By Adesina Quadri Ademola
As Nigerians mark this year’s Democracy Day in honour of the country’s historic 1993 presidential election, the President-Elect of the Federation of Ibadan Students’ Union (FIBSU), Giwa Kamorudeen Olawale, has charged students of Ibadan origin to actively protect and promote the values of democracy, warning against complacency in the face of growing civic challenges.
In a speech delivered to commemorate June 12, Giwa emphasized the symbolic weight of the date and its relevance to Nigeria’s democratic evolution.
He called on young people, particularly students, to see themselves not merely as observers but as custodians of democratic progress.
“June 12 reminds us that democracy was not handed to us it was fought for. It is our collective duty as students and future leaders to defend these gains, speak truth to power, and participate meaningfully in nation-building,” Giwa stated.
Describing democracy as a culture that thrives on accountability, inclusion, and courageous participation, the President-Elect reminded students that their role goes beyond elections, noting that active engagement in policymaking, community leadership, and institutional reform is crucial.
“It is in the classroom where we cultivate ideas.
It is in the union hall where we demand fairness. It is in national spaces where we must insist on equity,” he said.
Giwa also paid tribute to the heroes and martyrs of the June 12, 1993 election, particularly Chief Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO), whose legacy he described as a compass for student activism and public morality.
Highlighting his administration’s priorities, Giwa pledged to run a student union government driven by transparency, equity, innovation, and grassroots engagement.
He reaffirmed FIBSU’s role as a bridge between tradition and transformation.
“Our vision is to create a responsive and responsible union one that reflects the values of Ibadanland and empowers every student to be a voice for progress,” he asserted.
The President-Elect also called on national leaders to deepen youth inclusion in governance, stating that the survival of Nigeria’s democracy depends on its ability to reflect the aspirations of its young population.
His message has been widely shared across student platforms, with many describing it as both inspiring and timely in an era marked by political apathy among the youth.
Giwa closed his Democracy Day address with a patriotic affirmation:
“Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Long live Oyo State. Long live FIBSU. Long live Democracy.”
As Nigeria continues to grapple with questions of governance, equity, and civic participation, the voice of Giwa Kamorudeen Olawale represents a new generation of student leaders committed to reclaiming democracy from the ground up.
Adesina Quadri Ademola is a journalist reporting on education, public affairs, and civic leadership across Southwest Nigeria.
