Association urges Alumni Financial Support for Tertiary Institutions Devt.
By Adewale Owoade
The Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA) Worldwide, has urged other alumni to support government efforts at uplifting the education sector.
Prof. Olayinka Omigbodun, the immediate past provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI), made the appeal at an event in her honour in Ibadan.
The event was organised by the Abib Olamitoye Foundation and founded by a former President of ICOMAA Worldwide, Dr Abib Olamitoye.
“But I must say that I had an excellent team of people. Particularly, I must commend the Deputy Provost, Prof Fatai Adeniyi, a professor of physiotherapy.
“Another aspect that I must say was very helpful was the fact that we have an excellent group, the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association.
“Our members are all over the world. We had 100 per cent support from our alumni.
“I think that the way to go when you have a problem of funding in any institution is to get the alumni on board.
“I feel relieved because I think we tried our best. We have a lot of landmark achievements that God gave us.”
The new Provost of the College, Prof. Temidayo Ogundiran, acknowledged the limitations in government funding of education and stressed the vital role of alumni in sustaining institutional legacies.
“In the University of Ibadan, especially in College of Medicine, we already know that different groups of alumni of the college have been doing a lot to support the college administration in pursuing its goals.
“So, we need the alumni and we should recommend this to all institutions in Nigeria. But each institution should liaise with their alumni and bring them on board so that they can contribute to the growth of these institutions.
“There is nowhere that government can fund all of education, especially Tertiary to be frank. So, we need other people, philanthropists, sponsors and more importantly alumni to contribute to the running of their alma mater,” Ogundiran stated.
Prof. Emmanuel Otolorin, President of ICOMAA Worldwide, noted that while the government bears the primary responsibility for managing institutions, alumni can provide crucial support.
“It is the responsibility of the government to manage is own institutions not to pass them on to other entity.
“Alumni are there, we are trying to help as much as we can, but we cannot carry the whole burden,” Otolorin emphasised.
Dr Abib Olamitoye, the event organiser, praised Prof. Omigbodun’s dedication and achievements, expressing appreciation for her progress during her tenure.
“She has done a lot for the college, and invariably for the University, so we want to use this occasion to really let her know that we love her.
“We appreciate her and we treasure the achievements she has been able to make during her tenure,” Olamitoye said.
In attendance at the event were Prof. Akinyinka Omigbodun, husband of the honoree; Prof. Mary Ogundiran, wife of the new provost; and Mrs. Olubunmi Olamitoye, wife of the organiser, among others. (NAN)
