OOU launches N20bn endowment fund at pioneer alumni reunion

Plans have been concluded by the Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, to raise a whooping sum of N20 billion as an endowment fund to develop the university to a world-class standard.

The Chairman of the Governing Council and Pro-chancellor of the university, Prof Oluwatoyin Ashiru, revealed this on Wednesday in Lagos at a reunion gathering of the first set of graduates of the university 39 years after their graduation.

The ex-students who are now grandparents and senior citizens organized the event under the aegis of Ogun State University Pioneers Alumni Association (OSUPA).

Ashiru chaired the event, stating that the special fund to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first set would serve as a sustainable financial reservoir for the 43-year-old university formerly known as Ogun State University (OSU).

According to him, the fund will be invested to support academic activities, scholarships, equipment, research, innovation centres, as well as campus improvements- thus creating a legacy that lives forever.

He urged the pioneer graduates who came from across Nigeria and overseas to be the first group to donate to the fund and see their donations as a “great seed planted” to grow the pool.

He disclosed that a special committee would be constituted made up of key segments such as governing council, management, university senate, alumni association and school’s development foundation to drive the initiative.

He expressed delight that the alumni remained connected and committed to the development of their alma mater till date.

He acknowledged that gathering alumni, especially of the same set together in a large number like the way this pioneer set has done is always a difficult task.

“So, I cherish your togetherness. It is more than reunion party. It is a celebration of courage, resilience, grit, grace, friendship, success and the glorious OSU pioneering spirit.

“You are indeed a unique class, trailblazers who built the foundation of OSU\OOU when there was virtually nothing –no campus, no fence, no classrooms, barely enough lecturers- just raw determination.

“Yet, look at you today- renowned medical consultants, senior advocates, statesmen, professors, engineers, obas, CEOs, clergies, politicians, successful entrepreneurs and so forth, turning adversity into achievements,” he eulogized them.

While emphasizing the need for more support including from corporate organisations, groups and individuals, Ashiru highlighted some of the achievements recorded by the university, especially recently.

According to him, now, OOU offers no fewer than 18 courses, enjoys steady academic calendar, commits to staff and students’ welfare and also gives students their certificates and transcripts on the day of convocation.

“This is a rare development in the history of Nigerian university education, underscoring the leadership commitment to truly reposition our university to a world-class standard,” he stressed.

The pro-chancellor however, revealed that the university has decided to pay in full all the outstanding entitlements due to the former vice-chancellor of the university and an alumnus, who is now late, Professor Adewale Areola Olaitan and also officially pardoned him of an offence he didn’t mention.

He declared that the governing council approved the decision as a symbolic act of closure and honour in recognition of his (the late VC) service and legacy in the university.

In her welcome address earlier, the chairperson of the group, Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olotu, who is a former Port Manager of Apapa Port, Lagos, expressed appreciation unto God for keeping majority of them alive and well to witness and participate in the event.

She reflected on the years they spent as pioneer students of the university, saying they were off-campus and had to trek long distances daily to receive lectures with everywhere dusty.

“That experience plus the kind of quality training we received then really prepared us well for life after graduation.

“And today, we are thanking God for making us who we are in our respective fields.”

Olufunmilayo noted that the group was officially formed four years ago and has since then contributed to the development of the university and welfare of members.

She pledged that the group would not relent in giving back to OOU, thanking her colleagues for their unflinching support and commitment to the group’s mandates.

The highpoint of the event was the presentation of excellence awards to no fewer than 67 members of the group including nine of them who have passed away and some other individuals associated with the university.

They were honoured for their respective exemplary supports and contributions to the development of the alumni association and OOU in general.

They included the Vice–Chancellor of TASUED, Ijagun Ijebu-Ode, Prof Oluwole Banjo; Dr Adesina Adesanya, an Australian-based psychiatrist; Mr. Peter Oladipo Abayomi, an Assistant Inspector General of Police; Prof Lawrence Akinsanmi, a medical consultant, Mr. Babatunde Oduwaye; Lady Ibilola Akinwunmi, an entrepreneur; Mrs. Abimbola Daisi-Daini, a banker; Mrs. Ayodele Omotara, a lawyer; Dr. Olufemi Odutayo, a medical doctor; Mrs. Oluyinka Shokunbi, a media practitioner and secretary of the group; Olori Folasade Sogaolu; HRH Oba Abdullahi Olatoye Raheem, the Olu of Sode Onikoyi I;  Mrs. Olufunmilayo Olotu, chairperson of the group; Prof Olubi Sodipo, a pioneer VC of the university; High Chief Olumide Akoni; Pastor Gbenga Taiwo; Prof Oladipo Olubomehin; Dr(Mrs) Taiwo Oyeleye; Rev’d Oluwamuyiwa Okuseinde; Iya Afin Kemi Somoye; Bishop Taiwo Kuku; Chief (Mrs.0 Olayide Soyinka; Dr Femi Akinlabi; Mr. Tayo Lekuti; Mr. Femi Sobogun as well as Prof Oluwatoyin Ashiru, pro-chairman of the university and so forth.

Those who bagged the posthumous awards were the pioneer alumnus VC of the university, Prof Adewale Areola Olaitan, who until his death on March 24th, 2025, a popular columnist with the Nigerian Tribune, Mr. Adewale Odundoyin, a school proprietor; Dr Adeboye Yusuf, former director of Audit at TASUED; Olusegun Oduyemi, former Regional Finance Director (East) Texaco Nigeria; Alhaji Olawale Hassan, a chartered auditor; Otunba Olutola Olusanya, a chartered tax expert; Dr Olodeoku Olayinka; Dr Adetokunbo Oshin, as well as Ayodele Fasanya.

READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE