It is no longer news that the
Premier University of Nigeria-the University of Ibadan (U.I), fondly called
"the first and the best" will be 64 years old this year.
As usual, there will be a big celebration in honour of a great university that has produced quality manpower for the nation and beyond. But how can there be a festivity without an active participation of alumni and alumnae who came to Ibadan from different parts of the country and African continent, academically thirsty, wanting to drink from the intellectual soothing spring, and at the end of their academic voyage, they were manufactured with gold for the world to buy?
It is against this background that this clarion call is being made to all who hold the certificate of the university, to all whose employers and employees benefited from Ibadan, to all whose children and relatives attended Ibadan, that this is the time for everyone to come together in celebration and appreciation of an institution that has touched our lives one way or the other. Interestingly, they are everywhere; research has confirmed that there is no country across the globe without a U.I. product.
With the benefit of the information and communication technology, if you have access to this information in any part of the world, and you are connected to U.I, then you have to look back. You say look back for what? Looking back at your great Alma Mata with fond memory of good gone old days when you were green and raw at Ibadan! Have you forgotten Agbowo, Sango, Mokola? Don't you remember Queens' Hall? What about your own hall of residence? Have you ever brought your wife, children or husband to U.I. for reminiscence and retrospection? Hey! You need to come back for a flashback. And, this 64th anniversary provides an opportunity for a reunion with faces of the old.
On a more serious note, there is a need for every alumnus to reflect on what U.I. has done with a view to giving back. This is a university that has supplied the manpower requirement of the nations; yet, it is deficit of many basic needs. Given its historical pedigree, U.I. has no reason to be poor. Its wealth is in the quantity and quality of its products. This is a time U.I needs every assistance as government alone cannot do it.
However, be informed that some people have been looking back with fantastic support. Mr. Gamaliel Onosode, an alumnus and immediate past pro-chancellor has come with an overwhelming support. Prof. Tam David West renovated the gate of his hall of residence,Kuti, while Chief Jim Nwobodo, one day stormed his own room, gave money to the present students occupying the room and repainted it in commemoration of his exploit at Ibadan. There are many more that this writer cannot mention!
The question is, what can you do for U.I? The university, had certified you, as being worthy in character and in learning, today, you are successful. What are you giving back? There are many things you can do! You could just come to U.I., build a structure, such as a lecture theatre, name it after yourself or your father. With this, you have established your name in perpetuity because no one will ever change it. That is a social investment that will outlive you. There are many projects begging for finance, come around to bank goodwill in a community of scholars.
You need to come and support the effort of the present vice-chancellor, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole who has been re-engineering the old institution with modern technology. The university is lucky to have had Prof Adewole at this crucial stage. The amiable and unassuming vice-chancellor who is working very hard to make UI better than how he met it is very transparent that he gives account of every kobo donated to the university. His transparency and hard work have been generating goodwill that has now impacted positively on the old structures on campus. This Pediatrician turned administrator could be assisted to actualize what he has conceptualized for U.I. with more donations from alumni. Prof. Adewole is bubbling with many brilliant ideas on how to transform U.I., but money has been hampering him. He has developed a model which is going to internationalize U.I., but where is the fund? That is the essence of the write-up.
Alumni could team up to make a meaningful donation. It will be acknowledged and judiciously utilized. You will see the result. Resolve to do something for U.I. now. Determine to donate today. You cannot build your reputation on what you are going to do later, do it now. Nothing is small. A small gift is better than a great promise. If you love your institution, you must give. You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. Nobody has ever been honoured for what he receives but rather what he gives. Philanthropy, like charity, must begin at home, U.I. is your home, look back and do something in the spirit of the season.
As an alumnus, this is one of my own little contributions to let you know that U.I. needs private power generating arrangement as electricity in Nigeria has become a national shame. Power outrage frustrates both students and staff members. If power supply could be guaranteed, Ibadan will be greater than it is. Unreliable power supply gives birth to water shortage on campus. Lack of water precipitates dirty habit among students, dirty habit inhibits sound scholarship, what can you do to ameliorate this situation? Get in touch with the Advancement Center; express your willingness to help. He doubles his gift, he who gives it in time. The wise man does not lay up treasures, the more he gives, and the more he has. Support U.I.to move up as it still towers above all.
