With the emergence of a New Student Government Administration, ACW-UA Press had an interview session with the newly elected SUG President, Mr. Abdullahi Bashir Muhammad, a 600level Vet Med student.
ACW-UA PRESS : Congratulations on your recent election win, Mr. Bashir. What motivated you to run for the position of SUG President, and what are your primary goals for your term in office?
BASHIR : My motivation is the desire to change the status quo. The unwavering desire to make a difference, to help others and change the Students governance for the better.
My primary goals:
1. Creating a state (of the union) where interests of the students become the topmost priority and therefore well protected vis-a-vis protection and promotion of their intellectual, social, moral and cultural exertions.
2. Ensuring that the voices of students are heard, considered and reflected in decision makings that either directly or indirectly affect them.
3. Protecting the mutual interests of the Union and the University as well as nurturing mutual circumstance and understanding amongst students and between students and the general populace.
4. Establishing a strong and reliable communication link between the Union, authorities of the University and external entities in matters of mutual interests as well as projecting the Union's recognition to a greater horizon at both national and global scale.
5. Changing the narration of students welfarism on campus.
ACW-UA PRESS : The University of Abuja faces various challenges. How do you plan to address issues such as shuttle struggles, academic quality, and student welfare during your tenure?
BASHIR : The issue of shuttle struggle will be addressed via liaison with the school management to increase the number of school owned buses as well looking at the possibility of involving private transportation establishments.
On academic quality, the University management has already established units that are handy in making sure that students are given quality service. These are the popular servicom unit and the newly established quality assurance unit. So, with proper utilisation of these units, academic quality is assured.
ACW-UA PRESS: Transparency and accountability are crucial in leadership roles. How do you intend to ensure transparency in your administration's activities, especially concerning financial matters and decision-making processes?
BASHIR : On transparency and accountability, both financial and otherwise, the Union has the SRA arm and also the Union Account Committee under standing committees to oversee all these. As the President, I am more than willing to cooperate and assist them in discharging their duties. Besides, protecting my name, dignity and integrity is paramount. Therefore, doing otherwise here stated is contrary to my mantras as a person.
ACW-UA PRESS : Student engagement and representation are vital aspects of your role. How do you plan to actively involve students in the decision-making process and ensure their voices are heard?
BASHIR : My belief is that for the Union to progress, students must be carried along in decision making. That's why it's called a union, not an individual enterprise. Therefore, taking cognisance and working with faculties and departmental presidents as well as class representatives will go a long way to ensuring inclusivity.
ACW-UA PRESS : Student safety and security on campus are paramount. What strategies do you have in place to enhance campus security and create a safe environment for all students?
BASHIR : We have a fully functional safety unit. What we have to work on is to strengthen our relationship with the unit and create a platform for students to register their concerns. This will pave a way for the Union to easily know what are the concerns, their sources, and relate them to the Unit and consequently come up with solutions. But we all have to note that the issue of safety and security is a collective responsibility and never an individual's.
ACW-UA PRESS : Collaboration with university administration and faculty and departmental leadership is essential for implementing meaningful changes. How do you plan to foster positive relationships with university officials and work together to address common concerns?
BASHIR : I believe that the Union and the University, faculties and departmental leaderships share a common goal and vision of having a greater UofA. With that, we just have to work on how to make the collaboration effective and result oriented by working on honest and open communication, trust, respect and having clearly defined roles and responsibilities. And sincerely speaking, the importance of collaboration can never be overemphasized especially in the realm of limited resources.
ACW-UA PRESS : Student organizations and extracurricular activities contribute significantly to campus life. How do you intend to support and empower student clubs and associations to enrich the overall student experience?
BASHIR : On student organisations, clubs and associations, the Union has a role to play and they all have theirs to play as well. My administration is willing to work with and support them. This will equally advance extracurricular activities as most of the mentioned organize one or two activities in a semester. This adds to what the union is directly organizing.
ACW-UA PRESS : As SUG President, you'll be representing the student body in various forums. How do you plan to advocate for student interests at both local and national levels, particularly concerning policies that affect students?
BASHIR: Well, this forms the core part of my primary goals. So, referring to them will be much better. But we're ready to go to any legally bound extent to advocate that.
ACW-UA PRESS : Finally, leadership often comes with challenges and obstacles. How do you plan to handle potential conflicts or disagreements within the SUG and ensure that your administration remains focused on its goals and responsibilities?
BASHIR : These are actually expected. They can be addressed by creating clearly defined individual roles and responsibilities, setting ground rules for how disagreements should be handled, encouraging open and honest communication and constructive feedback, and so on. Believe me that the Union's constitution has addressed most of these.
ACW-UA PRESS : As SUG President, what are your vision, plans and goals for the student community?
BASHIR : My plan is to work hard but smartly from day one relentlessly while carrying everyone along. My best is just what I planned to offer.
My visions:
1. A student community that has a say in the decision making processes of the Union and the University(where applicable).
2. A student community with strong mutual respect, coexistence and harmony amongst its members.
3. A student union with an effective and trustworthy relationship with the University management and external entities.
4. A student community that enjoys welfare in all its applied rami.
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