BEING A PRESS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF LAGOS STUDENTS’ UNION PRESIDENT, COMRADE MUHAMMED OLANIYAN ON THIS DAY 13TH OF JANUARY 2015 ON THE OCCASION OF THE ARMED FORCES REMEBERANCE DAY.

It is with utmost humility and profound pleasure that I welcome you all to the University of Lagos – highly reputed as the “University of First choice” and the “Nation’s Pride”. Indeed, for the exploits of the University, it merits the reputation.
We express our undiluted gratitude to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Rahman Ade Bello, for giving the students of the University of Lagos the opportunity to showcase adept leadership skills. This, he has done by the reinstatement of the University of Lagos Students’ Union last year, and the conduction of the last union elections that brought in this new set of executives whom I head.
We thank all students of the University of Lagos for their dogged strive for success, and continued support of the union. I must assert at this juncture that I feel most obliged to be your president.
Today, we launch a very innovative project. A project meant to appreciate the efforts of our soldiers. Today, we tell the world how much our gallant soldiers are selfless and efficient. Today, the University of Lagos Students’ Union launches the “Thank A Soldier” campaign.
As we all know, some of our soldiers, while fighting to defend the integrity and unity of Nigeria lose parts of their bodies, some legs, some hands, some spines, some even lose their lives. These heroes left the coziness of their rooms. They left the warmth derived from the embraces of their wives and kids, their families. They left the visible care-giving of their friends. They left all. They left all of it for Nigeria.
Unfortunately, these soldiers get little or nothing for their exploits. These gallant men on the field get no commendation, little reverence, mediocre compensation, from both the people they protect and the people that should protect their interests. But, even if the exploits of these heroes are demeaned, we acknowledge their efforts. We acknowledge the efforts of every single soldier. From one to all, we thank the soldiers.
We acknowledge the determination of these heroes in the deep of Sambisa, fighting faceless demons, with their armless arms. They struggle with their lives using guns without gun powders, against terrors who are fortified with a sophisticated arsenal. We acknowledge the plethora of soldiers who have been wasted by the cold hands of leadership ineptitudes and mismanagements. Those who stand the harshness of the heat, and the piercing stings of the cold, just to defend the integrity of Nigeria. We acknowledge the dedication, the selflessness, the determination. We love you soldiers. You are our heroes.
It is in a way of appreciating these soldiers that the University of Lagos Students’ Union launches the “Thank A Soldier” campaign. The purport is to revere our heroes, lost and living. As one that underwent some military training as a recruit, I send my share of commendation to you heroes. Ifeel it is expedient that we the students of the University of Lagos show sincere appreciation to our heroes, amidst the contemporary travails they are faced with.
The event would last from tomorrow to Friday. A host of activities mapped out to appreciate our soldiers – to thank a soldier. From hospitals, to endurance trek, to outpour of “thanks” on twitter, we want to ensure that our soldiers feel loved. Even if the economy is bad. Even if the leaders feel less concerned. Even if the society is insouciant. We will thank a soldier.
I enjoin everyone that will take part in the Friday twitter campaign to use the hashtag #UnilagThanksASoldier. Together we collaborate to appreciate our soldiers. God bless our soldiers. God bless the Nigerian army. God bless the Armed Forces. God bless ULSU. God bless University of Lagos. God bless Nigeria.