OAU alumni renovate Mozambique Hall block for female students
The Great Ife Alumni Association, District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (DMV) Branch, USA, has renovated Block L of Mozambique Hall at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, in a multi-million-naira intervention to improve accommodation for female students.
The renovated block was commissioned on Tuesday by the vice-chancellor of the university, Prof. Adebayo Simeon Bamire, at a ceremony attended by members of the university’s management and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, Bamire commended the DMV branch for its commitment to the university’s development, saying the administration had deliberately engaged alumni worldwide to help address infrastructural challenges on campus.
“When we came on board, we acknowledged that some of the hostels were in a deplorable state, and we knew the government alone could not do everything for us,” Bamire said, urging faculties and departments to strengthen engagement with their alumni.
The Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. A. Odedire, also expressed appreciation to the alumni branch, while the Hall Warden, Mrs J. O. Adesopo, recalled that the partnership began in 2024 and had continued until the completion of the project.
President of the DMV branch, Mr Oluwole Akinyede, said the intervention was inspired by the need to strengthen the bond between alumni and their alma mater and provide female students with a better living environment.
He said the project followed discussions with the vice-chancellor at an alumni event in Canada and the subsequent receipt of photographs showing the deteriorating condition of some university hostels. The renovated block features upgraded plumbing and electrical installations, reinforced doors, modern tiling and fresh painting.
The university said the project had generated interest from other alumni branches, with the Dallas, Iwo, Osogbo and Ikorodu branches indicating interest in renovating Blocks S, W, X and Q, respectively. Bamire called on other alumni associations, corporate organisations and individuals to partner with the university in addressing its infrastructural needs.
