Update on the ongoing FATSSSA Constitutional Review 2021/22 Session
---By Glorious Olajire
On Friday, the 14th of April, 2023 in the
sunlit room of 019 at the faculty premises, the 8th legislative
sitting of the Faculty of the Social Sciences Students Association was held.
The agenda included a report on the Constitutional Review Committee which was
presented to the house by its chairman, Mr Olayiwola Idris Alao, of 400-level
psychology.
According to the Amended
Version of the Faculty of the Social Sciences Students’ Association in Chapter
7, Article 21, Section ix:
“(ix)In the case of a Constitution Review, it shall be the exclusive
preserve of the House to initiate the process. However, not less than 3 years’
space of time must elapse between the last review process and the proposed one
of the Faculty of the Social Sciences Students’ Association”
The time has come for a
constitutional review process. This group, of which its members are listed
below, is charged with the sacred duty of making the necessary recommendations
to the house. The organs they represent are listed in front of their names:
1. Koleosho Samuel Opeoluwa Psychology- FHR
2. Amori Adebisi Oluwafunmilola Sociology-
Congress
3 Olayiwola Idris Alao Psychology- Congress
4 Oyelami samuel opeyemi Sociology- Press
5. Oyedeji Oyejare Jnr Sociology- FHR
6. Oyekanmi Faiz Adekola Geography- FHR
7. Tawakalitu Olaoluwa- Executive
8. Babatunde Akinoluwa- Executive
9. Otegbeye Samuel Oluwayanife- Press
10. Onyinyechi Francis Sociology - FHR
This article would demystify what his report
read, what the constitution says and the implication of these proposed changes
on the Faculty of The Social Sciences Students’ Association. Answers will be
provided to some questions that you might have about the Constitutional Review
Process.
It also has 5 fun facts about the
constitutional Review Process and an interview with the chairman with Mr.
Olayiwola Idris Alao.
What were the recommendations made to the House
During the 8th
Legislative sitting, the committee chairman, made these recommendations:
1.
To increase the 1% of basic dues for FATSSSA Press to 3%
The Amended version of the constitution in chapter 3, article 10,
section (ii),(i), subsection :
“(II)It shall not in any way be an adjunct
to any of the other organs of the Association, but shall be autonomous, but
shall receive 1% of the total basic dues seasonally
(III)Notwithstanding the provision of the sub-section (II), the
press can present a budget to the House, if need be, for approval”
This means that instead of receiving 1% of the basic dues as is needed
by FATSSSA Press to carry out journalistic procedures, the press would get 3%,
with the ability to present a budget to the house if need be.
2.
To increase the 1% for the Literary and Debate Society to 2%
The Amended version of the constitution in chapter 3, article 10, section(ii),(j)
subsection:
“(II)It shall not in any way be an adjunct
of any of the other organs of the association and shall be autonomous but shall
receive 1% of the total basic dues seasonally.
(III) Notwithstanding the provision of the sub-section (II), The
FATSSSA Literary and Debating Society can present a budget to the House for
programme of activities.”
This would mean that instead of receiving 1% of the basic dues, The
FATSSSA Literary and Debating Society would get 2%, with the ability to present
a budget to the house if need be.
3.
To remove Chapter 4, section (i), sub-section (II) because of
similar content in Chapter 4, section (ii), subsection (II).
The Amended version of the constitution in
chapter 4, section(i), subsection (II):
“(II) A member of the Association holding elective post in one of the
Departmental Associations or in the Halls of Residence is not eligible to
contest, except he resigned his previous post”
The Amended version of the constitution in
chapter 4, section(i), subsection (II):
“(II) A
member of the Association holding elective post in one of the Department
Associations or the Halls of Residence shall not be eligible to contest for any
of the posts in Article 6 or in the FHR, except he/she resigns from his current
post. Such resignation must be made public at least 24 hours before the
screening exercise.”
