The Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University Akungba-Akoko, AAUA, Professor Olugbenga Ebenezer Ige attended the audience at the swearing-in ceremony of the elected Students Union executives.
Professor Ige delivered the address in an event held on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at the Olusegun Obasanjo Multipurpose Hall.
Here is the full speech.
SPEECH OF THE VICE CHANCELLOR, ADEKUNLE AJASIN UNIVERSITY, AKUNGBA AKOKO, PROFESSOR OLUGBENGA E. IGE, AT THE SWEARING-IN CEREMONY OF THE ELECTED STUDENT UNION EXECUTIVE FOR THE 2020/2021 ACADEMIC SESSION HELD IN THE UNIVERSITY MULTIPURPOSE HALL ON WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2021.
Protocol
I warmly welcome everyone to this event of the inauguration of the newly-elected Executive of the Student Union of our noble Institution. I also use this occasion to congratulate you all on your election into other arms of your union leadership – the Student Representatives, Student Legislative, among others.
I am sure that by now, the euphoria of winning what I will call a keenly-contested election must be wearing off and the reality of the arduous tasks of leading thousands of your fellow students must be dawning on you.
As executives of the students, you are to serve as their representatives and to act as the interface between the students and the University Management on one hand, and as arbiters between the students themselves on the other. You are expected to present the challenges confronting them to the relevant authorities for action, therefore, the assignments before you require seriousness and commitment.
Though the tasks ahead could look challenging, but I want you to take solace in the fact that serving as a Student Union Executive remained a veritable training ground for many who have gone on to becoming influential national leaders. Innumerable examples abound of those who cut their leadership teeth in the Student Union in their undergraduate days and have today become giants in the political and community leadership landscapes.
Therefore, fate has entrusted unto you an opportunity to learn practical leadership skills and to learn human and financial management. I exhort you to utilize this opportunity to make your mark and leave indelible footprints for posterity.
Let me remind you that violence through ALUTA or any other guise is no longer fashionable in the contemporary world of union activities. I, therefore, advise you to always toe the path of peace, dialogue and negotiation in addressing issues. From my experience as a former student and academic unionist, it is not unlikely that you will experience pressure from your fellow students, and as leaders, you must be dynamic in handling situations under such circumstances.
Let me also advise you to run an inclusive administration. By this, I mean you must carry every member of your Executive along in all matters, including finance and administration. One of the easiest ways to run into troubled waters as leaders is not to be clear and transparent in handling finances. As I had told you earlier, your election is an opportunity to show how well you can manage men and resources.
On our part as Management, our doors would be opened to you at all times. I always tell staff members that we are here to make the stay of all students as stress-free as possible. My door will be opened and rest assured of our necessary support. In addition, you must also be in touch with the Dean of students.
Let me use this medium to thank the Election Committee in collaboration with the Student Affairs Division, our security personnel and other stakeholders for successfully conducting the election.
Once again, I congratulate all of you on your election and wish you a successful tenure.
Thank you.
Author
-
Oluwatosin Ologun fondly called Jahworthy, is a computer scientist and a trained broadcaster with deep interest in media and tech.The graphic designer cum passionate volunteer is on the journey of amplifying the good in the world, without ignoring the bad.