The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde and his Management team have again, received in audience, the representatives of Faculty of Law Alumni Group led by its Chairman, Mr. Segun Sipeolu on Friday, 14th June, 2019. The group which was accompanied to the Vice-Chancellor’s Office by the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. C. O. Adekoya also had in attendance some executive members of the Alumni Group including the Secretary, Mr. Ajibola Kaka, and the Public Relations Officer, Mrs. Tayo Akapo.
In his comments, the Dean, Faculty of Law, Prof. C. O. Adekoya disclosed that the representatives of the Faculty Alumni Group were invited to inspect the on-going renovations in the Faculty, as a follow-up to the recent donation of the sum of 1.6 Million Naira by the ex-students body in aid of the forthcoming accreditation visit to the Faculty by the Council of Legal Education.
Speaking further, Prof. Adekoya explained how the Alumni Group had been complementing the University’s effort in the development and maintenance of the Faculty infrastructure in the recent past, especially, during accreditation exercises. A visibly elated Professor Adekoya noted that the ex-students had been of great support in the facelift of the Faculty facilities including the staff offices, lecture halls as well as the unique aesthetics of its premises. The Dean could not hide his feelings when he revealed that the Alumni Group “has again donated another sum of 500,000.00 Naira for additional renovation of the complex” on their arrival that same day.
In his response, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ganiyu Olatunji Olatunde who heartily welcomed the ex-students back to their Alma Mater, expressed his profound gratitude to the Law Alumni Group for identifying with the developmental progress of the University, especially, through their various relentless efforts and enviable contributions towards developing their Faculty to a world-class standard. While describing Alumni Associations as partners in progress and major stakeholders in the development of their Alma Mater, the University’s helmsman seized the opportunity to implore the Law Alumni Group to keep fraternizing with other Alumni Groups, and Chapters, locally and internationally in strengthening the umbrella body of the OOU Alumni Association for better performance. He, thereafter, thanked the leadership of the Faculty for sustaining a good working relationship with their ex-students.
In his response, the Chairman of the Faculty of Law Alumni Group, Mr. Segun Sipeolu congratulated the Vice-Chancellor on his appointment as the Chief Executive of the University, saying his choice as the Vice-Chancellor was well-deserved considering the level of achievements so far recorded in the University. He, thereafter, commended the Management team for their sense of commitment at sustaining the glory of the institution by ensuring academic excellence in the University. This, he said, manifested in the quality of products being produced in the institution, especially, the Law Faculty. He added that about five First Class graduates were produced at the Law School in the last academic session.
While reiterating the commitment of the Law Alumni Group to continue to remain a Faculty-based organization to beat, in terms of giving back to its Alma Mater, Mr. Sipeolu gave an insight into the formation of the Alumni Group of the Law Faculty, which according to him came into existence some five years ago with the agenda of renovating the Dean’s Office and other adjoining Offices. He noted that a University Faculty of Law that had produced not less than Seven High Court Judges, including that of the High Court of The Gambia, several Magistrates, three Senior Advocate of Nigeria and many distinguished politicians deserved more financial patronage and attention.
After a facility tour of some projects on the Main Campus, including the University Radio Station, Mr. Sipeolu who could not hide his excitement while on air at the Radio Station disclosed that the University had grown in leaps and bounds since he graduated some 30 years ago. He stated that he had no regret whatsoever identifying with the developmental progress of the University. He, thereafter, called on government to be more alive to its responsibilities in funding the University for better performance adding that “Alumni as brand ambassador of the University would remain committed to the collective resolve of giving back to our Alma Mater, since we believe government cannot do it alone”. This he said would be sustainable through their unrelenting efforts of mobilising fund from Alumni members in the overall interest of the University.
Other dignitaries at the occasion included the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Professor Deji Agboola, the Bursar, Mr. Semiu Makinde, and other University functionaries.
