PREAMBLE TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF

DELTA STATE STUDENTS (NADESSTU) UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA NSUKKA

CHAPTER.

In line with the university’s rules and regulation, we the students of Delta
State in University of Nigeria Nsukka, simply and solely resolved to come
together as one indivisible and indissoluble Association, to provide for
ourselves a constitution for the purpose of promoting good governance
and welfare of persons in our Association on the principle of equity and
justice; for the purpose of consolidating the unity of our members and
promoting solidarity, peace, cooperation and understanding do hereby write
a constitution for ourselves .

CHAPTER ONE
SECTION ONE

GENERAL PROVISION/SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION

1. (1) This Constitution is supreme and its provisions shall have binding
force on all organs and members of the Association irrespective of
hierarchy and portfolio

(2) With the exception of Nadesstu National Constitution, If any other law is
inconsistent with the provisions of this Constitution, this Constitution shall
prevail, and that other law shall, to the extent of the inconsistency, be null
and void.

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(3) TITLE: The constitution shall be cited and referred to as the constitution
of the National Association of Delta State Students, University of Nigeria
Nsukka chapter otherwise shortly referred to as NADESSTU UNN
constitution

(4) MOTTO: The motto of the National Association of Delta State University
of Nigeria Nsukka chapter shall be "Education for Development and Unity"

(5) SLOGAN: The Slogan of the Association shall be "Greatest Nadesstu"

and the corresponding response shall be "Great"!

SECTION TWO

FUNDAMENTAL AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSOCIATION

1) To promote, support and champion the collective interest of all Delta

State Students in UNN

2) To encourage a harmonious working relationship between the leadership

of the Association and the School Authority/Administration

3) To stand up for, and equally defend the fundamental rights of Delta State
Students whenever such rights are infringed upon

4) To create an enabling environment or platform for the social, cultural,

moral, physical and intellectual advancement of its members by organizing
seminars, leadership-symposiums, fitness-training and other social
activities

5) To motivate its members to do well academically by awarding the best

Delta State Student at the end of every academic session
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 CHAPTER TWO
SECTION THREE

(1) ORGANS OF THE ASSOCIATION

a) Executive council

b) Council of Ethnic Group presidents

c) Executive and Ethnic Group heads Council

d) Staff Adviser(s) and Legal advisers

e) Patrons and Patronesses

f) Committee/Commission

(2) THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

The executive council shall consist of:

The President

The Vice President

The Secretary General

The Assistant Secretary General

The Financial Secretary

The Treasurer

The Director Of Socials

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The Public Relation Official

The Provost

The Director of welfare

(3) QUALIFICATION FOR ELIGIBILITY INTO THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL.

Any member aspiring into any of the executive offices must meet the following
conditions:

a. Must be a registered member of his/her Ethnic Association in NADESSTU

b.  Must be a regular Student of University of Nigeria Nsukka.

c. Must be of high standard and integrity

d. Must possess a cumulative grade point of at least 2.5

e. Must not be a first year or final year student

f. Must not be on industrial training

Subject to the provisions in section 3 subsection 3 (f) of this constitution, students on

I.T  can only partake if and only, on evidence, he/she undergoes his/her training within
Nsukka metropolis.

(4) FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

The Executive Council shall:

a. Be responsible for upholding and defending the constitution, aims and objectives of
the association

b. Carry out day to day running of the association.

