Beyond the Promise: Reviewing Johnson-Maliki Olubolade Joshua’s Manifesto

 

By: Akinkugbe Ayuba Opeyemi 

With a few weeks remaining in the current administration of the Agronomy Club, a review of Vice President Johnson-Maliki Olubolade Joshua’s manifesto shows a mix of initiatives that have been implemented, partially carried out and those that remain outstanding.

Olubolade’s manifesto focused on freshers’ transition, career and skill development, academic exposure, scholarship opportunities and preparing students for life after graduation.

Freshers’ Orientation and Departmental Guide

One of the manifesto’s key areas was support for a structured Freshers’ Welcome and Orientation Programme, alongside a comprehensive Departmental Guide covering registration processes, course selection, CBT and examination tips.

Olubolade said he assisted the Assistant General Secretary in ensuring that the Freshers’ Orientation Programme was organised and executed. He, however, clarified that the programme was not solely organised by him.

The Departmental Guide was only partially implemented. He said he assisted some freshers with course registration and course selection and shared helpful information with them, but had not provided the promised CBT and examination tips.

Career and Skill Development

The manifesto proposed practical workshops on CV writing, LinkedIn optimisation, research skills and professional development.

No practical workshop in these areas was facilitated during the period under review.

“This is one area where I acknowledge that I fell short,” Olubolade said.

The manifesto also promised timely and reliable information on IT and industrial training opportunities. When asked how accessible such information had been to Agronomy students, Olubolade gave a definite response: “Not accessible.”

On scholarship opportunities, Olubolade explained that his membership of the International Association of Students in Agricultural and Related Sciences (IAAS) gave him access to some opportunities, which he shared on his status and sometimes forwarded to students who requested the links.

He confirmed that a few students accessed scholarship opportunities through the information he shared. However, he acknowledged that there was no structured scholarship support system accessible to all Agronomy students as proposed in the manifesto.

Academic Excursion

Another manifesto item was an academic excursion or field trip to expose students to practical experiences beyond the lecture hall.

Olubolade said significant planning and effort went into organising an academic excursion intended to expose freshers to practical experiences.

However, he said delays in obtaining the necessary approvals from relevant authorities, including the Department and Heads of Department, meant clearance was not secured within the required timeframe.

The excursion was consequently cancelled.

With limited time remaining, Olubolade acknowledged that organising a separate excursion at this point may not be realistic.

“Life After This Department” Sessions

The manifesto also proposed alumni engagement sessions, particularly for final-year students, covering areas such as career opportunities, NYSC, IT, financial realities and life after graduation.

No such session has been organised yet.

Olubolade said it remains an initiative he intends to execute before the end of the administration, adding that efforts are currently being made to bring alumni and professionals to engage final-year students.

What Remains

Reflecting on the manifesto, Olubolade said some of its items had been achieved, some partially implemented and others remained outstanding.

He identified his contribution to the Freshers’ Orientation Programme and assistance with course registration as areas where he had made progress. He also pointed to his contribution to the planning and execution of departmental activities, particularly AGY Week.

However, he acknowledged that the practical skills workshops, structured scholarship support system and academic excursion were either not implemented or not fully implemented, while the “Life After This Department” session remains in progress.

With the administration still ongoing, the remaining weeks will determine which of the outstanding initiatives can still be concluded.