By Gideon Ayodele
The national leadership of Ijumu Students Union has honoured the NASSLAF Chairman-Elect, Comrade Sam Mayowa Melaye as her patron.
The conferment was performed at Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja yesterday by the executives of the student body, led by the president, Comrade Oloruntoba Olaitan David.
The president of the Union, Comrade Oloruntoba in his address said that the Union appreciates the activities of Comrade Sam Melaye in the National Assembly and that Ijunu students are proud to identify with his giant stride as a proud Ijumu youth.
He further said that Comrade Melaye has really demonstrated his good leadership qualities by accepting to be the Patron of the student body in Ijumu Local Government Area of Kogi State, assuring the patron that the union will make him proud.
The new patron in his response appreciated the Ijumu Students for considering him worthy of such honour. He assured them that students are at the heart of everything we do.
“We support the voice of the student and seek to engage students in all aspects of life activities”, he said.
“The Union is about more than just social activities though, it is about making the most out of your time in your various institutions. Whether that means supporting you with charity events or making sure your voice is heard, I am here to listen to your ideas and help make them happen” he added.
He however urged ISU members to be tolerant in their various institutions in order not to inflame passions and create barriers at the expense of other students of different ethnic background. Recognising the need to consolidate themselves into a truly active and progressive association in order to protect the rights of our students and discharge their responsibilities as informed members of the society. Realising the need to support by all lawful means the fundamental freedom of thought and expression, association and movement; while appreciating the problems of our society and the role we must play in the maintenance of a democratic, open and progressive educational system whereby every Nigerian citizen especially Ijumu students shall have equal opportunity to education, and must be committed to harnessing the enthusiasm of students for dynamic, purposeful, political, socio-economic and technological development.
Comrade Sam however emphasised the need to be dedicated to the total liberation of our fatherland (Nigeria) from all forms of domination and the attainment of Nigerian Unity; and be determined to engage their members in the general scheme of social progress aimed at the total mobilization of the Ijumu Students towards realizing National ideals and to draw attention at all times and in all places to any form of exploitation, discrimination, oppression and any other social vices among the students, and to work for the realization of peace in our community.
