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- Doles Out N5.05m to Brilliant ABUAD Nursing Graduates
From Priscilla Ediare, Ado-Ekiti
Legal icon and proprietor of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Aare Afe Babalola, SAN, has said that the roles of alumni across universities in the country have declined over the years.
This was as he doled out a total sum of N5.05million to outstanding Nursing and Midwifery graduands of the Faculty of Nursing of the university.
The educationist expressed concern over the low number of males in the profession, of which among the 95 newly Nursing and Midwifery graduands of the university, only four were males.
The Proprietor made the remaks and announced the donation yesterday during the 9th edition of the induction of newly qualified registered nurses produced by the Institution.
Babalola who regretted that alumni association was no longer active in its roles which include, disseminating information of the achievements of members and institutions, giving back to their alma mater, providing philanthropic gestures among others, called for a change in the narrative.
The nonagenarian who explained that though he didn’t have the opportunity of attending any physical university but through correspondences, noted that since he graduated from the University of London decades ago, as an alumnus of the school he was still receiving the institution’s newsletters every month.
“It is a notorious fact that I believe in quality education, which can be used to solve the problems of education in this country. And by quality education, you will bring a justifiable end to illiteracy, bigotry, religious and unnecessary beating of the drum of war.
” When I was born more than 90 years ago, Nigeria had no tarred roads, no electricity, no pipe-borne water, and all the modern amenities that make life more worthy of living today were lacking then. This was the same thing in Europe in about 1600, as there was no electricity, no pipe-borne water and all the modern amenities of today.
” My advice to you all is that Nigeria should not lose hope. There is light at end of the dark tunnel. Since our maiden Convocation on Sunday, October 21, 2013, we have turned out 1,420 graduates.
” They are not only doing well, but they are also agents and leaders of reformation. We are the change that will change the world. We are breeding a new generation of leaders who will change the world for the better
” This is why I want to say I am not happy with the role of alumni of universities, especially in ABUAD”, he said.
Babalola added, “We expect them to exhibit the type of philanthropy inherent in me, which made me to sell all my properties in Lagos, Ibadan, Abuja, Port-Harcourt and England in order to set up this wave-making university.
” I expect the alumni to have a solid association, and an unmistakable presence. They should have a viable Secretariat which will be sending Newsletters, containing the achievements of their members and institutions, all over the world.
” Unfortunately, there is nothing like that today. This must change. For example, as an alumnus of the University of London, I still receive the university’s Newsletter every month. The latest, being the one I received only yesterday.
” Don’t forget that I did not attend the University of London physically. I obtained my B.Sc. Economics in 1959 and my LL.B Honours in 1963 by correspondence. Ever since then, and up until today, I still know what is happening there, and with the advantage of the new media such as Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, among others, things are getting better.”
He continued, ” The alumni should even have a Bank Account, where every alumnus should make monthly donations, which can in turn, be used for annual awards, and annual gifts to deserving students of the university.
” If every alumnus, donates N50,000 into this account, you can imagine what it would amount to. This will be used to help those who lose their parents, and/or their jobs. This way, you will be your brother’s keeper.”
He therefore directed the Registrar and the Director of International Collaboration and Linkages of ABUAD to immediately initiate the setting up of a viable and functional alumni association.
” Henceforth, each graduating student of the university should make commitment to the alumni association, before receiving his/her certificate.”
Giving the breakdown of the cash gifts to the outstanding Nursing students of the university, the founder gave a total sum of N350,000 to the best graduating, and best well behaved student, Rosemary Oriwoh Osanudiamen, while the rest distinguished students, got N100,000 each, and the only four males in the faculty, also carting home with N100,000 each.
According to Babalola, he established the university, to change the face of tertiary education in the country, and make sure, graduates of the institution become agents of change, equipped to change the world.
He noted that his resolve to always reward excellence, was borne out of the need to encourage scholarship and industry, so as to serve as lessons to others.
He hinted that barely 15 years of existence, the university had been rated the No. 1 University in Nigeria, by the highly respected Times Higher Impact Education Rankings, for two consecutive years (2621 and 2022), and Number 221 globally.
Speaking at the induction ceremony, the Registrar, Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria(NMCN) Dr Farouk Abubakar, represented by a Director, Yahaya Sumi, advised the inductees to explore new opportunities in the profession, and be good ambassadors of their chosen careers.
“I encourage you to learn from your senior colleagues. Be good ambassadors of the nursing profession and explore new opportunities.”
The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, while delivering her welcome address, described ABUAD as the ultimate destination for teaching and learning of the Nursing Science in the country, urging parents who are desirous of the best for their children and wards, to always make it a first place of choice.
According to her, the faculty recorded a 100 per cent pass in their Council Final Qualifying Examination for Nurses in 2023 and 2024, and also, they all passed their midwifery examination in 2024.
” Besides, the faculty also crowned it all with another 100 per cent in the Public Health Professional Examination in 2024 .”
