It is with great joy that I welcome you all to this ceremony marking the formal inauguration of the newly elected Students’ Union officials of our great University.   The newly elected Students’ Union officials are to steer the ship of the Students’ Union during the 2007/2008 academic session.

I recall that on 3rd of September, 2007, when, I, inaugurated the 2007/2008 Students’ Union Electoral Commission, headed, by the Dean of Students, I, enjoined members of the Commission to ensure that they were transparent and credible in carrying out their assignment.   Furthermore, I urged them to ensure that the process leading to the election as well as the election itself were free, fair and devoid of any encumbrance.  In accordance with our expectation, the election took place on the 25th of September, 2007 under a hitch-free atmosphere.  Report reaching me had it that the election was free and fair and that there were no complaints arising from it.  The implication of this is that the Electoral Commission was transparent in the discharge of its assignment.  On behalf of the University Authority, I, thank and congratulate the Chairman and members of the Electoral Commission for a job well done.  The outcome of their action is what we are celebrating at this ceremony.

With the election over, winners and loosers have emerged.  In other words the elections have been won and loss.    I wish to congratulate all the winners at the polls as well as those who lost for accepting defeat in the spirit of patriotism.   They have indeed demonstrated that they are true patriots.  I, again, commend and congratulate them for their maturity.  I urge them to support the in-coming Exco for the overall good of the Union. 

To the winners, I rejoice with them in their victory at the polls.  I urge them to be magnanimous in victory as well as extend their hands of fellowship to their co-contestants.  They should take it that there is no victor and no vanquish and that their victory is for all. Your administration should be fair to all.  You should oversee the affairs of the Union without any fear or favour.  You all should imbibe the spirit of team work.  Remember that united we stand, divided we fall.  You can achieve much as a team, as there is strength in unity.

The essence of seeking elective positions is service to the electorates.  Your attitude in office should not be geared towards the zero-sum game approach whereby winners take all.  I urge you to be democratic and patriotic in sharing positions.  Let me remind you that at the point of election, you were politicians with the inclination for self.  After the election, you are now statesmen and women with the entire University as your constituency.  The entire students of this University are now your friends.  It is therefore, hoped that you will put up programmes that are student-oriented in order to justify the confidence reposed in you by the electorates that elected you into office.  You must initiate policies and programmes that will make your tenure productive and memorable.  Again, I congratulate you all on your victory at the polls.

As you all know, the era of alutarsim is over, the new trend is dialogue.  Endeavour to embrace dialogue as the only tool for achieving and addressing any grey area that may arise during your tenure in office.  Shun violence and unwholesome tendencies that will cast aspersions on your maturity and integrity.   Let discipline and responsible leadership and students’ unionism be your watchword.  Be transparent and accountable as you provide leadership.  Also be humble, civil and servile.  Be a servant/leader.  You have an opportunity to plant your feet on the sands of time.  I wish you a successful tenure in office.

On the part of the University Authority, I, wish to assure you that we will continue to create an atmosphere conducive for teaching and learning as well as operate an open door policy.  It is our hope that you will take advantage of our open door policy in addressing matters affecting the Union.  We will continue to ensure that life on campus is made comfortable as much as possible in order to reduce areas of tension between the University Management and the Students’ Union.

  At this juncture, I, should not fail to commend the entire students for the cordial relationship between the University Authority and the Students’ Union.  You have continued to conduct yourselves, responsibly and naturedly.   We are proud of all of you.
I wish to place it on record our profound appreciation to our Executive Governor, His Excellency, Senator (Prof.) O.A. Osunbor, KSC for the tremendous support the University has continued to receive from his administration within his short period in office.  We are indeed immensely grateful to him.  As you aware, the 10th Governing Council of the University was inaugurated by the Executive Governor of the State on the 10th of last month.  The Chairman of the Governing Council is Ambassador Abdul-Aziz Garuba, a distinguished Diplomat and a retired Federal Permanent Secretary.

I also wish to use this medium to announce that the University Senate, in its magnanimity, has approved the splitting of the present Faculty of Social Sciences into Faculty of Social Sciences and Faculty of Management Sciences.  The new Faculty of Management Sciences will take off in the 2007/2008 academic session.  Senate has also approved the take of a Department of Nursing Sciences in the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences in the 2007/2008 academic session.

I cannot end this address without paying glowing tribute to the out-going Students’ Union Exco under the leadership of Comrade Landus Okojie.  They were wonderful and fantastic.  Their tenure was hitch-free, I congratulate them for being able to hand-over successfully to another elected Union officials.  The implication of this is that they were matured in handling the affairs of the Union.  They have played their parts.  It is now left for history to judge them.  Without mincing words, I say with all confidence, that, they did very well and that their tenure was a success. We congratulate them and wish them well.

Without wasting time, it is my privilege to inaugurate the 2007/2008 Students’ Union Executive.  I hope that they will religiously keep to the letters and import of the oaths of office and allegiance they are about to swear to.  We wish them the very best of luck.

Thank you all.

Prof. D.O. Aigbomian, KSM, JP
Vice-Chancellor