WTO MOCK SUMMIT GROUP

BAYERO UNIVERSITY KANO

FAREWELL IN THE PARTING HOUR

 

It is a great pleasure for me to see many participants in the 2009 and 2010 WTO-Mock programmes to take part in the 29^th convocation ceremony which is held today March 25^th 2010.

 

When I see you around I feel happy to recall that the WTO- Mock programmes of 2009 and 2010 have produced young researchers and resource persons on WTO Agreement on Agriculture and on WTO-Doha Round issues respectively.

 

With deep feeling of attachment, I hereby pass my congratulations to all of you who have physically joined your colleagues and teachers to celebrate your graduation from this great university.

 

And also to those who have graduated but are not here to take part in the celebrations.

 

I wish the group has sacks and packages of money and or books to pass together with the congratulations that have come to you.

 

However, even if we have not accumulated money and books to distribute, we have produced resource persons who have become icons wherever they got themselves in the world of work.

 

I receive a lot of information on daily basis on this that one day when it is written the result would be clearly understood.

 

Meanwhile, I want to say it here do not forget to state in your Curriculum Vitae (CV) that you were an actor/actress in WTO-Mock Summit, Bayero University, Kano.

 

This is because although we have not become a national organization but we are quietly building a national recognition of excellence.

 

 

Since 2008 we resolved to build a national organization with a national office and research centre, but for obvious reasons we are not able to realize that objective.

 

This reason is that all those who became members of the group, when they passed out they entered a new life, with new acquaintance, friends, programmes, ambitions and challenges, and forgot the old one.

 

I think if you would not forget the old when you enter the new, in spite of all difficulties we would be faster becoming a national organization.

 

The national structure is taking shape gradually as:

• The legal advisor in 2008, although has graduated but has become a permanent legal Director of the Group.
  
• So, also the one who was Deputy Director, media crew, now remains a permanent member of the media team who comes every year to give advice.
  
• Now, every year we got ex-mock summit activists who come to attend our annual event and even make financial contribution.
  
• Again, during the training session of 2010 summit – i.e. the Round Table discussions – on WTO-Doha Round, a former Minister of Commerce of the Federal Republic of Nigeria came and there and then linked us directly with secretariat of WTO in Geneva. He appreciated and promised any assistance needed.
  

These have to be carried further and more of such kind be developed. This can only be done by ourselves. So, there is no parting. As one of you who graduated and attended the ceremonies said through GSM text, "I will forever be with you and part of the group". I hope all others will think the same way.

 

Finally, I wish you a successful transition to New Life.

Thank you very much.

 

M.M. Yusif

Director

WTO-Mock Summit