The University of Ilorin says all is set to host the first national conference and workshop of the Association of Nigerian Universities Alumni (ANUA) scheduled between April 7 and April 11.
Dr Wale Fasakin, ANUA Chairman and National President of the Unilorin Alumni Association (UILAA) stated this at a meeting with ANUA members of the institution on Monday in Ilorin.
Fasakin said that a Local Organising Committee (LOC) had been inaugurated under the Chairmanship of Prof. Lukman Azeez, of the Department of Mass Communication, Unilorin.
He said that about seven sub-committees had also been inaugurated for logistics and planning towards ensuring the success of the conference and workshop.
“The conference will be themed: ‘Developing a Platform for University Alumni Associations’ Contribution to University Education in Nigeria,’’ he said.
According to him, participants expected at the workshop include Vice Chancellors, Registrars, University Bursars, all universities Alumni Presidents and Secretaries, Directors of Alumni andAlumni Relation Officers as well as University Directors of Endowment.
The ANUA chairman noted that graduates of Nigerian universities in the country and in the Diaspora are also expected to attend.
He advised members of the sub-committees to bring the expertise in their various fields of endeavour to bear on the assignment.
He stressed the importance of a functioning alumni association and how institutions in developed nations are benefitting immensely without depending solely on the government for sustenance.
“All alumni branches should align with their various chapters to build trust and to form a formidable bond,’’ he said.
Fasakin further said that in a bid to make the association more vibrant and self-sustaining, a trust-fund account would be open for members from within and outside the country to willingly donate.
“Such funds will be used to assist the university in some of its expenses. I call on members to support the association in its drive to boost its revenue base,’’ he added.
Responding, Azeez, expressed gratitude to the UILAA executive council for finding members worthy of their appointments, pledging that they would do everything within their power to justify the confidence reposed in them.
In his remarks, Dean of the Faculty of Communication and Information Sciences (CIS), Prof AbdulRasheed Jimoh, called on the association to leverage on the strength of the population of Unilorin’s Alumni for networking.
Jimoh also canvassed for more involvement of members of the Unilorin branch in the affairs of the national body.