Budget Showdown at NAPAS: President Storms Out, Returns to Face Apology Standoff

The parliamentary sitting of the National Association of Public Administration Students (NAPAS), OAU, on November 15, 2024, was one for the books. From unexpected delays to fiery budget battles, the session had its fair share of drama. Here’s a breakdown of what went down.

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A Late Start, But We Move
Scheduled for 10:00 AM, the sitting didn’t officially kick off until 10:50 AM, thanks to late arrivals and unforeseen hiccups. The Speaker, showing true leadership, apologized on behalf of the House. The session then opened with a prayer led by the General Secretary and a heartfelt rendition of the school anthem.

Roll call came next, with names called in groups: Napasites, Public Voice representatives, Executive members, and Parliamentarians. A few smiles filled the room as some names had to be called twice before responses were heard.

The session also marked a significant moment as the newly appointed Treasurer took the oath of office. Administered by the Speaker, the swearing-in proceeded smoothly, although there was a noticeable absence of a physical copy of the constitution, attributed to ongoing amendments. This detail didn’t go unnoticed, sparking quiet murmurs among members about the need for urgent updates to the governing document.

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Budget Battles Begin
Things heated up quickly during budget discussions, with Public Voice taking center stage. Their Deputy Editor-in-Chief presented a proposal to modify the department’s board, sparking immediate reactions. Members raised eyebrows, especially when Hon. Chioma questioned why Public Voice seemed to request funds so often.

The Speaker, determined to keep things in check, rejected a costly renovation plan, suggesting a more affordable approach instead. After much back-and-forth, the House settled on a ₦13,500 allocation, but the debate left the room buzzing.

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Freshers and Stalites Souvenirs and Dues
Next came the President’s proposal, which brought some excitement to the room. Plans for souvenirs included ₦6,500 for freshers and ₦1,000 for stalites, while departmental dues were pegged at ₦14,000 for freshers and ₦2,500 for stalites.

The Office of Welfare also presented their list, securing approvals for several projects, from ₦72,000 for lecturers, ₦2,000 for transportation, ₦6,000 for the Freshers/Staylite Match, ₦61,750 for mountaineering, and ₦15,000 for free meals and tagging for the freshers orientation committee.
The House granted ₦18,000 for a new departmental football team, ₦14,500 for the Freshers/Staylite Match, ₦17,000 for departmental friendly matches, and ₦22,500 for Napas Marathon 2.0. But not all requests were approved.
Proposals for first aid packs and jerseys were shelved for further clarification, leaving members eager for the next sitting.

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When the Room Got Really Quiet
Just when the sitting seemed to be running smoothly, the Director of Social’s budget presentation threw the room into disarray. The Speaker demanded a more detailed breakdown of the budget, which didn’t sit well with the President.

Then came the moment no one saw coming—the President walked out. Yes, he left the meeting, leaving members stunned. He later returned but was met with a firm request from the Speaker to apologize for leaving without permission. At first, he resisted, but after what felt like an eternity (and plenty of whispers among members), he eventually said: “After due consideration, I apologize for walking out on the Speaker and the entire House.”

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Some Final Jabs
Before the session closed, the Director of Social stirred the pot further, calling out Honourables for lateness and poor dressing. The Speaker wasn’t having it and quickly shot back, accusing the executives of trying to deflect attention from their own budget issues.

The tension was thick, but Hon. Lolu and Hon. Gbenro stepped in to bring it all to a close, moving for an adjournment.

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What’s Next?
With unresolved budget items and plenty of lingering tension, all eyes are on the next sitting. Will the House find common ground? Will the drama cool down?

Stay tuned, Napasites. The next chapter promises to be just as intriguing.