The issue of the Nigerians in the Diaspora will take the centre stage as Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa is the guest speaker at 2018 annual national reunion of Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’ Association (UNIFEMGA) on Saturday May 5, at Ile-Ife, Osun state.
In a statement by the Chairman Planning Committee of the Reunion, Luqman Obileye and Mohammed Buari, Public Relations Officer, stated that the three- day programme would hold at Oduduwa Hall from Friday May 4 to May 6 from 10 a.m.
The statement added that Dabiri-Erewa would speak on the theme of the Reunion: “Leveraging the Diaspora: Opportunities for the Nigerian Muslim Ummah” while the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, is the royal father of the day.
It added that Alhaji Abdulfattah Amoo, Executive Director, Jaiz International Bank Plc would chair the occasion on Saturday with Prof. Eyitope Ogunbodede as the Host Vice Chancellor.
The statement said that Alhaji Kamor Disu, Executive Chairman, Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) is the Discussant while Barrister Abdur-Raheem Adebayo Shittu, Minister of Communications would be the Special Guest of Honour.
UNIFEMGA said that the uniqueness of the 2018 national reunion was the inclusion of a networking dinner on Friday May 4, to be anchored by Alhaji Marshal Sulayman, Chairman, Board of Trustees, National Council of Nigerian Muslim Organisations (NCNMO), United States of America on the topic: “NCNMO Vision 2025 and the Handshake with the Nigerian Muslim Ummah.”
The statement added that the dinner would be chaired by Justice Habeeb Adewale Abiru, of Court of Appeal, Jos Division while Alhaji Rafiu Ebiti, Chairman Board of Trustees, UNIFEMGA, is the Chief Host at AwoVarsity Hall, OAU Ile-Ife, Osun State from 8pm.
Similarly, the statement stated that there would be a special Jumat Service at OAU Central Mosque, a courtesy call on the new vice Chancellor and a welcome reception for all the delegates.
UNIFEMGA noted that there would also be scholarship grant and an empowerment programme for students on campus to be facilitated by renowned resource persons as well as family picnic and sports for all delegates.
Other highlights of the three day national reunion conference include novelty match among the branches and a Press Conference on Sunday.
Speaking on the uniqueness of the reunion, Engr. Abdulwaheed Odeyimka, UNIFEMGA National President said this is the first time in 30 years that a woman and an alumnus would deliver the reunion lecture and the Ooni of Ife will grace the occasion.
Dabiri-Erewa is the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora to President Muhammadu Buhari.
Over 250 delegates from all the branches including those in the Diaspora have already registered to participate in the 2018 National reunion Conference.