Friday, September 20, 2013

“I WAS NOT IMPLANTED, AND I AM NOT BEING USED…” LUCKY, MAXWELL SOYE (UNIPORT SUG PRESIDENT) DECLARES!

In what seemed to be a long-awaited opportunity to clear the air on speculations making the grounds that he was implanted into office by 'The Vice Chancellor' (who coincidentally is his kinsman) and being used by the School Management, the Interim Students’ Union President, Rt. Hon Maxwell Soye in a chat with CAMPUS WATCH MAGAZINE completely debunked these speculations but rather reiterated his readiness to welcome constructive criticisms that will aid the effective representation of Unique Nigerian Students.
Maxwell, a final year student of Industrial Chemistry/Petroleum Engineering in the School of Science Laboratory Technology (SSLT) prior to his ascension to the SUG Presidency was the Acting Speaker of the Student’s Union Parliament. In this chat, he explained that he even became speaker after he emerged as Deputy Speaker (winning in 9 out of 11 faculties) at the 2011 SUG election which interestingly, failed to produce a Speaker due to what is popularly known in the Students’ Union parlance as “CGPA wahala”. He further explained that when the 2012 election was marred by irregularities and consequently annulled hence unable to produce a President, Vice President and other officers, the Vice Chancellor then called for the set up of an interim government to be headed by the immediate past Speaker (who is actually the rightful person to take over power in the absence of the President and Vice President) and assisted by the Chief Judge and faculty Presidents. Rt. Hon Soye further revealed that at the time of the appointment of the interim government, he was not aware and was only informed by the then Secretary-elect, Comrade Saqik, that he was to head the government. Maxwell Soye further disclosed that the Vice Chancellor does mean well for the students even in the face of challenges rocking the educational sector; stating that the VC is poised to improve the status quo of the University and better the life of students on campus.
CAMPUS WATCH MAGAZINE can recall that the current Vice chancellor had personally intervened in matters concerning the Students Union on inception of office by transforming the electoral process to a manner that all can freely participate; one that makes difficult the concept of rigging and institution of tribal sentiments into the process. He had also annulled the election which was widely adjudged to be marred with irregularities. The restored accreditation of the College of Health Sciences and obtained accreditation of faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Dentistry and Department of Nursing, elevation of faculty of science and School of Graduate Studies to colleges, the institution of the Department of Music, the many educational forums and inaugural lectures being held in the university, the many ongoing buildings of faculties and departments, to mention but a few, all give credence to the VC’s determination to truly transform the University of Port Harcourt, for the benefits of all, to a unique citadel of learning and excellent education in tandem with the vision of the founding fathers of the University.   
Responding to questions on the state of the hostel facilities, the SUG helmsman admitted that some of the hostels are in a pitiable condition and recounted his efforts towards mitigating the issue of poor state of hostels while he was acting Speaker which proved abortive. He however assured Unique students that efforts are on the way for a proper renovation of the hostels. He thanked the new Dean of Students affairs for ensuring proper allocation of hostels and a cut down on hostel fees. He recounted the achievements of his administrations in the areas of arresting the menace of extortion of N2500 in the name of signing Court affidavit, reduction and stabilization of transport fares on campus (though adding that some of the rich students have always not helped matters and are ready to pay whatsoever even when the Union is busy clamoring for a reduction in fares). He further stated that the Union also tried her best to ensure security and order on campus especially during the ALUU 4 incidence writing to the Ministry of Education and security agencies to intervene on the issue among other efforts. He also divulged to CAMPUS WATCH that his administration was able to intercept a violent protest on ALUU which would have caused untoward mayhem and a likely communal clash. He praised the Chief Security Officer for collaborating with the Union in fighting cultism on campus. He also hinted on the campaign being raised by his administration in the fight against indecent dressing on campus   
Compiled by
  Ebirim Joseph O.  

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