End-Of-Year Conversation With UADS Executives On Manifesto Deliverables: Vice President, Okelue Amaechi Patrick

It has been around six months since the inauguration of Okelue, Amaechi Patrick as the vice president of the Unibadan  Association of Dental Students. The press reached out to him, and the aim of this is to evaluate the tenure from the view of constitutional duties and manifesto. 

The General State Of The Tenure So Far

The tenure is going wonderfully, much better than when it started. There were problems with the finances of the association. Now, though, through different means of fundraising such as the SIFAX CODEH (seventeen days ago), funds have been made available. As such, end-of-tenure packages have been taken care of for the last tenure and funds have been made available to some degree to plan activities that will benefit association members. 

Some other activities that have been duly done justice to include the freshers' orientation and the freshers' welcome party. The SRC and council of faculty presidents decided that funds for freshers' welcome should stop coming out of dues. Hence, the funding for this was through payments from the fresher’s class. Exam packages for the 2023 set went well, there are plans for the pre-MB talk. The general secretary has proceeded with the academic trivia. The sports secretary has carried out some board games training and taken UADS to the Super Cup and some other events. There was also a recent outreach with the Sigma Club.

The Welfare Of Association Members

 The plan was to increase the feasibility of these visits by running a hybrid online/physical mode. The primary aim of the visits was to increase inclusivity among preclinical members, reduce the sense of detachment or aloofness from the clinical body, and eliminate the "outsider" problem. Considering these goals, the project's aim has been met. The 2k26 members are, to some degree, more included in the association's activities. 

Career Webinars

Due to the current light situation, realization has been delayed. It was originally projected to be held this November but is now scheduled for early January. Also, two facilitators were previously approached and both refused. Efforts are being made to get another. Lastly, the turnout at the recently held essay and scholarship training was a bit discouraging. 

Research Trainings

These trainings have been put off due to a need for a more hands-on approach. Any such approach might be insensitive to the current situation of power and other things in the hospital. Plans are being made to optimize it and carry it out at an appropriate and feasible time.

Fundraising And Sponsorship

CODEHs are the major fundraising avenues for the association, one held twenty days ago with the SIFAX group. Overall, fundraising has been going well.

Quality Of The Recently Held NADS Week

It would seem that there was a significant breakdown in communications such that the Organizing Council barely did any organizing, with a few meetings at best. The breakdown was such that efforts at the top seemed to be particularly weak, hence, the absence of preparation as the most important ingredient for a flop simply showed itself. The #20, 000 requested as the registration fee was reduced very close to the commencement of NADS week. The reason for this seems to be that while UADS executives took note of the fact that UADS members could have the money for accommodation removed from the #20, 000 making it easier for them to attend, communications with the NADS president proved tenuous and almost unfruitful until a few days to the event. This was also why the information showing the reduced fees of #10,000 came late. 

Lastly, the organization and order of the different events in the NADS week were barely known until a few days before the first event. Hence, attendance was poor due to inadequate publication, as a result of lack of awareness, ultimately resulting in abysmal organization and planning.

Working Relationship With The President

The working relationship with the president has been stellar. Communication has been smooth, and filling in for the president occurred only once, at the last ABH town hall meeting when the president attended the 7th Afro-DSA General Assembly/Scientific Conference in Abuja.

Regarding The Perceived Quietness In Senate Meeting Announcements And Proceedings 

Efforts would be made to rectify this. The notices seemed to be only on the senate group chat and did not seem to be featured on the information page. Now that it has been brought up, the senate registrar will be advised to make notices of meetings more public.

The Rest Of The Tenure Before Health Week

All manifesto plans are being pushed to be completed as soon and as effectively as possible. Also, the other executives are doing well in their offices. On occasions when executives seem to be losing momentum, they have been encouraged and bolstered to help them do more. 

Salami Wisdom