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c. In consultation with the council of ethnic group Presidents and staff advisers,
implement all programs and activities of the association

d) Ensure that duties of the officers as provided in the constitution are carried out by the
officers concerned

e) Organize an induction for the new intake into the university at a convenient time
within the ambient of school regulation

f) Organize an annual Delta sate day tagged “NADESSTU CULTURAL DAY”

(5)FUNCTIONS OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

(i)PRESIDENT:

a. Be the head of Executive Council of the association

b. Coordinate and harmonize effectively the activities of the association

c. Be responsible for coordinating the activities of the officers of the Executive Council

d. Preside over all the General Assembly and Executive Council meeting

e. Preside over all regular and special meeting of the executive council and executive
and council of ethnic group Presidents and shall only have a casting vote when there is
tie

f. Directing the summoning of the meeting of the association

g. Sign the adopted minutes with the secretary

h. Over rule all meeting in favor of the majority opinion

i. Be the association representative to the national  body as a senator

j. Have power to approve the various committee for the association with consultation of
Executive Council, council of ethnic group Presidents and name the committee

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chairman and secretary immediately

k. Be a signatory to all correspondent of the association and represent her in all external
matters

l. In conjunction with the financial secretary  and treasurer be a signatory for the
withdrawal of money in the associations account and disbursement of funds

m. He shall counter sign all approved expenditure of the association

(ii)VICE PRESIDENT:

a. Assist the president in performing such function allocated to her in the constitution

b. Act on capacity of the president in his absent

c. Be a chair person to Nadesstu/Cultural day Committee

(iii) THE GENERAL SECRETARY

The secretary general shall;

a. Conduct the correspondence of the association in consultation with the President

b. Keep minute of all meetings of the general congress, Executive Council and
Executive/ Council of ethnic group Presidents

c. Except to financial matters, be a signatory to all correspondence from the association

d. Compile in consultation with the other executive council members on stewardship

report and to present to the joint council meeting before presenting to the general
council

e. Ensure that the stewardship report be copied to the seven (7) ethnic constituency in
NADESSTU after being presented to the general assembly

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f. Summon meeting at the instant of the president stating the agendas

(iv)ASSISTANT SECRETARY GENERAL

The Assistant General Secretary shall:

a. Help the General Secretary in discharging of his/ her duties and act in his/her
absence

b. Ensure that attendance is taking in all Executive/ Elders Council and the general
assembly meetings

c. Perform other duties maybe assigned to him from time to time by the secretary
general or the executive council

(v) THE FINANCIAL SECREATARY

The financial secretary shall:

a. Keep records of payment made to the Association

b. Collect all monies due to the Association and pay to the treasurer within forty eight
(48) hours

c. Prepare and present to the Joint Council And General Assembly, an annual financial
report of the Association

d. Be a signatory to the Association account

f. Brief the General Assembly on semester basis of the financial state of the Association
three weeks before the commencement of the semester examination

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(vi) THE TREASURER

The treasurer shall:

a. Be the financial custodian of the Association

b. Pay into the Associations bank account within 48 hours of working days all the
money collected from the financial secretary

c. Keep impress account of not more than five thousand naira only

d. Keep the Association passbook and be ready to submit within four (4) weeks all
financial document of the Association within his/her custody for auditing

(vii) THE DIRECTOR OF SOCIAL

The director of social shall:

a. Organize and conduct social activities of the Association

b. Organize entertainment activities of the Association

c. Account to Financial Secretary in respect to all expenses incurred in the course of any
social activity

(viii) THE PUBLIC RELATION OFFICER

The public relation officer shall:

a Be publishing the activities of the Association as determined by the appropriate

organs

b. Issue press statement when necessary after consulting the President

c. Be the official mouthpiece of the Association

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(ix) THE PROVOST

The provost shall:

a. Ensure orderliness in Executive Council, Executive/ Council of ethnic group

Presidents And General Assembly meetings

b. Ensure that the venue for the meeting is well arranged and kept clean before the
commencement of the meeting

(x) THE DIRECTOR OF WELFARE

This officer shall:

a) From time to time, carry out a survey on issues that are affecting members and
suggest to the Joint council of Executives and Ethnic Group leaders on how best those
problems can be addressed

b) Carry out such other assignment that shall be assigned to him or her by the President
provided the said assignment is for the interest of the Students

SECTION 4

TENURE OF OFFICE

Subject to the provision of this constitution, every Executive Officer shall hold office for
one Academic Session.

