A Mechanical Engineer and retired Executive Vice-President, NNPC Downstream; Engr. Adeyemi Adetunji has underscored the important role of alumni associations in the growth, development, and advancement of academic institutions.
Engineer Adetunji stated this during the 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Faculty of Engineering Alumni Association (UNILAGFEAA) on Thursday, February 15, 2024.
The meeting which also featured an election to fill three (3) vacant executive positions within the Association, brought together esteemed alumni members to discuss important matters and fill three (3) vacant positions within the Executives to steer the association forward. The array of participants at this year’s event included Chief Executive Officer, Kresta Laurel, Engr. Dideolu Falobi, FNSE; Founder/ CEO, Octragon Multiproject Limited, Engr. Gbolahan Awonusi; Chief, Engineer, Federal Ministry of Works & Housing, Engr. OlukoredeKesha; Chairman of the Boarad of Trustees (BOT), Engr. Dr. Oyenuga Eribake; a member of the BOT, Engr. Titi Omo-Ettu FNSE, Association Treasurer, Engr. Ayotunde Ogunnoiki, FNSE; Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Professor Obanishola Sadiq; and National Secretary, Dr. Lawrence Osoba, among others.
The former NNPC top shot who served as Guest speaker at the event made insightful remarks on the topic “Proposal for Improvement of the UNILAG Faculty of Engineering Alumni Association Newsletter”. His emphasis was on the importance of effective communication within the alumni community and the significant role that a well-crafted newsletter can play in fostering engagement and connection among alumni, students, and faculty members.
His presentation brought to limelight the need to understand other key areas that are critical to giving strength to the Newsletter such as guiding principles,organisations, and governance, operations. Engineer Adetunji also made the following recommendations to re-position the UNILAGFEAANewsletter:
- That the Newsletter will be rebranded to the highest standards. It will be educative, informative, entertaining, and exciting. It will be easy to read while also containing thought leadership materials. The audience will be the Engineering Alumni community and the general public. The Newsletter will be downloadable on the website.
- The UNILAGFEAA website will be the primary channel of dissemination of the Newsletter; hence the website has to be rebranded, rehabilitated, and restored. A world-class website is the goal with all the relevant features and functionalities including facility for online payment of dues, donations, etc.
- Limited copies will be printed for the use of the seniors and targeted persons/organisations to create awareness and seek support for the Association.
- The Alumni Newsletter will be twice a year, in the first instance
Engineer Adetunji seized the occasion to acknowledge the leadership of the Engineering faculty and sought the faculty’s continued support for the alumni association. He also encouraged the alumni members to leverage their collective expertise and experiences to support ongoing initiatives within the association aimed at fostering innovation, research, and knowledge transfer at the Faculty.
Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of the Association and CEO, Kresta Laurel, Engr. Dideolu Falobi, FNSE welcomed members, and stressed the importance of unity and collaboration among the alumni.
While giving an Executive Report of the Association, the 1985 alumnus accentuated the significance of giving back to alma mater and nurturing the next generation of engineers.
According to him, “the Association’s objectives are clearly written, so efforts must be made to further advance these goals and objectives. To achieve these goals, we need your support and engagement. We invite you to get involved in the life of the faculty, whether by mentoring students, participating in alumni events, or supporting our research and educational initiatives. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that the Faculty of Engineering continues to be a leader in engineering education and research”.
Similarly, the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Professor Obanishola Sadiq appreciated the immense contributions of the founding fathers of the Faculty. He also acknowledged the unwavering dedication of members of UNILAGFEAA to pushing boundaries, exploring new frontiers, and harnessing the power of science to transform industries.
Professor Sadiq reiterated the Faculty’s commitment to supporting and engaging with the alumni in every way possible.
Election To Fill Three (3) Vacant Positions
One of the highlights of the AGM was the election of three (3) members to fill vacant positions in the Association’s Executives.
After the voting process, the results were announced, unveiling the winners of the three vacant seats. They are Engr. Yetunde Holloway as Vice-Chairman; Engr. Dr. Olusegun Afolabi as Internal Auditor and Engr. Gbolahan Awonusi asEx-Officio II.
The Full List of UNILAGFEAA Executives
- Engr. DideoluFalobi, FNSE – National Chairman
- Engr. Yetunde Holloway, FNSE – Vice Chairman l
- Engr. LekeAkindele – Vice Chairman II
- Engr. AyotundeOgunnoiki, FNSE – National Secretary
- Engr. Dr. Lawrence Osoba – National Treasurer
- Engr. OluwasegunArawole – Assistant Secretary
- Engr. NimotailaiMuili, FNSE – Financial Secretary
- Engr. Taiwo Lawal – Publicity Secretary
- Engr. OmosewaArowolo – Social Secretary
- Engr. Dr.OlusegunAfolabi – Internal Auditor
- Engr. GbolahanAwonusi
- Engr. TitiOmo- Ettu, FNSE, FAEng – Immediate Past Chairman (IPC)
The UNILAG Faculty of Engineering Alumni Association was launched on March 16, 2017, about fifty (50) years after the graduation of the first set of students from the Faculty in the 1967/68 academic session.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Adedayo Adelumola
