Together with the Management Team, the Provost of the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan (CoMUI) received the Secretary-General of the Ibadan College of Medicine Alumni Association (ICOMAA), United Kingdom and Ireland, Dr. Adeyemi Adedeji, an alumnus of the Physiotherapy Class of 1997. Dr. Adedeji was accompanied by Professor O. Ayanniyi on this courtesy visit to the Provost. Professor Ayanniyi represented the Head of the Department of Physiotherapy who was out of town during his visit. The team was warmly received by the Provost, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun FAS, and Deputy Provost, Professor A.F. Adeniyi, firstly in the office of the Head of Department of Physiotherapy, where the Deputy Provost formally introduced Dr. Adeyemi Adedeji to the Provost.
Prior to the courtesy visit to the Provost's Office, Dr. Adeyemi Adedeji had made a stop at the Department of Physiotherapy, where he met with the leadership of the department and commended their efforts and investment in the students of the department towards achieving success. He also stated his ambition to substantially support the achievement of the department’s goals. The acting Head of Department of Physiotherapy warmly received the Secretary-General and praised his commitment and love for the department and its students. Dr. Adedeji also addressed the students of the Department of Physiotherapy at the Physiotherapy Lecture Theatre where he emphasised prioritising excellence in their studies.
Dr. Adeyemi Adedeji addresses students of the Department of Physiotherapy, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
Dr. Adeyemi Adedeji and students of the Department of Physiotherapy pose for a photograph at the College quadrangle.
While receiving the equipment donated to the department, the Acting Head praised the benevolent gift of the donors to the department and stated that the equipment would be utilised effectively. The equipment was donated on behalf of seven (7) Physiotherapy alumni of CoMUI based in Ireland. The Secretary-General of ICOMAA UK & Ireland, Dr. Adeyemi Adedeji (1997) had coordinated the efforts of Dr. Adewale Shittu (1988), Mr. Niyi Adebomi (1998), Mr. Tobi Toriola (2000), Mrs. Adeola Toriola (2000), Mr. Dayo Gbadebo (2000), and Mrs Patricia Ayeni (1995). The Department of Physiotherapy had reached out for help to the alumni, and they had rallied round to raise the funds for these items. The Provost expressed gratitude to the donors for being so thoughtful in giving back to their alma mater.
Professor O. Ayanniyi receives items donated by Seven (7) Physiotherapy alumni based in Ireland including, one (1) Laptop (hp), two (2) Projectors (acer), and one (1) Desktop Monitor (hp) to the Department of Physiotherapy
The Provost, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun FAS, acknowledging the equipment donated by Dr. Adeyemi Adedeji to the Department of Physiotherapy.
At her office, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun extended a warm welcome to Dr. Adedeji and expressed her pleasure at his visit. She emphasized the College's open-door policy for its distinguished alumni, underlining the strong and enduring relationship between the alumni and the College. The Provost elaborated on the importance of productive collaborations between the College and its alumni, emphasizing their crucial role in matters concerning student welfare and the overall advancement of the learning process within the institution. Furthermore, she underscored the significance of adequate funding for the advancement of education and the creation of a conducive learning environment for students. The Provost discussed the challenges faced by the College, including recent issues such as a two week period without electricity due to unpaid electricity bills. She hoped that the government would come to the aid of the College in this regard.
The Provost explained the financial aspects of the College, highlighting that its two primary sources of funding were the Health Professional Training Levy (HPTL) solely to support student training and the administrative charge from research grants. These funds were shared across the relevant units of the College. She also took a moment to express appreciation for the Secretary-General's coordination of a generous donation to the Department of Physiotherapy, which she observed will enhance the quality of training for the students in that department.
From L-R: Professor O. Ayanniyi, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun, Dr. Adeyemi Adedeji, and Professor A.F Adeniyi.
In his remarks, Dr. Adeyemi Adedeji expressed profound appreciation for the outstanding efforts and leadership of the College of Medicine. He acknowledged the College's commitment to maintaining a prominent position both nationally and globally. Dr. Adedeji also pledged his unwavering support for the ongoing construction of the student hostel, promising to support its timely completion and commissioning. Dr. Adedeji also extended his gratitude to the Provost, for accommodating his visit and commended her for her welcoming actions. He reiterated his promise to institute a yearly award for the best undergraduate research project in Physiotherapy, a commitment warmly received by the College's leadership.
In her response, the Provost elaborated on the College's vision, one of which she termed the "Internationalisation" agenda. She encouraged alumni in the diaspora to give back to their alma mater by becoming adjunct lecturers.
The Provost emphasised the necessity of constructing a new hostel to accommodate all clinical students in the College, a project spearheaded by ICOMAA. Despite the challenges posed by the inadequate state of the education system in the country, particularly in terms of funding, the College remains committed to fundraising efforts to bridge the financial gap and ensure the successful completion of the project. This endeavour will significantly contribute to raising the standard of education in the College. She expressed gratitude for the generous support and fundraising efforts of the alumni body, which are contributing to the timely completion of the hostel project.
The Provost also emphasised the plan relating to the upgrading of the Department of Physiotherapy to the status of a Faculty. This change will among others enhance efficiency and foster sub-specialization. The Provost also urged Dr. Adedeji to convey this message to the ICOMAA group in the UK and Ireland, encouraging increased contributions to support this initiative.
The Provost, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun, Deputy Provost, Professor A.F Adeniyi hosting Dr. Adeyemi Adedeji at the Provost’s Office in the company of Acting Head,
Professor O. Ayanniyi.
In a short remark, the Deputy Provost, Professor A.F. Adeniyi, a distinguished Professor of Physiotherapy stated the need for further cooperation from the alumni of the Department of Physiotherapy to donations towards the ongoing hostel building project, stressing the collective benefit that stands to be gained by all parties.
The ICOMAA UK and Ireland Secretary-General in his closing remarks lauded the remarkable accomplishments of the leadership of the College, headed by the Provost towards the advancement of the institution. He highlighted that the Physiotherapy alumni body had in the past raised funds for several projects in the Department of Physiotherapy and promised that the alumni body would continue to contribute its quota to the betterment and progress of the department and the institution. As a show of his support and appreciation, Dr. Adeyemi Adedeji generously donated the sum of One Million Naira towards the hostel project, emphasizing that this was the first tranche. He further stressed his resolve to rally around several other alumni to support the project.
The Provost then led the visiting team to briefly observe the ongoing construction of the lateral expansion of the Department of Physiotherapy building being funded by the children of the Doyen of Physiotherapy in Nigeria, Dr. T. Abayomi Oshin in honour of their 97-year-old father.
The CoMUI Management Team, led by the Provost at the site of the ongoing Dr. Abayomi Oshin Physiotherapy building construction at the Department of Physiotherapy, with Dr. Adeyemi Adedeji and Professor O. Ayanniyi.
The Provost expressed her appreciation to the ICOMAA UK and Ireland body and its Secretary General for their support and thoughtfulness in paying a courtesy visit and giving back to their alma mater. She restated her hope of a continuously thriving relationship between the alumni association and the College.
From L-R: Secretary to the College, Mr A.E. Odedele, Provost, Professor Olayinka Omigbodun, Secretary-General, ICOMAA UK & Ireland, Dr Adeyemi Adedeji, Deputy Provost, Professor A.F. Adeniyi and Acting Head of Physiotherapy, Professor O. Ayanniyi