These two references are indeed similar
with the latter providing a more detailed explanation of the Amended version of
the Constitutions’ response to the rules for contesting in an election in for
the executive council in FATSSSA. This includes the office of the President,
Vice President, General Secretary, Assistant General Secretary, Public
Relations Officer, Financial Secretary, Treasurer, Social Director and Sports
Director.
4.
To restate the gender-sensitive address of the President
The Amended version of the constitution in
chapter 2, article 8, section(i) sub-section(I):
“(I) The
President shall be the number one student of the Association and shall be
addressed as Mr. President Sir “
This recommendation here is to include
a provision, Mr. or Madame President for when FATSSSAITES elect a female
president.
5.
To change the provisions of Mr. President’s veto power
The Amended version of the constitution in
chapter 2, article 8, section(i) sub-section (VIII):
“(VIII)
He shall have a veto power on any matter which is tabled before the Executive
Council, in which the EXCO cannot decide on, or reach a consensus “
This recommendation here is that
instead of the president’s veto power, two-thirds of the executive should make
the decision.
6.
To change the provisions of the Financial Secretary’s report
making
The Amended version of the constitution in
chapter 2, article 8, section(v) sub-section (IV):
“(IV)
Shall submit sessional financial report to the President and the FATSSSA House
of Representatives (FHR) “
This recommendation here is to change
the submission of financial report to monthly.
7.
To make IFEC a standing committee
This means that IFEC - The
Independent FATSSSA Electoral Commission would be sustainable across sessions
and have the ability to have its members to be transferred across electoral
processes in subsequent sessions.
This would mean that
●
IFEC would be able to choose its own Chairman and secretary
In Chapter 3, Article 10, section (i), sub-section (VI)
“(VI) There shall be a Chairman
and a secretary who shall either be nominated in the case of ad hoc committees,
elected by committee members in the case of Standing Committee or as may have
been expressly stipulated in other relevant portions of this constitution”
●
IFEC will have the ability to make bye laws
In Chapter 3, Article 10, section (i), sub-section (IX)
“(IX) In the case of Standing Committees, they shall have the power to
make bye laws for the efficient discharge of their duties, subject to the
approval of the FHR.”
8.
To increase the number of representatives from each level and
departments.
The Amended version of the constitution in
chapter 6, article 15, section(i) sub-section (II):
“(II)
There shall be 1 or 2 co-opted members by the Executive Council, none of whom
shall be a final year student. Co-opted members cannot contest for the post of
the Principal Offices of the House “
To recommendation is to change to 4
co-opted members
This would mean that the executive can
recommend 4 FATSSAITES to be members of the house.
9.
To increase the number of tenure for house members to 3 academic
sessions
The Amended version of the constitution in
chapter 4, article 11, section(iv) sub-section (II):
“(II)
Members shall not hold offices for more than two academic sessions after which
the candidate shall be constitutionally ineligible to seek re-election “
This recommendation here is to change
it to 3 sessions.
This would mean that members of the house could
return to the house for three academic sessions.
How will these recommendations pass?
The committee would present its report to the
house, after the house approves it, a call for a congress of social scientists
will be made. Congress will have to approve and ratify it. This can be found in
chapter 7, article 21, section(xi) of the amended version of the constitution.
How will copies of the new constitution be distributed?
According to Chapter 1, article 5, section iv
of the FATSSSA constitution, as a financial member of FATSSSA,
“(iv)All financial members shall be entitled to FATSSSA packages at a
fee, and
which shall be provided by the EXCO and approved by 2/3 majority of the
House. At its regular sitting. A copy of the FATSSSA constitution must be
included in the Package for fresh 100L, Direct entry and transfer students”
According to Chapter 3,
Article 10 section (ii), g, sub-section (VIII) as an aspirant for an elected post
in FATSSSA,
“(VIII)Shall upon the payment of stipulated fees, provide a copy of the
FATSSSA Constitution to all aspirants into all elective posts.”
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