WELCOME SPEECH PRESENTED BY THE PRESIDENT (FII STEPHEN MICHAEL) OF THE STUDENTS’ PHYSIOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA, UNILORIN CHAPTER, ON THE OCCASION OF THE 2015 WELCOMING/ORIENTATION PROGRAMME OF HER 200L STUDENTS HELD ON THURSDAY, 12TH NOVEMBER, 2015.

The dean (Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences),
The sub-dean (BMS),
Head, Department of Physiology,
Staff advisers,
Distinguished members of staff,
Student executives,
Fellow SPANITES,
Ladies and gentlemen.

It is with utmost respect and a deep sense of patriotism that I welcome you all to this occasion, an opportunity to come together and interact at various levels. On this occasion, it is important to briefly mention the roots of SPAN. Some perculiar problems faced the pioneers in the establishment of the B.Sc Physiology programme such as lack of understanding of the programmme on the part of the students and of the administrative know-how by the relevant authorities and of course some other factors, led to the formation of the then Unilorin Physiology students’ association in the year 1995. The aims and objectives of this association among others include:
i. To cater for and protect the general interests of the members
ii. To promote and broaden the academic experience of its members
iii. To co-ordinate information in the field of physiology
iv. To maintain contact with and cooperate with other bodies of identical interests.

These objectives have kept the association going through successive administrations and can only be rekindled in the present administration. On this note, it is my pleasure to respectfully mention the officials who pioneered this association, the first set of executives.
B.O Ajisafe (Pioneer president)
I.F. Olaniyan (Pioneer vice president)
B.V Owoyele (Pioneer Secretary general); now Dr. B.V Owoyele, present Head of Department, Department of Physiology.
E.A Adewumi (Pioneer Financial secretary)
S.K Olanrewaju (Pioneer social secretary)
M.A Oshatimi (Pioneer PRO)

My respects also to all UPSITES and SPANITES that have gone before us, carrying on the resolve to make things better. This administration seeks to vehemently uphold that resolve.
On this occasion, I consider it important to appreciate all who have, in one way or the other, made today possible.
We thank you all.

In a very special way, I welcome the 200L students to this part of campus, the college of Health sciences. My message to you is simple. In all you do, try to understand the difference between a need and a want. A need is an essential, it is the basis. A want is peripheral. You must hence try to prioritize at every moment, your need over your want. In simplest terms I will explain. If you need a phone, you can want a Samsung, a blackberry, a nexus or tecno or Nokia, but what you actually need is a phone. The phone is the basis. Hence, if you get to a mall and purchase something else, you’ve deviated from the essence, the need.

I am aware some of us registered for some other courses or one way or the other, found themselves here. It is an opportunity to consider what exactly you really need, not just what you want. Be industrious in everything you do. Make yourself so positively important that you cannot be ignored. Respect the constituted authorities and you too would one day, be respected.
Experience, they say is the best teacher. Hence for those who are humble and intelligent enough to learn from the experience of others, you can do well to approach those in higher levels while maintaining your own perception, if positive, of issues.

As the president, of the association, I wish to say this to you all. SPAN belongs to all of us, and what we make of it will be an index of our determination to succeed as a group and also a representation of how much value we place on ourselves. As such, always be ready to support SPAN at any opportunity, because like I always say, YOU are not just a SPANITE, you are SPAN itself. A student association cannot be, without students.

I once again, seek with all humility, for the co-operation and support of the administrative body, to enable the good plans of the executive team, transform into reality.

At this juncture, I wish to express my profound gratitude to people whose advice, encouragement and support has been instrumental to the establishment, stability and progress of this association. Prof. A.O Soladoye, a father of the association and a source of inspiration; Dr. B.V Owoyele, the Head of department and pioneer Secretary general, the B.Sc co-ordinator, Dr. L.S Ojulari, all lecturers, staff and level advisers.

To the 200L students and the newest SPANITES on campus, I say welcome.

Thank you and God bless.




Fii Stephen Michael
SPAN President.