A NEW ERA: A Legacy of Student Unionism with Purpose and Vision
It is of great importance that the first speech I’ll be giving as a representative of the union is to no other people but to those I came to serve. This speech reassurance of our commitment to pushing for A GREATER IFE. Like my brother would say, “ GREATER IFE RISING. ’ A Greater Ife will rise!
On this historic day, I stand not as one man, but as the voice of many, a voice charged with the sacred responsibility to stir hope, birth a new dawn, and awaken the sleeping
giants within our walls.
I say to you, a new era is upon us!
A dawn that casts away shadows of apathy and ushers in the radiant light of a redefined pursuit a pursuit of excellent unionism!
HONORING THE GUARDIANS OF OUR SANCTUARY
Let me begin by lifting my voice in gratitude.
To the Vice Chancellor, a father of understanding, who has walked this path of Union rebirth not once, but now twice—I say thank you.
To the DVC Administration, Professor Oluropo Akinfala a stead fast anchor of progress, the quiet backbone of our university, who keeps the wheels of governance well-oiled, I say: We see you, we honor you, and we walk alongside you.
To the DVC Academics, Professor Adesola Aderounmu, who guards the soul of our institution our books, our minds, our dreams your work echoes through the corridors of time.
To the DVC for Research, Innovation, and Development, Professor Akanni Akinyemi, whose vision propels us beyond the now into the what-can-be—I say we are ready to
work with you, to explore uncharted paths together.
Let the record also reflect the presence of the Dean of Deans, the Deans of Students’ Affairs, the Provost of Health Sciences, the Electoral Commission, The Student
Representative Council The Judicial Council, and every single heart here today beating for the progress of Great Ife.
Most importantly the Great Ife Students, those that gave me the oppurtunity to represent them, I tender an esteemed bow. May we all rise together.
I greet you all.
A NIGHT THAT BIRTHED THE DAWN
I remember the night as clearly as I remember my first flyer. The shadows were long, the air heavy, but our hearts were light with hope.
My predecessor once declared that Science sealed his triumph. But this time, Science did not merely seal the victory they sowed it, nurtured it, and now behold, a proud son has risen from their midst to become the very prophecy they once spoke into being.
We moved through the campus not as individuals, but as a movement. From Law to Admin back to Science, from doubt to certainty. We watched as votes were counted like sacred offerings, our future wrapped in each number, each cheer, each prayer.
And when victory came, it did not come quietly it roared across the campus like a lion reclaiming its pride. It came with laughter and tears and uncontrollable joy.
It came because the students of Obafemi Awolowo University said, “We are ready!”
They said:
We are ready to refine greatness!
We are ready to set new standards!
We are ready for ITABI!
We are ready for Adelani Oluwatodimu David.
We are ready for a new era!
I HAVE A VISION
I have a vision that the halls of residence shall no longer be places of grime and neglect but shall shine with the dignity students deserve.
That we’ve an health care system good enough to cater for the welfarism of Great Ife Students. That I can wake up for an emergency at 2:00am and know that I can rely on our health care system.
That every student can express themselves in which ever way they want for I believe this is what drives the versatile nature of our alumnus, from the art industry, to business, politics, entertainment and so on.
That an average student can have the chance to be something away the four corners of our esteemed university, an haven of empowerment physically, mentally, skill wise and financially.
We shall not merely aspire. We shall act.
We shall not merely demand. We shall build.
A UNION THAT WORKS FOR ALL
I say this to you now loudly, clearly and unwavering:
We will not lie in bed with power, but we will sit at the table of solution.
We will not kneel as servants to the silence of any management, neither shall we compromise what Great Ife stands for, NO TO OPPRESSION.
We shall be a compass pointing always toward justice, innovation, and progress.
We shall work with transparency, act with foresight, dream with courage and work to ensure it’s success. The Union must not be seen as a growling sentinel at the gates of power, but as a vital limb in the body of our shared mission moving in rhythm with justice, service, and truth.
WE SHALL BUILD A NEW UNIONISM
I have walked these grounds long enough to know where the cracks lie.
I have seen losses and wins, thriumps and defeats.
But I also see light.
I see students rising.
I see change coming.
We shall reform our health center.We shall chase down the health care that our students deserve.
We shall train, equip, and prepare for every emergency physical or mental.
Let this Union be remembered not for agitation alone, but for compassion, structure, and results.
Uphold the mental health policy that hears the quiet cries.
We shall raise awareness against sexual harassment and violence.
We shall insist that security is not a privilege it is a right and must not be denied.
WE SHALL FARM FOR TOMORROW WHILE HARVESTING
TODAY
I say to my comrades: the time here is short, but our legacy shall be long.
Let us not only harvest for today’s students, let us farm for tomorrow’s scholars.
Let our decisions be bold, not brash; visionary, not vain.
We shall digitize our union.
We shall legislate with wisdom, Judge without prejudice and administrate with one goal in view, A GREATER IFE. We shall document our journey so that those who come after us do not start from scratch but build on solid rock that will be laid by generations to come, thereby resuscitating the spirit of Great Ife.
From faculty to department, from campus to Maintenance, from Ajose to Awolowo Hall, from the Amphitheatre to the last classroom at CDL we shall unify the our Union with the sole purpose acting with one voice.
THE TIME IS NOW
Now is the time to rise from the valley of broken toilets and unresponsive health centers, To the mountain top of dignified student life.Now is the time to rise above the narrow lane of reactive politics. To the broad highway of proactive, progressive governance.
Now is the time to say: “Great Ife shall not just be great in name, but great in action.”
AND SO, I SAY TO YOU…
Arise, oh sons and daughters of greatness.
Shine, ye stars of Obafemi Awolowo University.
Lift up your heads, for the dawn is here.
The time for speeches is over.
The time for action is now.
Let us build together.
Let us refine greatness.
Let us rise not as a Union—but as a movement of minds and hearts destined to make history.
Greatest Ife Articulate Ife,
I humbly submit myself for service.
President, Great Ife Students’ Union
Oluwatodimu David Adelani. ITABI.