Egbewole commends ODUNA’s annual medical outreach for significant impact
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Ilorin, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, has lauded the Offa Descendants Union of North America (ODUNA) for its impactful annual medical outreach.
The Vice Chancellor gave this commendation penultimate Thursday (January 18, 2024) at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital while speaking at the special Faculty Lecture of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Ilorin, which was powered by ODUNA.
Prof. Egbewole called attention to the importance of ODUNA’s initiatives, stating that involving academics in community engagements ensures the sustainability of programmes.
The Vice Chancellor expressed the University’s unwavering willingness to partner with organisations like ODUNA for the betterment of both the University and surrounding communities.
Prof. Egbewole said,”As a University, we are always willing to accommodate all sorts of experts for the improvement and development of our institution. We, at the University of Ilorin, remain committed to fostering partnerships that contribute to the overall development of the institution and the communities we serve. The collaboration with ODUNA stands as a testament to the shared commitment to making a positive impact on society through education and healthcare initiatives”.
Emphasising the significance of collaboration between academic institutions and community organisations, Prof. Egbewole said, “The fact that we are engaged in this matter indicates that both the leadership at ODUNA appreciates the fact that the future of the world lies in this kind of engagement.”
The Vice Chancellor, however, expressed his hope for the continued success of the programme, urging all stakeholders to work towards its sustenance. He noted that “This programme must not be a one-off thing. It must be enabled and consciously cultivated for sustainability”.
In a welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Lukman Abdur-Rahman, said the Faculty was pleased to identify with the Offa Descendants Union of North America on her impactful annual medical mission aimed at giving back to the people of Offa and the neighbouring towns.
The Dean said that the Faculty has supported ODUNA’s medical mission in the last eight years through voluntary participation by the staff of the Faculty of Clinical Sciences, providing free medical screening, consultations, treatment, and surgeries and they are glad to have the project culminate into an academic presentation and public enlightenment.
Prof. Abdur-Rahman, however, noted that ‘‘the decision of the Faculty is in line with the tripartite mandate of the University, which is teaching, research and community service. It is on this tripartite mandate that our dear Faculty of Clinical Sciences, advances towards the internationalisation of the University through interdisciplinary and inter-university collaborations that will foster cross-fertilisation of skills and knowledge with experts from across the globe’’.
The Dean said that the Faculty looks forward to more mutually beneficial programmes with ODUNA in furtherance of her interest in medical education, visiting and exchange programmes, provision of training support for undergraduate and postgraduate medical, nursing and other allied health students, enhancement of telemedicine practices, grantsmanship and scholarship, etc.