A Review of Mojoyin Agbonde’s Manifesto as the General Secretary of Queen Elizabeth II Hall

By AFỌLÁBÍ E. Simisólá 

Service to humanity is often deemed the highest form of service, especially in the realm of politics. At the University of Ibadan and beyond, the landscape of politics is intricately intertwined with the concept of service. While some political leaders neglect their duty to serve, others dedicate themselves to effecting positive change in the lives of those they represent, a pivotal aspect of governance.

Mojoyinoluwa Agbonde, a fourth-year student in the Faculty of Law, assumed the role of General Secretary of Queen Elizabeth II Hall for the 2022/2023 academic session. In her manifesto, she aimed to be part of the leading team where the welfare and growth of the hall were of utmost concern.

While the constitutional role of the hall secretary is not always visible to Queenites, as these roles are carried out among the executive council, it was said that Miss Agbonde dutifully carried out her constitutional duties. She outlined unconventional plans in her manifesto that went beyond the traditional responsibilities of the General Secretary, such as writing minutes and keeping records. Her plans included the following:

Suggestion Mail and Box

Miss Agbonde promised to implement a suggestion mail and box for evaluating the service of the executives. Queenites were allowed to provide feedback and make complaints through the suggestion mail and box. The suggestion box, located at the gate, was utilized along with the mail, although feedback indicated a preference for the suggestion box. With this implementation, Miss Agbonde successfully fulfilled this part of her manifesto.

Project Writing Webinar

Miss Agbonde promised to host two webinars during the session targeted at finalists and penultimate-year students. The first webinar was scheduled for the third week after the finalists resumed the first semester, and the second webinar was scheduled for the third week after the resumption of the second semester. Both webinars took place as promised, on 23 September and 27 January, respectively. Feedback from Queenites indicated that they found the webinars beneficial, marking this initiative as accomplished.

Collaboration with Other Executive Members

Miss Agbonde stated that she would partner with the Vice Hall Chairperson to make the existing Royal Academic Board effective by operating a Google Drive filing system containing past questions from all faculties, in cooperation with faculty representatives in the hall. The Google Drive she promised contained a substantial number of past questions. Additionally, during the freshers' orientation, an alumnus who was supposed to speak about academic success was unavailable, but her speech was printed and distributed to the freshers. This demonstrated Miss Agbonde's commitment to her manifesto promises.

Continuing her collaboration with the executive council, Miss Agbonde promised to work with the Public Relations Officer (PRO) in compiling scholarship and internship opportunities for Queenites. The PRO assisted in publicizing these opportunities.

Career Queen Webinar

The final plan in Miss Agbonde’s manifesto was a Career Queen Webinar, in collaboration with the office of the PRO. As promised, a career panel discussion took place in a closed WhatsApp group themed "The Mastery of Interview," where topics like email etiquette, CV writing techniques, application letters, cover letters, and communication skills were taught.

In conclusion, Mojoyinoluwa Agbonde's tenure as General Secretary of Queen Elizabeth II Hall stands as a testament to dedicated and impactful student leadership. Through her innovative initiatives and unwavering commitment to service, she not only fulfilled her constitutional duties but also went above and beyond to address the needs and concerns of her fellow students. Her successful implementation of the suggestion mail and box, project writing webinars, and collaborations with other executive members highlight her ability to turn promises into tangible results. Miss Agbonde’s exemplary service underscores the profound impact that dedicated leaders can have on their communities, setting a high standard for future student leaders at the University of Ibadan and beyond.