Medilag Alumni Holds Maiden Fund Raising Dinner

The Medilag Alumni Association of the 7 of Medicine, University of Lagos held its maiden Medilag Alumni High Table/Fund Raising Dinner on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at the Lagos Oriental Hotel, Lekki -Epe Expressway, Victoria Island. The dinner was a high octane event. The Banquet Hall was packed full, and a lot of money came down from the head table in torrent.

The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of the University of Lagos, Dr. Wale Babalakin (SAN) who was the Chairman of the occasion spoke at the fund Raising Dinner organized by the Alumni of the College of Medicine, University of Lagos as one of the novel initiative to be taken by the Alumni of the College to deliver quality education to Nigerians.

Dr. Babalakin postulated that “we are here because we have good product to celebrate; College of Medicine of the University of Lagos but to keep the standard there is need for funding. According to him, government does not have enough resources to fund first class education and to deliver quality education to Nigerians; a lot of money is needed and has called on individuals and corporate bodies to join the government in funding quality education to Nigerians. He also applauded the Medilag Alumni for thinking about giving back to their alma mater.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Oluwatoyin T. Ogundipe, FAS, who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Management Services, Professor Ben E.A. Oghojafor said that the College of Medicine of the University has pioneered a series of Research and innovations in Medicine and other related medical fields that have helped to transform lives, the nation and the medical profession.

He added that with the enormous task of sustaining the education standard, there is a need for substantial funding and hence it is necessary to deplore all efforts in funding medical education from government, corporate organizations and private sectors.

The Provost, College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Prof. F.E.A. Lesi said the College had explored many great innovations and that funding was needed for capital projects and maintenance of facilities and also the vent served as an avenue for former students of the College to reunite and discuss how to move the College forward. The Provost, Professor Lesi used the opportunity of the occasion to highlight the inventory of needs and challenges facing the College.

The Chairman, Organizing Committee, Prof. Oladapo Ashiru, OFR said Universities all over the world had a day set that fund raised at the event would be used in advancing the College: as to realize its funding objectives towards those identified projects and beyond. He reiterated that soliciting funding in the various categories as identified needs of the College has brought about the event of the day which will be holding annually.

The occasion witnessed the honouring of some of the dignitaries with awards. Among the recipients are: Chief Kessington Adebukunola Adebutu – CEO, Premier Lotto; His Imperial Majesty, His Royal Majesty Oba Adesesan Oguntayo, The Ajalorun of Ijebu Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Frederick Enitiolorunda Obateru Akinruntan, CON – Olugbo of Ugboland; His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, Executive Governor, Lagos State; Mrs. Winifred Akpani, founder & CEO, Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company Ltd.; Mrs. Angela Olufunmilayo Emuwa (Nee Aboderin) Chairman, Punch Nigeria Ltd.; Mr. Herbert Wigwe, MD/CEO, Access Bank Plc; Mr. Peter Amangbo, MD/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc; The Chapel of the Healing Cross, LUTH/CMUL, Idi-Araba; Dr. A.B.C. Ojiako, Chairman, Seplat Petroleum and Development Company Plc; Sir Olu Okeowo, Chairman, Gibraltar Construction; Mr.Ladipupo Balogun, GMD/CEO, FCMB; Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO).Present were: Chief Kessington Adebutu and his wife; the Alalirun of Ihebu Ife Oba Adesesan Oguntayo,the Olugbo of Ugbo land, Oba ObateruAkinruntan and his wife; Chief OluOkeowo and his wife, Philanthropist and Businessman; Providus Bank Managing Director, Mr. Walter Akpani and his wife; Managing Director, Northwest Petroleum & Gas Company, Mrs. Winifred Akpani, among others.

“It would be recalled that the College of Medicine was established by the founding fathers with the vision to be one of the first Medical Institution with a strong track record of research leadership nationally, a tradition. And to achieve its objective and vision, it is necessary to resuscitate the High Table Dinner, which is going to be an annual black-tie event and planned to be the beginning of a continuous tradition similar to Oxford and Cambridge Ball, Harvard Alumni Dinner, or Trinity College Dublin Dinner. It is worthy to note that several respondents to the fundraising event donated generously towards this noble course of moving forward the College and substantial funding of medical education in Nigeria”…  For more stories and pictures, please visit us@cmul.unilag.edu.ng

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