The Pharmaceutical Association of Nigerian Students (PANS) National, has elected new executives to pilot the affairs of the association for the next one year, with Francis Victor, emerging as the president.
The election was conducted at Delta State University (DELSU), Abraka, Delta State by the 47th PANS National NLO, in the person of Comrade Maduekwe Stanley Ndubuisi.
The newly elected PANS national executives and their positions are as follows: Francis Victor, president; Okonye Chioma, national financial secretary; Akachukwu Prosper Izu, director of socials; Anwanye Favour Ononuju, national treasurer; Nwabuotou Onyekachukwu Christian, director of sports; Okoro Stanley Fejiro, director of welfare; Offideh Ogheneovo Frances, national editor in chief; Metseaghanrun Oritsetimeyin Augusta, national secretary general; Okpuluolise Daniel Onyejeboliseh, national pro; and Imonikukor Efetobore Michael, student exchange officer.
Ndubuisi noted that the PANS National elections are usually held in two phases. The first phase had only ten positions available out of a total of fourteen positions that interested parties can vie for.
These ten positions were: National President; National Director of Sports; National Secretary General; National Director of Socials; National Financial Secretary; National Welfare Officer; National Editor-in-Chief; National Public Relations Officer; National Treasurer; National Student Exchange Officer.
Here, two stages were involved, namely: the screening process and presentation of manifesto.
Speaking on the screening process, Ndubuisi said “The criteria for getting successfully screened had been sent out before my arrival, to make PANSites informed on how the screening would take place. Only ten PANSites passed the screening process. This meant that they would carry the mantle going unopposed.”
Problems began arising after the screening process where all ten candidates passed and showed that there was no competition or opponents for the positions. Therefore, a new plan was devised by the chief returning officer of the association in other to change the results.
He came up with an appraisal system where DELSU PANSites were allowed to come and pass a vote of confidence on the candidates, to show if truly they wanted them or not. Hence, the benchmark for the pass rate was set as high as whopping 85 per cent.
The manifesto process was streamed online using IG Live, for all Pharmacy students across the country to see. At the end of the manifesto speeches, all the candidates were asked to prepare for the next day being the D-DAY.
For the final day of this rigorous exercise, the PRO of PANS DELSU used Instagram Live to ensure that PANSites across the country could stream the process, too.
Giving his vote of thanks, the NLO said: “This process wouldn’t have been possible without the support of my executive members, the PANS National Executive Council, and the Deputy National Editor-in-Chief, who acted as a bridge between myself and DELSU PANSites.
“The Faculty President of PANS DELSU, and support from my local chapter, UNN, were invaluable in my time as chairperson of this electoral body. God made this process as free and fair as possible.”
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