By Aderonke Ojediran
The 1985 set, University of Lagos (UNILAG) College of Medicine Alumni, has reaffirmed its commitment to giving back to its alma mater, as the foundation of its members’ professional excellence.
Mr Kofo Ogunyakin, the set’s President, said this at its 40th anniversary reunion, where the alumni donated a solar power system to the college and completed the refurbishment of the female hostel, Alliakilu Hall.
“We are a grateful and very active alumni. We decided not just to talk about giving back, but to come together from all corners of the world where we have served as ambassadors of the excellence we received here,” he said.
According to him, the reunion is not only a time to reconnect, but also to strengthen collaboration with the university’s leadership.
“We are excited to return home, to share fellowship with one another and with those who have remained the custodians of the values and traditions we cherish.
“This reunion marks the beginning of deeper engagement,” Ogunyakin said.
Earlier, the Provost, College of Medicine, Prof. Ademola Oremosu, commended the alumni for choosing Lagos to mark its 40th anniversary, describing the gesture as timely and impactful.
“It is very significant that you chose to return home for this milestone. Alumni support remains one of the most critical pillars of university development,” Oremosu said.
He noted that while government funding for tertiary education continued, sustained alumni intervention had helped the college remain accredited and functional.
“Forty years is not a small journey. Your support over the years from equipment to infrastructure has helped us stay the course, and we are truly grateful,” the provost added.
In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, applauded the alumni for its tangible contributions, and urged it to deepen its engagement, particularly in addressing the growing brain drain in the health sector.
“We are grateful that you chose Lagos for this celebration and that you can see, firsthand, the projects executed with alumni support,” Ogunsola said.
She described the ‘japa’ syndrome as one of the most pressing challenges confronting medical education and healthcare delivery in Nigeria.
“Healthcare and health education are in crisis, not because we lack competent people, but because once they are trained, many leave almost immediately,” she said.
Ogunsola disclosed that recent recruitment efforts for residency positions had yielded very few applicants, underscoring the scale of the challenge.
“This is where we need you beyond infrastructure. We need your time, mentorship, expertise and advocacy,” she said.
The vice-chancellor stressed that despite funding constraints, the university had remained resilient and innovative, adding that UNILAG graduates continued to excel globally.
“There are many good things happening here. This is your alma mater, and together we must uphold its values and help it grow stronger,” Ogunsola said.
The reunion featured tours of the donated projects and renewed commitments by the alumni to support the college in infrastructure development, mentorship and capacity building. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Christiana Fadare
