By Abubakarr Harding
A new batch of student leaders, known as the Student Union Government (SUG) was inaugurated at the University of Management and Technology (UNIMTECH during a ceremony, which took place at the University’s main campus on Friday, March 17, 2023.
The programme was attended by esteemed personalities from across the country and beyond, including key administrative heads who were present to acknowledge and recognize the peaceful handing over of power.
During the ceremony, the Registrar of UNIMTECH, Professor Sheiku Conteh, admonished the new Leadership to take a cue from the past Student Union Government and their good work. He stated that anything contrary to that is not allowed in the University underscoring how the Union Government is there to represent their college and not to represent themselves.
In her speech, the Dean of Student Affairs at UNIMTECH, Theresa Fornah-Sesay, emphasized that leadership is not about giving speeches but doing the work for which one was elected.
She also asserted that if the New Entity is to succeed, they need to work with the past Executives and not criticize them. She added that the Student Union Government is there to help the Administration and to influence situations when the need arises, but not to challenge authority. She also said that at the end of their reign, the Student Union account would be audited to ensure that funds were not misused.
Delivering the keynote address, Barriers Umaru Turay told the student leaders that they are special and unique and that they should look beyond the shores of Sierra Leone to create a connection that would help them achieve their plans in office. The speaker said that leadership starts from home and the way they lead today is the way they will be entrusted tomorrow. He added that the entry Government did not elect themselves, but they were elected, and therefore they should do what they were elected for. Highlighting some of the things that are key to good leadership, which are accountability and transparency, he stated that the President himself needs to embrace others that he knows did not vote for him and were not with him because he is now a President for all and not only his team members.
The outgoing President of UNIMTECH, Emmanuel Bobane Browne, highlighted the achievements of his administration during his tenure. Speaking at the handing over ceremony to the newly elected President, Bobane Browne stated that when he assumed office, there was a complete state of despair in the Union. He pointed out that there was a large gap between members of the association and executives, poor toilet facilities, and students who were complaining that the Students’ Union had no impact on them.
He went on to say that his administration worked tirelessly to ensure that the UNIMTECH Students’ Union was recognized both on and off-campus. They also sought to attract sponsors in a bid to create a conducive environment for students to realize their full potentials. Bobane Browne asserted that within his ten months of stay in office, his administration achieved modest but significant milestones.
These achievements included participating in the cleaning exercise and arrangement of the convocation ceremony, aligning departments and associations to the Students’ Union, presenting 12 cartoons of books to the administration donated by Life for Development, a charitable organization. He also disclosed that they had dialogued with the administration concerning student requirements during graduation ceremonies.
Bobane Browne added that the Students’ Union maintains an account with Rokel Commercial Bank. Upon assuming office, they met six million Leones in the account, which was not enough to run the Union’s activities. However, the current account balance in the Students’ Union account is eighteen million plus, which was left to carry out the road project. Unfortunately, due to the truncated time they had by then, they could not complete the said project. They hoped that the incoming Government would look into it adequately and continue from where they stopped.
Bobane Browne added that the Students’ Union maintains an account with Rokel Commercial Bank. Upon assuming office, they met six million Leones in the account, which was not enough to run the Union’s activities. However, the current account balance in the Students’ Union account is eighteen million plus, which was left to carry out the road project. Unfortunately, due to the truncated time they had by then, they could not complete the said project. They hoped that the incoming government would look into it adequately and continue from where they stopped.
He also pointed out that there was a gap in the alignment of the activities of the administration and the Students’ Union. Bobane Browne stated that the past government left a blueprint that placed the Students’ Union’s power on a siege. He ended by saying that “leadership is not about duration but by donation, the impact you have created in the lives.”
In response, the incoming President of UNIMTECH, Alimamy Ansu Samura, stated that they would not observe the day as a victory but as a celebration of freedom from the old-age stories in their pursuit of academic excellence and the beginning of change. He expressed his gratitude and thanks to the Almighty God and the Electoral Commission for working tirelessly throughout the election period to ensure a plausible election.
Samura thanked the outgoing president, Mr. Emmanuel Bobane Browne, and the Student Union body for their good work during their regime. He acknowledged that they organized successful programs that made them enjoy the multifaceted University life. Samura also recognized the presence of his opponents who were contesting for the presidency, stating that they had not lost but won. He welcomed their support and ideas towards the development of UNIMTECH and seeking the interest and welfare of every student on campus.
Samura said that the student’s politics is over, and it’s time for them to work. With the outgoing president highlighting his administration’s achievements and the incoming president’s commitment to a new beginning, the future looks bright for UNIMTECH.
