The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Alumni

  • Medical school alumni renovate hall

    The 1989 set of the College of Medicine University of Lagos (CMUL) has inaugurated the newly-renovated main auditorium at the Tafawa Balewa plaza of the school in Idi-Araba.

    The project was inaugurated by the provost, Prof Folasade Ogunsola, who was represented by the deputy provost, Prof Abayomi Okanlawon.

    She appreciated the alumni for remembering their alma mater 25 years after leaving the college, adding that the main auditorium was part of the infrastructural problem the college had.

    Underscoring the need for alumni investment, she said most renowned schools worldwide are funded from the contribution of their alumni.

    “Leave a trail; go to where nobody has gone, and leave a mark,” she said.

    The professor further urged the students to use the new hall for the advancement of knowledge.

    The college secretary, Oladejo Azeez, said the initiative by the 1989 set should challenge the present students.  He urged them to tolerate one another in order not to forget the institution when they graduate

    “We should not ask what our school will do for us but what we would do for our school,” he said.

    The leader of the set, Dr Felicia Bassey, who supervised the project, said it was not challenging to get her former classmates together for the project as they have kept in touch through the social media.

    She said they have greater plans for the college that would foster learning and research.  For instance, she said they plan to provide journals to help keep them up to date, and visit to give lectures to the medical students regularly.

    Dr Bassey said they were inspired to embark on the project because they were well prepared during their time, which helped them to function outside the country.

    She also urged the government to always listen to health workers.

    “The government should endeavor to always have meetings and dialogue with doctors and nurses in other to avoid strike actions” she added.

    Members of the set were conferred as alumni of the school.  Medical students showed their gratitude by presenting an award to the set. They, however, urged the government and school management to provide enabling environment for them, so they would be able to achieve greatness. The day ended with the students asking members of the set questions.

     

  • UNIPORT alumni president seeks to reunite members

    The new National President, University of Port Harcourt Alumni (UNIPORT) Association, Mr. Sampson Ngerebara, has called for unity among former students of the school.

    Ngerebara, who was the president of the Rivers State Chapter of the alumni association before his election last month, said his first priority would be to reconcile all aggrieved members, including the immediate past National President Chief Ike Chinwo.

    He also said his administration would reposition the association by reviewing its constitution,  publish the UNIPORT Alumni Association magazine by October, mobilise members, and revisit the Alumni Centre project, among others.

    Ngerebara is a graduate of Electrical Engineering (1985 set).

    According to the election report released by the Public Relations Officer of the association, Chris Orji, Ngerebara defeated Dr Solomon Godknows Ibulubo in the election, which held in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital.

    “The election was conducted by the National Working Committee (CWC) constituted by all National Executive Council Members, including presidents and secretaries of the various state chapters.  Sixteen chapters were at the congress.

    “During the election, Ngerebara won majority votes and was declared the winner, after which he was presented to the council for ratification by the entire members of the congress for ratification,” the statement said.

    The motion for the ratification of the election was moved by Mr. Godfrey Utebor (BOT member) from Delta State, and seconded by Wilson Aggrey, past president of Baylesa State chapter of the association.

  • Alumni mourn ex-Oil Minister Lukman

    The Imperial College Alumni Community in Nigeria has described the death of one of its alumnus, Dr Rilwanu Lukman, as a sad loss.

    The late Lukman served under different political dispensations as Nigeria’s Minster of Power and Steel, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Petroleum Resources. He served eight consecutive terms as President of Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC).

    A statement by the alumni’s president, Olugbenga Adelana and chairman, Board of Trustees, Sir Edet Amana, said the nation has lost an illustrious son.

    The statement read: “We received with great sadness, news of the demise of one of Nigeria’s finest technocrats and petroleum industry experts, Dr Rilwanu Lukman. As fellow Nigerian Alumni of Imperial College London, we are most proud of the honour this great alumnus brought to us, in being the first African to be conferred with the prestigious Fellowship of Imperial College (FIC). In fact, it was the conferment of the FIC on him that galvanised Nigerian alumni to form the Imperial College Alumni Association of Nigeria.

    “The death of Dr Lukman at this time is indeed a great loss to Nigerian people as a whole and in particular to the Nigerian Imperial College Alumni Community, especially as our association is going through incorporation, with a view to creating a robust forum that will galvanize alumni efforts to continue to make our mark on the socio-economic and technological landscapes of Nigeria.

