It was meant to be a day of vision, clarity, and leadership at Kwara State College of Health and Technology, Offa, but the manifesto presentation by Student Union Government (SUG) aspirants turned into an unexpected grammar fest — with a string of blunders leaving many in disbelief. The Nigeria Education News was live at the school’s main hall as students gathered to hear from their next set of potential leaders.
During the presentation by the aspirant vying for the position of General Secretary, a notable blunder caught the attention of both students and observers alike. “If I voted in, I will write a power minute of all meeting in the college,” she said, drawing both gasps and laughter from the crowd. Surprisingly, some students erupted in applause, chanting her name and urging her to “speak on,” despite the clear misuse of grammar and structure.
A student of the Environmental Health Department, who preferred anonymity, expressed shock. “I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. A whole General Secretary aspirant who would be responsible for official documentation saying ‘power minute’? This is unacceptable in a health-based academic institution,” he lamented. According to him, “it shows we are not preparing our students well for the future.”
Another student from the Community Health Department told The Nigeria Education News, “It was painful to watch. Someone said ‘I will attend to all problem that the student are facing everyday and every year.’ How do you make such mistakes in front of the whole school? And worse, people were clapping like it was fine.”
Multiple instances of poor grammar were recorded. One aspirant said, “I promise to do my possible best to make the lighting not off again.” Another declared, “My mission is to eradicate all the difficulties that is disturbing the students in this college by the grace of our almighty lord.” These speeches, though filled with enthusiasm, were riddled with structural and grammatical errors, casting doubt on the preparedness of the candidates.
A staff from the English and Communication Skills Unit, who spoke anonymously, stated, “It’s a sad reflection of our foundational education. Manifestos are not just about promises; they are a reflection of clarity, intelligence, and communication skills. What we witnessed today was a major concern. Leadership must go beyond excitement and into substance.”
The irony, students said, is that many of the candidates are in health-related disciplines and would be expected to write official reports, proposals, and communications if elected. A 300-level student added, “It’s one thing to make a few mistakes under pressure, but this was just embarrassing. We need workshops and trainings before allowing anyone to hold the mic.”
The atmosphere in the hall oscillated between amusement and concern, with some students cheering more for entertainment than substance. One observer noted, “It felt more like a talent show than a manifesto session. We laughed, but deep down, we’re worried about our image as students of a health institution.”
Calls have now intensified for the school management and the Students’ Affairs Division to introduce pre-election orientation sessions for aspirants. “Leadership is not just about popularity,” said a senior official from the Students’ Affairs office. “We must prepare them to represent the student body with dignity — especially in how they communicate.”
As the college prepares for the upcoming SUG elections, many believe that the grammar blunders witnessed at the manifesto session should serve as a wake-up call for the broader education system. If Nigeria must raise globally competitive leaders, attention must be paid to communication skills, especially in formal academic institutions.
