UNIJOS Alumni unveils Proposed Centre at Mega Re-Union Dinner

Fri, Oct 13, 2017 | By publisher


Politics

 

IT was an evening of reliving great memories, fraternizing, giving back and all round merry making when the University of Jos Alumni Association, UJAA, hosted a Mega Reunion and Dinner at the Yar’adua Centre in Abuja.

The event, which held in conjunction with the University’s Directorate of Alumni Relations, witnessed a large turnout of dignitaries from within and outside the Country, including political bigwigs, captains of industry, technocrats, entertainers and celebrities: Alumni of the University, who turned out in support of the infrastructural development of their alma mater.

During the occasion, Yakubu Dogara, speaker of the House of Representatives, said a University is only as great as the quality of graduates that it has produced. Dogara noted that any university aspiring to the status of being world class must cultivate a robust relationship with its Alumni. Commending the UJAA EXCO for organizing the Event, Dogara, who was accompanied by several members of the House of Representatives who are also Josites, assured that they would always support the University in any way they can, and work closely with the EXCO to complete the Alumni Centre Project.

In his welcome address, the President, Idris Yakubu, University of Jos Alumni Association, disclosed that the event was organized to provide members the opportunity to reunite, interact, bond and reminisce their years in Jos. He disclosed that it was a platform to recognize and honor Josites who had distinguished themselves in their areas of calling, and to unveil the association’s flagship project, the UNIJOS Alumni Centre, a multipurpose building project which incorporates a 500 seater auditorium, a foyer/banquet Hall, meeting rooms, lecture/seminar rooms, shops, and an Internet arcade, amongst other facilities. He noted that the project will be commercially viable and enjoined Josites and Friends of the University to donate generously towards its construction.

On his part, Solomon Dalung, minister for Sports and Youth Development, himself a distinguished Unijos Alumnus, called for concerted efforts among Josites who should leverage on the University’s goodwill in attracting more development projects for its sustainable growth. The Minister said the University had contributed a lot to the development of Nigeria’s human resources and therefore, should be supported in its next phase of growth and development.

Tony Momoh, pro-chancellor and Chairman of the University’s Governing Council, presented a 10-point agenda which he described as the roadmap for the University’s future development and enjoined all Alumni of the University to key into it. According to him, the University Governing Council aims to develop an elaborate and implementable strategic action policy that would boldly interface with all the necessary and relevant people and institutions on behalf of the University in order to make the University of Jos greater than they met it.

Professor Seddi Sebastian Maimako, vice-chancellor of the University of Jos, expressed delight that prominent Alumni of the institution had converged for the purpose of contributing their quota to the advancement of their alma mater. Professor Maimako explained that the Federal Government had already directed its Universities to tap from their Alumni resources to complement Government’s efforts in improving their infrastructure. The Vice-Chancellor therefore appreciated the University of Jos Alumni Association for being proactive in the activities undertaken towards assisting the institution.

Other notable Josites who attended the reunion in support of their alma mater were Senator Atiku Bagudu, Governor of Kebbi State, Usani U, Usani,  minister of Niger Delta affairs,  Silas Agara,deputy governor of Nasarawa State,  Phillip Shuaibu, deputy governor of Edo State, who was represented by Damian Lawani, and Labaran Makuformer, Information Minister.

The highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of merit awards to 50 Josites who have distinguished themselves in their various areas of endeavor including Dogara, Simon Lalong, Plateau State governor, his Deputy, Sonni Tyoden, Governors of Imo, Kebbi and Bauchi States, deputy Governors of Nasarawa, Edo and Ebonyi States, ministers of Youth and Sports Development and Niger Delta Affairs, minister of State, Niger Delta Affairs, eight senators, three Judges, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, and five other vice-Chancellors, heads of government establishments, CEOs of private organizations and traditional rulers.

 

 

 

 

– Oct 12, 2017 @ 08:40 GMT /

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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