Unfilled Seat: When Socials Minister?
By Sanni Juliet Oluwadarapupo
At Queen Elizabeth II Hall, a new session sweeps in a new set of Executive Council. The new administration put in place has already started settling into their respective roles and begun executing their administrative duties. However, one position remains vacant, the seat of the Socials Minister. This empty seat has raised concerns and questions amongst residents of the hall (Queenites) as it has gone unnoticed or perhaps not. The gap is still left to be filled and Queenites are left to ponder.
The Executive Council at Queen Elizabeth II Hall is made up of eight Executives which are; Hall Chairperson, Vice-Hall Chairperson, Hall Secretary, Finance Minister, Health Minister, Socials Minister, Public Relations Officer and Sports Minister. Each executive has a role to play in the execution of their duties and organization of events at a specific time during the academic session. According to the 1966 Hall constitution, the constitutional duties of the Socials Minister are as follows;
Shall be the Chairperson of the Hall Week Planning Committee
Shall be responsible for the coordination of all social activities involving the Hall e.g debates, quiz etc. subject to the general direction of the Executive Council.
Shall do other duties may be assigned to her from time to time by the Executive Council.
Asides from her constitutional duties, the Socials Minister is in charge of planning, coordinating and organizing events that would foster interactions and community amongst Queenites. Also, the Social Minister must be someone tagged as a “Social Butterfly”- a person who enjoys networking and socialising with people. However, the role of the Social Minister has been left void and activities in the hall have begun.
Before the dawn of the Executive Council, The Nexus Team, a candidate ran for the position of the Social Minister but had to face disqualification from the electioneering process and was asked to withdraw her candidacy due to issues she had with the electoral committee. Following this, a Bye-Election was conducted by the Electoral Committee chaired by Sumboye Clara, on the 12th of March, 2025. In this election, Olupitan Titilayo emerged as the elected candidate for the position of the Socials Minister securing 86 votes as opposed to 19 undecided votes. Despite this, the position has not been officially filled.
In accordance with Article 11 of the Queen Elizabeth II Hall Constitution, it reads;
Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Executive Council shall in its absolute discretion have powers to appoint, direct, delegate or otherwise cause any of its members to act on behalf of any officer of officers of the Executive Council.
(a) whose office may be vacant after due conduct of general and bye-elections:
(b) who has been impeached, pending a bye election
(c) who is otherwise not disposed to act in her.
The Press reached out to the Hall Chairperson, Anifowose Nofisat, seeking clarifications as to why the position of the Socials Minister has been left vacant despite the Executive Council’s authority to appoint an acting member from the executive members or Queenites. Her response was as follows, “We appointed a Queenite who showed interest. After she’s been shown to the management and approved. Few days to her swearing in. She came back saying due to a reason or two. She won’t be running again.”
She further added how Several Queenites have been reached out to as regards the position but the proposal was turned down, the specific reason which was not stated. “After trying and asking several Queenites. No one was willing to take up the position. With reasons best known to them. As you know we can’t force anyone to take up the position. It has to be a thing of interest , passion and leadership driven to aspire or want to take up the position”. This raises the question of why the role of the Social Minister has been turned down by Queenites. Is there something we can’t place our fingers on? or Is there an underlying issue we aren’t aware of? This leaves many questions unanswered.
The vacancy of the Socials Minister can have a negative impact on the social status of the hall as well as the Executive council. Without the Social Minister, there is a tendency for the social activities and events within the hall to be reduced. This is so because the Socials Minister oversees the organization and planning of social events in the hall. This in turn can lead to the lack of participation in social activities and a weakened community spirit amongst Queenites.
Social events are meant to foster a sense of belonging, cohesion and unity among Queenites. But with the absence of a Social minister, it can lead to an isolated environment. This can also have an effect on the Executive Council. It can lead to increased workload among the executives as they might end up taking added responsibilities to their existing responsibilities.
In an interview, a Queenite shared her opinion on the unoccupied position of the Socials Minister. She stated how the absence of a Socials minister has not been felt, “Events in the hall are going on well without the social directorate. If there were negative effects, it would have been reflected by now. There's no show or feeling that there's no social minister”. Another Queenite said, “It’s not a problem not having a social minister. Have they not been organising stuffs for freshers ni? Anybody can come together and bring creative ideas”
While we acknowledge the executives’ efforts to cover the lapses and not make the absence of the Socials Minister felt, the pressing question is “For how long are they going to continue?” The role of the Social Minister is a distinct one that matches the students’ vibrant energy. However, the question of sustainability of this temporary solution still persists. Irrespective of the Executive’s efforts to fill the gap, the effectiveness of that role will not be up to its optimum as the position requires someone who is designated for such affairs.
In a dialogue with the Hall Chairperson, she expressed how the need for a Social Minister is still paramount. She stated how the executives can’t do it alone and if there is nonexistent, the executives will work hand in hand with Queens Hall Events Planning Committee.
“To be very honest. We still see a need for a social director for Queenite who is willing to. Not just as a figurehead. But as a leader ready to work… We can’t do it alone. It’s an office of its own. And we the executive are doing our best to not make lapses show. And if at the end of the day we still don’t have a candidate.
With the power of God and the strength of the executives, we will keep executing any social event in the hall with the assistance of the “Queens Hall Event Planning Committee” as well”
Following the completion of the Freshers’ Welcome which took place on the 10th of May, 2025. The event was organised by the Nexus Team, Queens Hall Event Planning Committee, and the Hall management. The event included several activities as Freshers were engaged. The result of the event permits us to shift our focus from the anticipation of a Socials minister to the necessity of it. We now ask “Is a Socials Minister still required?” The answer will unfold in time.
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