Unilorin inaugurates student union executives

BY TOPE TEMPLER OLAIYA
AFTER four weeks of waiting, the president-elect of the University of Ilorin Student Union Government (SUG), Bello Olamilekan Kabir, was last week sworn into office alongside other union executives and representatives by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Is-haq Oloyede at the Senate Chamber of the university.
The election, which was held on May 22, at both the mini and main campuses of the university, saw the 300-level student of Biochemistry emerge as the new president for the 2009/2010 academic session.

PROF Oloyede told the students’ representative: expected leadership from you is not that of ‘aluta’. The era of ‘aluta’ with its associated violence and lawlessness is gone with the military rule. Civil rule is in season and you are expected to be civil and civilized in everything you do.”
“Our expectation is that you will keep the administration on its toes through constructive engagement and intellectual dialogue. You are the leaders and you must not allow undesirable elements to mislead you, because sometimes, what is popular is not right. Listen to your followers, but don’t allow them to mislead you. You are the leaders and you are accountable for your actions. Therefore, be focused and resolute in all that will promote and advance the good image of the university and the betterment of humanity,” he said.
The Vice Chancellor listed efforts made by his administration to provide the best learning environment. “Basic infrastructure like water and electricity have become easily available as well as the disposal of human waste facilities, we have also upgraded hostel facilities with a 24-hour library services during examinations — all at a cost of over N12m; while over N50m were paid to staff to work beyond their normal duty schedules to finish last year’s work, so that, our students can meet the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme without unnecessary delays.”
“To motivate you, we have re-introduced the University Scholars Scheme through which the best students among you, across all disciplines will enjoy the university’s sponsorship and the accompanying prestige. We have effectively put you on the information super-highway through the online registration, Computer-Based Testing (CBT) and the introduction of the compulsory Digital Literacy Curriculum examinations and certification in conjunction with Microsoft company, and as I speak to you, while lecturers in other public universities are on strike, our own are working to make sure there is no disruption in the academic calendar; all these and many more we have done to make you the best graduate of the Nigerian university system. Therefore, to whom much is given, much is expected.”

BELLO polled 74 per cent of the entire vote cast to be elected president. And to serve in his cabinet are Balogun Taiwo J. (Vice-President), Adedoyin Kehinde (General Secretary), Busari Abdulrahman Olaolu (Assistant General Secretary), Banjoko Olatunde O. (Public Relations Officer), Adeoye Emmanuel Olawale (Treasurer), and Adeniyi Sheriff Babatunde (Financial Secretary). Others are Agunbiade Temitope Samson (Welfare Secretary), Akorede Seun Nurudeen (Sports Secretary) and Obaje Abayomi Folasanya (Social Secretary). Also elected are 69 members of the legislative arm of the Students Union known as Student Representatives Council across the 10 faculties.