Leicester University Alumni Unveils Nigerian Chapter, Urges Members to Support Nation‑Building
Leicester University Alumni Unveils Nigerian Chapter, Urges Members to Support Nation‑Building
Alumni, associates and other stakeholders of the University of Leicester converged on Abuja on Wednesday to participate in the formal launching of the Nigerian chapter of the Alumni Association.
The event was described by most participants as epochal and a historic milestone in the institution’s Centurion Year Commemoration.
In his welcome address, the Director of the Future Students Office of the University, Phil Dalby, himself a Leicester alumnus, praised the Nigerian alumni for their contributions to the success story of the institute.
“You enriched the life of the university when you were studying there, and you continue to do so after you graduated. You are global citizens of change, and as such, you have gone on to excel in your professions, in business, in public service and in your communities,” he said.
Dalby highlighted the university’s unique history as one of only two universities in the world founded as a living memorial after World War I, reminding alumni that the institution’s motto, “So that they may have life,” has continued to inspire its mission around the world.
Also, Dalby pointed to Leicester University’s recent accolades, including being named University of the Year by the Daily Mail, and being ranked 20th among thousands of higher institutions of learning in the UK by Time Magazine.
“We are setting ourselves the ambitious target of reaching a £100 million campaign as we go into our second century,” Dalby added, urging Nigerian alumni to support the university’s global vision.
He said the formal launch of the Nigerian chapter of the University Alumni Association signals a renewed commitment to strengthening Leicester University’s global alumni network and fostering initiatives that would contribute to Nigeria’s development.
The Coordinator of the University of Leicester Alumni and Stakeholders Reception, Dr. Zainab Ladan Mai-Bornu,emphasised the importance of the occasion and the role of alumni in shaping the University’s global reputation.
“Our alumni are very, very important to us at Leicester University. Even after leaving the university, we remain in constant communication with each other. We expect them to demonstrate the good things they took from Leicester back to wherever they are at the moment, to show how to be hardworking, dedicated and honest citizens of change,” she said.
The event featured testimonies from some alumni who extolled the virtues of the institution, which helped them rise in their various professional fields to national prominence in Nigeria.
The Director-General of National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), Mathew Adepoju, who is a 2006 PhD graduate from the Geography Department, credited Leicester University with the professional ethics and discipline instilled in him, which has shaped his career path in Nigeria and around the world.
“True success is not measured by political appointment, but through the deployment of the knowledge acquired from your place of education. Solving society’s challenges is one of the reasons I came back to Nigeria after my studies in Leicester University. The ethics and standards we learned at Leicester made us stand out in our organizations,” he noted, urging younger alumni to remain focused and resilient in their professional pursuits despite Nigeria’s current infrastructural challenges.
The Director, Operations Branch at the Naval Headquarters, Abuja, Navy Commodore Abdulhakeem Olushina Oyebode, also reflected on the impact of his education at Leicester University, particularly how his education opened his professional doors.
“Having a top-class degree from the University of Leicester actually opens doors, puts you in that position where you can excel,” he said, recalling his academic journey.
During the event, a panel discussion explored how alumni networks can be deployed to drive personal growth, societal and national development.
The panel was composed of Dr Oluseyi Olarenwaju,a Professor of Accounting and Finance at James Hope University, who is also Faculty Member, Babcock University Business School as well as Rome Business School; Dr. Lauretta Achudume, the Transaction Manager, Financial Institution, industries and Services,Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE); Mrs Ogechi Obiodu,Head, Consumer Protection, HoldCo & Subsidiaries,Sterling Financial Holding Company,and Mohammed Bawa, NRS e-invoice Project Manager, Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) headquarters, Abuja.
In his answer to a question by the moderator, Dr. Oluseyi Olanrewaju, urged alumni to leverage on their networks and connections for career advancement and professional development, saying: “If people don’t know what you offer, how will they patronise you?”
On what role mentorship within alumni plays in fostering personal growth and development Dr. Lauretta Achudume said, “Alumni Associations help bridge the gap between academics and the professional world. One must look for mentors within the same professional path and allow yourself to be mentored.”
Speaking on how such networks can help in shaping the career trajectory of alumni, Mohammed Bawa called for patience, discipline and resilience as the guiding principles.
“Active participation in alumni association activities and programmes allows you to meet people different from you to exchange ideas on how to change the world together,” he stated.
Mrs. Ogechi Obiodu shared a personal story of how the alumni network shaped her professional and personal life, saying, “Alumni build a sense of camaraderie and broaden global perspectives on issues and life generally.”
On his part, another alumni, Victor Okoro, called for community-focused initiatives to support educational and community development projects embarked upon by alumni.
His words, “Alumni must look within areas and do needs assessment for underserved communities where they can provide materials such as books, uniforms and other training in order to achieve national development.”
In her brief presentation, the Founder and Executive Director, Brain & Spine Foundation Africa (BSFA), Engineer Chika Okwuolisa, spoke of how her education in Leicester University prepared her for her current involvement in the provision of medical and neurological health services through her non-governmental organization, Samaritan Ark Global Foundation established to empower communities in conflict-affected regions, fostering sustainable peace, justice, and the rule of law.
The President of the Alumni Association, Dr. Lawal Hameed, who also am Adjunct Professor, African Space Innovation Centre (ASIC)/French-South African Institute of Technology (F’SATI), Cape Peninsula University of Technology in South Africa, said the association, which has been in existence for over five years, has been engaging and mobilising members from across the country to come together as a legal entity to promote their common interest.
He said the efforts have culminated in the formal registration of the Association with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) in January, adding the formal inauguration of the Nigerian chapter of the Alumni and Stakeholders Reception was aimed at celebrating Leicester University’s enduring ties with Nigeria and to chart a course for nation-building initiatives.
The Alumni President urged members of the Chapter and associates to continue to engage, interact and communicate with others to build a formidable Association
By TimesNG