The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. AbdulGaniyu Ambali (OON), has called on postgraduate students in the University to think outside the box and use the opportunity of their postgraduate studies to collaborate with their colleagues in other universities towards contributing to the development of the country.

Prof. Ambali gave this charge last Monday (February 29, 2016) during the swearing-in ceremony of the newly elected members of the Executive Council of the University's Postgraduate Students' Association (POGSASS).

The new POGSSAS Executive Council members, who were elected through e-voting penultimate Wednesday (February 24, 2016), are Muritala Ridwan Atanda, President; Akinsanya Damilola, Vice President; Yusuf Sherif, General Secretary; Ilesanmi Oluwaseyi, Financial Secretary; Akintunde Akinyemi Oluwole, Assistant General Secretary; Audu Rabiu Omeiza, Journal Director; Jolayemi Opeyemi Mathew, Treasurer; Oyewo Tauheed Adeniyi, Welfare Director I; Adetunji Opeyemi Adebola, Welfare Director II; Olaniyi Oladapo Bashir, Social Director; Awotunde Isaac Oluwaseun, Public Relations Officer; and Oloyede Mufutau Olalekan, Sports Director.

The Vice Chancellor, who was represented at the swearing-in ceremony by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Prof. N. Y. S. Ijaiya, noted that such collaborative efforts could lead to cross- fertilisation of ideas on academic, economic and political projects, which will advance the quest for a better nation.

He, therefore, congratulated the Association for successfully conducting a credible election that ushered in its new leadership without rancour. In his remarks, the Dean, Postgraduate School, Prof. Badmas O. Yusuf, urged the members of the new POGSASS Executive Council to be transparent, honest and always remember that they will only be in office for a short period. Prof. Yusuf advised the students' leaders to endeavour to carry along their members and make wider consultation when it comes to decision making that affects members.

In his address, the outgoing President of the Association, Mr. Elijah Ola Olonishuwa, highlighted his achievements while in office and urged the incoming executive to consolidate on his achievements so as to support the University administration in its bid to add more value to students' academic pursuit. In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Independent Postgraduate Electoral Committee, (IPEC), Mr. Aro Joseph, thanked the leadership of the Postgraduate School for supporting his committee.

The IPEC Chairman also commended the postgraduate students for turning out massively to cast their votes for their preferred candidates who will run the affairs of the Association for the next one year. In his speech after the swearing-in, the new POGSASS President, Mr. Muritala Atanda, thanked the postgraduate students for giving him the opportunity to serve them and pledged the readiness of members of his Executive Council to do everything possible to justify the confidence reposed in them.

Mr. A. A. Owolabi, a Lawyer with the University's Legal Unit, administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the new POGSASS officers. In his comment, the Sub-Dean, Student Affairs Unit, Dr. A. Yusuf praised the e-voting process, through which the POGSASS officers were elected, saying that the University of Ilorin has again laid a shining example for other universities in the country and even the national electoral umpire, the INEC, to emulate.

While praising the efforts and courage of both the winners and the losers, the Sub-Dean called on the new POGSASS President to put the interest of the members of the Association first and make concerted effort to lift the Postgraduate school higher.

Other top University officials that witnessed the event were the Deputy Bursar, Mr. Munirudeen Dere, who represented the University Bursar; the Sub-Deans of the Postgraduate School, Dr. Bode Kayode and Dr. A. O. Issa; the Chief Security Officer, Mr. I. Tijani; and the Deputy Registrar, Student Affairs, Mrs. K. W. Sallee.