By Funmi Adams/Hillary Asemota
Admittedly, it was an amazingly night of sparking colours like no other, one that will never be forgotten in a hurry, a night of excellence, glass clicking, reunion across professions and age, bridge building evolution from different geographical divide as distinguished Alumni from the Ambrose Alli University Association, Ekpoma, Edo State converged in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to honour prominent Edo State indigenes amid some of its alumni that have positively disrupted Nigeria’s socio-economic space thus lifting the state university sky high above its contemporaries and also have done the University proud with Awards of excellence penultimate Saturday.
The awardees include: Prof. Osarheimen Osunbor, former Governor, Edo State, whose plaque was received on his behalf by Barr. Lucky Odigie, the President Benin Community Chapter, Barr. Imakunu Onotakama, immediate past President, AAU, Alumni Association-Worldwide, also received by Barr. Johnson Idolor, AAU-Worldwide Financial Secretary, top class civil servant, Mr. Festus Ikosin Eguaoje and Prof. Omeimen Ujuanbi.
As the city rocked and resonates with confetti of award and sumptuous dish coming at the instance of the 4th annual lecture series was also in honour of its National Executive members who came in their droves from United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and from its more than 14 Chapters from across the country.
The occasion attracted the presence of the association’s global President, Dr. Clement Omozeghian, Justice Godwin Iheabunike, Mr. Anthony Iwobe, Barr. Dr. Philomary Ifeanyi Aki, Dr. Mojisola Mimi Kenny Abu, Paul Abulu, Barr. Paul Eboigbe, its Chairman, Dr. Peter Orobor, Mr. Chima Anyia, Prof. Austin Aghemelo Thomas, a lecturer at the University, Barr. Mercy Omage, Comrade Wole Akinriboya, Dr. Ibrahim Isibor, Mrs. Linda Etute and Pastor Hope Imoukhuede.
The others include: Mrs. Doris Ehis Akue, Mrs. Joy Erabor, Barr. Freda Maledo and Barr. Gladys Odegbaro among several others.
While setting the tone for the night, the FCT Chapter Chairman, acknowledged that the purpose of the quarterly meeting ws to reignite the chapter’s commitment to the collective vision of repositioning the association for relevance and impact according to it’s the lecture: The Roles and Contribution of Alumni Association in Nation Building and Development, adding that the theme was carefully chosen due to the current social, cultural and political development in the country.
Orobor, said: “The time has come for AAU Alumni to deepen our understanding, move beyond mere social reunions and ceremonial appearances to become a dynamic network of influence, support and purpose- our alma mater needs it and our graduates deserve it.
“At the core of this moment is a call to responsibility, a call to re-imagine what it means to be part of AAU Alumni family.”
He said it is an overarching priority to empower AAU graduates, particularly those that are not bgainly and to create systems that support their entry into the labour market and into competitive postgraduate programmes booth at home and abroad. When I say outside, I mean the UK chapter and the North American chapter comprising of the United States and Canada.
Fielding questions at the sideline of the well-attended event from the media, the Global president, expressed excitement at the convergence of alumni from all walks of life, adding- You see the Chairpersons and NEC members come here to organize the NEC meeting.
“As you are aware, this is a quarterly thing that we usually do, and it’s rotational. So we have come to the FCT Abuja to be hosted by the FCT chapter.
“The essence of the meeting is to discuss matters of interest, great interest, to the alumni association and to the University.
“And when we say the University, we are talking about the management of the university and the students, vis-à-vis even those that are incoming.”
He acknowledged that Alumni existed for the betterment of the university and the welfare of everyone, explaining that as Global President, the association is aware of challenges that have setback the country’s University system and operation unlike in the past, adding: – For instance, the agitating and vexatious issues of missing files.
Well, you see, when you talk about issues like that, missing files, shortchanging students, you see, there are certain things that are just common human error. You know, when you talk of files, nobody would deliberately miss files of students, you know, because we would get some things wrong.
On the Alumni resolve to address the issue, he said: “As you know, the University has been used to doing its thing by way of papers.
“Right now, that is what we are addressing now through digitalization of our exams and record department.
“We’re trying to digitize most of these things so that we don’t have any issues of missing files anymore, we want to go into a paperless system. That’s why we have an ongoing project: the digitalized, computerized exams and record building. That’s a project that we have embarked on.
We have started the building. And on the 1st of November 2025, we’re having the global event and fundraising day of their session, which will be held in Asaba, the Delta State Capital.
According to Omozeghian, a committee has been put in place and the Chairman of the committee is the chairman of the UK chapter of the Alumni.
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