15/03/2025
As we gather today to celebrate this significant milestone, I am honored to stand before you and speak on behalf of the 9th Batch as we celebrate this momentous occasion.
Today marks the culmination of our hard work, dedication, and perseverance as we receive our Master’s degrees and I am filled with so much gratitude because this could not have been possible without the African Union and the academic excellence of the Pan African University.
This adventurous and enlightening journey began in April 2023, when I encountered quite interesting strangers with different cultures and accents from across Africa—the conservative Congolese vs. the liberal Zimbabweans, the industrious Burkinabe vs. the financially prudent Beninese, the reserved Rwandan vs. the enthusiastic Nigerians. But one thing I realized is that there’s more that unites us than divides us—like food! Again, this eye-opening adventure could not have happened without such an auspicious initiative by the African Union.
As this journey comes to an end today, my relationship with these strangers transitions into one big family - brothers and sisters.
We have shared countless happy moments, both academically and in extra-curricular activities which have tremendously impacted our knowledge, social bonds, and cordial hospitality accorded to us, however, we have also experienced sad and dark times… permit me to use this priceless opportunity to honour a fallen soldier, a brother, a friend, and a classmate, Toumani SIDIBE from Mali, who began this tough journey with us, demonstrated resilience and strength up until the completion of his thesis work but was snatched by the cold hands of death on the 3rd of Dec 2024, leaving us all devastated and heartbroken. His exemplary life touched us all (may his soul rest in peace). Although difficult this time was, through it all, we stood together, supported and encouraged one another every step of the way and proved time and time again that we, Africans, are one big family. We cannot also forget the huge role our coordinator, Dr. Gandu Sebastien played during this trying time. Indeed, he showed us pure fatherly love and support even when it was out of his work jurisdiction; from spending sleepless nights at the hospital when our late brother Sidibe was lying sick, to making prompt calls to concerned parties in search for solutions… time will not permit to mention it all, but know this, sir, we see you, we see your good works, and we are eternally grateful for all.
We also express our gratitude to the Pan African University and the Consul-General of Mali for hearing our cry and swinging into action to successfully repatriate his mortal remains to his family and home country.
Need I remind us all seated here today, that the Pan African University was created to foster academic excellence in Africa and, promote African unity toward addressing the continent’s development challenges.
In this regard, we are grateful for this reserved opportunity to not only learn from seasoned and experienced professors, lecturers and professionals, but we are equally grateful for the opportunity to learn to appreciate our African diversity, to learn cultural and religious tolerance, translation, interpreting, leadership, diplomacy, mediation, and much more, needed for a united Africa.
MASTER STUDENT
MADAME IKPAI ABIGAIL
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