Being The Speech of the Offa Students’ Union (OSU) National President, Comrade Mustapha Abdulbasit Taiye On The Occasion of the 75th Anniversary of the Union

Distinguished guests, revered traditional rulers, respected elders, esteemed alumni, past leaders of our great Union, comrades, fellow students, ladies and gentlemen;

I stand before you today with profound gratitude, deep humility, and a strong sense of history as we gather to celebrate 75 remarkable years of the Offa Students’ Union—a Union founded on courage, sustained by sacrifice, and driven by an unwavering commitment to the welfare, unity, and advancement of Offa students.

Today is more than a celebration of time; it is a celebration of struggle, resilience, vision, and legacy. We honor our founding fathers and pioneering leaders who, despite limited resources, laid a solid foundation for student advocacy and collective progress. We also recognize the countless past executives, activists, and members whose selfless service ensured that this Union remained relevant across generations. Your sacrifices built the platform upon which we stand today, and for that, we remain eternally grateful.

Under my leadership of the 2025 administration, we were guided by a clear and deliberate vision: to expand access to education, strengthen student leadership, and empower our students academically and economically. This vision informed every policy, program, and partnership we pursued.

In pursuit of educational access, we successfully facilitated 150 JAMB slots for prospective candidates and organized comprehensive JAMB tutorial programs to adequately prepare students for academic success. We further conducted orientation programs to guide students academically, socially, and morally as they embarked on their educational journeys.

Recognizing the importance of collaboration, we strengthened our engagement beyond our immediate community by working closely with NANS JCC, Kwara Axis, delivering impactful and student-centered initiatives. Our commitment to advocacy and enlightenment also took us to the airwaves, where we organized and featured in a radio program titled “The Relevance of OSU: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow,” reaffirming the enduring relevance and mission of this great Union.

In response to the economic realities faced by many families, we initiated a Back-to-School Support Program, through which 18 WAEC slots and 10 JAMB slots were secured and distributed. We also facilitated full tuition scholarships for 50 students and provided school fees support for five students in tertiary institutions—because we firmly believe that no student should abandon their dreams due to financial hardship.

We remained steadfast in promoting leadership development and democratic participation, actively contributing to the successful emergence of two Students’ Union Government Presidents at The Federal Polytechnic, Offa, and Lens Polytechnic, Offa. These milestones reflect our commitment to grooming future leaders who will continue the legacy of service and accountability.

Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, all these achievements find their true meaning today as we commemorate 75 years of the Offa Students’ Union. This anniversary is not only a reflection of our past accomplishments but also a solemn reminder of our responsibility to the future. The torch handed to us by our predecessors must not only be preserved but carried forward with renewed strength and purpose.

As we celebrate this historic milestone, let us recommit ourselves to unity, service, integrity, and progress. Let us continue to build bridges across generations and ensure that when the next generation gathers to celebrate 100 years of OSU, they will look back and say: they honored the past, strengthened the present, and prepared the future.

On behalf of the leadership and members of the Offa Students’ Union, I sincerely appreciate our elders, alumni, past leaders, partners, supporters, and all students who have contributed to this journey. Your belief in OSU has kept this Union alive and thriving for 75 years.

May the Offa Students’ Union continue to grow from strength to strength.

Long live the Offa Students’ Union.
Long live Offa.
Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Thank you, and God bless.