(NASS)

UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

CONSTITUTION

AS REVIEWED
IN 2012/2013 ACADEMIC SESSION

THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT TO BE REPRODUCED, REPRINTED, MASS PRODUCED OR PHOTOCOPIED, WITHOUT THE EXPRESS LEGAL PERMISSION OF THE INCUMBENT EXECUTIVES OF NASS.
PREAMBLE

We, the entire students of the College of Natural and Applied Sciences;
University of Port Harcourt, aware of the need and importance of mutual
coexistence, enhancing brotherly love and unity among students of the
College in the University of Port Harcourt; and also to form a body
responsible for propagating the rich fundamentals of Science and
Technology do hereby provide the CONSTITUTION for the attainment of
the objectives.

Prepared to cooperate and co-ordinate affairs with the staff of the College of
Natural and Applied Sciences and the University in general; determined to
assert our rights and discharge our duties in projecting our scientific and
technological aims and visions, and to effectively utilize all necessary and
available facilities in the College to hams, strengthen and efficiently direct
our efforts towards development in Science and Technology.

ARTICLE ONE

1.1 NAME

The association shall be known and referred to as the NIGERIAN

ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE STUDENTS University of Port Harcourt
Chapter, hitherto referred to as the association.

1.2 ADDRESS

All correspondence to the association shall be made with the name of the
association as provided in section 1.1 and followed by C/O THE OFFICE
OF THE PROVOST, College of Natural and Applied Sciences P.M.B. 5323.

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1.3 MOTTO

The Motto of the association shall be SCIENCE FOR INTEGRATED

RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

1.4 EMBLEM

The emblem of the association shall comprise a satellite dish Microscope,

Burette, Computer, Green Pasture.

ARTICLE TWO

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

The aims and objectives of the association shall be

2.1 To serve as parent body to all departmental and Faculty associations.

2.2 To form a front for promoting co-operation, academic and social

interest among the students of the College of Natural and Applied
Sciences in the University of Port Harcourt.

2.3 To project the fundamentals of Science and Technology through

publications, symposia and social activities.

2.4 To seek affiliation with acknowledged and recognized science,

technology and professional bodies as may deem fit.

2.5 To allow affiliation of such faculty/departmental association and other

organizations that professes to project the aims and objectives of the
association.

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2.6 To foster and protect the interest of her members in the University
with respect to the aims and objectives of the association.

2.7 To organize debates, lectures, symposia seminars, conferences and

excursions which may project and enhance the social, technical and
Intellectual potentials of every member.

2.8 To maintain contact and co-operation with other chapters of Nigerian

Association of Science Student (NASS) in institutions of higher
learning

2.9 To rise against any form of intimidation and subjection to mean and
unfair learning conditions in pari-passu with standard conditions
establishing institutions of higher learning in Nigeria.

2.10 To undertake projects with any form of assistance and concession

from within and outside the College and the University.

ARTICLE THREE

SUPREMACY OF THE CONSTITUTION

3.1 As named by the arms of government, violating the affairs of the

association it shall be a legal entity of the association.

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3.2 Its provision shall have binding force on its members, departmental
and Faculty associations.

3.3 No section(s) of this CONSTITUTION, shall be contravened by any

other constitution, in case of any article(s) or provision of it conflicts
with that of any department, faculty or otherwise animated to this
chapter, the provision of this constitution shall prevail.

3.4 In case any article(s) or provision(s) conflicts with the students’ union
government, the students union constitution shall prevail.

ARTICLE FOUR

4.1 MEMBERSHIP

Membership to the association shall be comprised of the following

A. ORDINARY MEMBERS

An ordinary member shall be any registered student of the University of Port

Harcourt in the College of Natural and Applied Sciences who shall have
financial obligation.

B. EXECUTIVE MEMBERS

An executive member is any ordinary member elected or appointed into

office in conformity with the provision of section 13.2 and stays so for the
period provided by this constitution.

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C. HONORAY MEMBERS

(i) Honorary membership shall be content person(s) interested in

science/technology as a profession.
(ii) A honorary member may not be a staff of the University but must
satisfy the provision of 4.1C (i).

LIFE MEMBERS

(i) Life membership may be conferred on person(s) duly recommended and

recognized by reason of their contribution to the association.

(ii) All past presidents of the association shall be a life member of the

association.

4.2 PATRONS

The patrons of the association shall include;

(i) The Provost of the College
(ii) The Deans of all faculties under the College of Natural and Applied
Sciences.
(iii) All such reasons and Directors of companies and dignitaries who in
the past and present shall have shown unquestionable interest and
other wise dealings with the College of Natural and Applied Sciences
in the University of Port Harcourt.

4.3 PRIVILEGES

A (i) Ordinary members shall have the right to exercise franchise, raise
motions.

