Assessing Opeyemi Adebamiji's Health and Welfare Manifesto

 

By: Ayodele Abigeal 

The Health and Welfare Minister of the Agronomy Club, University of Ibadan, Barakat Opeyemi Adebamiji, has accounted for the implementation of commitments in her THRIVE Agenda, highlighting initiatives carried out during her tenure and areas where implementation remains limited or incomplete.

Opeyemi's manifesto focused on promoting mental and physical wellness, providing emergency and welfare support during activities, and fostering a healthy environment.

Under mental wellness, she pledged to organise mental health days, awareness talks and peer-support sessions. According to Opeyemi, flyers had been circulated in the previous semester and at the beginning of the current semester, while a physical awareness session was scheduled for Tuesday.

"It's not supposed to be a one-time event," she explained, adding that the physical session would allow students to ask questions.

She also promised to collaborate with counsellors and health professionals. Her account of this commitment centred on working with people within the department, from whom she said she received health tips and training.

The proposed anonymous feedback system or "wellness box", however, was not implemented. Opeyemi attributed this to concerns raised about its feasibility. Instead, she conducted physical check-ins with some students, particularly those in 100 and 200 levels.

Her proposed fitness challenges, walks, jogs and sports activities in collaboration with the Sports Minister have not been implemented. "I lagged in this, but I'm trying to make up for it," she acknowledged. With the semester nearing its end, Opeyemi said she may not be able to organise the activities before the end of her tenure.

On emergency and welfare support, the manifesto promised on-site first aid during departmental activities, an emergency contact system, pre-activity health briefs, hydration and basic care items, as well as follow-up care for injured students.

Opeyemi reported providing or arranging first-aid support during departmental activities on several occasions. She also explained that her ability to provide pre-activity health information depended partly on being informed about events in advance.

"If I am informed in advance that this activity will be held on a particular day, I will make myself available to give the tips," she said.

She reported attending three departmental activities for this purpose and noted that there had been at least one event she was unaware of until it took place.

On water, glucose and basic care items, she said these were provided "when the need arise." However, the interview did not establish a consistent arrangement for their provision during departmental activities.

The departmental first-aid box is checked regularly, according to Opeyemi, although she acknowledged that it is not fully stocked. She said she planned to add more items before the end of her tenure.

Cleanliness and sanitation formed another major part of the THRIVE Agenda. Opeyemi promised at least two clean-up exercises per semester, support for departmental cleaners, improved restroom hygiene and work towards regular water supply.

No clean-up exercise was carried out during the previous semester, while one was undertaken in the current semester around the SRM restrooms. Opeyemi attributed the limited number partly to difficulty getting students to participate.

"People in general. I can't do it alone," she said, explaining that the date had to be changed to get enough participation.

She also reported providing or facilitating access to basic restroom supplies, including soap, tissue and buckets. A padlock was also provided following discussions with the cleaner over the use of the restrooms.

Beyond the commitments in her manifesto, students reportedly brought concerns about the SRM restrooms, cleaning equipment, soap and tissue to her attention. These, she said, were addressed through engagement with cleaners and efforts to provide basic supplies.

The department's Health Day, which she identified during the interview as her most important remaining commitment, has now been held.

With the tenure nearing its end, Opeyemi maintains that she intends to work on other outstanding commitments where possible. Where some cannot be completed within the tenure, she plans to ensure that the incoming minister is aware of them.