Exactly one year after assuming office as President, Comrade Foster Amadin has reeled out his scorecard, stating that the University of Benin (UNIBEN)’s Students’ Union Government under him, has recorded unprecedented success.
Recall that the current Foster Amadin-led Students’ Union Executive members were sworn into office on 27th September, 2021, following their elections by the UNIBEN students on 25th September, same year.
Photo credit: UNIBEN Prime
Read the press release issued by Comrade Foster Amadin, the UNIBEN SUG President, to mark the one year anniversary, as obtained and reproduced by CAMPUS GIST,
below;
“One year in Office: Our Strides
How time flies! It is one year down the line, yet, it appears like yesterday, when in the dews of dawn and under the sweltering sun, I moved from Faculty to Faculty, from one Lecture Theatre to another Lecture Theatre, meeting my fellow UNIBEN Students and proclaiming, “Hello, how are you doing? I am Foster Amadin, for SUG President.”
Nicholo Machiavelli once said that there is nothing as difficult as being a leader, making and enforcing new rules. In other words, uneasy lies the mind that bears the crowd. Before my assumption of office, I could not appreciate this witty postulation beyond the peripherals of the pages of text books. But, as the SUG President, I am now a witness to its verity.
May I register my unalloyed gratitude to my fellow UNIBEN Students who reposed their trust and confidence in me and considered me worthy to man their affairs.
Without equivocation, my administration has fared well, in spite of the interjection of ASUU strike in our academic calendar, which distorted some of my plans and programmes for UNIBEN Students. But, please note that, the plans and programmes are not abrogated by the industrial action. The strike only has suspensory effect on them. For the time being, below are my giant strides
1. Upon assumption of office, with the support of the School Management, we bought our Union’s vehicle (Sienna) to ease movements and to aid our rapid response to the needs of UNIBEN Students.
2. Under my leadership and in fulfilment of my campaign promises to Ekehuan Campus, I attracted the construction of a modern Recreational Centre (Relaxation Spot) which has been completed, commissioned and ready for use at Ekehuan Campus. Thanks, to UBAA, North America.
3. In the light of the fact that this administration shares in the inspiration and commitment of our Vice Chancellor, Prof Mrs Lillian Imuetiyan Salami, to make UNIBEN the Educational hub in Africa, this administration organized an Inter-Faculty Debate where the winners were given Laptops and the payment of their tuition fees. This was to encourage learning and scholarship among my fellow UNIBEN Students.
4. This administration also unfurled the Purple and Gold color in the comity of Universities in Nigeria during the recently concluded National Debate in Sheraton Hotel, Abuja, where we came out top in the South South Region and 2nd Runner Up in the Nation.
5. This administration has fostered an unprecedented synergistic symbiosis among the tripartite (Executive, Legislative and Judicial) organs of our Union as well as a formidable relationship between the students and the management.
6. Under my leadership and by way of man-power development, I have been able to produce 2 Executive members in the Joint Campus Council (JCC) Edo State Axis, and 2 National representatives in the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), all from UNIBEN.
7. Through my office as the President, we have been able to render assistance to many deserving UNIBEN Students, ranging from the provision of accommodation, feeding and intervention for our Students unlawfully ejected from their hostels by their landlords.
8. My commitment to the welfare of UNIBEN Students has driven me into setting up special Rapid Response Committee to see to the welfare of Students during this Strike period.
9. The University of Benin today ranks top among Nigerian Universities as an Institution with respected, purposeful, intelligent, genuine and outspoken Students Activists. Little wonder, the popular EndAsuu Strike Crusade started in UNIBEN.
10. My administration organized the first Independence Carnival in University of Benin to mark Nigeria@61. The event took place in both Ekehuan and Ugbowo Campuses with lots of fanfare.
11. As a fulfilment of my campaign promises, I have also facilitated the renovation of School Hostels.
These achievements couldn’t have been possible without the efforts and supports of some concerned parents, Comrades and good spirited personalities which space may not permit me to mention here. But, I will write about them soonest. Yes, we may not be where we want to be, but, we are certainly not where we used to be. We look forward to more giant strides upon resumption.
Lastly, it is not lost on me that Nigerian Students are currently facing the hardest of times. Hence, I appeal to UNIBEN Students to join other patriotic Nigerians in intensifying the prayer for Nigeria in Distress. Let’s remain hopeful, peaceful and most importantly, get actively involved in the politics of our Nation as we gravitate towards the 2023 general elections.
Fellow UNIBEN Students, this is a bit of how far I have fared for 365 days now as I pledge my unflinching commitment to your service, anytime, anyday.
God bless Mighty UNIBEN!”