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(ii) Ordinary members shall have the privilege to be appointed as
members of any committee to be set up by the association.
(iii) Not to contravene section 4.3A (i), any member who has completed a
minimum of two (2) academic semesters can be voted for into any
office to represent the association excluding the president and speaker
who must have completed at least four (4) semesters in the College of
Natural and Applied Sciences, but all matriculated students of the
college are eligible to vote.
(iv) Ordinary members shall participate in recognized meetings and
functions of the association
B. Executive members led by the president of the association shall pilot
the affairs of the association with a view to meeting the aims and
objectives of the association.
C. Honorary members shall have the privilege to participate in
recognized meetings and functions of the association as observers.
D. Life members shall have the privilege to be briefed on the progress of
the association.

4.4 APPOINTMENT

(i) Life and Honorary memberships shall be recommended by the

Executive Council and deliberated by the and conferred on persons
by the Executive Council.
(ii) Patronship shall be conferred on persons by the Executive Council
with due information to other arms of government.

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4.4 REMOVAL/ WITHDRAWAL OF SPECIAL MEMBERSHIP

(i) The Executive shall by her Power recommend the removal of life and
Honorary memberships and shall be effected after a 2/3 majority vote
of the Senators present in the sitting that such a person/persons
has/have conducted himself/themselves in a manner that contradicts
the aims and objectives of the association as stipulated in article two
(2).

(ii) The Executive Council shall also by her power to recommend the
removal of patrons and shall be effected after a 2/3 majority vote of
the Senators present in the sitting.

(iii) Such member(s) shall then cease to hold the status accorded
him/them.

ARTICLE FIVE (5)

For the purpose of effective leadership and good governance, there shall be
three arms of government as follows.

1. EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
2. SENATE
3. CONGRESS

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5.1 THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

The Nigerian Association of Science Students Uniport Chapter shall have

the following as members of the Executive Council.

(a) The President

(b) Vice President
(C) General Secretary
(d) Assistant general Secretary
(e) Public Relations Officer
(f) Financial Secretary
(g) Treasurer
(h) Director of Socials
(i) Director of Welfare
(j) Director of Sports
(k) Provost
(l) Auditor

5.2 THE SENATE

(i) The shall have the following officers.
(a) The Senate President
(b) Deputy Senate President
(b) Clerk
(c) Chief Whip
(ii) This arm of government shall be made of two constitution-carrying
students from each faculty/school of the College duly elected in their
various faculties/school elections.

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(ii) They shall be constituted/inaugurated same day as the executive
council.

5.3 THE CONGRESS

The Congress which is the general assemble of students shall specifically

comprise; the ordinary and Executive members of the association, with other
members attending at the limit of their constitutionally prescribed
privilege(s): and presided over by the president.

5.4 FUNCTIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL

The Executive Council which is known as the arm of governing council that
shall have the power to carry out decisions, laws, etc. shall in like manner
perform the following functions.

(i) Hold discussions with the College management on matters concerning

the welfare of the entire students of the College.

(ii) Shall appoint or change members of committees that may be set up to

assist in certain defined areas; and suspend / dissolve such committees
when it deems fit.

(iii) Shall implement all views in any matter recommended and passed by
the senate.

(iv) Shall have powers to generate revenue to meet its financial

obligations.

(v) Keep in safe custody and take care, of the property of the association.

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5.5 OFFICERS AND THEIR DUTIES

Members of the Executive Council after the general election shall perform
the following duties as stipulated below;

A. PRESIDENT

(i) The President shall be the Chief Security Officer and prime custodian
of the association’s property and constitution.

(ii) He shall be the Chairman of Executive Council.

(iii) He shall preside over all meetings of the association.

(iv) Co-ordinate and/ or supervise the activities of all the members of the
Executive arm of the association.

(v) Head any delegation in the interest of the association.

(vi) Disclose statement of affairs of the association to the members of the

congress.

(vii) Be signatory to all withdrawals of money from the association

purse/Accounts.

(viii) Present Budget proposals of the association to the senate for

consideration and Deliberation at the first joint meeting of the
Executive Council and the Senate.

(ix) Sign all minutes of the association meeting.

(x) Convene meeting in consultation with the General Secretary in the

case of the Executive Council meeting and Congress, and in
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 consultation with the senate President in the case of a Joint Executive
Council and Senate meeting.

(xi) He shall be an ex-officio to all department/faculty associations in the

College.

(xii) Appoint ordinary members of the association into committees with

due information to the senate.

(xiii) In case of vacancy in any position in the Executive Council after the
general elections by virtue of the provision(s) of the constitution, he
shall by his powers appoint ordinary members whose status do not
contravene the provision of section 13.2 into an electoral commission
that will conduct a bye-election within 14 days of the inauguration of
the Executive Council.

