In the Name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful
INTRODUCTION
The Conference whose theme is “Nigeria at a Crossroads: The Myths, The Facts, The Realities” commenced with a special Jumat service at the OAU Ultra-Modern Central Mosque of Unity, Ile-Ife, Osun State. In line with the core values of the association, The reunion lecture entitled : “Calls for secession , constitutional reform and resource control : the myths , the facts, the realities” was delivered by Dr (Hon.) Usman Bugaje, Convener Arewa Research and Development Project (ARDP) while Alhaji Adéwálé Sonaike, Deputy Managing Director, Business Development & International Business of Courteville Business Sols Plc, chaired the occasion with Mr Gboyega Oyetola, Governor of Osun State, represented by Alhaji Abdullahi Binuyo, His Deputy Chief of Staff, as the Special Guest of Honour. Other dignitaries at the occasion include the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede, Barr. Abdur-Raheem Shittu, Immediate past Minister of Communications and representative of Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ọjaja II, as the Royal Father of the Day, among several others.
The Conference equally witnessed the presentation of 113 scholarships and grants to OAU students totaling the sum of N6,990,000 by the Association as part of its welfare gesture to the students of the institution.
From the inception of the programme in 2009/2010 to date, the Association has disbursed the sum of over N40 million to over 700 students of the Institution.
The association whose reunion coincides with the celebration of OAU Ile Ife at 60, felicitates with the university community and used the occasion to commission the renovated and refurbished Hall of Residence Mosques. The association also issued prizes and certificates to participants of the OAU @ 60 Essay/Poetry Competition.
There was also a networking dinner sponsored by Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti, Chairman, BOT of Unifemga with Prof. Lukumon Oyedele, Assistant Vice Chancellor,University of West England, Bristol delivered the lecture “Town & Gown: Helping One another up the ladder’. The dinner also witnessed the award ceremony to deserving members of the O.A.U community including the Vice Chancellor, Prof E.O Ogunbodede, the Chief Imam of OAU Muslim community Prof. Abubakar A. Sanusi, Prof. Olusegun Isaac Alatise, Prof. M.A Rahaman and a post humus award to the father of the current Pro Chancellor Chief Jerome Oputa Udoji (Igwe Ozuluoha I of Igboland).
Members also had its keep fit exercise and novelty match as well as its Annual General Meeting (AGM) where its activities in the past one year were reviewed.
OBSERVATIONS
The following observations were made during the course of the conference that:
- Successive governments in Nigeria have since independence in 1960, pursued the goal of structural changes without much success.
- Apart from the challenges of insecurity in different shades across various parts of the country, the renewed agitation for self determination in the country is of great concern to UNIFEMGA and all well-meaning Nigerians.
- The major factors accounting for the relative decline of the country’s economic fortunes are easily identifiable as political instability, lack of focused and visionary leadership, economic mismanagement, poor communication and corruption.
- A lot of the debates around national issues are driven more by ignorance than knowledge, consequently debates are embroiled in emotive outburst rather than evidence based, civilized conversation.
- The knowledge base existing in our various educational institutions has not translated into solutions for the problems of our society.
- Islam is a religion that calls upon all its adherents to adopt modern ideas and technologies that can improve life, as long as they are within the limits set out by Allah.
RESOLUTIONS
At the end of the conference, the following resolutions were passed:
- That there is need to restructure the country in such a way that all sections of the country will have a sense of belonging as the current provisions of the constitution, has vested the total control of all minerals, including oil on both land and water, in the federal government.
- That in the 21st century, knowledge is the greatest capital which Nigeria as a country must ensure is all encompassing in the choice of leaders at all levels and on all issues. Also, the followers need to organize themselves to hold the leaders accountable at all levels.
- That the issue of insecurity, stagnating economy and bad governance especially decay of institutions, endemic corruption and inability to manage diversity will be a thing of the past, if the country is able to reach national consensus and communicate effectively with the citizens.
- For this or any movement for that matter to sustain, we must anchor it on a set of core values that promote sacrifice, courage, prudence, probity, respect for knowledge and competence, openness, accommodation of one another, dignity of labour and sanctity of human life. No meaningful change can ever take place and sustain in human society if it is not driven by a set of core values.
Appreciation
We appreciate the University administration for the support towards organizing the programme. We commend the National and Local Organizing Committees for giving the Association a befitting national reunion conference.
Engr Abdulfattah Olanlege , National President
Shamsideen Adenopo, National PRO
