MY FAREWELL Good day companions and adversaries, it will be insincerity if I assume you all are my friends and insanity if I choose to leave anyone out of my salutation on a unique day like this. The journey started exactly 16months ago all thanks to the upheaval by the Academic Staff Union of Universities that materialized by extending my tenure farther. The 16months was characterized by inconsistent flow of fund, irresponsiveness of some personas in my cabinet, flaws inherited (but not handed over to the next administration) from the former President. Up to date, the first bank account of the Union hasn’t being handed-over and all efforts to achieve this proved abortive because of the unkind gestures the former leadership posted to successfully frustrate the move, so we had to subscribe to the FCMB account which was initially abandoned. We got the account four months after assuming office and met less than 200kobo in the account.While in office the “touch of grandeur” team was able to achieve all the programmes of the Union in a better way, re-introduced the neglected ones and introduced new intellectual programmes some of which include: Had cordial relationship with the principal officers of the University which manifested through the unprecedented press conference with the Vice- chancellor in first semester For the first time since the resuscitation of the Students’ Union, we had a successful press night for aspirants in the SU executive election Organized the first edition of the Professor Oladele Osibanjo intervarsity essay competition, an essay competition was last held in the Union in the year 2010 with a different sponsor. Convened the first conference for campus journalists in Oyo State Organized a colourful famous five awards in Trenchard hall. Produced monthly press releases Organized a capacity building workshop to train members of the Union and certificate was given to all applicants Ensured our Union got affiliated back to the NUJ, after several years of the union separation from her mother Hosted the 2nd edition of Professor Francis Egbokhare inter-press debate Inducted 68 new members into the Union under my administration. For the very first time in the history of our Union, we had an alumni re-union on the 3rd of August, 2013 Produced the Heartbeat tabloid and the best “Campulse” in the history of our dear Union is a work-in-progress. The zeal to perform better than my predecessor, the passion to perform better than my opponent would have done if chanced and the will to give good governance were the major impetus that kept me going through the boulevard of our Union. The journey was toughest when I saw the shores and felt like pushing it further, the giant storm came at the end, how to manage tired executive members suddenly became herculean. We fostered an unprecedented cordial relationship between the Union, her legal advisers, her editorial advisers, staff advisers, her alumni and among her members. It’s disheartening to discover that I have to leave you guys but it’s my joy that we have once again shown the University community that the strength of our Union is not in our number but the indefatigable will of our people and the passion to create change of our members, my moments in UCJ are the best in my life and serving you is the best work I have ever done. The times we spent together, the memories we shared, those moments you made me feel like crying. Memories of some past events and the handsome and beautiful faces I worked with keeps me close to the Union. My sincere gratitude goes first to the perfect constituents of the “cabal”, Ogunade Maureen, Osho Samuel, Tijani Oluwamayowa, Udofia Joseph, Daramola Grace and Odefemi Toluwase, and now to my executive council members I pray you get equal measure of your contribution to this administration to the HERO of my administration, Tolu Odefemi, and HEROINE of my administration, Jacob Aduragbemi Mary, I pray you get support when you need them. I know we will still work together some other time, to my immediate family and siblings I say thanks for the love, to my own OYEDELE OMONIKE I say thank you. Arise Oyindamola, Bello Ridwan (LABEL), Oseni Oluwatobi, Fayoyiwa Aderemi (Idia Hall Editor-in-Chief), Awosusi Damilola, Toyin Adeyemi, Adeolu Adetunji, Adeleke Theophilus and to all those that stood by me; The SIGMA Chief and the entire Sigma family for their usual understanding, the Lord Bishop and other members of the CRC, LSCF, Junior Chamber International, my 63 classmates, my friends in achievers, inhabitants of Sultan Bello Hall finalist Block, all UCJ Senators, all halls editor-in-chief, all Facultys editor-in-chief, all departmental editor-in-chief, religious bodys editor-in-chief, Seun Ayoola, Adekunle-Jimoh Jaabir, Akinmulegun Samson, Edosa Raymond Ekhator, Lawal Peju, Agboola Kayode, Abolade Ore, Sarumi (Speaker), Ottobong Emmanuel, Adejare Ahmed, Osadua Gbemisola ,Tokunbo Salako, Adeola Adelabu, Yemi Fayemi, Ayeni Adeola, the NUJ Chairman Oyo State, Uncle Bisi, The Bello Hall Warden, Professor Oladele Osibanjo, Professor Egbokhare, Barrister Musibau Adetunmbi, Prof. C.O.O. Kolawole the University management Uncle Ropo and the entire family of the University Media Centre, Tribune Newspaper and the entirety of the biggest noble family on campus, The Union of Campus Journalists, the league of past presidents, the UCJ alumni. I say may the metaphysical being assumed to be the Managing Director of the universe bless you all. Indeed it is not titles that honour men but men that honour titles as Machiavelli rightly said. I, Titiladunayo Daniel appreciate the opportunity given to me to serve you and hope I didn’t disappoint you. We are at the 26th shore and it’s high time I handed over as the sailor of the UCJ metaphorical ship to Kayode Folayemi. I alight. Titiladunayo, Daniel Damilola 0706111755 danny4god001@yahoo. Immediate Past President Union of Campus Journalists
Posted on: Tue, 18 Mar 2014 06:30:04 +0000