Adeboye Ado

Alumni of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife (OAU), under the auspices of Accounting Department, have said government should not be left alone to shoulder all the responsibilities of Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria.

They therefore called on Heads of Departments across all the citadels of higher learning to reach out to their former students. This they said, would go a long way to help the government in revitalization of schools in the country, adding that governments at various levels also have chunks of unfinished tasks in other sectors.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, President of the Alumni Association of the department for 2001 Set, Mr. Tolulope Ogundipe, stated this during a visit to the Ooni of Ife, Oba. Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.

According to him, their academic journey in OAU ended in a few decades back, but the association has not stayed aloof from its basic responsibilities, saying they constructed multi million naira classrooms hall as a way of supporting the institution.

He said, “We are here today to pay homage to the Royal Majesty, the custodian of Yoruba culture and traditions. We are graduates of 2001 Accounting Department of the great Obafemi Awolowo University Ile-Ife in Osun State. Our members are drawn from various places across the country.

“The association came together just to give back to the society and to see to welfare of our members. Kabiyesi, thank you for the warm reception accorded to us and the promise to continue to support the university community.

“We are bringing back memories of good old days and giving back to the society having passed through academic study of this great institution for about 22 years ago. We the Accounting Department of the Institution, 2001 academic set have constructed multi million naira classrooms hall which is being used by all other department for accreditation of courses. This association had last year raised millions and donated a building for the Accounting department of OAU.”

On the lingering strike action by Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the alumni leader urged the Federal Government and the Union to consider the plight of students and come to terms by resolving the problems causing logjam in the education sector.

In his response, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi commended the old students for the various forms of assistance given to the university community.

The Monarch, who lamented outright decay of infrastructures in Universities, hinted that some of institutions lack necessary facilities for learning, adding that the government alone cannot do it all.

He called on other Alma mater of various Universities across the country to emulate the good gestures of the 2001 set of OAU Accounting Department, describing the members as wonderful citizens who have excelled in various areas of human endeavors.

Oba Ogunwusi, who said he embarked on a project of building 5,000 hostel accommodation that can house over 25,000 students which will be ready for commissioning by December this year, said he would continue to support the development of education in Nigeria.

As the tenure of Ogundipe as President winds down gradually, the President-elect, Dr. Tinuade Sanda, promised to improve on the good legacies of the outgoing executives, adding that she would concentrate more on developmental projects and the wellbeing of members.