By: Oyekanmi ABIODUN [Politikz]

Following the sad news of the untimely cancellation of Political Science department dinner, we (POSSPRESS Organisation) reached out to the Social Director, Mr. Mourah Christopher (Colombo) to register his views concerning the situation. Here is what he has to say.

WHEN PRECISELY HAS THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL BEEN CONTEMPLATING ON CANCELLING THE DEPARTMENTAL DINNER BEFORE IT EVENTUAL ANNOUNCEMENT TODAY?

This morning actually.

WHAT FACTORS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CANCELLATION OF THE EVENT? GIVEN THAT YOU ONLY RECENTLY PRESENTED THE BUDGET BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE ON WEDNESDAY?

Well, the major factor that necessitated the cancellation was the low turnout of sales of the dinner tickets.

HOW DID YOU RECEIVE THE NEWS OF THE CANCELLATION?

To be honest, I was and is still very unhappy and sad about it.

“WE WILL GIVE NAPSSITES A BEFITTING DINNER” THIS WERE YOUR WORDS JUST RECENTLY. AS THE SOCIAL DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT DO YOU THINK THIS IS A FAILURE ON YOUR PART? CONSIDERING DINNER IS ONE OF THE MAJOR EVENT IN THE DEPARTMENT ANNUALLY.

I stand to be corrected, I never said we will give NAPSSites a befitting dinner. I only said that the dinner was going to hold if we get positive response from our potential sponsors.

SIR, YES YOU SAID YOU WERE LOOKING FORWARD TO SPONSORS, BUT YOU EQUALLY ASSURED THERE WILL BE A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE FOR NAPSSITES. IN SPITE OF THAT, THIS IS ONE OF YOUR MAJOR RESPONSIBILITY, DO YOU THINK YOU HAVE FAILED NAPSSITES WITH THIS DEVELOPMENT?

To some extent I have failed NAPSSites and I am really sorry about that and wish I could make it up to them.

BACKGROUND CHECK REVEALED THAT THE DINNER COMMITTEE HAS BEEN INEFFECTIVE. PARTICULARLY THAT THE WHATSAPP PLATFORM HAS NOT EVEN BEEN PUT TO USE FOR WEEKS NOW. WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THIS?

I have no response on this because I was not the person that appointed the members of the committee ab initio.

WAIT, SO WHO APPOINTED THE MEMBERS?

Mr. President did.

CONSTITUTIONALLY, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL THE SOCIAL ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT. DO YOU THINK IT IS OUT OF PLACE FOR THE PRESIDENT TO HAVE DONE THIS?

He already explained that he had to do that because I was unreachable when the list was sent to the house.

SO WHY DID YOU REFUSE TO WORK WITH THE COMMITTEE SINCE YOU HAVE BEEN GIVEN EXPLANATION?

I didn’t refuse to work with them, just that the committee I initially wanted to work with revolted.

REVOLTED ABOUT WHAT? BEING SIDELINED?

Exactly, they felt I sidelined them, but it was just a misunderstanding between Mr. President and I. And I couldn’t get them to work with me cause the list has already been approved by the House.

TO AVOID SITUATIONS LIKE THIS, COULDN’T YOU HAVE WRITTEN TO THE HOUSE, REQUESTING TO BE ALLOWED TO SEND A NEW LIST?

I felt the House is also at fault to some extent for approving a list of social committee that wasn’t sent and duly signed from my office. So I saw no need requesting to be allowed to resend a new list.

DO YOU THINK THIS IS EQUALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CANCELLATION, GIVEN THAT PUBLICITY HAD BEEN POOR AS WELL?

To be honest this really doesn’t matter at this point, because I really feel bad for not having a finalist dinner.

BUT SIR, YOU STILL NEED TO ANSWER THE QUESTION?

(Smiles) I answered it already, what I think about the reason for the cancelation doesn’t matter sir.

THE PEOPLE WHO ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES TO CARRY OUT ACTIVITIES ON THEIR BEHALF DESERVES TO KNOW THE TRUTH, THAT MUCH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OWES THEM. YOUR RESPONSE TO THE QUESTION AGAIN SIR.

To be honest this really doesn’t matter at this point, because I really feel bad for not having a finalist dinner.

YOU ARE STILL AVOIDING MY QUESTION SIR. AND IT IS UNFORTUNATE. MR. COLOMBO, DO YOU THINK THE FACT THAT THE DINNER COMMITTEE WAS CONSTITUTED BY THE PRESIDENT AND NOT YOU IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS UNFORTUNATE SITUATION?

I don’t think so sir.

THANK YOU. DO YOU THINK THIS OCCURRENCE WILL AFFECT THE ACHIEVEMENTS THE EXCELLENCE TEAM HAS MADE THIS SESSION?

Nope, it won’t.

DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO SAY TO THE STUDENTS WHO HAVE SUFFERED DIFFERENT LOGISTICAL COSTS BEFORE NOW, PARTICULARLY WAITING FOR THE DINNER, OF WHICH THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL CANNOT REFUND?

On behalf of myself and the executives I really apologize to the entirety of NAPSSites who have in one or the other been affected by the cancelation of the annual NAPSS dinner, those that paid or bought dinner tickets should be rest assured that their money will be refunded to them ASAP.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME SIR. HAVE A GOOD NIGHT REST.