(xiv) He shall possess the powers to discuss matters and undertake

negotiation which propagate the stipulations of article two (2) and / or
assign such to any member of the executive Council.

(xv) He shall appoint special advisers on specific designations with due

information to other arms of the governing council.

(xvi) The president may convene and preside over a meeting of all
Department President, Faculty Presidents and/or other officials so
required.

(xvii) He shall make deliberations and negotiate transactions on behalf of

the Executive Council and the association.

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B. VICE PRESIDENT

(i) The Vice President shall, be the assistant Chairman of the Executive
of the association.

(ii) Assist the president in his functions.

(iii) Take care of the Welfare of all guests of the association.

(iv) Perform other duties that may be assigned to her by the president.

(v) Act for the President in his absence.

C. THE SECRETARY GENERAL

(i) The General Secretary shall be the moderator of activities such as

visitations (both official and other wise) at the associations Secretariat
at the instance of the President.

(ii) He shall recommend and (purchase when necessary) materials for the
smooth running of the secretariat.

(iii) He shall keep attendance books record of document, compile and keep
register of members of the association which the President shall
present in the meeting of the Senators/Congress.

(iv) Summon Executive council meeting in consultation with the

president.

(v) Take minutes and readings of all meetings of the Executive Council
and Congress.

(vi) Perform other duties as may be assigned to him by the President.

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D. ASSISTANT GENERAL SECRETARY

(i) He shall assist the Secretary General in all his duties and perform all
for him in his absence.

(ii) Liaise between the Executive Council and the and shall keep ties with
the Clerk of the House.

(iii) Perform other duties as may assigned to him by the General Secretary
or the President.

E. THE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER shall

(i) Be responsible for publishing the associations’ activities as

determined by it’s appropriate organs.

(ii) Issue notices of meeting(s) at least 48 hours before the date of such
meeting(s) except emergency meetings, which shall be given proper
publicity within the available time.

(iii) Be responsible for the production and internal distribution of all

publications. with the assistance of the secretariat.

(iv) Be the Head of the editorial board.

(v) Perform other functions as may be assigned to him by the president.

F. FINANCIAL SECRETARY: shall

(i) Keep records of all the association’s finances.

(ii) Collect all monies due to the association with directives from the
President and deposit such with the Treasurer within 24 hours of
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 collection except otherwise directed by the President in fulfillment of
section 5.5A (i).

(iii) Issue and acknowledge receipt of all monies received on behalf of the
association by president.

(iv) Present in conjunction with the Treasurer a monthly financial report of

the association.

(v) Perform other duties as assigned to him by the President.

G. THE TREASURER: shall

(i) Keep all monies of the association; Bank such monies not usable
within 48 hours immediately within 24 hours of receipt and present
bankbook to the President and /or the executive Council for
ratification except otherwise directed by the President as provided by
section 5.5A (i).

(ii) Keep a record of the associations account.

(iii) Keep an impress account of not more than N 20,000 (Twenty

Thousand Naira only).

(iv) Withdraw and pay out from the association’s fund all legitimate
transactions as approved by the President and/or the Executive
Council.

(v) Perform other duties as may be assigned to him by the President.

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H. DIRECTOR OF SOCIALS: shall

(i) Be responsible for the provision and management of recreational

facilities provided by the association.

(ii) Be duly involved in the organization of orientations, welcome parties

for the First Year Students, and also send off parties for the out-going
members of the association.

(iv) Be the Chairman of the Association’s Week organizing Committee.

(v) Perform other functions as may be assigned to him by the President.

I. DIRECTOR OF WELFARE: shall

(i) Be responsible for the welfare of the entire Ordinary members of the
association.

(ii) Be responsible for the cleaning of the College building/complex.

(iii) Be responsible for the monitoring of shops, snacks bar or buckers in

the College building complex including the collection of dues / fees
from these shops.

(iv) Perform other duties as assigned to him by the president.

J. DIRECTOR OF SPORTS

(i) Be the Chairman of any sports committee formed under the provision
of this constitution.

(ii) Arrange and / or maintain contact between the Association and other
national and international bodies involved in sporting activities.

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(iii) Draw up Programme of sporting activities and shall in so doing ensure
the Welfare of sportsmen and women in the College.

K. PROVOST: shall

(i) Primarily be concerned with the maintenance of order and discipline

among members during meeting; meetings as specified below.
Executive Council, Congress meeting during deliberations, Joint
/Executive meeting(in conjuction with the chief whip) called by the
President or Vice President.
(ii) Be responsible for the arrangement of halls, auditorium and venues
used for meetings, conferences etc of the association.
(iii) Surcharge offenders of standing order during all meetings of the
association moderately.

