THE ADDRESS OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR, PROFESSOR ADEBAYO SIMEON BAMIRE AT THE OPENING CEREMONY OF THE 15 WEST AFRICA UNIVERSITIES GAMES (WAUG), HELD ON SUNDAY 17TH DECEMBER, 2023 AT THE UNIVERSITY SPORT CENTRE.

Protocol

I sincerely thank God for granting you all journey mercies to the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile Ife, Nigeria. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to host you all in our university, OAU. You are all welcome. Our University is a pride of Africa and reflects the African deep philosophy in its architectural masterpiece, the divergence of its human composition and its excellence in learning, culture and sports. That is the Great Ife slogan you will get used to during this period.    

Universities are designed for both the manifest and latent functions. Whereas the manifest function is study curriculum, the latent are important in creating virtues and life skills. Sport is a critical aspect of the latent function of the University system. Sport is important in promoting physical and mental health and also provide students with life’s soft skills in leadership, teamwork, and self-discipline. It also provide the opportunity for students to socialize, and learn good virtues from each other. Besides, the economic benefits of sports to Africa is enormous.

I sincerely wish to appreciate the coordinators of the West Africa University Games for this noble idea and excellent planning of the event. Thank you for granting OAU the hosting right for this year’s event. This marked the second time the University is hosting the event within the last 50 years. It is very remarkable to us and we appreciate the opportunity.

As a sport loving University, we have responded to this hosting right with high sense of responsibility. We have made significant investment in improving the sporting equipment and facilities to the best of our ability within the constraints of time and resources. We have also made adequate logistic arrangement for a seamless take-off and smooth running of the program activities. The campus is very safe and our security men are always around and available to attend to your needs. I encourage all participants to use the facilities with high sense of care. Also feel free to make new friends, interact with your colleagues and learn new things.

As a token of our joy in hosting this event, the Music Department have compose a beautiful anthem for WAUG which is also translated into French. The Mascot for this year’s WAUG Games reflects the deep West African culture and beauty. The head of the mascot is referred to as Ori Olokun, which is a symbol of territorial leadership and wealth. The head is the seat of wisdom and vision, which perfectly aligns with OAU’s motto, “for learning and culture”. The colorful sportswear showcases resilience and innovation of Africa. The symbolism of yellow-orange and blue colours on the sports wear is an impactful complementary scheme on the colour wheel that speaks of the balance of energy control like the Yin and Yang, representing a tactical strategy of being able to balance defense and offense, depending on the demands of the game. It is also reminiscent of Sun Tzu’s wise saying “Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat.” A cape always symbolizes power, just as in superhero movies. Being seats of knowledge, which is power, universities impart knowledge to the society, thereby producing real-world superheroes. Even Nelson Mandela emphasized: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” The white boots worn by the mascot narrates how Obafemi Awolowo University and all the participating universities should stand upon truth and integrity. The mascot’s outfit hints us about the deep values of our culture such as integrity, resilience, boldness, determination and equality which is not only the bedrock of the universities but also the standards on which WAUG stands.

At this juncture, I wish to express our gratitude to the sponsors and partners of the games for their support. The sponsors will be adequately recognized and appreciated. I also wish to appreciate the Local Organizing Committee for a job well done, thank you. To our esteemed guests, I thank you for joining us today. Your presence here is a testament to the significance of this event. Your support and encouragement are invaluable, as they inspire us to continue promoting the

values of sportsmanship, unity, and academic excellence.

As we embark on this journey together, let us remember that these championships are not solely about winning medals. They are about fostering a sense of camaraderie, embracing diversity, and celebrating the unity that sports bring. Let us use this opportunity to build bridges, strengthen relationships, and leave a lasting legacy that transcends the boundaries of the playing field.

In conclusion, I wish to urge all participants to make the most of this opportunity, compete fairly with the spirit of sportsmanship. I will also wish to advise you to visit the University’s ICT units and ACE Park. OAU is a leading ICT University in the region and we are open to discuss collaboration and other opportunities with you.

On behalf of the University management, Senate, staff, and students, I welcome you to Great Ife. Enjoy the beautiful environment and compete fairly.

Thank you and God bless.

Professor Adebayo Simeon BAMIRE

Vice-Chancellor.