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SECTION 5

SANCTION/REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

a) Any officer of the Executive Council irrespective of the position held shall
be sanctioned (apology letter, payment of fines, suspension) for any
established/proven case of misconduct, inefficiency or incapability.

b) In the case of a proven gross misconduct, such officer shall be

recommended to the General Congress for removal.

Note: Gross misconduct as used above refers to offenses such as:

i) embezzlement of Association’s funds

ii) Sexual or Physical Assault of any member

ii) Abuse of power, autocratic leadership and other related offenses

PROCEDURE FOR SANCTION AND REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

a. With respect to the above section (5) of the constitution, any

allegation of misconduct (minor or gross), inefficiency or incapability
against any Executive Officer must be written, signed and sent to the
council of ethnic group Presidents through its secretary by the
petitioner

b. The council, having examined the allegations before it shall in

accordance with the principle of Natural Justice invite the concerned
officer for fair hearing and questioning

c. In the event that the officer admits or investigation by the council

reveals that he or she is guilty, and the offence he or she is guilty of is
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an ordinary misconduct, the sanction as shall be determined by the
council shall not be heavier than Apology letter, payment of a
reasonably justified fine or suspension that must not exceed beyond
three weeks. All of these must be aimed at restoring
sanity/reconciliation and not necessarily to victimize the officer

d. If investigation and findings however proves that the offence

committed is a gross misconduct, the council of ethnic group
Presidents shall immediately write to the General Congress,
recommending that such officer be removed from office while
copying the Executive Council and Staff Adviser (s) in the letter

e. In light of the above sub-section, a General Congress of the

Association shall be called by the President through the General
Secretary within 72 hours to determine whether or not the officer
should be removed from office

f. The concerned officer shall be given the opportunity to speak to the

General Congress and afterwards a vote in favour of his removal or
not shall be cast by everyone present through the raising up of hands

g. If a simple majority votes in favour of the removal of the officer,

such officer shall forthwith seizes to be an Executive member of the
Association with all Executive rights and privileges withdrawn

h. In the event that it's the President that is removed from office, the
Vice president shall immediately become the Acting President

Note 1: The congress for the determination of removal from office

shall be conducted by the Chairman of ethnic group Presidents and

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 supervised by the Staff Adviser (s).

Note 2: The power to call a general congress for the determination of

whether or not an officer should be removed from office shall be

extended to the council of ethnic group leaders only on the condition
that it's the President that is found culpable

SECTION SIX (6)

COUNCIL OF ETHNIC GROUP PRESIDENTS

6. (1) There shall be for the association a Council of ethnic group leaders whose
members shall be the heads/presidents/coordinators of various Ethnic Nationalities in
Nadesstu.

(2) The council shall have power to elect for themselves the following positions:

i) Chairman

ii) Secretary

iii) Financial secretary

FUNCTIONS AND POWERS OF THE CONCIL OF ETHNIC GROUP PRESIDENTS

a. Present to their individual Ethnic Constituencies a detailed report

on the state of Nadesstu at the end of every semester

b. Have power to summon any member of the Executive Council to

appear before it and give account of the activities of his/her office.

c. Have power to conduct investigation into the activities of any

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member of the Association.

d Ensure that all programs initiated by the Executive Council are well
implemented and completed.

f. Have power to ensure that Executive offices required by this

constitution to present annual report to the Association before
expiration of tenure

(3) A member of the above council ceases to be member if:

a. He/she is no longer a Student, or the registration number has

expired in University of Nigeria Nsukka

b. He/she is no longer the ethnic head or leader of his or her ethnic

group or nationality

c. If he or she is found guilty of any gross misconduct by the

Association

d. If he or she voluntarily resigns by writing a letter of resignation to

the Council, copying the Executive Council and Staff advisers

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SECTION SEVEN (7)

ETHNIC NATIONALITY GROUPS OR ASSOCIATIONS IN NADESSTU

(1) i. Aniocha-Oshimili ethnic student association.

