By: Oyekanmi ABIODUN [Politikz]

It was a ‘black Friday’ evening for students’ of Political Science department as the Public Relations Officer announced the cancellation of the forthcoming departmental dinner. Lots of mixed reactions have followed. The POSSPRESS Organisation reached out to the President of the department. In this interview, he shared his thoughts on the issue. Hear from him.

POSSPRESS: It is a sudden news that the departmental dinner has been cancelled, can you give us a comprehensive reason that led to this development?

TOM: Well, we regret to announce the cancellation. We found it painful doing so as many of us anticipated it with high hopes. But it turned out that as at 8 pm, 6th of March, only 40 students have purchased the dinner ticket. All our intending sponsors are yet to make financial commitment. With little at hand, it’s better not to continue with it than make a flop!

POSSPRESS: Where comes the place of being proactive in this development? Because this information came rather too late considering that it is the only thing keeping people behind on campus.

TOM: Absolutely! As at 1 pm today, some of the sponsors gave words of reassurance to make contributions. But till present, they haven’t given vent to their promises. We can no longer depend on such. Faced with reality, we must do the needful! Besides, we hoped many would have purchased tickets. But facts prove otherwise!

POSSPRESS: The executive council presented a proposed budget of N408,600 to the House on Tuesday. Are you saying the executive council do not already have sufficient funds and only relying on ‘promises’ to organize this event and yet still presented such huge budget?

TOM: Of course, the members of the department have a great role to play. If they don’t purchase the ticket and show willingness to participate in the Dinner, we cannot fabricate funds. What we intend by raising funds outside the sale on ticket is to complement with funds raised rather than substitute the sale of tickets for sourced funds.

POSSPRESS: So, how do you think this has affected the works your Excellence Team has done all through the session?

TOM: The cancellation has never in a way affected the works of our administration. We have only ₦35,800 to run the administration. We sourced for #435,000 from outside (aside our personal monies that run into hundreds of thousand) to run the department to implement our programs. If we couldn’t raise any extra for the Dinner, I don’t think anyone would call for our heads. Dinner is a paid event. Had we had a good turn out, it would have been dope. We deliver on our promises, Dinner won’t detract from it, though we left no stone unturned to make it a reality.

POSSPRESS: Since the challenge is basically low turnout as you have claimed. Don’t you think this has further given credence to the accusation that this administration has been poor in the area of inclusiveness?

TOM: That’s untrue. We have the same group of people planning both cultural night and Dinner. The former was a huge success while the latter was called off to forestall failure. There was inclusion of people in both. The difference between them is one is paid for the other wasn’t!

POSSPRESS: Do you see this affecting the incoming administration headed by a member of the present executive council?

TOM: Never at all! The next administration will certainly be taking note of the little challenges in this administration, learn from and build on its success and avoid the little pitfalls it has encountered.

POSSPRESS: Finally sir, what do you have to say to general NAPSSites as regards this situation?

TOM: We sincerely apologize to those who paid for the dinner. Your hope might have been dashed but know that the department will come out stronger in the next administration. We must take solace in the fact that NAPSS has never disappointed. The inability of others to play their path led us into the cancellation of the Dinner. We urge everyone to respond promptly when they are called on for events, for only then can we together salvage the department and make it better.

Making the department of primary interest is the best way to make it work. Note that all monies will be refunded. All awardees will be honored. Ensure maximum cooperation with the next administration to make their plans scale through. Accord all members of the Excellence Team their honor, for they toiled and sweated out their strength for the NAPSS they love with practically little or no incentive. The road has not been easy, yet they sacrificed their all to make their mark. I still have an undying love for NAPSS and every member of the Association. Till I come your way next time…

POSSPRESS: Thank you for your time sir. Have a good night rest.