Evolution and dynamics are very interesting measures that occur over time in all spheres of life, as long as humans are involved. The situation of the Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources Students Association (RENARSA) is not an exception to this important life “rule”. Since inception in 2017, different administrations have come with diverse promises, some fulfilled, others existing only on the manifesto papers.
An important production of every administration is the souvenir. Last session, the Team Ascension could not produce any asides in the yearly book largely due to economic constraints. This article intends to spotlight and unravel what really went down with the team Ascension package distribution.
The package for the last session (2023/2024) is currently being distributed by Team Ascension through the class representatives across levels in all departments in the faculty. This, in all ways, is different from how it has been in RENARSA. Again, change. The package for each session, in previous years, was distributed at the end of each session, even as early as 8th week in some administrations.
Addressing the cause of this delay, the former president, Oyeniyi Israel had this to say. “The delay in production was not intentional. The number of people who had paid dues when we were ready to produce was very low and it would be very expensive to produce with that number. We had to delay a bit because people were still paying dues even till the week before we handed over to the new executives”
On the method of dissemination, different channels have been explored by previous executives to ensure smooth distribution of souvenirs. Some of them are: distribution by the executives, especially through the financial secretary and treasurer by presentation of basic dues receipt and sometimes through RENARSA Students’ Legislative Council representatives of each class. The efficiency of these methods cannot exactly be assessed, but a constant cause between both is the presentation of Faculty dues payment receipts.Team Ascension decided to distribute their packages through the class representatives of each department across all levels.
This new development has brought questions to the heart of many as to how the recent graduates will receive theirs, the burden on class reps to distribute, and the level of supervision by the executives.
Speaking to the former president, he mentioned that, “The class representatives are closer to the students than the executives, and they’ll be able to get to them faster and easier than we would. It also saves time by asking everyone to bring their receipts and queue for their packages.” He mentioned that for the graduates, most of them had received their packages stating the distribution through class reps before they left. He also stated that 65-70% of the graduates have received their package and those who were not around gave directives on where to and how they could receive their package.
A class representative, who pleaded anonymity disclosed that it went well and smoothly on his end. Being their practical year, it was easy to have it distributed to members of the class immediately it was received because they were all available at that moment. Another class representative mentioned she has been contacted, but she hasn’t shared any, which means her classmates haven’t received their books.To understand how the process played out beyond the current students, a recent graduate, Oyindamola, a recent graduate of the department of Forest Production and Products stated they were reached out to receive their books at the Faculty.
Ultimately, the package distribution channel used this session allowed an all-round collection, without request for last sessions basic dues receipt which is commendable. Moving on, to ensure that every Renarsaite gets their package irrespective of the time of payment, the executives were urged to produce according to the number of students in the faculty because in the end, everyone pays the faculty dues as it is a prerequisite for the faculty registration.
While steps are being taken to ensure everyone gets their package, the current executives under the leadership of Israel Oyebanji, the foreman of Team Providence, should avoid late production of packages in a bid to ensure timely distribution.
Halimat Sunmonu
Editor’s Note: *Name(s) with asterisk is not the real name of respondent(s) who wants their identity protected.
RENARSA PRESS UI 