A new leadership of the Alumni Association of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE) has emerged, hailing the institution’s latest ranking and pledging support for the management, staff, students, and graduates, towards building unity and enhancing visibility for greater impacts.
The new executive officers of the association emerged via an online election recently conducted and monitored by the university’s Directorate of Advancement, legal department, and agents of various candidates, among other observers, who hailed the process for being transparent and fair.
The new leadership will take over from the pioneer leadership of the alumni association of the 14-year-old university. The outgoing leadership has Mr Temitope Arogundade as the president, while the newly elected successor has been serving as the secretary.
New Officers
According to a statement by the university’s directorate of advancement, the election, which recorded a total of 682 votes cast, produced Taye Ojo, a communication strategist and editor at Capital Data Consult, as the new president and Motunrayo Oyedele as vice president.
While Esan Femi was elected the general secretary, a former president of the university’s students’ union, and now a lecturer on the campus, Ayowale Salahudeen, emerged as the assistant general secretary.
Other elected officers are Akinyemi Oluwasegun (Financial Secretary), Ojo Sanmi (Treasurer), Ige Abimbola (Welfare Officer), Promise Olugbeje (Social Secretary), Amure Emmanuel (Public Relations Officer), and Victor Daramola (Assistant PRO).
The election was observed by the Head of the university’s legal unit, Eni Lawrence, a lawyer; Abiola Adekunle, who represented the University Registrar, Mufutau Ibrahim; the university’s Academic Affairs officer, Emmanuel Adohoje, and a former Global President of the Ekiti State University Alumni Association, Adetunberu Oludotun, who gave a solidarity support.
A statement credited to the advancement directorate noted that the observers commended the orderly conduct of the election, “and the commitment of the FUOYE alumni community to democratic values.”
“The Electoral Committee expressed appreciation to all participants for their cooperation and decorum throughout the exercise. The newly elected executives are expected to strengthen alumni engagement and continue supporting the university’s advancement initiatives,” the statement added.
The Directorate of Advancement, led by Olubukola Oyawoye, a professor who personally supervised the process, reaffirmed the directorate’s commitment to sustaining transparency and inclusiveness in alumni activities, while fostering stronger ties between graduates and their alma mater.
My vision for FUOYE alumni association – President
According to the new President, clinching 11th position among more than 300 universities in Nigeria in the latest Times Higher Education World Universities Rankings, within just 14 years of establishment, is massive, and commended the institution’s management, staff, and alumni members for what he described as a yeoman’s job done to attain the feat.
He said through a united front, the association will collaborate with relevant individuals and organisations, both locally and internationally, not only to provide opportunities for members but also to build networks and visibility for the ivory tower.
Mr Ojo said his administration will not only ensure transparency and accountability in reporting finances, activities, and decisions, but he will also ensure proper communication and engagement of members through regular newsletters, digital platforms, and dedicated feedback mechanisms “so that every alumnus could feel heard.”
He also promised to mobilise more members through the creation of state and global chapters and the provision of post-graduation support for alumni members through stronger collaborations and partnerships.
Mr Ojo said; “When I say we are ready to fly, I’m not just talking about growth, I’m talking about creating the solid financial wings that will carry our alumni association to greater heights.
“For too long, we’ve relied on one-time membership dues to fund our work. But it’s time for us to think bigger and more sustainably. That’s why, as your President, I will propose and, together with my team, fashion out a multi-faceted approach to fundraising that will ensure we are financially strong, self-sustaining, and able to fund notable developments for both the alumni body and FUOYE itself.”
About Mr Ojo
The newly elected president, Mr Ojo, hails from Kwara State. He holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in English and Literary Studies from FUOYE, where he served as the pioneer president of the university’s chapter of the National Association of Students of English and Literary Studies (NASELS).
Mr Ojo currently serves as lead writer and editor at Capital Data Consult, having earlier served as a research assistant at JHPIEGO, contributing to vital health research projects, as well as holding a media monitoring role at SandExpress Limited, where he honed his skills in news assessment and strategic communications, amongst others.