L. AUDITOR

(i) Shall serve as adviser to the government as provided by the

Constitution.
(ii) Ensure that the associations financial affairs are conducted in
accordance with the provision of the Constitution.
(iii) Ensure that financial documents are kept in safe custody.
(iv) Analyze budgetary proposals of the Executive submitted to the for
Deliberations and advice the during the course of their deliberations.
(v) Audit the associations finance every month end and brief the when
invited with due approval by the Executive Council.
(vi) Compile an annual audit report which shall be read to the after which
he shall publish such report in all the Association’s notice boards, a
week before the last Congress.
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ARTICLE SIX
THE SENATE

6.1 FUNCTION

As to be elaborately defined in the provision of this constitution, the shall

have the power to perform the following functions.
(i) Consider budgetary allocation / proposal presented to it by the
Executive Council for favourable deliberation.
(ii) They shall from time to time review the Programme of activities of
the association as shall be presented to it at the First Joint Executive
Council and senate Meeting, make recommendations to same with the
aim of ensuring that the objectives set by the Congress are realized.
(iii) They shall operate as a link between the Congress and the Executive
Council.
(iv) They shall have the powers to suspend any Executive/ member of the
association as duly recommended by the house involved, with only a
2/3 majority vote of the members of the entire house pending on
when it shall be tabled before the congress.

6.2 VOTING

Decisions / resolutions of the meeting shall be deemed to have been arrived

at by a simple majority of members present at a meeting and such discussion
shall be communicated to all autonomous member unions after the meeting.

6.3 ALLOWANCES

The formal meetings of the senate shall be once in a month and so the
allowance Is to be paid only on the formal meeting(s), that is to say no
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payment is to be made during emergency meetings. The allowance shall be a
maximum of N2,000.00 (two thousand naira only) for the senate President
per sitting and a minimum N1,500 (One thousand five Hundred naira only)
for others. The executive President shall receive an honorarium of four
thousand Naira (N4000.00) only monthly and the rest executives shall
receive a monthly stipend as follows:

Vice president N3,000.00

Secretary General N2,500.00

Financial Secretary N2,000.00

Treasurer N2,000.00

Others N1,500.00

(i) Allowances shall be paid on at least 70% percent attendance to both

official and un-official meetings of the executive council.

6.4 OFFICERS OF THE SENATE

The shall be made up of the following officers:

(i) The Senate President

(ii) The Deputy Senate President
(iii) Clerk
(iv) The Chief Whip

6.5 DUTIES OF OFFICERS

The officers of the shall perform duties as under stated here.

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A.

(i) THE SENATE PRESIDENT: shall

(i) Constitute and register all members of the senate and forward names
of its members for appropriate documentation and ratification by the
Executive Council.

(ii) Summon meetings of the senate in consultation with the clerk

(iii) Have no voting rights in the meetings except in the event of a tie.
(iii) On behalf of the Congress ensure that all the committees and
commissions formed submit their report on or before the stipulated
time.
(iv) Preside and impartially direct the proceedings of all sessions of the
house in accordance with the provision of the Constitution and the
standing orders of the meetings excluding, joint sessions with
Executive Council convened by him.
(v) Interpret the constitution, standing orders and other enactments of the
in meetings over which he presides.
(vi) Sign correspondences and resolutions of the senate.

(vii) Sign jointly with the clerk of the house, resolutions that require to be
published for public consumption.

(viii) Act as president of the association in the absence of the president and
his Vice and in so doing shall comply with article 5.5A.

B. CLERK shall:

(i) Head the secretariat of the Senate.

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(ii) Handle correspondences of the senate
(iii) Publish resolutions of the house at the end of every semester.
(iv) Prepare and calculate papers and notices for the transaction of the
business of the senate.

C. THE CHIEF WHIP; shall

(i) Be responsible for Welfare of members during meetings.

(ii) Maintain order during sessions of the senate and receive complaint (s)
during such meetings and relay same to the Senate President for
necessary action.
(iii) Submit through the Senate President to the house names of members
that contravene the standing orders of the house for necessary
disciplinary action in accordance with the standing orders of the
house.
(iv) Bear the mace and lead others in ceremonial procession before any
sitting
(v) Perform other duties as assigned to him by the Senate President.

ARTICLE SEVEN

THE CONGRESS

The general assembly of the ordinary members of the associations shall

hereby be referred to as the Congress.

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7.1 FUNCTION

(i) The Congress shall take decisions in matters, which are

conscientiously thrown to It by the Executive Council.
(ii) The Congress shall have power to summon or request any member of
the Executive Committees, or to give accounts of its activities.
(iii) The Congress shall have powers to take decisions on any matter
before it.
(iv) The Congress shall have the power to recommend the removal of
anybody out of office only with extensive document showing that
such official has contravened the provision of the Constitution.

