[Record] Uniben Female Student emerges The New and first female SUG President

History was made at the University of Benin » ,

Edo state when a student, Lauretta Obakpolor

was elected the first ever female president of the

Students' Union Government (SUG).

A 500-level student of the school, Ezekiel

Efeobhokhan reported that Obakpolor, a 400-

Level Pharmacy student beat five other

candidates with 2,283 votes to win the coveted

position.

TheNation reported that excited shouts of her

name rented the air as soon as she was declared

winner by the electoral committee. Her

supporters moved round the campus singing

victory songs.

She was also reportedly not encouraged from the

very start, but as soon as she unveiled her

programme on Manifesto Day, she was greeted

with applause. The same could not be said for

other candidates.

Emeka Onyeji, a final year student of Economics

and Statistics, said: "When I heard Lauretta

speak for the first time at the manifesto, I knew

there was more to the aspiration of this lady

than just being a candidate. Immediately she

mounted the podium, every word from her

wowed the audience. We believed she has good

plans for the union. This is why we all voted for

her. "

The other candidates Obakpolor had to compete

with were Victor Arigbe of the Faculty of

Education; Nelson Ehrauyi (Faculty of

Engineering), Efosa Iyekekpolor (Faculty of

Education), Godstime Oghogho (College of

Medicine) and Leslie Oghama (Faculty of Social

Sciences).

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Faraday Orumwense

spoke to the students during the elections.

He said, "I congratulate you on your election, but

you must know leadership comes with

responsibility. In the period of grievances, I will

advise you to seek all known channels of

dialogue and peaceful resolution. In every

decision you take, endeavour to carry your

colleagues along ."



Obakpolor, in her acceptance speech, said "To all

those who are sceptical about a female being a

president, I say we have crossed the Rubicon.

Those people need to read the Bible and learn

about the story of Deborah. This is another

Deborah standing in front of you today. I bear

the plight of a woman and understand the pains

of a man. Leadership is not about gender. I seek

the support of all as we take the union to

another level."

The outgone president, Raymond Omorogbe,

congratulated his successor, urging the union to

sustain peace on the campus.



published by olamide oni