By Gbonjubola Olanrewaju
The Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA) Vice Chancellor, Professor Olugbengba Ige has emphasised the crucial role of alumni support in university development, stating that the institution's growth needs alumni backing.
Professor Ige, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Clement Daramola stressed this at the 2024 National Convention of the AAUA Alumni Association held in the University’s Mandela Hall at the weekend.
He noted that with three state universities in Ondo State competing for funding, and AAUA introducing 11 new programs, alumni support is more vital than ever.
Professor Ige urged alumni to continue representing the university's good image and strive for excellence.
The Alumni Association's President, Dr. Olumide Olugbemi-Gabriel, echoed that alumni associations should always give back to their universities rather than seek personal gains.
He highlighted his administration's achievements, including restoring confidence in the Association's leadership, continuing work on the Alumni Hostel project, and donating to the University's Best Graduating Student.
The Association has also donated a 5KVA solar power generating set to the Exams and Record Unit and launched a new website to enhance its image, he affirmed.
The guest speaker, Prof. Benson Igboin, addressed the theme "Revisiting University Sustainability: The Roles of the Alumni Association." Igboin emphasised that university sustainability relies on developing the minds of students and alumni for advanced learning.
"Education institutions should cultivate minds through advanced learning. If you train the mind, it can reproduce technical knowledge and skills. Developing the mind is more important than acquiring skills,” he said.
Professor Igboin further noted that students are potential alumni, and the way a university treats them will determine how they relate to or network with the institution in the future.
Meanwhile, the event also witnessed the election of new executives of the Alumni Association where delegates from branches making up the Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA) Alumni Association
re-elected a University lecturer, Dr Olumide Olugbemi-Gabriel as President of the Alumni Association.
Others who were re-elected include the Secretary of Ekiti State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), O'Seun Ogunsakin as National Publicity Officer; Bode Oyegoke (VP1); Nurudeen Saka Olokungboye (VP 2), Dr Yusau Kazeem (Secretary), Dr John Akinselure (Legal Adviser); while the former Treasurer, Akinyemi Akintan was elected to occupy the newly created office of the National Social and Welfare Officer.
Others elected for the first time are Akeem Osasona (Director, ICT); Hellen Salu Yekeen (Director of Women Affairs), Dr Layi Oladipupo (Ex officio 1), Adebola Ogunade (Financial Secretary); Muyiwa Akinnadeju (Treasurer), Beke Stephen (AGS) and Damilare as Ex officio 2.
At the event, the two popular groundnut sellers in the university, Mrs Nimota Yunusa (Iya Chemistry) and Mrs Mulika Mustapha (Iya Computer) were inducted as honourary members of the Alumni Association.
The duo who were awarded honorary membership in recognition of their dedication and commitment to the university over the past 25 years were given cash gifts to boost their businesses.
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