    “We are however comforted by the fact that this great alumnus of our great college brought to the world stage the time tested attributes of humility and dedication to service excellence. His example is worthy of emulation and remain a source of inspiration for current and future Nigerian Alumni of the college and indeed all Nigerian citizens.”

  • Alumni meet

    Alumni of Ijebu -Jesa Grammar School in Lagos and environs will meet on Saturday to discuss their roles in the celebration of the 60th Founders’ Day next year.

    The Publicity Secretary, ‘Supo Atobatele,  said the meeting will hold at Plot 22 Lateef Salami Street, Ajao Estate (off Murtala Mohammed International Road or via Osolo Way/Asa Afariogun Street by Joy Avenue at 2pm.

    He urged members to spread the information.

  • Alumni’s N1b for Kwara schools

    The Old Boys of Government Secondary School, Ilorin (GSS) have a great plan for their alma mater, which is counting down to its centenary celebrations. They are giving the school N1 billion for its infrastructural development.

    The National President of the alumni association, Alhaji Nurudeen Alabi told reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, adding that the old boys would intervene in the refurbishment of classrooms, building of upgrading of the school information technology centre (ICT) etc.

    He also urged old boys associations in the country to complement government efforts in the educational sector by giving back to their alma mater.

    This to him is the way out of the parlous state of the country’s educational sector.

    Alhaji Alabi decried the rising insecurity in parts of the country, saying it is capable of threatening the educational fabric of Nigeria.

    Said he: “The decay in infrastructural facilities in schools is a nationwide problem in Nigeria. The way out is for all who have benefited from the schools to rise up to the occasion by assisting government in giving back to their alma mater.

    “Government alone cannot do it because there are so many areas of contending needs. So the old boys are the prime movers in addressing the decay; thereafter they also identify all the stakeholders.

    “The issue of insecurity in parts of the country is certainly a threat to the educational sector. The way out is for our leaders to have the political will because mere wish to solve the problem may not be the way out. Of course every member of the society should rise to the occasion because this is a challenge that can threaten the very fabric of the society where somebody is going to school and you are not sure of his safety and security. It creates a lot of questions. So the earlier government sees it as a major problem, as a cankerworm the better for the educational sector of the country.

    “You can imagine the plight of parents of the affected schools and even those who are not parents, because what is happening there can happen elsewhere; so it is an issue that must be holistically confronted otherwise it might affect the very fabric of education in the country.”

    On the centenary celebration, the association president said that “situation of things in most schools in Nigeria now are not as they used to be in the years back and as stakeholders we think we have a gap to fill to complement same in the government efforts.

    “It behooves on every responsible person of the old boys to rise to the occasion; to see that missing gaps that exist. We have a vibrant old boys; so we have been trying to identify critical areas we can intervene as save our school, so that we can restore lost glory.

    “The celebration will stretch for a week starting from the October 23rd to November 1st of this year. Basically, we intend to mobilize our members and our well wishers as well to assist us in filling the gaps so that name and glory of the schools can be maintained. This has been the driving motive for us.

    “The first intervention is the one that will directly affect the academic attitude of the students. In the olden days if you were a student of that school you were almost certain of coming out well. The magic was simply that the school was well equipped. We are also looking at getting the laboratories well equipped; getting decent classrooms for the school for teaching to more interesting and upgrading of information technology centre (ICT) of the school etc Perimeter fencing of the school.”

  • VC lauds alumni body

    The Vice-Chancellor of the Obafemi Awolowo University, (OAU) in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Prof Bamitale Omole, has praised the contributions of members of alumni association to the development of institution.

    He spoke during the inauguration of the national officers of the association. Omole, who was represented by his deputy on Academics, Prof Ayobami Salami, called on other members to do everything possible to assist the Federal Government in improving tertiary education in Nigeria.

    During the election of the association, thousands of alumni gathered for re-union. Mr Segun Oke was elected as president. Also, Bola Oloko, Niyi Oduneye and Hakeem Olomowewe became Vice-Presidents for Southwest, North, and Southeast/South-south axes respectively.

    Lara Olanrewaju was elected National Secretary, while Lekan Odunjo and Bayo Adesida were elected first and second National Assistant Secretary respectively.

