…Holds 30 years reunion anniversary
In a bid to give back to the institution that produced them, the Pharmacy Alumni Association, Set ‘87, of the Faculty of Pharmacy, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, has donated and commissioned a 150 KVA generator to the faculty to support academic activities and aid better learning.
The event, which saw ex-students of the faculty from the 1987 set from within and outside Nigeria converge to reminisce about old times and discuss ways to assist the school, took place in the premises of the faculty.
Speaking at the commissioning, the national chairman, OAU Pharmacy Alumni, Set ‘87, Pharm. Chris Ehimen, who led other members, said the visit which was like an homecoming was meant to mark the 30th anniversary of their graduation from the university, reunite with old colleagues and provide support to the faculty.
He explained that that the reason for purchasing such a massive generator was because of the epileptic power supply in the country which he said constitutes a major challenge in an academic environment.
“We found out that the faculty had a new building which was built and commissioned in 2014, but many facilities were not there, including a generator. This was making learning very difficult, especially for a faculty like Pharmacy.
“So we thought electricity is the most important thing, especially in a country like ours. We agreed on it and it was purchased. Although it was very expensive, we thought nothing was too much to give back to a faculty that had made us who we are today,” he said.
Speaking further, Ehimen disclosed that the idea for the association was initiated in 2014 by a group of five people who met somewhere in the United States and thought that there was need to relive old memories by having a get-together with former colleagues.
He added that the association had since celebrated four reunion anniversaries from 2014, when the first was held in the US. He also revealed that the members had increased to 90 active members, adding that plans were being intensified to bring in the few remaining ones.
Reacting to the gesture of the ex-students, Dean of the faculty, Prof. Clement Adeleke Adebajo, who was present with other principal lecturers in the faculty, appreciated the group for deeming it fit to assist the faculty when it needed it most, adding that the donation of the generating set was the beginning of good things to come to the faculty,
“When we moved into this new faculty building, nothing, not even a chair was given to us, but God provided an helper who assisted us in equipping our offices and classes, to the extent that we now have libraries and are well equipped.
“However, when the issue of generating electricity came up, it became a serious challenge to us. I am therefore so happy that I am witnessing as well as commissioning not just a generator, but a 150 KVA generating set,” he said.
The faculty head also urged pharmacy students to learn from those who have graduated and are making the institution proud in their respective fields, while equally imploring other sets to learn from Set ‘87.
Also speaking Mr Setofunmi Alo, the national president, PANS, thanked Set ‘87 for the gesture, saying he was hopeful that, with the commissioning of the generating set, learning would become easier for students of the faculty.
The highpoint of the event was the visit of the alumni to the office of the vice chancellor, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede. Those present at the event included the national chairman, Pharm. Chris Ehimien; Pharm. Olufunmilayo Agbetuyi; Pharm. Babatunde Sokoyi; Pharm. Bimpe Gbaiye; Pharm. Gbemi Sokoju; Pharm. Tolu Olaniyan; Pharm. Tola Ogunmefun; Pharm. Gafar Lanre; Pharm. Taiwo Ogundipe; Pharm. Olakunle Odesanya; Pharm. Adesoji Adegbite; Pharm. Oladipo Bamidele; Pharm. Adedayo Alagbe; Pharm. Olusoye Favour; Pharm. Tony Oyawole; Pharm. Hassan Adegoke; Pharm. Mustapha Olajuwon and Pharm. Olufisayo Sotire.
