“A few months ago, I mounted a similar stage to this and asked you to make me your Editor – a request you graciously granted. When we took up the reins of this administration, we made many promises. We said the ultimate aim was to take our infinite potential, beyond reality, into immortal history. We said we wanted to reclaim our rightful position and glory as the state’s number-one CDS.

 “After all is said and done, more is however always said than done”. Yes, we made many promises; we said a lot – but it is my firm belief that, by your hard work and dedication, we also did a lot. Today, our active listenership on ‘Corpers’ Forum’ spans further than UNIMAID. Today, we cannot even quantify the viewership of ‘Corpers’ World’. Today, the list of CDSs and organizations seeking to be hosted on our platforms is endless. Today, we have been able to obtain and air opinions of Corps Members all around Borno. Today, the “impossible” project NaviMaid is two short weeks from completion.

 The various teams have returned exceptional results. The news team has turn up week after week to produce inspiring and educative editions of both ‘Corper’s Forum’ and ‘Corpers’ World’. The features team has produced arguably the best edition of Borno Kopa this state has ever seen and the project team has delivered on ALL of its projects. Today, I believe we can all hold our heads high with a sincere smile of accomplishment. But all this has been made possible only because of you!

 A few of us may be wondering why we are here today. Is it to celebrate the achievements of a fading generation – such as we are? Maybe, maybe not; it’s partly to send forth our gallant heroes who have risen to the demands made on them by time. But, more importantly, it’s to celebrate the future. Today, the past (us) hands the future of this group over to the present (you). Today we celebrate the acceptance of responsibility by those we must leave behind.

 Looking forward, I must say the first and last emotions on my mind are those of fear. And, here’s why I say that: fear is the last thing on my mind because I have no doubt in your capabilities. In fact, I have explicit faith in the potentials that you carry: individually and as a unit. I have no doubt that you all have what it takes to achieve the impossible. My only fear lies in this one thing: that what took us four months, you will achieve and surpass in four short weeks; that in just a short while, we might neither be remembered nor relevant in the light of your outstanding accomplishments. That, however, is good fear – one I can hold on to!

 It might interest you to know that having been born by 5:45, Sunday morning, Jan 17 1988, I’m easily the youngest member of this unit – second only to our new Features Editor! You have taught me in practical terms that leadership is never by age, size or eloquence! Leadership is simply reveling in the support of co-leaders to forge a brighter future. I have had your support and for that, I will be eternally grateful – but I cannot and will not take credit for any of the things we have achieved over the past four months. They were made possible only because of you.

 In parting, I can only hope and pray that you uphold the legacies of commitment, devotion, selfless and thankless service we have worked hard to build. My most genuine convictions lie in the fact that a brighter tomorrow awaits this CDS – also because of you.

Thank you very much!”