UI College of Medicine Thrives on Strong Alumni Support, Says Provost Omigbodun
Expressing concern over the challenges faced by public universities due to inadequate funding, Professor Omigbodun voiced her apprehension about the Federal Government's directive for institutions to remit 40 percent of internally generated funds.
AKACHI NOEL 
The Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun, highlighted the pivotal role of strong alumni support in ensuring the survival and success of the college. Speaking at the 2023 Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA) Day and distinguished alumni lecture, Professor Omigbodun urged alumni to establish an endowment, emphasizing its significance in amplifying their collective voice.
Expressing concern over the challenges faced by public universities due to inadequate funding, Professor Omigbodun voiced her apprehension about the Federal Government's directive for institutions to remit 40 percent of internally generated funds. She stressed that this move would exacerbate the financial strain on public universities already burdened by the Treasury Single Account (TSA) requirement for grants dedicated to research and training.
"The way I see it, the alumni are the hope of the college. The Federal Government, in a news report, wants us to release 40 percent of our internally generated revenue. Institutions are already choked and going under," she remarked, underscoring the vital role alumni can play in sustaining the college.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Professor Kayode Adebowale, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic), Professor Aderonke Baiyeroju, acknowledged the enduring spirit of the university's alumni and the transformative power of education. Encouraging members of ICOMAA to stay connected and support one another, he emphasized the need to collectively advance the goals of the Ibadan College of Medicine.
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The President of ICOMAA Worldwide, Professor Emmanuel Otolorin, highlighted the challenges faced by the college, including a significant debt owed to the electricity provider. He called on the government to intervene and relieve the College of Medicine, University College Hospital, and the University of Ibadan from the burden of electricity supply.
The distinguished alumni lecturer for 2023, Mr. Adebanji Adeyoju, a consultant urological surgeon in the United Kingdom, praised the Ibadan College of Medicine as a remarkable institution worthy of support.
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The event provided a platform for alumni to network and stay informed about developments in their alma mater. Professor Otolorin encouraged future generations of students to give back and support indigent students, ensuring the continued success of the institution.
The occasion emphasized the symbiotic relationship between the college and its alumni, illustrating how their collective efforts contribute to the resilience and progress of the University of Ibadan's College of Medicine.
