Former Senator Shehu Sani has urged the Student Union Governments of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State, to use their positions to serve their peers with fairness and justice.
Senator Sani, who represented the Kaduna Central Senatorial District in the Senate from 2015 to 2019, emphasised that power should be seen as an opportunity to serve humanity, not a means to amass wealth.
The former Kaduna lawmaker and human rights activist made the remarks during his keynote address at the Hon. Festus Akingbaso Students’ Legislative Summit, held on the university campus.
The summit, themed “Scaling Up Legislative Stewardship and Accountability for the Collective Good,” was organised by the AAUA Student Representative Council, led by Boladale Oyindamola.
Sani, who delivered his keynote address virtually, reiterated, “Power is an opportunity to serve, not a position to accumulate wealth.”
He further added that leadership should focus on creating opportunities for success while acknowledging the challenges that come with it.
The senator also encouraged AAUA students to learn from the life and legacy of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Pa Adekunle Ajasin, after whom the university is named.
He called on students to view him as a role model, highlighting Ajasin’s achievements in leadership.
“This is your calling, and you must be ready to face it and steer it in the right direction.
“There is always a lesson to learn from the older generation. Their successes should serve as a guide for you,” Sani said.
Reflecting on the state of public education, Sani pointed out that the challenges faced by today’s students were different from those encountered by his generation. He explained that during his time, public education was stronger and job opportunities were readily available upon graduation. However, he lamented that the decline in the quality of public education has contributed to the struggles facing today’s students.
“As student union leaders, you will eventually graduate, and the challenges you will face will be different from those you face now,” Sani said. “During our time, things were not as tough, but your generation will face many more challenges. This is your calling, and you must be ready to confront it.”
A legal practitioner and human rights advocate, Mr Tope Temokun, who is also an alumnus of AAUA, spoke at the event, stressing the importance of maintaining the independence of student unions as vital pressure groups that challenge and respond to government and institutional policies.
“When a union remains silent in the face of injustice, it betrays its historical purpose.
“At that point, it loses the right to exist.”
He also urged the university management to recognize the value of vibrant, independent student leadership, which contributes positively to the reputation of the institution. Temokun stressed that universities must nurture radical intellectuals, not domesticated leaders.
