The Alumni of Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) has concluded plans to support the foremost citadel of higher learning with ultramodern hotel facilities worth 15billion naira in order to alleviate accommodation hitches facing the institution.
This was disclosed by Segun Oke, the Worldwide President of Great Ife Alumni Association during the week celebration of the Ibadan branch of the body which came to an end recently.
Oke said “we are fully aware of the plight of the federal government of Nigeria in the area of funding the bills of education alone, hence we as a great Ife alumni are planning to reconstruct and restructure some of the decaying hostel facilities within the campus.
“As old students, we have decided to build an hostel that can meet up with global standard, and we’re also going to assist the University in ensuring good drinkable water for students and others within the campus’ environment.
Oke further explained that the hostel project is going to accommodate over eight thousand students and with its estimate in the neighborhood of 15billion naira.
He further added that the group would sign a memorandum of understanding by 11th of December with an international agency that would support them financially on the project.
“We have a partner, Sadek Consult that we have been working together for the past three years on the project. We also have a body helping us to secure funds from the United States of America, and soon, our partner would finalize the plans. So hopefully by January next year we’ll receive the first grant of the fund.
Meanwhile, the governor of Ondo State, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu who is also an active member of the association Ibadan branch was inaugurated as a grand patron of Great Ife Alumni Association, Ibadan branch during a dinner organized to climax the week celebration.
While addressing the dignitaries during the dinner, the chairman of the Ibadan branch of OAU alumni, Dr. Musa Oshodi said the role of the alumni is to give support and to promote the principles and ideals of the school, “this is the best way you and I can pay back to the system that made us”, Oshodi noted.
Other alumni of OAU recognized and decorated as patrons of the branch included: the commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Oyo State, Mr. John Amodeoga Adewoye, Dr. Azeez Adeduntan, the Commissioner for Health in Oyo State, Mr. Abimbola Adekanmbi, the Commissioner for Finance in Oyo State who also represented Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the occasion.
Packaged by Olanrewaju Agiri
