By ACJ UNIBEN

Being the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the University of Benin Student Union Government should involve keeping students informed especially when something as important as the academic calendar is released. However, the current SUG PRO seems to have adopted a “wait-and-see” approach to communication. By “wait-and-see,” I mean waiting for students to chase him down for the details.

A prime example? The release of the academic calendar. While the calendar was made available to the public, there was no immediate official announcement from the PRO. It wasn’t until students began reaching out yes, actually contacting him that he finally made a statement. It was as if the PRO was waiting for a personal request before doing the very job he was elected to do.

When the announcement finally came, it felt like a reluctant afterthought. It seemed as if the PRO was doing students a huge favour by sharing the information after it had already been accessible elsewhere. The “official” communication came far too late, serving as a reminder of how little the PRO values the need for timely and transparent updates. It’s akin to waiting for a bus that’s supposed to be on a schedule, only to find out it’s running on its own time.

But let’s give credit where credit’s due. The PRO certainly knows how to make an appearance when absolutely necessary, though even then, it feels as if the communication is delivered with minimal effort. Communication isn’t about showing up when it’s convenient; it’s about consistency, clarity, and taking initiative. Unfortunately, it seems the PRO missed that memo.

It’s time for the SUG PRO to step up and start fulfilling the responsibilities of the role. Students deserve timely updates and a proactive leader who doesn’t leave them waiting for communication. The position requires more than showing up when it’s easy it demands consistency, dependability, and responsiveness. If the PRO continues to fall short, it will only undermine the trust students have in the role.

The PRO would do well to remember that leadership isn’t about making a grand entrance only when it suits you. It’s about being present and engaged, even when it’s not glamorous. A good PRO would anticipate the needs of the student body, not wait for them to chase answers. Proactive communication isn’t just a suggestion; it’s an essential part of building a transparent and accountable union. The PRO must start using their position to foster trust, rather than leaving students wondering whether their voices matter.

In conclusion, if you’re hoping the PRO will be a reliable source of information, you might want to lower your expectations or, better yet, find someone who actually follows through. Waiting for him to make an announcement is like waiting for a phone call from a friend who always forgets to return your texts.

The SUG PRO has an opportunity to reshape how students perceive communication  but only if they take the role seriously and step up to the plate, rather than making it another missed opportunity.

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