    Others were Fred Aburu, Legal Adviser; Angela Ukatu, Deputy Legal Adviser; Ronke Okoya, Financial Secretary; Bisi Adetifa, Treasurer; Ayo Adelugba, Publicity Secretary; Diran Ayanyemi, Welfare Secretary and Kayode Adeigbe, Editor-in-Chief.

    In his address, Oke appreciated attendees of biennial convention of the association, promising to run an all-inclusive and transparent administration. He urged other alumni to join his administration and take the university to greater heights.

  • Alumni celebrate Enugu Queens School anniversary

    Alumni celebrate Enugu Queens School anniversary

    It was indeed a gathering of queens. They had poise, grace and many are achievers in their own right.When they assembled to celebrate the coming of age of their school, their good breeding and excellence were in bold relief. And they were there to celebrate their alma mater, Queens School, Enugu’s Diamond Jubilee. .

    Among the prominent names that passed from the school are the former Chief Judge of the Fedral High Court, Justice Rose Ukeje (rtd), president of Customary Court of Appeal, Enugu,  Justice Victoria Nebo, Minister of Finance, Prof. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, deputy vice chancellor, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Prof. Ifeoma Enemuo and renowned pediatrician, Prof. Ifeoma Egbuonu.

    There were also Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs. Justina Offia, renowned United States-based physician, Dr. Henrietta Ukwu, Prof. Gloria Chukwukere,  and so many others.

    The occasion was ushered in by lectures from tthree distinguished academics and professionals who are also old students of the school. The first speaker, Dr. Ann Okigbo-Fisher, a seasoned professional in human capital development sectors spoke on the topic: “Inspiring a Girl Child to Success”, the second speaker, Prof. Janet Ajuluchukwu, a professor of medicine, spoke on the topic: “Health a Key to Success” while the third speaker, Justice Ije Onwuamegbu presented the topic “Environment an Instrument to Success”. The keynote speaker was Prof. Henrietta Ukwu, an expert in infectious diseases who presented the paper, “Knowledge a Vehicle to Power.”

    Queens School, Enugu was founded on October 4, 1954 by the defunct Government of Eastern Nigeria. Its firstPrincipal, Mrs. Evelyn Doris Mather who was a seasoned administrator and educator and a rare combination of strict discipline and sweet motherliness. It was the only Girl’s Government Secondary School in the then Eastern Nigeria. As a result, it had the best things among which were an all graduate teaching staff, large infrastructural facilities, dormitory blocks, administrative blocks, classrooms, well-equipped science laboratories, a school library, school hall, home economics block and very good catering services

    The school started with a student population of thirty, who were all boarders. These days, the student’s population is a staggering figure ranging between three thousand to four thousand.

    In those early years of its existence when admission into the school was gained only through a very competitive examination and an interview, the school attracted a high concentration of brains. As a result, excellence persisted as a tradition throughout the pre-civil war years. Queen’s School, Enugu distinguished itself in sports both at the regional and international levels. It maintained a hundred percent tradition at the West African School Certificate Examinations. It excelled in dance and drama, especially during the Regional Festival of Arts.

    The second Principal was Mrs. Kirik Patrick whose tenure lasted from 1957-1967. Her benevolence and motherliness earned her the nickname “Mater” (Latin for “Mother”). She continued the tradition of excellence, elegance and unity.

    Queen’s School, Enugu was closed during the Nigerian Civil War from 1967 – 1970. After the civil war, Queen’s School’s tradition of excellence was maintained by its post-war principals, who are seasoned Educational Administrators.

    Right from its inception, Queen’s School has remained a veritable agent of national integration. The student population was drawn from all over the country. The composition of the student body therefore lent itself easily to national integration. Queen’s School culture of tolerance, and co-operation symbolized in the school motto LABORARE UNO ANIMO (working with one mind) is a guiding principle for unity among the staff and students. The creation of states will definitely not confine the student population to the school’s geographical area. Queen’s School Enugu is indeed one of the pioneers of “Unity School”.

    In its 60 years of existence, Queen’s School Enugu has turned out sets of high achievers in various fields of learning, including Architecture, Engineering, Accountancy, Banking and Financing, Computer Science, Medicine, Agriculture and Education. Queen’s School instills in its students a remarkable sense of dignity and self-confidence in whatever they are doing.

    Queen’s School’s achievements over the years are too many to be enumerated here. Queen’s School, Enugu is treasured by its Old Girls’ Association, the Parent-Teacher Association, Friends of the School, the Staff, Students and the State Government who collectively contribute· towards making it a centre of excellence for women education.