ARTICLE EIGHT

MEETINGS

8.1 The Executive Council shall meet at least four (4) times per semester.

8.2 SENATE shall:

(i) Meet with a quorum of 2/3 of its members.

(ii) Meet at the request in writing of 2/3 of the membership of
SENATORS present in a meeting and voting.
(iii) If for any acceptable reason by officers of the Senate any scheduled
meeting could not hold, the meeting shall be postponed by the officers
for period not exceeding three (3) working days.
(iv) Every formal meeting shall be once in a month Note that formal
meetings are only meetings where allowances are paid.
(v) As in Article 8.4.

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8.3 CONGRESS shall:

(i) Be meeting at least once in a session.

(ii) Meet on request of the Executive Council with due notification to the
Senate.
(iii) Every decision of Congress shall be by 2/3 majority of those present.

8.4 STANDING ORDERS FOR MEETING

A. PROCEDURE

(i) Any person wishing to contribute to a discussion or debate shall do so

by raising of hand.
(ii) No two or more persons shall hold the floor at a time.
(iii) In all Senate meetings anybody wanting to seek the permission of the
Senate President to go out, should make a head bow to the table and
give reasons in a silent manner to the Chief Whip before going out.
(iv) Before contributing to the house the member shall formally address
the president and the house, he shall state his name, department,
faculty and year.

B. VOTING
(i) Voting shall be by secret ballot except as otherwise agreed.
(ii) During voting, each member shall be entitled to one vote base on
condition outlined in the Constitution and voting privileges shall
include the right to make or second motion or nominations.
(iii) The presiding officer shall cast a decisive vote where there is a tie.

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C. MOTIONS

(i) Propositions already included in the agenda shall only be withdrawn

with the permission of the house.

(ii) Motions here shall refer to a proposal to take decision on issues being
discussed on the agenda.

(iii) A member of the association shall have right to propose a motion.

Such a proposal shall be oral and have to be seconded and followed
with reason. Accounts may also be called, which shall also be
seconded and followed with reason.

(iv) A proposition lapses if its mover and seconder are not present during
the meeting it is due for consideration.

(v) No contrary view is to be raised when a motion has been moved and
seconded.

(vi) Decision shall be taken if a motion is countered. But if not countered,

then such shall be accepted in its totality.

D. ORDERS

(i) Order supersedes any other business.

(ii) A call for order shall be made by the presidency.

(iii) Any member shall call for a point of standing order where necessary
while a member is speaking.

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E. OBSERVATION, CORRECTION & INFORMATION

(i) A point of correction is to be made by a member duly allowed to do

so by the Presiding officer. It shall be made when the proceeding of
the house goes against the Constitution. It is made appropriately; the
affected person (s) shall take corrections.

(ii) An observation is made when a member is duly allowed to do so by

the presiding officer and this shall be made when the speaker holding
the floor make a contradicting speech.

(iii) An information shall be given by a member duly allowed by the

presiding officer and this shall be done whenever the need arises

ARTICLE NINE

9.1 DUES, FEES, LEVIES & FINES

(i) Membership dues shall be paid together with the school fees as
recommended by the Executives, other fees shall be paid to the
appropriate quarters as recommended by the Executive Council with
due notification to the Senate.
(ii) Registration fee for new students shall be recommended by the
Executive Council with due information to other arms of the
Governing Council.
(iii) A copy of the association’s Constitution shall be given to the various
departmental/faculty/school associations in the College and shall be
deemed as such association’s property.
(iv) As the Constitution shall be deemed as necessary, to ordinary
member, in the levy to be paid, the levy of the Constitution is to be

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 included and the Constitution should be one of the materials to be
given to the members.
(v) Members of the association shall pay such fines as would be
recommended and approved by the Executive and Senate respectively
as at when the following laws are contravened.
(i) Disorderly behavior in Congress meeting.
(ii) Absenteeism and late coming to executive/senate meeting without due
prior notification to the presidency.
(iii) Absenteeism in the association’s week activities as in the case of
departments/faculties/school.

9.2 FUNDS

(i) The association shall maintain a Current account with a recognized

commercial financial institution within the University community.

(ii) The President, Financial Secretary and the Treasurer of the

association shall be signatories to all forms of financial transactions of
the associations.

(iii) Withdrawal from the Association’s account shall be on a compulsory

signatory of the president, financial secretary and or Treasurer

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ARTICLE TEN

COMMITTEE

The following are some of the committees that shall be formed by the
Executive at the approval of the Senate to assist the Executive Council in its
day-to-day activities.

(a) week planning committee.