ii. Ijaw ethnic student association

iii. Ika ethnic student association

iv. Itsekiri ethnic student association

v. Isoko ethnic student association

vi. Ndokwa ethnic student association

vii. Urhobo ethnic student association

SECTION EIGHT (8)

THE EXECUTIVE AND ETHNIC GROUP PRESIDENTS JOINT COUNCIL

(1) The meeting of this Council shall be summoned by the President through the
Association General Secretary

(2) The President of the Association shall preside over the Joint Council meetings

(3) This council shall have power to unanimously approve the Association sectional
programs presented to it by the President of the Association before such programs are
implemented by the Executive Council.

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SECTION NINE (9)

STAFF/LEGAL ADVISER........... POWERS AND FUNCTIONS

(1) There shall be for the Association, Staff/Legal Adviser, who shall advise the
Association in all matters relating to or affecting the entire Association in a bid to see
that everything is done according to the rules and regulation of the University.

(2) He shall have power to inaugurate everyone into Executive Office certified to be duly
elected by the electoral commission.

(3) The Staff Adviser shall be a link between the Association and the University
Authority.

(4) The Staff Adviser shall approve all monies to be withdrawn from the Association’s
account. Any request for money must be in writing using the Association's letter headed
paper, stating what the money will be used for and should be duly signed with date.

(5) The Staff Adviser upon the expiration of every Executive Council tenure, shall
present certificates of services to the outgoing Executives while presenting certificates
of return to the newly elected

ELIGIBILITY

With respect to the above section nine(9) of the constitution, a person is

eligible to be the Association Staff Adviser on the following condition:

(a) Must be a graduate of any higher institution, duly employed by the

University either as an Academic Staff or Non Academic Staff.

(b) Must be a Deltan.

(c) Must be of high rank in the University.

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 (d) Must be Staff of the University for at least five (5) years

(e) Must be of good conduct

TENURE AND REMOVAL FROM OFFICE

(i) A person shall continue to be a Staff Adviser so long he or she is still a

Staff of the University and is having no health challenges capable of
undermining the performance of his or her duties to the Association

(ii) A person shall cease to be the Association Staff Adviser on account of:

1. Retirement

2. Old age

3. Incapability

4) Death

5) Gross misconduct

SECTION 10:

PATRONS/PATRONESSES

There shall be for the Association Patrons and Patronesses

They will be appointed by the Executive Council and presented to the

General House for approval.

On approval by the General House, the Executive Council shall forward an

official letter to such persons, and a copy of such letter must be
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documented by the Association Secretary.

The Patrons/Patroness shall advice the Association from time to time.

The Patron/Patronesses shall from time to time back the activities of the
Association by giving Moral, Financial and Material Support.

CHAPTER THREE

SECTION TEN (11)

COMMITTEES/COMMISSIONS

The Association shall have for herself the following Committees and
Commissions

(1) Electoral Commission

(2) Cultural day Committee

(3) Audit Committee

(4) Welfare Committee

(5) Editorial Committee

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ELECTORAL COMMISSION......COMPOSITION,
POWERS AND FUNCTIONS

(a) There shall be an electoral commission

comprising of seven (7) members each from the
various Ethnic Constituencies

(b) The Chairman of the Commission shall be

from final year class, who shall be appointed by
the President subject to the approval of the Staff
Adviser

(c) The electoral commission shall organize and

effectively supervise all the Association’s
election and bye election with utmost good faith.

(d) The electoral commission shall be

independent of any organs of the Association
and shall stay in office until the end of its
present tenure.
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 (e) The electoral commission must be set up
and inaugurated not later than two (2) weeks
after the commencement of the second
semester.

(f) The commission shall have the power to

draw up and enforce electoral rules and
regulations subject to the General provision of
the constitution. Such regulations shall be made
known (published) at least one (1) week before
the election.

