As part of their commitment to giving back to their alma mater, members of the Abeokuta Chapter of Olabisi Onabanjo University Alumni Association have donated 11 Public Address Systems to the University. The donated items are meant to be used during lecture periods in the various lecture theatres of the institution. Welcoming a delegation of the Abeokuta Chapter to the University on Monday, 26th September, 2022, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde, identified alumni associations as the driving force of Universities which must be encouraged by all stakeholders.
Prof. Olatunde, who stated that his tenure as Vice-Chancellor was almost over, said the University Alumni had been a part of his success story. He expressed gratitude to the various branches and chapters of the University Alumni for the invaluable support given to him which contributed to the achievements recorded by his administration. According to him, the alumni associations made substantial financial and material donations in recent years to assist the University in achieving its tripodal mandate of teaching, research and community service.
“Majority of the things the University stands to benefit can actually be hinged on the shoulders of the alumni associations and that’s what I have believed from the very first day that the alumni associations of Universities are the driving force behind the progress of every University,” the Vice-Chancellor said. He explained that under the present Management, OOU has made giant strides in academic performance and witnessed tremendous development in the area of infrastructure with the construction of lecture theatres, halls, classrooms and seminar/conference rooms as well as lavatories for students.
He further noted that the University had become globally relevant and competitive as a result of several laudable initiatives made during his tenure. He added that OOU had evolved to such extent that many of its products are now at the helm of affairs in the University and excellently running it.
“A lot of people have come to this University, especially during our accreditation processes, and they’ve marveled at the pace of development that took place in this University over the last five years and we want to thank God,” Prof. Olatunde said. The Vice-Chancellor commended the Abeokuta Chapter for playing active role in terms of giving back to the University. The Chapter’s previous gestures included donation of computer sets, industrial ceiling fans and endowment fund for the Best Graduating Student in the University, among others. He expressed optimism that with the recent reconstitution of the institution’s Governing Council, the challenges with the national body of the Alumni Association would soon be laid to rest. He revealed that a Conflict and Resolution Committee has been set up to find a lasting solution to the internal problems rocking the Alumni. In his remarks, the Abeokuta Chapter Chairman of the Alumni, Mr Sina Adefolahan, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for his services to the University, saying members “appreciated the remarkable development that this University has witnessed during your tenure.”
He also expressed satisfaction over the rapport existing between the Alumni and the University Management, noting: “We must place it on record that we are proud that over the years, you have succeeded in granting us admissions for our wards and children.”
Adefolahan disclosed that the latest donations of 11 Public Address Systems were purchased after conducting a need assessment of the University. He added that the items were donated in memory of two deceased members of the Chapter namely Mr. Segun Odubela and Justice Kolawole Peters.
“For us at Abeokuta Chapter, our own commitment is what we can do for the University. We will continue to contribute our quota to the growth of this University which, of course, we have been doing in the last eight, ten years,” he said.
Adefolahan, who was accompanied by some members during the presentation, declared that the Abeokuta Chapter believes the Public Address Systems will aid effective teaching and learning in the University. On the face-off between members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the Federal Government which has resulted in prolonged strike in public Universities nationwide, Adefolahan called for urgent resolution of the crisis “in the interest of students who had overstayed at home.”
