By ENITAN ABEL JOHNGOLD ORHERUATA, mnipr
The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Dr. Adedotun Michael Aremu Gbadebo III, CFR, and former Governor of Kano State, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, CFR, have emerged as Chairman and Vice-Chairman respectively of the newly constituted Board of Trustees of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA) Worldwide.
The two eminent Nigerians were inaugurated alongside former Governor of Delta State, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, CON; renowned cardiologist, Dr. Achilihu Onye; Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Distinguished Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello; former Vice-Chancellor of Benue State University, Professor Charity Angya; and Vice-Chancellor of the Nigerian Army University, Biu, Professor Mohammed Kyari.
The inauguration, which followed a process initiated at the 205th Worldwide Executive Council (WEC) Meeting of UIAA Worldwide hosted by the Isoko Chapter in March 2026, took place on Saturday, August 29, 2026, at the Dame Edith Okowa Auditorium, Dr. Michael Omolayole Alumni Complex, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The process began following a motion unanimously adopted at the Isoko-hosted WEC meeting to replace members of the Board of Trustees whose tenures had expired and to fill vacancies created by the death of some former members.
A nomination process designed to reflect the national spread and diversity of the University of Ibadan Alumni family subsequently produced the seven-member Board.
The nominations were ratified at another Worldwide Executive Council meeting hosted by the Anambra State Branch of UIAA in Awka in May 2026, after which the newly constituted Board was duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission.
The inauguration ceremony of the newly constituted Board of Trustees (BoT) was performed by the Acting Worldwide President of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), Prof. Terrumun Hembaor Gajir. He was assisted by the Association’s 1st Worldwide Vice President, Dr. Irene Irenosen Akhideno; a member of the UIAA Trust Fund, Prof. Obi Emenike; and two former Worldwide Presidents, Dr. N. C. Merenu and Prof. Kemi Emina, at the Dame Edith Okowa Auditorium, University of Ibadan, Ibadan
Speaking shortly after his inauguration as Chairman of the Board, Oba Gbadebo described the event as a moment of renewal and an opportunity to begin a new chapter in the history of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association Worldwide.
He said the Board would bring together experience from public service, academia, administration, professional practice and community leadership, stressing that the diversity of its members reflected the depth and strength of the University of Ibadan family.
The Alake said the Board would focus on preserving the unity, dignity, integrity and enduring legacy of the Alumni Association.
“We must build bridges where there are divisions, encourage dialogue where there are disagreements, and promote reconciliation wherever relationships have become strained,” he said.
According to him, one of the immediate priorities of the new Board would be to reconcile aggrieved members, branches and chapters of the Association across the country and beyond.
He specifically identified branches and chapters in Warri, Ughelli, Bayelsa, Lagos, Abuja and Ekiti, among other locations, where disagreements and grievances have affected relationships among some alumni.
The monarch said the Board would not approach such disagreements from the perspective of winners and losers.
“There should be no winners and no losers when Great UIites are divided. The real loser is the University of Ibadan Alumni Association itself,” he declared.
He said the Board would adopt dialogue, consultation, reconciliation and healing in addressing disagreements, adding that it would reach out to aggrieved members and facilitate constructive engagement among individuals, branches and relevant organs of the Association.
Oba Gbadebo also pledged that the Board would work to foster a harmonious and mutually beneficial relationship between the management of the University of Ibadan and the Alumni Association.
He said the University and its alumni remained partners in progress and should work together to advance the growth, development and global reputation of the institution.
The new BoT Chairman further assured that the Board would not compete with the elected leadership of UIAA Worldwide but would provide stability, institutional memory, counsel and guidance while respecting the constitutional authority of the Association’s duly constituted organs.
“Our immediate task will be reconciliation. Our broader mission will be unity. Our enduring commitment will be to protect the dignity and legacy of the University of Ibadan,” Oba Gbadebo said.
In his remarks, Ganduje described his relationship with the University of Ibadan as deep and longstanding, recalling the institution’s historic contributions to Nigeria’s social and economic development.
The former Kano State governor, who obtained his doctorate in Public Administration from the University of Ibadan after enrolling in 1988 and completing the programme in 1993, recalled his early professional relationship with the institution.
He said the University of Ibadan played a significant consultancy role in the early development of the Federal Capital Territory, particularly in issues relating to settlement, resettlement and compensation following the creation of Abuja.
Ganduje said his interaction with the University’s consultants at the time left a lasting impression on him because of what he described as their professionalism, articulation and integrity.
He said his admiration for the institution influenced his decision to pursue his doctoral degree at the University of Ibadan.
The former APC National Chairman also spoke of his family’s relationship with the University, noting that his wife, Professor Hafsat Ganduje, is an alumnus of the institution and recalling his personal contributions to infrastructure development at the University.
Ganduje congratulated the Chairman and members of the new Board and pledged his commitment to supporting initiatives that would strengthen the University of Ibadan Alumni Association and advance the institution’s enduring legacy.
The ceremony attracted members of the University of Ibadan Governing Council, management, executives of UIAA Worldwide, alumni, academics, family members and friends of the newly inaugurated Board members.
Among those in attendance were the Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University, Professor Olatunji-Bello, who was joined by members of the university’s management team and other associates.
Oba Gbadebo, while paying tribute to former members of the Board of Trustees, acknowledged the contributions of Dr. Michael Omolayole, Elder Felix Ohiwerei, Senator T. O. Orji, Senator George Akume, Mrs. Maureen Bakare, the late Senator Jonathan Zwingina, the late Chief Dr. P. C. Obakponovwe and other past members.
He said their contributions had provided a solid foundation upon which the new Board would build.
“Today marks a new beginning,” the Alake said. “The inauguration of this Board is an invitation to service.
“We accept this responsibility with humility, knowing that we are merely custodians of a legacy that belongs to generations of Great UIites, past, present and future.”