The Political Science Students' Representative Council of Obafemi Awolowo University, hosted dignitaries, Lecturers and students in its first-ever parliamentary summit themed "Building the Nigeria dream: The role of the legislature and advantage of Policy Making". The summit was held on Tuesday, 6 December, 2022 under the leadership of Hon. Oluwatobi Oluwaseun Faturoti, the Political Science Students' Representative Speaker.
The PSSRC Speaker, Faturoti Oluwatobi Seun in his welcome address gives all thanks to God for making the event a possibility and he reiterates the reason why youth especially students can no longer sit on the fence or take the back sit in the affairs that shape their lives. In his words "as students of politics and citizens of Nigeria, we cannot afford to be disinterested in the issues of nation building because in there lies our dream future ambitions and aspirations. So, therefore we can't continue to be feelings pessimistic but rather face the challenges by looking for lasting solutions."
The Honourable member of the Osun state House of Assembly representing the Oriade constituency, Hon. Babatunde Desmond Ojo commended the speaker of the PSSRC on his doggedness in making the event a reality. he buttresses the issue of building Nigeria that it is a collective effort, not a man's job nor is it something that will happen overnight. Citing himself as an example; "l thinks politics is a devil's discipline "I had to join, leave the cooperate world and join politics" the Honorable said. He admonished the audience saying; "you will have to queue into the sector where your dream can be actualized and take politics matter serious that is when we can begin the process of nation building."
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| OAU Students Representative Council hosted Dignitaries and Lecturers in Summit | Image credit: OAU |
The chief whip of the Osun State House of Assembly , Hon. Babatunde Lekan Olatunji dissected the theme holistically by highlighting the importance of legislation in a democratic government, he said any form of government can have its executive in any firm maybe in a presidential or parliamentary or tyrannical or monarchical. Executive will always exist but parliament only has its full expression in a democratic government. He states further that "the most voluminous constitution in the world is that of the people of India and the least is that of the province of Monaco but when living conditions GDP per capital and prosperity of these two state is place side by side, Monaco seems to be doing well by far, so it not by the volume of the policy the legislature implemented that determines the prosperity of the country that is why quality leadership must be stressed when electing leaders into public offices." He ended his speech with a resounding assurance that the future is still bright in Nigeria.
With a standing ovation, the audience and members of the high table welcome the Hon. Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye as he mounted the podium with excitement sang the great ìfẹ́ anthem to honor and further reiterated the fact that he is also a great alumnus of the citadel of learning.
The sixteen years serving honorable stated with the full singing praises of the PSSRC Honorable speaker, he began his speech with a rhetorical question, is there a future for Nigeria?
The speaker continued his speech stating "that Nigeria is in the place it is today due to individuals chasing individuals interest and not the collective interest of the society, the Nigeria dream, where everyone is given equal opportunity"
He reiterated comically stating "for us not to jápa there must be something to jáje" and for us to get to where we want to be it takes "collective responsibility."
The event featured the presentation of awards to the guests, giveaways, music, merriment and lots more. Policymakers of Osun State House of Assembly representing various constituencies were in attendance and also some notable Great Ife Students' Union leaders .