In a passionate appeal for greater alumni engagement, the Vice Chancellor of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago Iwoye, Prof. Ayodeji Agboola, has urged former students of the institution to actively contribute to initiatives aimed at enhancing academic excellence and advancing the university’s growth.
Agboola emphasized that as critical stakeholders, alumni have a pivotal role in the continued development of their alma mater. He encouraged them to commemorate their anniversaries with impactful projects that align with the government’s vision of fostering a conducive learning and teaching environment in tertiary institutions.
The Vice Chancellor made this call on Thursday during the 30th anniversary and reunion celebration of the 1994 medical graduates of the Obafemi Awolowo College of Health Sciences (OACHS), Olabisi Onabanjo University. The occasion was marked by the commissioning of a newly built Neonatal Ward and the renovation of the College Auditorium at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH), Sagamu.
A Call for Alumni Support and University Advancement
Speaking at the event, Prof. Agboola lauded the alumni for their unwavering support of the institution’s developmental projects, highlighting that their generous contributions have significantly improved infrastructure and student welfare.
“We deeply appreciate the contributions of our alumni in supporting the present administration’s developmental initiatives,” Agboola remarked. “We encourage others to emulate this noble initiative to further aid the government’s efforts in creating an enviable and conducive environment for learning.”
The Vice Chancellor stressed the importance of giving back to one’s alma mater, noting that such gestures have far-reaching effects, benefiting students from diverse backgrounds.
“We sincerely commend these humanitarian efforts. It is truly inspiring to witness the selflessness displayed by our alumni. Their contributions will go a long way in supporting the university’s infrastructural expansion, and we hope that more alumni will follow in their footsteps,” he added.
Agboola also urged lecturers and students to embrace a culture of maintenance to ensure that the newly provided facilities remain in excellent condition. He emphasized that proper maintenance of these infrastructures would encourage more donors and stakeholders to contribute to the institution’s development.
New Neonatal Ward to Boost Child Healthcare
Dr. Olubunmi Fatugase, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of OOUTH, expressed profound gratitude to the 1994 set of medical graduates for their generosity, describing the Neonatal Ward as a transformative project that will significantly reduce child mortality rates.
“This Neonatal Ward is a game-changer for our healthcare delivery,” Fatugase stated. “It will go a long way in saving the lives of newborns, ensuring better maternal and infant healthcare outcomes.”
Similarly, Prof. Bolanle Fetuga, the Provost of the College, lauded the alumni’s selfless donation, describing the projects as gifts that will impact generations of students for years to come.
“These projects will create an improved learning environment where minds are nurtured, ideas are exchanged, and innovation is fostered,” Fetuga noted.
Alumni Donate N40 Million for Infrastructure Development
Highlighting the motivation behind the landmark projects, Prof. Akinbami Olusegun, Chairman of the OACHS Local Organizing Committee for the reunion, revealed that the 1994 medical graduates of the university decided to commemorate their 30th anniversary by executing the N40 million projects as a way of giving back to society and supporting the government’s efforts to enhance learning facilities.
“Our decision to undertake these projects stems from our collective desire to give back to the institution that shaped us into the professionals we are today,” Olusegun said. “By investing in infrastructural development, we hope to provide present and future students with better resources and an enabling environment for learning.”
Alumni Contributions: A Step Towards Quality Healthcare and Education
In their separate goodwill messages, Prof. Olanrewaju Adenekan and Prof. Adebiyi Olowu praised the alumni for their generous contributions, emphasizing that their efforts would not only enhance healthcare delivery but also play a crucial role in the overall infrastructural growth of the university.
“Their commitment to supporting qualitative healthcare delivery is commendable,” Adenekan stated. “Their contributions will go a long way in ensuring that students and medical professionals have access to state-of-the-art facilities.”
With the commissioning of these projects, Olabisi Onabanjo University continues to witness significant growth, thanks to the selfless contributions of its alumni. The Vice Chancellor’s call for increased alumni participation in university development resonates as a challenge for other graduates to step forward and play a vital role in shaping the future of their alma mater.
As the institution continues its journey towards academic excellence and infrastructural transformation, one question remains—will more alumni heed the call to contribute to OOU’s progress?
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