INSIDE OUT OF H.O DAVIES: A REASONABLY FLOATING SHIP?

By Oludare Olufunmilola

Within the tower of the University of Ibadan’s Law Students’ Society, personalities stand as the pillars of associative operations. Such outstanding law students as Otumala J and Enwelum J from  H.O Davies are persons who have made it to the prime seat of the Chief Judge in the Law Students’ Society, University of Ibadan. But aside these prime examples, H.O. Davies is also a nurturing ground for a legion of promising law students within the faculty. Yet, personalities alone do not engineer the engine of any associations. Other pivotal elements and operations weave together the fabric of these societies, making the influence of individuals sometimes seem inconsequential.

Going straight to the point, we should recall that we have been beaming our “oversight” flashlights on the four chambers in the LSS in the past few weeks. We commenced our journey at Augustine Nnamani chamber. Here we were met with a “kangaroo” election that nearly buried their constitution in ridicule. However, they have admirably righted their ship, and their constitution has reclaimed its seat of respect and reverence.

Next, our voyage led us to T.O. Elias Chambers, where a sense of dormancy pervaded the air. They proudly claim to be “Bar Royals,” leaving us pondering whether they wield iron bars or indulge in chocolate bars. Although the answer remains elusive, their resilience in the face of adversity is clear, bouncing back with newfound vigor and dedication.

We then paid a visit to our friends in Darnley Alexandar chamber. Our friends opted for a rather atypical method of conducting election, which didn’t go unnoticed by us. It takes courage and boldness to stand out, but, sometimes, standing out may indicate “going astray”. Nonetheless, this chamber distinguishes itself through its fierce dedication to legal education and procedural law.

Our final destination in this journey is H.O. Davies, where the chamber’s election unfolded in the latter part of September. Onyebuchi Chelsea rose to the esteemed position of chamber head, supported by Afolabi Fathia as the deputy chamber head, David Damilola as the General Secretary, Abdulahi Shuiab as the welfare secretary, and Oluwagunwa Michael as the Public Relations Officer. As for the financial secretary, only God knows the answer for now. 

In the midst of these diverse chambers, the question lingers: Does H.O. Davies have its head held high above the turbulent waters in which the others occasionally find themselves drowning? 

The chamber has all its executives in position aside the Financial Secretary. But the reason for leaving this office vacant was noble.  Initially, it appeared that no brave soul had the inclination to take on this position. Could this be a sign of the general political apathy that seems to have seeped into the veins of the law students in recent times? Well, there you may have the answer. Does H.O Davies have such disinterested members that the persons who have been in power are majorly the same persons renewing their tenure by running for different offices?  Still we ask where the funds for the proteinous and caloric item 7 have been creeping out from. Perhaps, one of the executives is running a pro bono with his/her money while the chamber’s actual fund awaits a financial secretary. 

Now, the former Financial Secretary, who has conveniently morphed into the General Secretary, might find themselves walking a fine line, toeing the brink of constitution violation. But which constitution could that be? Let the philosophers ponder that conundrum. To cut out expectations of good or evil, we can only assume that the chamber currently has no access to its funds and that  merciful executive is waiting to be generously reimbursed in two folds of what they expounded. The mode of election for the position of the Financial secretary has not yet been decided, but hopefully soon it will, and the chamber won’t have to spend another person’s money.

On a brighter note, a member of H.O. Davies has emerged as the potential savior, ready to steer the financial ship of the chamber. The tradition of providing “item 7” to its members and managing miscellaneous expenses seems secure. Yet, the Chamber Head, in a moment of brutal honesty, declared that “item 7” is merely a peripheral allure and shouldn’t be the sole motivation for attending meetings. A noble sentiment, though 

We all know better – sometimes, the lure of freebies can’t be denied.

The attendance at the weekly meetings remains a matter of curiosity. The dynamics at play beneath the surface are known only to a few. Nevertheless, a piece of advice emerges: Dear members, show up at the meetings, whether “item 7” is on the menu or not.

As semesters ebb and flow, communication between the executives and the rank-and-file members often takes a nosedive. However, H.O. Davies seems to be putting its best foot recently ito keep its members well-informed. Kudos to the former Public Relations Officer for serving as the vital link, keeping the flow of information steady between the executives and the members, like an umbilical cord of knowledge.

On another brighter side, H.O Davies is known also for the maximum utilization of its star members to educate the upcoming luminaries and our journey-just-come brethren, the fresh students. It is often said that people use you for what they can get from you and H.O Davies is not any different from other chambers when it comes to this. It is not uncommon to “employ” the service of a member to come for a session to teach procedural law. They are also members, but when you are big, you are big. Ain’t?

And the fruits? Ask a random first-year student in H.O Davies about how he can institute a civil suit, he’d give at least a 40% satisfactory answer, at least just enough to keep his unlearned family members in awe.

The current UI’SU Vice President, Nafisat Ogunsesan, our very own bloom girl, happens to be the immediate past chamber head of the chamber.. Needless to say, our own Bloom girl is probably under some choking executive functions at the SU and may have stopped attending chamber meetings. Nonetheless, we acknowledge her struggles and reckon with her at a time like this. Nafisat was a force to identify with. Undoubtedly, she did her bits for the chamber with the help of her Deputy, Onyebuchi Chelsea, who is now the chamber head.

Energy usually does have a continuous effect, especially when the chain of carriage is unbroken. Will Onyebuchi Chelsea, the new chamber head,  keep the tradition going or do the bare minimum? We do not know yet; we are at a distance, keeping our watch.

We do not recommend H.O Davies as a model chamber neither do we consider it “The standard”. Other chambers have demonstrated also an unwavering strength in various areas that are worthy of emulation and accolades. On this day, we place our hallowed chambers on a scale of perfection and no one measures up to the last cent. You see, flaws and mistakes are inherent in us humans and institutions. These chambers must have erred or fallen in one way or the other, but you all rock.