(b) Audit Committee
(C) Ad-hoc Committees

10.1 SCIENCE WEEK PLANNING COMMITTEE

This committee shall be reconstituted yearly and shall have the following as
members:

(i) All members appointed by the President from the Congress.

(ii) Two members appointed from the SENATE to be approved by the

SENATE PRESIDENT.

(iii) Names of person(s) appointed by the President from the Congress

shall be forwarded to the SENATE for appropriate scrutiny and
approval.

10.2 AUDIT COMMITTEE

There shall be an audit committee made up of the members of the

association when the need arises.

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A. FUNCTION OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

(i) Audit financial book of the association held by Executive Council and
SENATE, and report same to Congress.

(ii) Disclose cases of fraud to Congress through a comprehensive report

for possible disciplinary action at the last meeting of the second
semester.

(iii) The Auditor shall head the committee, no Executive Council member
shall be a member.

10.3 AD-HOC COMMITTEE

Ad-hoc Committee shall be formed by the Executive Council through the

approval of the Senate when necessary,

ARTICLE ELEVEN
REMOVAL/ RESIGNATION

11.1 This provision shall apply to cases of resignation, suspension,

dissolution, removal, replacement, responsibility and tenure of office
in respect of Executive Council and the Senate.

A. RESIGNATION

(i) A member may resign his membership of the Executive Council by

writing to that effect to the President and shall copy the senate
President and the staff adviser of the association.

(ii) An officer resigning shall submit to the appropriate authority a

comprehensive Report of conduct and activities related to post held in
the form of hand over note two weeks before the date of resignation.

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(iii) A resignation shall be deemed as accepted if at the expiration of the
two (2) weeks no objection has been expressed.

(iv) however if the member so resigning is the President, he shall submit to

the Vice President through the Secretary General, the executive
council headed by the Vice President shall accept the resignation
provided it is justified and the president has no case of abuse of office
standing against him. The vice president shall then act in the capacity
of the Executive President.

(v) in the case where the President and vice President are involved, the
Senate President shall immediately act as the head of the association
and shall immediately set up an ad hoc electoral commission which
shall conduct a bye election within 21 days.

(vi) removal of the senate president, deputy senate president and other
officers of the senate shall be by a motion, supported and approved
by two-third majority of members of the senate present in such sitting.
Such removal shall be communicated to the president within 24 hours.

B. SUSPENSION/ DISSOLUTION

If the Senate observes by way of extensive documents that the Executive

Council runs the association’s affairs in a manner prejudicial to the
association reputation or order, it may either recommend to Congress:

(i) Suspension of the Executive Council or any member of part thereof

for a period not exceeding fourteen school days.

(ii) Dissolution of Executive Council.

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(iii) The recommendations can only be made with a 2/3 majority vote of
all the Senators.

C. REMOVAL

(i) The Executive Council may recommend the removal of any of its
member(s) by a 2/3 majority of its entire member to the Senate.
Removal pursuant to this provision shall be effected by at least 2/3
majority vote of member of Senate present.

(ii) Any member of the Executive Council may be recommended for

removal by the Senate after it had been duly inform and / or briefed by
the Executive Council that such a member conducts himself in a
manner prejudicial to the reputation of orderly running of the
association by a 2/3 majority vote of its members.

D. REPLACEMENT

(i) Any vacancy in the Executive Council due to any provision of the
Article shall be reported by the President to the Senate, the president
shall conduct a bye-election to fill the vacancy, Where the office of
president is affected, the Vice President shall automatically, become
the President and fresh election conducted to fill the office of the Vice
President in not more than 21 days.

(ii) Where office of the President and Vice are vacant by reason of their
removal or resignation, the Senate President of the Senate shall act as
President until a new President and Vice are elected and sworn-in
which shall be in not more than 21 days.

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E. RESPONSIBILITY

The senate shall be responsible to the executive Council.

F. TENURE OF OFFICE

(i) The tenure of office of the Executive Council and Senate shall be one
academic session.

(ii) All office holders shall hold office as stipulated in the Constitution.

(iii) The executive shall inaugurate the associations’ electoral commission

immediately after the second semester examination of such academic
session

(iv) on the inauguration of the electoral commission the Executive

Council stands partial dissolved with the President, Senate president
and the electoral commission handling the affairs of the association
from the day of Electoral commission inauguration till a date not
later than the first 6 weeks of resumption into the new academic

session within which the election and inauguration of the new

executives should take place

(v) On the day of swearing-in of the next Executive Council all files and
properties of the associations shall be handed over to the president for
onward transmission to the office holders,

(vi) In event of official misconduct by any member of the electoral

commission such shall be reported to the Senate for appropriate
disciplinary actions.

