The Empty Seat: A Shame We All Share

By: Oluwabukolami Adaramoye

Constitutionally in RENARSA, according to article III section I sub-section II, there is a list of ten executive offices to be occupied by Renarsaites. During the previous election, eight forms were bought by then aspirants. These eight, however, went unopposed except for the two candidates that were aspiring for the presidential post, leaving three empty seats during the election.

The empty seats from the last election were Sports Minister, Treasurer and the Public Relations Officer (PRO). Occupants of these offices were to be later elected via by-election. The forms were thrown out for the students to purchase and show interest. The offices of the Sports Minister and the Treasurer have been settled through the By-Election. More thrilling is the fact that the office of the Public Relations Officer has been left empty even after the third week of the second semester. No candidate has shown genuine interest, and it seems that nobody wants to come up for the positions. This shows the level of apathy Renarsaites possess.

The PRO is subjected to duties like the association’s publications and publicity, creating links of communication between students and the executive board, protecting and projecting the image of the faculty on and beyond the campus. These and other duties were stated in Article III Section III Number 4 in the responsibilities of the executive body.

An empty PRO seat represents more than just a vacancy. It indicates a faculty that speaks less than it ought to, lost opportunities, and poor communication. It is also a stark reminder of how silent our leadership has become. The Public Relations Officer (PRO) is the voice of a faculty. The one who keeps members informed, promotes our image beyond the walls of campus, and ensures transparency in communication. Yet, in RENARSA today, that crucial seat remains embarrassingly empty.

This is a shame not only on those who once sought leadership but failed to step up, but also on us as a faculty. How did a community of intelligent, capable students fail to produce even one person willing to take on this mantle? Is this the face of political apathy or simply a lack of accountability among Renarsaites? When genuine service is needed, silence suddenly fills the room.

Even more concerning is the silence of our Student Legislative Council. They were tasked with maintaining order and representation, yet the SLC has shown little urgency in addressing this gap. Are they truly protecting our interests, or have they reduced leadership to titles and manifestos while neglecting the duties that keep our faculty alive? Publicizing the form for the office of the PRO has rather met uncapable hands in the SLC than expected.

The absence of a PRO is not just an empty voice; it’s a mirror that reflects our attitude as students. Do we crave leadership solely for titles and accolades, or are we truly ready to serve when duty calls? Renarsaites, are we proud of this silence, or quietly ashamed of it?

If leadership is genuinely about service, then this void is a test of our shared obligation. Renarsaites, unless someone step up to fill that chair, the question remains: are we students of action, or just students of applause? When leadership falls vacant, accountability doesn’t just weaken but it becomes a forgotten word. This is not a call to the members of the faculty to rise and take the position, instead this is to shame every member that can take up responsibilities like this but has kept quiet. Responsibilities that could reform and transform this shaken leadership. An administration that is like a three wheeled bus would not only move faster, but it would also fall under the place of no progress.