At reunion, UNIJOS alumni honour members for excellence, support

The University of Jos Alumni Association (UJAA), Lagos chapter, has honoured three of its members for their contributions to the body and their alma mater.

The awardees include former Group Managing Director, Odu’a Investment Company, Mr. Adewale Raji; Principal Partner, Babatunde Ogala & Co, Mr Babatunde Ogala (SAN), and the Group Managing Director, Unified Payments, Dr Agada Apochi.

Odu’a Investment boss, Bimbo Ashiru, who chaired the event, commended the association for acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of the honourees.

He stressed the importance of alumni associations in developing their alma mater, urging the UNIJOS old students to provide infrastructure, and funds required for effective functioning of the institution.

Chairman of the association’s Lagos Chapter, Dr Victor Ogwezzy, said the event was organised to reconnect, network and also honour three of its members who have supported the association through the years.

Ogwezzy said their immense contributions to the association and their alma mater have made a great impact on the school, and many lives.

He observed that the association, through various class sets and departments, has mobilised support for the university in several ways, adding that the national body is currently undertaking some projects to uplift infrastructural facilities in the institution.

The Vice Chancellor, University of Jos, Prof. Ishaya Tanko, said the school is working with the association towards enhancing the image of the institution.

“We are receiving donations from the association that is helping to develop certain infrastructure facilities, and providing equipment for our students to learn,” he stated.

Tanko, who disclosed that the electricity bill paid by the institution has grown from N20 million to N80 million, following the increase in the cost of Band A users by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC), solicited support for a solar power project for the university.

He also asked the body to support the institution as it hosts the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) next year.

The immediate past president of the association, Idris Yakubu, assured the university that members would work closely with the executives to help the university tackle the challenge of power, and host a successful NUGA Games.

National president of the association, Sani Nuhu, described the honourees as great men who have left their marks in the sands of time, and challenged alumni members to give back to the university, stressing the need for the institution to be well developed so they can be proud of their certificates.