PRESS RELEASE

September 23, 2026

Bamidele Atoyebi Elected Pioneer President of Unilorin Social Work Alumni Association, Pledges Purposeful Leadership

Bamidele Atoyebi, Convenor of the Bola Ahmed Tinubu Ideological Group (BAT-IG), National Coordinator of Accountability and Policy Monitoring and Publisher of Unfiltered and Mining Reporting, has expressed deep appreciation following his election as the pioneer President of the Unilorin Social Work Alumni Association (USWAA).

Atoyebi described the responsibility as both an honour and a call to service, acknowledging the confidence reposed in him and the responsibility that comes with leading an association established to unite graduates of the Department of Social Work, University of Ilorin, promote professional excellence, advance social development and strengthen the bond among alumni.

He said the new administration would approach the responsibility with humility, discipline, transparency and a strong commitment to the welfare and progress of every member.

“I sincerely appreciate the confidence entrusted on me by our members. This is not merely a position; it is a responsibility. As the pioneer President, I recognise that we are not inheriting an established structure. We are entrusted with the privilege and responsibility of building one.

“We will build from the scratch, pursue and overtake. We will deploy the same intellectual verve, strategic thinking, commitment and grace that have enabled us to build impactful initiatives from the ground up. Our objective is to establish USWAA as a strong, united, progressive and enduring alumni community, while remaining faithful to our motto: Service to Humanity.”

Atoyebi noted that his experience in policy monitoring, advocacy, strategic communication, community interventions and humanitarian initiatives had reinforced his belief that meaningful institutions are built through ideas, collaboration, accountability and consistent execution.

According to him, such valuable lessons from stints in advocacy will be brought to bear on the development of USWAA, not as a template to be imposed on the Association but as experience to be adapted to its peculiar needs and constitutional objectives.

“We will bring our intellectual skills, experience, ideas and solutions to the table but most importantly, we will listen to our members. The Association belongs to all of us and its progress must be collective.

“We will pursue initiatives that strengthen professional development, create meaningful networking opportunities, promote member welfare, encourage mentorship, support social development and deepen our connection with the Department of Social Work and the University of Ilorin.

“Our members deserve an Association that they can identify with, contribute to and proudly call their own. We will work to build that Association together.”

The pioneer President further assured members that the administration would remain guided by the Constitution of the Association, particularly its commitments to unity, members’ welfare, professional growth, representation, advocacy and service to society.

He also pledged to uphold transparency and accountability in the administration of the Association, stressing that leadership must remain answerable to the General Assembly and the membership.

The USWAA Constitution provides that the Central Executive Council is accountable to the General Assembly while the President is responsible for coordinating and supervising the activities of the Association and delivering a State of the Association address upon assumption of office.

Atoyebi therefore called on all members, irrespective of graduation year, location or professional path, to see the new administration as a collective project.

“We may be starting from the scratch but we are not starting without strength. We have our people, our experiences, our professional knowledge and, most importantly, our shared identity as graduates of Social Work, University of Ilorin.

“With unity, ideas and a genuine commitment to service, we will build. We will pursue. We will overtake. And we will build an Association that future generations of Social Work alumni will be proud to inherit.”

He expressed confidence that the journey ahead would be marked by collaboration, meaningful achievements and shared progress, while assuring members that the administration would work diligently to justify the confidence placed in it.

“By the grace of God and with the support of our members, we shall succeed. We shall not disappoint the trust reposed in us.”

Signed:
Bamidele Atoyebi
Pioneer President
Unilorin Social Work Alumni Association (USWAA)