  • VC seeks alumni support

    VC seeks alumni support

    The Vice Chancellor of the Ekiti State University, Prof. Oladipo Aina has described members of the Alumni Association of EKSU as part of the true owners of the University.

    Aina made the remarks at a special convention held at the 3000-seater auditorium of the university organised to amend the association’s constitution.

    The Vice Chancellor who praised the alumni members for their tenacity, abiding faith and love for their alma mater informed them that great universities all over the world mostly depend on their alumni for donations, grants and endowment to boost their financial status.

    He explained that EKSU must begin to look beyond government for financial support and expressed optimism that the over 50,000 strong alumni members of the university are capable of turning around its fortunes.

    The National President of the association, Mr. Bola Ogunlayi, assured the Vice Chancellor of their readiness to work with the university towards achieving its vision of attaining world-class status.

  • Alumni body seeks to reclaim school’s land

    The President, The Apostolic Church Grammar School Old Students’ Association (TACGSOSA), Chuks Nwachukwu, has appealed to the Lagos State government and The Apostolic Church (LAWNA Territory) to help recover part of the school land allegedly sold to a developer.

    He made the appeal on the sideline at the Annual General Meeting (AGM)/Golden Jubilee celebration of the school at the school premises in Ketu, Lagos.

    According to him, the need for reclaiming the school land sold for residential purpose would help attract huge infrastructural development needed for the school’s proposed expansion.

    Nwachukwu said TACGSOSA’s plan for the provision of a facility, including sports centre and cultural centre and school hall is being hindered by space constraint.

    He said: “It is a pity that the school is marking its Golden Jubilee with less than a quarter of its land left in its possession because our second generation fathers in The Apostolic Church LAWNA Territory have sold the school land for money and without any reinvestment of the proceeds back in the school.”

    Nwanchukuwu lamented that the church stuck to its guns contrary to the agreement reached with the officials at the Lagos State Ministry of Education not to sell off the land. It has become obvious that the church has disposed off the fenced portion of the school land to speculators who are developing a residential estate on it.

    Although he said the school has some standard facilities, he lamented: “We are worried that a school of 50 years cannot boast of certain facilities, particularly a befitting school hall.”

    “Our commitment to uplift the school is a commitment to ourselves and humanity. Apart from making us socially responsible, a good image for the school robs off on us as it ensures that we continue to rub shoulders with our peers from other school.

    “We want the school to relate with schools abroad with exchange programmes that would help the students compete favourably, he added.

    The church’s spokesperson, Elder Julius Adekunle Awotimiro however denied knowledge of any agreement with the government.

    Awotimiro also described TACGSOSA’s claim on the sale of the land as fallacious.

    “To my understanding, no part of the school land was sold to any developer. The school was only fenced off with two entrances to forestall its encroachment,” he said.

     

  • Alumni honour Speaker, 22 others

    The University of Nigeria Alunmni Association, Benue State branch, has given the Pillar of Excellence in Leadership award to the Speaker of the Benue State House of Assembly, Mr. Emmanuel Terhile Ayua.

    He was honoured during the association’s end-of-year party and award night in Makurdi, the state capital.

    The chairman of the occasion, Dr Daniel Agogo, an associate professor in the department of Education, Benue State University, Makurdi, said the awards given to personalities demonstrate the fact that they are recognised in their chosen fields. He urged them to continue to do more for the society.

    “Occasions like these offer the association the opportunity to assess the performance and achievements of all products of the university in their avowed role to contribute meaningfully towards the social, economic and political developments in the country in general and the state in particular,” he said.

    In his speech, the branch President of UNAA, Mr Nathaniel Afaor, noted with dismay that most governments are no longer able to provide for the developmental needs of their institutions of higher learning, hence the alumni bodies have to intervene.

    He appealed to the Benue State government to allocate a plot of land for the association’s planned secretariat complex, computer training institute and skills acquisition centre. With the facility, he said, the group can partner with the government to reduce unemployment by training and empowering youths with skills for self-sufficiency and employment.

    Other awardees at the event were Mrs. Maureen Rumun Kajo, Chris Afaor, Kenneth Iyo, Hon. Dorothy Mato, Dr. Tivlumun Nyitse, Emmanuel Jime, Felix Atume, Comrade Simon Anchaver and Dr. M. Y. Ortese.