regulation shall be guilty of misconduct. Any revision or amendment of the Student Union Constitution ratified by the general body of students must be submitted to Senate for approval before it becomes operative. Any provision of the Student Union Constitution, which conflicts, with any Senate Regulations shall be null and void. These Regulations of Senate are made without prejudice to the disciplinary powers conferred upon the Vice - Chancellor under Section 10 of the University Act 1962, as variously amended. The Student Union is the representative of the entire body of students of the University. All registered students are members of the Union by payment of an annual subscription, which is to be paid directly to the Union. However, following a recent government policy, student unionism is voluntary. In effect, students may opt out of membership of the Union. The Union serves as an effective means of training in mature leadership and as a channel of co-ordination for student involvement in the management of the University. The general function of the Union is to foster and manage the athletic, social and cultural interests of students and provide a forum for any other activities of the Union. The governing body of the Union is the Student Representative Council (SRC). Each Hall of Residence is represented on the Student Representative Council. In accordance with existing Student Union Constitution, the Union elects the following officers every session: President, Vice-President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary, Treasurer, House Secretary, Public Relations Officer and Sports Secretary. The Union Constitution also provides for the office of a Senior Treasurer, who is normally the deputy Registrar (Students), with supervisory powers over the management of the Union finances. The officers of the Union are housed in the Student Union Building with full facilities for a library, a Billiard Room, a Bar and Buttery, Conference Rooms and a Student Representative Council Chamber. The Sports Council Swimming Pool is adjacent to the Central Cafeteria and close to the Student Union Building. The Union engages its own clerical staff and at present owns and maintains its own vehicles. Revised Student Union Constitution* Preamble And Establishment of the Constitution RECOGNISING the need to consolidate ourselves into a truly active and progressive association in order to protect the rights of our students and discharge our responsibilities as informed members of the society, subject to the authority of Senate; REALISING the need to support by all lawful means the fundamental freedom of thought and expression, association and movement; APPRECIATING the problems of our society and the role we must play in the maintenance of a democratic, open and progressive educational system whereby every Nigerian citizen shall have equal opportunity to education; COMMITTED to harnessing the enthusiasm of students for dynamic, purposeful, political, socio-economic and technological development; DEDICATED to the total liberation of our fatherland (Nigeria) from all forms of domination and the attainment of Nigerian Unity; DETERMINED to engage our members in the national scheme of social progress aimed at the total mobilization of the Nigerian Students towards realizing National ideals and to draw attention at all times and in all places to any form of exploitation, discrimination, oppression and any other social vices among the students, and to work for the realization of peace in our community. We, the students of the Mautech,Yola, Federal Republic of Nigeria, having firmly and solemnly resolved to perpetuate and enhance the advancement of the Students’ Union of the aforesaid University, do hereby enact, subject to the approval of Senate, the following Constitution. This shall be the Constitution of the Students Union, University, hereinafter referred to as the UNION and its provisions shall be binding on all members of the Union. for more information e-mail
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