By Gabriel Dike
It was a gathering of who is who among the Alumni Association of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, at a stakeholders’ engagement organized by the Office of Advancement Management Board (AMB) to reposition the institution.
At the event, the university management, Alumni association and office of advancement used the opportunity to solicit for partnership with stakeholders to support staff, students and projects to enhance teaching, learning and research.
Among the stakeholders in attendance include former Ogun State Governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel, former Minister for Works, Senator Adeseye Ogunlewe, three Supreme Court Justices, Dr. Sonny Kuku, former Attorney -General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bayo Ojo, Chairman, Governing Council of UNILAG, Chief Wole Olanipekun, former UNILAG VC, Prof. Rahamon Bello, the management team of the university led by the VC, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola and President Worldwide, UNILAG Alumni Association, Engr. Ifeoluwa Oyedele.
In his speech, Chairman, Advancement Management Board (AMB), Chief Ojo, said it is the board’s expectation that the engagement would foster a new working relationship with key stakeholders.
He said the presence of stakeholders is their response to the clarion call by the Alumni to partner with them to take the UNILAG brand to another level.
Chairman of UNILAG Governing Council, Chief Olanipekun, told the gathering that government alone cannot fund education and sought stakeholders’ assistance to ensure the university remains the first choice and the nation’s pride with new facilities.
Olanipekun disclosed that Alumni all over the World give back to the university they graduated and assured the stakeholders that the council would leave UNILAG better than they met it.
President Worldwide, UNILAG Alumni Association, Engr. Oyedele, said the university has made remarkable giant strides over the years, shaping minds, producing leaders, and contributing meaningfully to the development of the nation.
His words: “Our beloved Alma mater, University of Lagos, has indeed given us so much. It has shaped our paths, opened doors, and positioned us for relevance in the national and global landscape. But now, the university needs us — more than ever.”
Oyedele called on the stakeholders to partner with the university in key areas such as the construction of modern student hostels to ensure decent and safe accommodation, provision of up-to-date equipment and facilities to support practical and cutting-edge learning, funding for research and development, and efforts to attract local and international grants that would position UNILAG as a hub of innovation in Africa.
‘We must rise and work together, to bridge the gap between government institutional funding limitations and global standards. We should not wait until the challenges become overwhelming. Let us act now to collectively build a future ready university for the generation to come,” Oyedele noted.
Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Ogunsola, said over the last year, the university enjoyed tremendous support from the alumni and friends of the institution, noting, “if you look around, there are several projects which are ongoing.”
She described the Alumni association as a veritable tool for relations with industries for the purpose of development as well as fundraising.
“Therefore, Alumni are in the prime position to be our most loyal and generous supporter for the advancement of all spheres of the university. Alumni are the lifeblood of any great university. You are our legacy—but also our future. We must engage and ensure UNILAG is positioned to proffer solutions,” the VC stressed.
Prof. Ogunsola lauded the Alumni for their commitment, generosity, and for believing in what UNILAG stands for and noted that nobody is bothered about an institution more than its Alumni.