(g) The commission shall have two (2) months from

the day of its inauguration to conduct the
Association’s election. If after such interval (2
months), the commission could not organize/
conduct the election, they should present to the
General Assembly through its chairman reasons why
they could not. If the reasons are cogent enough (to
be determined by the Assembly) additional (2)
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weeks should be given to them. If not they should be
dissolved and a new commission be set up to
organize the election. The new commission should
have three (3) weeks from the day of the
inauguration to conduct an election for the
Association.

(h) The electoral commission shall be dissolved

at the completion of the swearing in exercise of
the executive council

(i) The electoral commission shall also ensure

that a day is fixed for all the members aspiring
into any Executive to present manifestoes. Such
manifestoes must be written (typed) and
presented to the commission before its
presentation

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ELECTORAL GUIDELINES AND SWEARING IN
PROCEDURE

i) The election into Executive Council shall be at

the end of every Academic Session. Probably,
not later than two (2) weeks to the
commencement of the examination ending such
Academic Session.

ii) Any member wishing to contest any office

must be duly endorsed by his/her Ethnic
Constituency for the purpose of the election.

iii) A member shall be deemed eligible for the

election, if such a candidate had met all financial
obligations to the Association.

iv) All registered regular Student of University of

Nigeria Nsukka shall be eligible to contest for
elective positions except first and final year
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students

v) A candidate vying for any position shall pay a

non refundable fee to be determined by the
electoral commission

vi) A candidate shall be deemed elected by

obtaining a simple majority of the total votes
cast

vii) In any election, if only one candidate is

nominated for any position, he/she shall be
elected unopposed

viii) Nadesstu membership is open to all Delta

State Students but only those who are financially
up-to-date via dues payment are permitted to
vote in the election

ix) All newly elected officers shall resume office

after being sworn in by the Staff Adviser in the
presence of the General Assembly not later than
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 seven (7) days after the elections

x) At the swearing in of the newly elected

executives, there shall be a formal handover of
the Association leadership to the new
administration by the outgoing one led by the
President. consequently, the former Executive
Council stands dissolved

xi) During the swearing in of the new officers,

“CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE” shall be awarded to
the outgoing members of the Executives, the
various committee chairmen and any other
member of the Association deemed fit by the
Executive Council/Staff Adviser.

OATH OF OFFICE OF MEMBERS OF THE

EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

I…………………………………………………………………………………
……………… do hereby declare and solemnly swear

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that I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to
National Association of Delta State Students
(NADESSTU) University of Nigeria, Nsukka
Chapter. That as
…………………………………………………………………………… of
the association, I will carry out my duties to the
best of my knowledge and ability, faithfully and
in accordance with the provision of the
Association’s constitution. I will strive to
preserve the fundamental objectives and
directive principles of the Association. I will not
allow my personal interest to influence my
official conduct or my official function and
decisions I will treat all the members of the
Association equally prior to the provision of the
constitution in course of discharge of my duties
without fear or favor, affection or ill will. That I
will not directly or indirectly communicate or
reveal to any persons any matter which shall be
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 brought under my consideration or shall become
known to me as
…………………………………………………………………………………
…………. of NADESSTU UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA
NSUKKA CHAPTER, except as may be required
for the due discharge of my duties, SO HELP ME
GOD

CULTURAL DAY COMMITTEE........ COMPOSITION AND FUNCTIONS

a) There shall be a Cultural Day committee comprising of thirteen (13)

members. The first seven members shall come from each of the seven (7)
Ethnic Constituencies. The said committee shall be chaired by the Vice
president who shall be assisted by the director of social

b) The committee shall be set up and inaugurated not later than two (2)
weeks after the resumption of the second semester by the President

c) The committee must ensure that the Cultural Day must hold at most 2
weeks to second semester examination.

d) The committee must present a statement of account to the Association

in the Association General Assembly that falls 2 weeks after the cultural
day

e) The committee stands dissolved upon the approval/ adoption of their

statement of the account.
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AUDIT COMMITTEE.........COMPOSITION AND FUNCTIONS

a) There shall be a seven (7) member Adhoc Audit Committee each from
various Ethnic Constituencies.

b) The committee shall be constituted to audit the Association’s account

every semester, and so must be constituted not later than two (2) months
after the commencement of that Academic Session.

c) This committee shall be independent in the exercise of their duties .

