The Faculty of Dentistry, University of Ibadan, has honoured over 60 alumni as part of events marking its 50th anniversary.

The faculty, established in 1975, also organised a fund raising to further advance its development. Speaking on the anniversary lecture titled, ‘Celebrating the Roots of the Past and the Crowns of the Future,’ the Chief Medical Director of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof. W. L. Adeyemo, emphasised the role of alumni associations in society.

On the state of facilities in the faculty, Adeyemo bemoaned the inadequacy of facilities and clinical tools for training, which has resulted in exodus of dental professionals out of the country.

Also, an alumni, Dr. Hakeem Ajao, emphasised the need to give back to the institution. He said: “Education is the most valuable asset in any given society and therefore, alumni are the product of educational institutions.

“We as members of alumni have converged from different parts of the world because this is our root. It is our root as a result of education.”

Therefore, we are here to support the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Ibadan endowment fund.”

Ajao said the N3 billion raised at the event would complement the training of the next generation of dentists.

“These future dentists will further increase the capacity of the oral health workforce of Nigeria and invariably, help in meeting the oral health needs of the nation.”

Present at the occasion were the Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale; the royal father of the day, Oba Afolabi Olaoye; the chief launcher of the day and Chairman of BOVAS Group, Architect Bamidele Samson, and other dignitaries.