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(vii) All members of the outgoing Executive Council, Senate and the
electoral commision shall not vote in the election except if the
executive member or senator is contesting.
(viii) the electoral commission members can only vote in the event of a tie
after counting of votes.

ARTICLE TWELVE

DEPARTMENTAL AND FACULTY ASSOCIATIONS

12.1
(i) All department and faculties/school under the college shall have the
right to form their own associations.
(ii) Shall submit names of members of the Executive Council of
associations at the beginning of each academic session.
(iii) In case of conflicting activities and interests between their association
and that of NASS, that of NASS shall be Supreme.

ARTICLE THIRTEEN

ELECTION

13.1 ELECTORAL COMMISSION

(i) There shall be an electoral commission for the purpose of conducting
the associations’ election.
(ii) The electoral commission shall consist of TWELVE members, three
from each faculty/school who shall be elected from each
faculty’s/school’s congress.

(iii) Members of the commission shall be ordinary members of the

association and so must have met all financial requirement.
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(iv) Members of this commission shall not or contest elections into any of
the office.
(v) The Chairman, secretary and co-ordinator shall be appointed by the
president and in its first sitting shall draw up electoral guidelines.
(vi) the offices to be contested for shall include:
President
Vice president
Secretary General
Assistant Secretary General
Financial Secretary
Treasurer
Director of Socials
Director of Welfare
Director of Sports
Auditor
Provost
Public Relation Officer
For the Senate:
The contestable offices shall include:
Senate President
Deputy Senate President
(vii) Membership Into the new Senate shall be by election at the
faculty/school levels.
(viii) Offices not contested for shall be declared vacant at the close of
nominations and elections.
(ix) Electoral Commission shall make their own bye laws for proper
conduct of free and fair elections and publish on all notice boards at
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 least 12 days before commencement of the election, which shall be
binding on all contestants and voters and shall not contravene the
provisions of this constitution.
(x) The electoral commission shall have powers to screen candidates for
eligibility to contest election using its bye-laws and guidelines and in
accordance with provisions of the Constitution.
(xi) Decision of the electoral commission shall be final, but shall not
contravene the provision of this constitution.
(xii) Any protest against irregularities shall be made known to the
Chairman in writing within 3 school days and inauguration of the
newly elected executives/ senate shall not exceed seven school days,
if there is no protest against it.
(xiii) In any rigid objection, the electoral commission shall have the power
to make any decision, which shall not contravene the provision of this
constitution.
(xiv) in case the electoral commission fails to inaugurate the executive elect,
the staff adviser in conjunction with the out-going president shall
inaugurate the executive with due notification to the Dean students
affairs, College management, Chief Security officer.

13.2 ELIGIBILITY

(i) All aspirants contesting for the office of the President, and Senate
President, Secretary General, Financial Secretary, Deputy Senate
President and treasurer must have C.G.P.A. of at least 3.0 points with
outstanding results, while others aspirants shall have a minimum of
2.50 C.G.P.A. with outstanding result.

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(ii) Candidates wishing to contest elections for the President and the
Senate President must have completed at least two academic sessions
in the college, while for other offices the contestants must have
completed one academic session.
(iii) Candidates wishing to contest for the office of the Senate President
must have been a member of the Senate/parliament.
(iv) All ordinary members who have met all requirements as provided by
the Constitution and bye-laws of the electoral commission shall be
eligible to vote.
(v) All matriculated students of the association shall be eligible to vote.
(v) He must have a copy of the Association’s Constitution
(vi) He is not disqualified by any provisions of the Constitution.
(vii) He must not hold any office at the department, faculty, College,
S.U.G, ethnic/socio-cultural group, church/fellowship and or course
representative. And in the case of the aspirant holding such office, he
must officially resign his office before picking form for the new
office.
(viii) He must not have security issues.
(ix) All contestants due to go on industrial training must undergo such
within the university community, if otherwise stands impeached or
removed from office.

13.3 ELECTION PROCEDURES

(i) Associations election shall be conducted by secret balloting.
(ii) Candidate/aspirant with majority of votes cast shall be declared
winner.

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(iii) If only one candidate is nominated to post of the President or Senate
President, he shall be subjected to the confirmation vote in the
elections in which he shall obtain a two-third majority of the votes
cast, if he fails, he shall not be declared elected and bye-election shall
be conducted.

(iv) Election result shall be declared immediately after counting the votes.

(v) Open Campaign shall start after being declared eligible which shall be
a minimum of three days from the election date and shall end
immediately before commencement of elections.

(vi) Candidates posters shall be strictly pasted only on notice boards. If

this is contravened, candidate(s) involved shall be automatically
disqualified.

(vii) Candidates/fans/supporters found campaigning during elections stand

disqualified.

