[Being the text of the valedictory speech delivered at the handing-over dinner ceremony of the Union held at Trenchard Hall, University of Ibadan on August 1st 2002 by the outgoing president, Seun Onakoya]

Many would remember that we came into office at such a time in the history of the union where it had lost value, vigour, rhythm and reckoning both within the University and the larger society. I remember vividly the words I used to portray the image of the union, which was that it was a “toothless bulldog”. Many of my pen friends criticized this description but I stood my ground because I knew what the union ought to be.

 We started our tenure by moving round press organizations who had complained of abject neglect by the union in recent past of our resolve to build, by God’s grace, a strong united union. We also resolved to break, by God’s grace every barrier of information dissemination. Having achieved this, we had more press organizations that wanted to be involved with the union. For the first time in the history of UCJ, we had over a hundred inductees and this we believe will further strengthen the activities of the union and also pave way in the nearest future for the general congress of the union.

 Also having had the unflinching support of my executive council, we had to shift the focus of our activities from pressmen alone to the entire university community. This explains the reasons behind the various programmes we’ve organized so far. We had the inclination that UCJ had more to offer this community than what it was offering at that point in time.

 We also saw the need for our prized union to have its own website, where we can always visit from time to time and get relevant information about the union, the university, the Nigerian society and the world at large. Our main aim is such that in the years to come, senate notices, resolutions and all necessary information will be sent to press organizations via the net. At this juncture, I would like to appreciate the efforts of the president elect, Mr Kola Tubosun who despite all odds saw to the successful completion of the site. It is our hope, that all press organization and campus journalists will make the work of the new executive council easy, by patronizing the website.

 It would be an oversight, if I do not address certain problems, which the union and its executive council face. It is very unfortunate that campus journalists elect officers into the union and afterwards, neglect them to face the challenges alone. This is certainly not ideal for the progress of the union. However, I would want to implore all campus journalists not to shy away from responsibilities. Many of our pen comrades do not want to join any committee and those who join do not give their best. It should be noted in the words of Dr Okwilagwe that we are social engineers and the onus lies on us to work together, in order to make both the union and our society a better one. This, I will reiterate, is a call to service and this service is to our nation, our generation and the generations to come.

 I would also want to encourage all aggrieved persons, for whatever reason, to bury the hatchet and allow the union to stay and move forward in our pursuit for a free and just society. As we work together tirelessly to retain the glory of our dear union, I wish to assure all in the words of Kwame Nkrumah “ that the forces making for our unity far outweigh those which divide us”. It should also be known that great heights reached and kept by men where not attained by sudden flight but they while their companion slept kept toiling upwards in the night. We must not allow this great union to crumble. I believe that we all have a part to play, if UCJ must remain on track.  

Many campus journalists have graduated from this great citadel of learning and are doing very well in their various fields of endeavour. I believe that they must contribute to the development of the union that has benefited them. I hereby make a clarion call for a UCJ alumni association, which will also help the union to achieve its desired goals. Hence, the onus lies on the incoming executive council to collate and contact all campus journalists who have graduated from this university.

 I do not believe in the cataloguing of achievements, if ever we’ve had one but our joy lies in the success of the new executive council and editorial board, that is, their ability to do much better than we have done. This is the only time; I can say my executive council and I have succeeded.

 Today, I announce to as many as are willing to listen and understand the rebirth of a new dimension of leadership, which is based on transparency, and the fear of God.

 Finally, I on behalf of the executive council thank the almighty God for being our support from March 1 to August 1, 2002. I also want to appreciate the support of Action Group on Adolescent Health (AGAH), Centre for Youth Development Concepts (CYDC), Human Life Protection League (HLPL) and also, our staff advisers, Dr O. A. Okwilagwe, Barrister C.B.N.Ogbogbo, Ex-UCJ presidents, Mr sheriff Folarin, Mr Bisi Crown, Mr Tunji Ojuokaiye, all editors, campus journalists and friends for their immense contribution towards the revival of our union.

 As I draw the curtain tonight, I want to thank the following people for their tacit support and trust throughout our tenure of office.

MOYOFADE FAJEMIROYE

OLAWUNMI OJO

IJEOMA NJOKU

OLAIDE BABALOLA

DOLAPO SOLABI

TOPE FAHM

TAIWO THANNI

 It is my belief that God will not forget your labour of love. As we together move the union to greater heights, I say thank you and God bless.

Seun Onakoya, a 300 level student of Philosophy, is the twelfth president of the Union of Campus Journalists.