UTG POLITIKO

 UTG POLITIKO

A WhatsApp status post whose source is unbeknownst to me has successfully influenced me to express myself about the ‘UTG Politics’. Like Trent Reznor put it, “If you have something to say, then say it. Express yourself and break the rules.” I will not break the rules, but I will express myself.

Often, they say “do not involve in UTG politics”. My question is ‘what is politics?’. Andrew Heywood answered this before the year I was born. He said “Politics, in its broadest sense, is the activity through which people make, preserve and amend the general rules under which they live”. If we go with this definition, then telling someone not to involve in UTG politics means directly telling them not to take part in making, preserving and amending the general rules under which they live in the UTG. Is that a good idea? The answer is no. It is very significant for the students especially the inexperienced to carefully and actively take part in the decision-making processes in their institutions and beyond. This commensurate with the idea that "learning does not stop in the four corners of the classroom". To properly evince and contextualize this, it is to say, students who engage actively in the decision-making processes of their institution will eventually grow to be experienced in and exposed to leadership and all what it carries along.

It is overt that "Politics is dirty" thought usually drives away many people (students) especially introverts and some vulnerable brilliant students from taking part in politics. Mostly, it is a wrong strategy aim at diverting or averting potential challenges that politics come with. It is important to note that toxicity in politics is a myth and a misconception that is discouraging people to participate in matters affecting them. In fact, politics is an innocent social activity. I rather believe that some people are toxic, not politics. Politics is abstract and bears no intention!

However, it is to some extent, obviously worrisome to experience some political activities in the UTG as it sends a bad signal. Putting it with another words, it will be disappointing and out of the general wish for the behaviours of the UTG students to justify the negative connotations attached to politics. The rationale behind this position is the fact that UTG is the country's highest citadel of knowledge, and the primary arsenal of the country's young leaders.

I witness the last convention for the Students’ Union Election, which was obviously characterized by jumping, shouting, whistling and many forms of distractions. I was, on that day totally confused and so much disappointed. Instead of listening to and watching the candidates to debate on their policies, they (candidates) listened and watched us more than we did. It was unbelievable that that was a UTGSU convention. I therefore urge the Electoral Commission to give a red light to noise making instruments during such important activities. I would like to further suggest to them to either ensure decorum during the convention or reserve the allocated money of the convention-day for other essential uses.

I also witnessed UTGSU congresses. Some of the reactions in these various congresses were the height of hypocrisy. Too complex, sensitive and difficult to express, but the hypocrisies were as overt as they were. I think it is high time we, as leaders and future leaders to be principled and consistent enough. Inconsistency is next to hypocrisy, thus a sinister act. Principles, as rightly put by Ray Dalio, are "what allow you to live a life consistent with those values to your actions".

Denigration and character assassination are the other of the day, by people whose rapacity and voracity is to denigrate their opponents or colleagues in leadership. The denigrators, as a norm, cowardly, unscrupulously and shamelessly hide behind pseudo profiles with the pretence of saving their so-called dignity and persona. However, not all character assassins cover themselves. some openly with pride and arrogance sponsored by anger due to disagreements carelessly ridicule their opponents' achievements, efforts, and their personality in a fashion fit to be considered as "childish". My expectations as a university student are for us to engage in worthy but critical discussions and debates so as to enhance our faculty of reasoning and prepare ourselves as young leaders. It is sometimes funny to see genuine criticisms or objections considered as a manifestation of hatred. I understand that some people misinterpret or misunderstand hate, jealousy, confident, arrogant and concern. They, therefore, use these randomly to suit their interests.

One may want to get an admission, have “good grades”, and “graduate peacefully” without criticism on their persona. That’s find. Well, according to John North Willys, whose quote is misattributed to Aristotle, “do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing, and you’ll never be criticized”. As far as one does something, say something or become something they will be talked about either covertly or overtly. In fact, in addition to giving us new perspectives, criticisms mould and shape us to be strong. Nevertheless, there is a very thin line between criticism and character assassination. The former is positive while the latter is negative.

The university of the Gambia should be a beacon of hope for all and in all ways, not an example of a rotten institution.

LONG LIVE THE UNIVERSITY OF THE GAMBIA! LONG LIVE THE GAMBIA!

By Faback Gibba (Jenggibba)