By IndyPress News Desk 

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, on Thursday reiterated that the university is consistently making efforts to deepen relationships with its alumni.

He made this statement while receiving a distinguished alumnus of the University, The Right Reverend Dr Stephen Tunde Victor Adegbite, the Bishop of Ikeja Diocese of Methodist Church of Nigeria, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State Chapter and the Executive Secretary, Nigeria Christian Pilgrim Commission.

The Right Reverend Adegbite was led by a team from the Department of Religious Studies on a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor as a prelude to his delivering a Distinguished Alumni Lecture, organised by the Department.

The Vice-Chancellor commended the guest lecturer for being a worthy ambassador of the university and for accepting the invitation to deliver the distinguished alumni lecture.

The VC emphasised that UI has a strong alumni community that can potentially shake hands with the university and own the institution, adding that this was why the management created the Office of Alumni Relations to document the alumni of the university digitally for seamless communication and collaboration with the university.

He said that running a federal university like UI could not be left in the hands of the government alone, stressing the need to create an avenue for the university’s alumni to look back and give to their alma mater and also be inspired to be part of the process of sustainability.

Professor Adebowale commended the Department of Religious Studies for organising the alumni lecture, stating that such lectures give the university community an avenue to convene and discuss critical topics.

He asserted that the university was not only about mortar and bricks, saying that public lectures were a critical aspect of the university system, which gives a platform to discuss important issues that affect humanity.

The Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Professor S. O. Oyetade disclosed that The Right Reverend Adegbite had been a benefactor to the Faculty in the past, facilitating the installation of a solar power system in the Faculty.

Professor Oyetade advocated that more should be done as the faculty and departments rely on the alumni to advance the cause of teaching and research.

The Head, Department of Religious Studies, Professor Olumuyiwa Familusi, said that the visit was part of the activities lined up for the second Distinguished Alumni Lecture of the Department.

According to him, the Lecture entitled: “Religion and the Murky Waters of Nigerian Politics”, will give the lecturer an opportunity to educate and enlighten the participants on how Christians and religious leaders can navigate the political terrain in Nigeria and be instrumental as change agents in the society.

The Guest Lecturer, The Right Rev. Dr. Stephen Tunde Victor Adegbite said he was delighted to be back at his alma mater.

He appreciated the university management for maintaining the standard of academic excellence and prayed for the university at large.

On the entourage of the guest speaker were representatives of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Lagos State Chapter, members of staff of the Department of Religious Studies, and other Church leaders.

Credit: UI Directorate of Public Communication