(vii) In cases of a tie in the election, the electoral committee members shall
cast their votes, in the case of tie after the eleco have casted their
votes, a run-off election shall be conducted in respect of the candidate
that led within seven days of publication of results.

(viii) During voting each member shall be entitled to one vote.

(ix) All observers for a given office must be a witness to the counting of
votes for such office.

(x) the college management, students affairs, and office of the school
security, have to be duly notified about the election (at least seven (7)
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 days before the election) and inauguration ( at least two days before
inauguration).

ARTICLES 14

DISCIPLINE

Any officer of this association found to have embezzled or mismanaged the

finance or property of the association shall have his certificate withheld if he
is a final year student or shall have his resignation discontinued, until such a
time he has been cleared by incumbent Executive Council. If he is a serving
officer, he shall have his post relinquished automatically failure for such
office/member to refund such money, he shall be reported to the Provost
through the staff adviser.
ARTICLE 15
AMENDMENT
15.1 written notice of any motion to amend the constitution, with the
amendment stated in precise terms and signed by the mover and the
seconder shall be sent to the Senate president through the clerk
15.2 the Senate president shall ensure a copy of the proposed amendment is
pasted on the notice board(s) within the college within 48 hours of its
receipt.
15.3 a copy of the proposed amendment of the constitution shall be
presented to the executive and the college board
15.4 no amendment of this constitution shall be valid unless it is passed
by a 2/3 majority of the entire membership of the Senate. Such
amendments shall become operative following the approval by the
Executives council and the congress.

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15.5 Amendment to any clause or session of this constitution shall be for a
minimum of two (2) academic session
ARTICLE 16
CITATION
16.1 The constitution shall be cited as the constitution of the NIGERIAN
ASSOCIATION OF SCIENCE STUDENTS University of Port
Harcourt.
16.2 This constitution shall be operative in the association on the date of its
final adoption by the congress and signed into law by the president.
ARTICLE 17
INTERPRETATION
In this constitution, unless otherwise expressly provided or the context
otherwise requires, “Bye law(s) refers to any of the associations’ Bye law
duly approved by the Senate, the executive Council or the electoral
commission, in such cases in which the constitution remains silent, but does
not contravene the provisions of this constitution.
“Functions” include powers and duties, “He” refers to both sexes, “the
constitution” refers to this constitution, “office” refers to the position held,
“Outstanding” refers to without carry over “Himself” refers to both sexes,
“His” refers to both sexes.

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ARTICLE 18
CONCLUSION
The executive Council headed by the president shall ensure that every
member of the association has a copy of this constitution at a subsidized
rate. It shall be handed over from one set to the other.

…………………………. ………………………
Hon. Malise Batubo Comrade Olua Victor
constitution Review committee chairman Executive President

………………………………. ………………………
Prof. Nnenna Frank-Peterside Dr. Lawrence Chuku
Provost College of Natural &Applied Sciences Staff Adviser

ANNEXURE I
MEMBERS OF THE CONSTITUTION REVIEW COMMITTEE
Hon. Batubo Malise Chairman
Hon. Ukaegbu Joseph Secretary
Hon. Ojukwu Chima Co-ordinator
Hon. Maol Baribe Member
Hon. Odungweru Chilee Member
Comrade Ettah Hope Member
Comrade Rosemary Ugwuanyi Member
Comrade Isaiah James Member
Comrade Akpalakpa James Member
Comrade Ebiwari Leigha Boma Member

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ANNEXURE II
MEMBERS OF CONSTITUTION REVIEW EXECUTIVES
Comrade Olua Victor President
Comrade Wolemonwu David Secretary General
Comrade Brown Kelechukwu Assistant Secretary General
Comrade John Bosco C. A Financial Secretary
Comrade Fubara Sopriala V. Treasurer
Comrade Hart Richard A. Director Of Socials
Comrade Aliawite Belema M. Director Of Welfare
Comrade Uzu Daniel U. Director Of Sports
Comrade Ejiohu Okechukwu Provost

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ANNEXURE III
OAT OF OFFICE
I……………………………. do hereby solemnly swear/affirm that I will
faithfully execute the duties of the office of the…………
………………… of the Nigerian Association of Science Students
(NASS),University of Port Harcourt chapter.
That as the ……………………...………….. of the Association, I shall
faithfully discharge my duties to the best of my ability in accordance with
the constitution of the Nigerian Association of Science Students
(NASS),University of Port Harcourt chapter always in the interest of the
sovereignty, integrity and wellbeing of the Association .
I shall strive to preserve the fundamental objectives of the Association and
shall not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct and
decision.
I shall to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the constitution
of this Association and devote myself to the service and wellbeing of
members of the Association.

SO HELP ME GOD.

__________ ____________
Date Signature

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