Drs. Dolamu and Modupe Sokunbi, members of the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association North America Chapter (ICOMAA NA), have consistently given towards the Hostel Project for students at the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
The Hostel Project, spearheaded by ICOMAA, is a significant undertaking aimed at providing accommodation for students at the College of Medicine. The Building Committee, which comprises alumni from various parts of the world including Nigeria, Australia and New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, the United Kingdom and Ireland, and the United States of America, has been established to oversee the construction process and subsequently manage the hostel.
Dr. Modupe Sokunbi, representing the USA, is an active member of the Building Committee, contributing her expertise and efforts towards ensuring the successful completion and management of this important investment by the alumni. Both Drs. Dolamu and Modupe Sokunbi, who graduated from the MBBS program in 1981 and 1982 respectively, have taken on leadership roles in fundraising and have been instrumental in encouraging their fellow alumni to contribute towards this noble cause. Their continuous support and advocacy have played a vital role in the success of the fundraising efforts.
On May 23, 2023, they sent in their donations and have individually attained Platinum Level Donation status. In their correspondence accompanying the donation, Dr. Modupe Sokunbi (nee Ogunnaike) wrote:
“My own donation was inspired in part and dedicated to the memory of my late brothers - Professor Babatunde Ogunnaike and Pastor Olusegun Ogunnaike. What you do for yourself is gone when you are gone - but what you do for others remains. May their legacy live on”.
“We are so grateful for the way CoMUI has been such a great blessing in our lives. We have also been inspired by the passion of the Provost and her current Leadership team who are doing such remarkable work in the face of great challenges. We are happy to be part of the laudable project which will benefit generations of medical students in the years to come”.
Dolamu completed his two-year tenure as President, ICOMAA-NA in October 2022 while Modupe is the current Vice-President.
Their nephew, Dr. Olufemi Taiwo, a professor of philosophy in the USA, had on December 31, 2022, donated $6000 towards the hostel after they reached out to him. He is a Gold Level Donor, donating in honour of his mother, late Dr. Yetunde Taiwo, an alumna of the University of Ibadan and a sister to Dr. Dolamu Sokunbi.
The Sokunbis donated $3000 each on July 26, 2022, and jointly attained the Gold status with $6000. Early this year, precisely on 17 January 2023, they sent in each another $3000 each, bringing their donation to $12000 attaining Platinum status as a couple.
Despite grappling with the tragic loss of Dr. Modupe Sokunbi's brother, Pastor Segun Ogunnaike, on May 12, 2023, both Dr. Dolamu and Dr. Modupe Sokunbi made a remarkable decision on May 23, 2023. They chose to contribute $6000 each once again, attaining the esteemed Platinum status as individual donors. This selfless act demonstrates their unwavering commitment to the cause, even in the face of personal adversity.
As we congratulate them for this sacrificial donation, please let us all extend our condolences and prayers to them at this very difficult and painful time.