EDITORIAL COMMITTEE

a) There shall be for the Association a nine member editorial

committee. The first seven (7) members shall come from each of the
seven constituencies. The following members shall by virtue of their
positions be part of the committee:

General Secretary........ Chairman

Assistant Secretary General........ Secretary

b) The committee shall be set up and inaugurated not later than

three (3) weeks after the commencement of first semester by the
President

c) The committee shall be in charge of producing almanac, magazine,

News letter and photo album for the Association

WELFARE COMMITTEE........ COMPOSITION AND FUNCTIONS

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There shall be for the Association a ten (10) member welfare Committee
whose major responsibility is to the best of their abilities and in
cooperationn with other organs of the Association, address the plethora of
welfare crisis faced by Students

a) The committee shall be set up and inaugurated not later than two (2)
weeks after the commencement of first semester by the President

b) The Chairman of this committee must not be an Executive Council

member but preferably an active final year member of the Association

c) In the event that a member of the Association is certified to have died,

the committee shall have a meeting with the other organs of the
association to determine the way and manner such deceased member will
be honoured

b) representatives of the committee shall in conjunction with the Executive

council pay a condolence visit to the family of the deceased and if need be,
deliver a letter of condolence from the Association to the Family

c) With respect to (b) above and in conjunction with the Executive, approve
a welfare package to the family of the deceased at a condolence visit

d) In an event that a member of the Association is getting wedded, the

committee shall organize how the members of the Association would go
for such celebration.

e) With respect to (d) above and In conjunction with the Executive Council
approve a welfare package for such member

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Note: Only financially up-to-date and active members of the Association
shall enjoy this privilege.

SECTION TWELVE (12)

THE GENERAL CONGRESS.

i. There shall be a monthly General Congress consisting of every

student of Delta State origin in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.

ii. The Congress shall be called by the president through the General
Secretary or the Public Relation Officer (P.R.O)

DURATION OF MEETINGS

i. A General Assembly or congress shall not exceed three (3) hours of

deliberation

ii. In an event that items stated for deliberation were not conclusively
treated, the president in conjunction with the Executive Council shall
summon a sequel meeting

ORDER OF MEETINGS

The formal order of a Congress meeting of the Association shall be:

i. Call to order

ii. Opening prayer

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 iii. Recognitions/introductions

iv. Minute of the last meeting/Adoption

v. Presentation of Agenda/Discussion

vi. AOB

vii. Announcement

viii. adjournment

ix. closing prayer

SECTION 13

SOURCES OF FINANCE

The sources of finance into the Association shall be:

i. REGISTRATION: Every new Delta State student admitted into the

University shall pay a registration fees to the Association as may
be approved by the Executive Council.

ii. SESSION DUE: Every member of the Association shall pay a

sessionional due to the Association. Amount to be paid shall be
determined by the Executive Council.

iii. LEVY: Subject to provision of this constitution, Executive council

may, if the need arises impose an emergency levy by the approval
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 of 2/3 majority in the popular constituted session.

iv. SPONSORSHIP: The Association may, if the need arises embark on

a sponsorship drive to raise money for the Association. All
correspondence to this effect must be signed by the President and
Secretary.

SECTION 14

BANKING OF THE ASSOCIATION’S MONEY

i. The Association shall operate a bank account where all money

collected on behalf of the Association be paid into such account not
later than forty eight (48) hours of collecting such money.

ii. All money withdrawn from such account must be approved by the
Staff Adviser before the withdrawal is made.

iii. The signatory to the withdrawal of the money from the Association’s
account shall be:

a. President (Principal signatory)

b. Treasurer

c. Financial Secretary.

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