MY NEW YEAR MESSAGE TO STUDENTS OF GHANA INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM.31ST DECEMBER, 2012.

 The Duchess of Windsor, when asked what the secret of a long and happy life is said “Fill what’s empty, empty what’s full and scratch where it itches “.

Comrades and students, of Ghana’s premier communication University, Ghana institute of journalism, Accra. As the year 2012 draws to a close midnight today with the advent of 2013. I wish you a very peaceful, victorious, productive and successful new year. May 2013 be a year of excellence. May your grade points be higher than previous ones.

Undoubtedly, 2012 came with an avalanche of challenges for the SRC and Sutherland Hall, but we thank God for giving us the strength, courage and tenacity to endure and overcome. In thanking him, for his mercies and blessings throughout 2012 and drawing us closer to 2013, let us remain focused, committed, dedicated and hopeful of the ultimate triumph of the student movement over our adversaries.

In the face of challenges, I make a solemn pledge as president of the hall of choice, Sutherland, to all my fellow compatriots to remain resolute and committed to the advancement or cause of student activism, to ADVOCATE vehemently for our collective interest, without fear or favor, and never to negotiate such interest in FEAR. All I ask of you my fellow compatriots of the premier communication institute is for you to exercise the right and power to dream of a better GIJ and demand it by whatever means possible.

I wish to extend a hand of friendship and warm felicitations to the mother student body on campus, the SRC under the able leadership of my fellow comrade, brother and friend Raymond Yeldidong Bayor, aptly supported by wisdom Agboza (SRC VICE PRESIDENT AND A SUTHERLAND) Godfred Gogo (SRC GEN. SEC), Enock kofi ubuntu (LOCAL NUGS AND GUPS PREZ) and all SRC executive. Not forgetting of my fellow hall and club presidents, comrade Humphrey Hammond (GJA GIJ Prez), Comrade Emmanuel Ajarfor (Osagyefo Hall prez), and comrade Innocent Maunya Azornu (IPR-GIJ Prez and press and information secretary of GUPS).

I equally, want to use this opportunity to wish my fellow comrades who will be putting themselves up for service in the various leadership portfolios of the SRC next semester WELL IN THEIR ENDEAVOUR. The likes of Ralph Dinko, Samuel Creppy,Eunice Mintah Young, Noel Nutsugah,Zarina Amandi, Sandra Dufie Manu, Gabriel Obodai Torgbor Ashong,Charles Ofori,Julius Ofori Boadu and Mohammed Faiza among others. Let me however remind them of what Chessmaster Sevielly Grigrievitch Tartakover (1887-1956) once said “Victory goes to the player who makes the next-to-last mistake”.

I cannot end this new year message without saluting former SRC President Francis Gbadago (My mentor), Daniel Lartey(Fmr Sutherland hall prez),the indefatigable members of Sutherland Hall and to all who believe in me and are supporting me in our quest to bring CHANGE to GIJ.

I wish to announce that just as an old year is dead, a new philosophy for the student movement is born; “The philosophy of undiluted activism” .we must reignite the flame of student activism that was handed down from generations of student leaders and now onto us. The flame of student activism must not and shall not die.

Thank you and God bless you for your support throughout 2012.

I BELIEVE IN MY GENERATION!!!

(STEVE KUBATE SALIFU-SUTHERLAND HALL PREZ)