As usual, there will be a big celebration in honour of a great university that has produced quality manpower for the nation and beyond. But how can there be a festivity without an active participation of alumni and alumnae who came to Ibadan from different parts of the country and African continent, academically thirsty, wanting to drink from the intellectual soothing spring, and at the end of their academic voyage, they were manufactured with gold for the world to buy?
It is against this background that this clarion call is being made to all who hold the certificate of the university, to all whose employers and employees benefited from Ibadan, to all whose children and relatives attended Ibadan, that this is the time for everyone to come together in celebration and appreciation of an institution that has touched our lives one way or the other. Interestingly, they are everywhere; research has confirmed that there is no country across the globe without a U.I. product.
With the benefit of the information and communication technology, if you have access to this information in any part of the world, and you are connected to U.I, then you have to look back. You say look back for what? Looking back at your great Alma Mata with fond memory of good gone old days when you were green and raw at Ibadan! Have you forgotten Agbowo, Sango, Mokola? Don't you remember Queens' Hall? What about your own hall of residence? Have you ever brought your wife, children or husband to U.I. for reminiscence and retrospection? Hey! You need to come back for a flashback. And, this 64th anniversary provides an opportunity for a reunion with faces of the old.
On a more serious note, there is a need for every alumnus to reflect on what U.I. has done with a view to giving back. This is a university that has supplied the manpower requirement of the nations; yet, it is deficit of many basic needs. Given its historical pedigree, U.I. has no reason to be poor. Its wealth is in the quantity and quality of its products. This is a time U.I needs every assistance as government alone cannot do it.
However, be informed that some people have been looking back with fantastic support. Mr. Gamaliel Onosode, an alumnus and immediate past pro-chancellor has come with an overwhelming support. Prof. Tam David West renovated the gate of his hall of residence,Kuti, while Chief Jim Nwobodo, one day stormed his own room, gave money to the present students occupying the room and repainted it in commemoration of his exploit at Ibadan. There are many more that this writer cannot mention!
The question is, what can you do for U.I? The university, had certified you, as being worthy in character and in learning, today, you are successful. What are you giving back? There are many things you can do! You could just come to U.I., build a structure, such as a lecture theatre, name it after yourself or your father. With this, you have established your name in perpetuity because no one will ever change it. That is a social investment that will outlive you. There are many projects begging for finance, come around to bank goodwill in a community of scholars.
You need to come and support the effort of the present vice-chancellor, Prof. Isaac Folorunso Adewole who has been re-engineering the old institution with modern technology. The university is lucky to have had Prof Adewole at this crucial stage. The amiable and unassuming vice-chancellor who is working very hard to make UI better than how he met it is very transparent that he gives account of every kobo donated to the university. His transparency and hard work have been generating goodwill that has now impacted positively on the old structures on campus. This Pediatrician turned administrator could be assisted to actualize what he has conceptualized for U.I. with more donations from alumni. Prof. Adewole is bubbling with many brilliant ideas on how to transform U.I., but money has been hampering him. He has developed a model which is going to internationalize U.I., but where is the fund? That is the essence of the write-up.
Alumni could team up to make a meaningful donation. It will be acknowledged and judiciously utilized. You will see the result. Resolve to do something for U.I. now. Determine to donate today. You cannot build your reputation on what you are going to do later, do it now. Nothing is small. A small gift is better than a great promise. If you love your institution, you must give. You can give without loving, but you cannot love without giving. Nobody has ever been honoured for what he receives but rather what he gives. Philanthropy, like charity, must begin at home, U.I. is your home, look back and do something in the spirit of the season.
As an alumnus, this is one of my own little contributions to let you know that U.I. needs private power generating arrangement as electricity in Nigeria has become a national shame. Power outrage frustrates both students and staff members. If power supply could be guaranteed, Ibadan will be greater than it is. Unreliable power supply gives birth to water shortage on campus. Lack of water precipitates dirty habit among students, dirty habit inhibits sound scholarship, what can you do to ameliorate this situation? Get in touch with the Advancement Center; express your willingness to help. He doubles his gift, he who gives it in time. The wise man does not lay up treasures, the more he gives, and the more he has. Support U.I.to move up as it still towers above all.
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