By Abubakar Imam
The Director, Centre for Advancement, University of Ilorin, Prof. Waheed Babatunde Yahya, has said that the upcoming 50th anniversary celebration of the University is for the alumni and students of the University as it is for its current and past staff members.
`Prof. Yahya stated this last Tuesday (October 7, 2025) while featuring on the second edition of “Countdown to UNILORIN @ 5O” on UNILORIN 89.3 FM. The programme, which was designed to provide illuminations on the University’s 50th anniversary, was anchored by Ms Bimbo Durojaiye.
The Director said that alumni of the University cannot be indifferent to their alma mater, particularly at this point in time, as he said that their stories would be incomplete without adequate reference to their sojourns at the University.
Prof. Yahya, who is also the Chairman of the Sub-Committee on the Alumni Day of the UNILORIN @ 50 Anniversary Planning Committee, said that it was in the realisation of the significance of the alumni of the University that a day was specifically set aside to celebrate them.
He said that deserving alumni are currently being identified for honour in appreciation of their contributions not only to the University but also to humanity at large.
Prof. Yahya said that only those who have truly distinguished themselves in different careers would be honoured on the “Alumni Day” scheduled for Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at the University Auditorium.
While saying that his Sub-Committee is working with the University Alumni Association, the Chairman urged other alumni of the University across the world not only to participate in the upcoming event but also begin to challenge themselves with what they would do for the University for them to stand out in its history.
The Director, who is also an alumnus of the University, said that the programme would also witness the conferment of awards on past Principal Officers of the University whose sweat led to the production of all the alumni.
He also said that some distinguished personalities who are neither alumni nor ex-staff of the University but whose contributions impacted positively on the University would also he honoured.
Prof. Yahya, therefore, encouraged Deans and Directors as well as Heads of various Departments in the University to recommend deserving staff members of their units who are alumni of the University for honour.
Answering a question on the number of individuals to be honoured, Prof. Yahya said that the list is being compiled and that only the management of the University would determine the exact number.
Prof. Yahaya, who teaches at the Department of Statistics, thanked the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Wahab Olasupo Egbewole, SAN, and his team for their support. He also thanked the Chairman of the Anniversary Planning Committee, Prof. Olugbenga Ayodeji Mokoulu, for his guidance and leadership.
